MRIs for Everyone: New York City Health chases the Tumor!

As part of a National Preventative Health program, New York City Health and Brain Tumor Foundation are supporting Dr. Patrick Kelly's campaign to provide LOW COST or FREE 20 minute preliminary head MRI's for the general population.
This is a first for this road to detect tumors throughout the population, something that many brain tumor support groups throughout the world have been encouraging medical authorities to examine over past five years.
When such questions on easier availability of MRIs and unit costs were raised, they have been looked on with blank amazement. Its not that the costs of such equipment is not unknown, they are very costly to set up. But when it is realised the number of MRIs are completed each hour of the day, why, then does it cost so much for the patient.
We are talking about advanced technology here; the digital age has produced cheaper unit costs. Take the commercial digital photographic industry. It can produce very flexible en-product pricing.
It will be interesting to learn of New York City Health's costing on the above project. Geoff.

Not looking for Cancer - change your Lifestyle !

A recent report from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, estimated there were 39,200 deaths from all types of cancers in 2006. Yet, a consultancy research organisation suggests 106,000 are currently diagnosed each year.
So, where are Australians going wrong?
Aussies are renowned for a 'good lifestyle' irrespective of the rules of the game. Liberal thinking of the fifties and seventies, despite parental discipline, seem to have softened the rules of life, allowing a lifestyle open to prey.
It seemed fashionable to be seen smoking (remember Marlboro?), acceptance of drinking at an earlier age, try all the time-saving foods for those on the 'go', obesity and diet were thinly thought of, sun bake and suntan, either on the beach or ultraviolet induced, and what if a melanoma occurs, and unsafe sex.
Yeah Man . . . we were having a ball!
Then the stats started to kick in. A Doctor here, a Surgeon there, started to cry out. In the new millennium, new buzz-words took on more meanings as research results took hold; eat more green veges, wholegrains, diet, sunscreen plus, new forms of x-ray, specific cancer treatment skills, oncology came to the fore. Stat figures were now being quoted for cancer regularly as the road toll.
And Yeah! We are still living a lifestyle, but with a little more care. Sure, we are still smoking and drinking too much, but our diet is better, we are curbing the suntan, a hat has become more acceptable for the beach and bush.
Technology is fast decapitating some of the myths of cancer, with projections of 20% being made a reality for improvement by 2020.
Most monies for research are privately and publicly raised as education into cancer is now more acceptable. Governments still cannot come to grips to assist general and pharmacological research into drugs, especially when research is being conducted overseas and not tapped into here. Some patients are importing their drugs directly from overseas for their treatment; religious and political misgivings seem to stall the treatment progress in this country.
Fundamental beliefs should not be allowed to hinder such progress. Health has got to be seen as a by-product of Life, not an Add-on. Geoff. Acknowledgment Weekend Australia-Health/Pacific Strategy Partners.

Ultrsound fights Cancers - trials cover Tumor, Breast and Kidney

A new revolutionary Ultrasonic treatment is gaining momentum for Tumor, Breast, Kidney, Bone and Liver Cancers. Known as HIFU, the new treatment has proven to leave patients unscathed.
Developed at Coventry University Sonochemistry dept. and Chongqing Medical University, China, researchers conducted trials at Churchill Hospital, Oxford, with procedures now a reality, proving that focused ultrasound can be used to treat specific tumors.
With UK. research teams concentrating on kidney and liver tumors, US. teams at Harvard and Brigham Woman's hospital, under control of Drs. Peter Black and Ferenc Oesz, have been working on GBM tumors.
Professor Tim Mason, a 25yr-Sonochemistry research veteran, explained the key to this new ultrasonic cancer treatment was the ability to focus low energy ultrasound beams to a small, high energy target on a tumor inside the body.
Report from patients show no side-effects or markings on the patient, and follow-up scans show tumors to be dead or beginning to shrink.
Chinese researchers also report success with HIFU treatments on bone and breast cancers.
Accknowledgement medicalnewstoday.com. Geoff