This week research explores how medical problems affect complications after colon surgery, higher risks for colorectal cancer in vegetarians, decreasing levels of Vitamin D in the United States, and how malnutrition is connected to emotional distress in patients with advanced cancer.

Other headlines include an FDA update on the oxycodone shortage and a story linking a Pilgrim family to thousands of descendents with inherited colorectal cancer. Read the rest of this entry »

Stories this week:

• Research that finds an effective prep to be sure the right side of the colon is clean for colonoscopy.
• When doctors discuss end of issues with cancer patients, costs are reduced and quality of death improved.
• The NCI warns of dangers of colon hydrotherapy and cannot find any evidence that is prevents colon cancer.
• William Holman gave into his wife’s insistence that he be screened for colorectal cancer, and the test saved his life by finding an early colon cancer.  After surgery, his chances of complete recovery are high.

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This first week of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we report on the effect of seeking health information on patients knowing about and using targeted therapies and the use of warm water to allow comfortable colonoscopies without sedation.

A new website for cancer patients is available at the University of Iowa, alfalfa sprouts are behind an outbreak of salmonella saint paul in Nebraska, and Avastin has been approved for coverage for colorectal cancer in Alberta. Read the rest of this entry »

Briefly this week, there is no less risk of blood clots associated with central venous catheters with the prophylatic use of warfarin, a new drug is  tested in mice that might be useful in chemoprevention, and disparities between blacks and whites are found in post-surgical deaths in teaching hospitals.

Pet owners may be persuaded to stop smoking if they realize their pets are in danger, the Commonwealth Fund proposes comprehensive change in the US health care system, and Deadly in Pink reveals new tobacco marketing strategies that are focusing on young women. Read the rest of this entry »

This week we report research on the dangers of drinking green tea during treatment with the cancer drug Velcade, improvements choosing patients for successful surgery to remove liver mets, and the failure of lidocaine patches to reduce persistent surgical incision pain.

We also include news stories about potential FDA restrictions on Darvon, plums as a new “superfruit”, and a new microwave ablation treatment for liver tumors. Read the rest of this entry »