Category Archives: tests

All the latest news on excessive testing and treatment – the Naked Doctor strikes again

April 10, 2012 – 4:46 pm

An important campaign has just been launched in the US, with the backing of nine medical societies and several consumer groups, to encourage doctors and patients to identify tests and treatments that may not be necessary. As part of the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely campaign, this website lists tests and procedures identified by medical societies as commonly [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in complementary medicines, consumer health information, evidence-based issues, Naked Doctor | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Why the US Preventive Services Task Force is recommending against PSA screening for prostate cancer

October 11, 2011 – 8:01 pm

As has been widely reported, the US Preventive Services Task Force has issued a draft recommendation that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test should not be used to screen for prostate cancer. You can read it here (public comments are now being sought). It concludes that “there is moderate certainty that the harms of PSA-based screening [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in cancer, screening | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

The latest health and medical news: how does it rate?

June 27, 2011 – 6:41 pm

As recently mentioned, Croakey will feature regular updates from the team at Media Doctor Australia about their latest analyses of media coverage of new drugs and medical treatments. *** Some good news, and some that is not-so-good Amanda Wilson writes: Eight health stories have been reviewed on www.mediadoctor.org.au this month. Their subjects included milk allergy, [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in Cochrane Collaboration, diabetes, Media Doctor Australia, Media-related issues | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Beware the personal testimonial when it comes to prostate cancer screening

November 23, 2010 – 7:28 pm

Simon Chapman, professor of public health at the University of Sydney, writes: Last week’s publication of my book, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie? What men should know before getting tested for prostate cancer (free download here), has provoked a stream of testimonials from men who had their prostate cancer found via a PSA test, had it [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in cancer, men's health, public health, quality and safety of health care, screening | Tagged , | Comments (4)

Cancer patient advocates respond on genetic testing news

July 7, 2010 – 9:25 am

Sally Crossing, Chair, Cancer Voices NSW writes: “The Sydney Morning Herald’s recent front page article “Genetic testing decides who gets breakthrough drug” brings into public discussion an urgent need for an efficient, timely approvals process for these kinds of tests. New cancer drugs, to which our own genetic profiles respond, can’t be given without these [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in cancer | Tagged , | Comments (5)

Congrats to Catalyst

October 2, 2009 – 11:45 am

If you missed Catalyst on ABC Television last night, there were two excellent reports that are well worth taking the time to watch. This investigation of the prostate cancer screening debate was much more helpful than the sort of media coverage that we so often see of this fraught issue (and which I’ve been guilty [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in cancer, Media-related issues | Tagged , , , | Comments (6)