An AP story is reporting, “Many people do not get … straight talk” about cancer “from doctors, who often think they are doing patients a favor by keeping hope alive.” 

The study, presented at an American Society of Clinical Oncology conference, reports that oncologists who believe this “are wrong.”

Reuters is reporting new research suggesting that the correct interpretation of mammography results varies between facilities. Moreover, there are characteristics that predict which facilities are likely to provide more accurate readings.

“The most surprising finding,” according to one of the researchers, “was that there were characteristics that did explain some of the differences” in the facilities. “This is good news because it means that facilities could begin to consider adopting characteristics associated with better performance.”

Vitamin and mineral supplements are, of course, a staple of a lot of people’s lives. But a report from CBS News suggests that some are not only unnecessary, but could be dangerous.

Please let me know if you like this type of entry or not. Your feedback will be very helpful to me.

Best Treatment for Vertigo Is Easiest One

Here are Dr. Walt’s comments on today’s health headlines

Bible guides some in fitness routines

A news story out today contends that when a woman uses an Intrauterine Device (IUD) for birth control this “is associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of endometrial cancer.”

Yet, do not be deceived by this alluring headline. The news stories (and the physician quoted) fail to tell you two very important facts:

1) This 40% “relative risk reduction” means that the absolute risk of this very rare cancer will fall from 1 case per 13,333 women to 0.6 cases per 13,333 women per year. In other words, it would take 22,222 women to use the IUD to result in 1 less case of this cancer per year. Whopee!

2) However, there would be many more unborn children lost (or killed) by the IUD.

My bet is that most women, who believe invaluable human life begins at conception, would not want to take this IUD risk.