More News from ASCO 2008

Although men and women with metastatic colon or rectal cancer have similar overall survival after their diagnosis, age has an impact.  Women in premenopausal years, 18 to 44, live longer than younger men.  However, after the age of 75, women have significant worse survival than men.

Across all age groups, Hispanics survive the longest, followed by whites, Asians, African Americans, and, finally, Native Americans according to a study from the University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and reported at ASCO. Read the rest of this entry »

As I mentioned last week, the FY08 emergency supplemental appropriations bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. Included in the bill was an additional $150 million for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The package will now be sent to the Senate where it is expected to be greeted with similar support. It is also important to note that White House Budget Director Jim Nussle went on record last Thursday to express the administration’s approval of the final package.

Stay tuned…

The FDA has developed a message for consumers warning them of fraudulent online cancer cures.

They are frequently offered as dietary supplements or natural treatments.

Medicines and devices intended to treat cancer must gain FDA approval before they are marketed. The agency’s review process helps ensure that these products are safe and effective.  Without such approval, no product can be marketed as a medical treatment.

According to the FDA, many of these fraudulent cancer products may appear completely harmless, but can cause harm by delaying or interfering with proven, beneficial treatments. Read the rest of this entry »

The fate of the FY 08 emergency supplemental appropriations bill in the House was finally decided last night. Leaders on both sides negotiated a deal and came up with a bill that will likely be signed by the President.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was one of the big winners, snagging an additional $150 million. A much lower number than we had hoped for, but a victory nonetheless.

Read the rest of this entry »

The House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee is currently marking-up its fiscal year 2009 spending bill. This bill will provide funding for federal health and education programs during the upcoming fiscal year.

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