- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Jun 30,2011
National trial highlights the effectiveness of CT scans at reducing lung cancer death rates
The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) is the first scientific study that provides clear evidence that CT screening significantly reduces the death rate due to lung cancer. NLST data shows 20 percent fewer lung cancer deaths among trial participants who had the CT scan compared with the chest x-ray. Until now, no screening test for lung cancer has proven effective in detecting tumors at an early, more treatable stage.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital is the only NLST site in Chicago. During the study period, more than 400 individuals enrolled in the trial locally. “We are extremely grateful to the participants in both the chest X-ray and the CT scan arms who volunteered for this lengthy and challenging trial,” said Eric M. Hart, MD, a radiologist and the NLST Site Principal Investigator at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “Their continued involvement is the basis for this ray of hope for other heavy smokers.”
The trial was conducted at 33 sites throughout the country and included more than 53,000 current or former “heavy smokers” between the ages of 55 and 74. Each participant was either a former heavy smoker within the last 15 years or a current smoker with at least a 30 pack year history of smoking (calculated by the number of packs per day times the number of years smoking). Between 2002 and 2004, the participants were randomly assigned to receive either a chest x-ray or a CT scan annually for three years. Then, they were monitored for the following five years.
Lung Cancer is one of the most common and lethal forms of cancer in the U.S. Lung cancer usually grows silently for years before symptoms arise that lead to diagnosis and treatment. By then, the cancer has typically reached an advanced stage where treatment is difficult and cure rates are low. Read the rest of this entry »
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- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Jun 29,2011
Rate Regulation Bill To Rein In Excessive Premiums Nears Key Vote In California Senate
More than 1,500,000 Californians will face health insurance premium increases on July 1 averaging 3% to 17.4%, according to state filings. Some patients with Aetna small business plans will see premium increases as high as 92.5%. California insurance regulators need the power to protect consumers and deny such steep rate increases when they are found to be excessive or unjustified, said Consumer Watchdog.
AB 52 (Feuer) would require a health insurance company to get approval from the elected insurance commissioner before a health insurance rate hike takes effect — subjecting health insurance rates to the same strict rate regulation that auto, homeowners and other insurance companies already comply with in California. The bill will be heard in the California State Senate Health Committee Wednesday afternoon. The majority of states have the power to reject unreasonable premium hikes, but not California.
“This is an urgent life and death issue for those Californians who face premium hikes Friday as high as 92% because California is one of the few states without premium regulation,” said Consumer Watchdog president Jamie Court. “Californians will continue to be held hostage by profiteering health insurance companies if the legislature does not grant the elected insurance commissioner the power to stop arbitrary and unnecessary premium hikes.” Read the rest of this entry »
Smaller than a cellphone, futuristic systems will serve as digital coaches and guardians
Consumers have a growing appetite for health and wellness devices, and this represents a burgeoning market opportunity for device manufacturers that has barely been tapped, according to a study from IBM. The company also unveiled a list of possible wellness device innovations of the future, which have the potential to change how people live, exercise and interact with their healthcare provider over the next five years.
Increasingly, wellness devices will be used to fill the information gap for consumers that are relatively healthy, but need devices that provide information to help them gain greater control over their conditions and lead healthier lives. These devices will plan, predict and monitor information, feeding it directly to caregivers and clinicians as well as support networks. Users will interact with devices on their own terms, and connect them via broadband, wireless and wireline connections. Read the rest of this entry »
- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Jun 27,2011
C-Spray, a revolutionary product introducing a new delivery system for vitamins and supplements, makes its debut onto the health and wellness market.
The parent company, Marz Sprays, is a family owned operation that boasts successful business ventures in a broad range of fields ranging from weight loss and health to finance and insurance. With their diverse skill sets, the Marz family have one goal in mind– only sell products that immensely benefit the health and well being of their customers. C-Spray combines Vitamin C, Zinc, Echinacea, B-12 and amino acids into a convenient portable bottle that is administered with six sprays under the consumer’s tongue.
After numerous studies found incredible health benefits from directly administering Vitamin C to the bloodstream, Marz Sprays recognized the missing presence in the market of a delivery system that maximizes the supplements effectiveness for everyday consumers. C-spray was created with mothers, teachers, and frequent travelers in mind as an accessible, convenient, portable means of staying healthy. Read the rest of this entry »