7 in 10 gynecologic cancer patients report cannabis helped ease symptoms
(Angela Stelmakowich/ Healthing) — A small U.S. study involving 45 gynecologic cancer patients prescribed medical marijuana (MM) for symptom management found 71 per cent self-reported improvement in at least one symptom. Investigators considered patients prescribed MM from May 2016 to February 2019 and reviewed the formulation prescribed, usage patterns, length of use, symptom relief and […]
FIND OUT MORE
Aspirin could cut risk of cancer deaths by 20%, study suggests
(Sky News) — Cancer patients who take aspirin as part of their treatment could cut their risk of death by 20%, according to a major review of studies. Researchers at Cardiff University said the medication – commonly used as pain relief – not only has “biological mechanisms” that help reduce mortality risk, but they also […]
FIND OUT MORE
‘Important’ advance in tough-to-treat thyroid cancer
(Ed Susman/ MedPage Today) –– Treatment with cabozantinib (Cabometyx) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer, an interim analysis of a phase III study found. In the intent-to-treat population of COSMIC-311, median PFS was not reached with cabozantinib, as compared to 1.9 months with placebo (HR 0.22, 96% CI […]
FIND OUT MORE
COVID-19 may trigger diabetes in some people
(Nicoleta Lanesse/ Live Science) — Emerging data hint that COVID-19 can trigger diabetes in some people, although the exact reason remains unknown. Scientists around the world noticed an uptick in new diabetes cases last year and, in particular, saw that some COVID-19 patients with no history of diabetes were suddenly developing the condition, Scientific American reported. The trend […]
FIND OUT MORE
Organ transplants drop dramatically during pandemic
(Brian Owens/ CMA Journal) — Hospitals are slowly resuming non-emergency procedures as outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wane across Canada. But for thousands of Canadians waiting for replacement organs, the pandemic continues to disrupt transplant operations and the supply of organs. The slowdown of procedures to free up resources for patients with COVID-19 “delayed […]
FIND OUT MORE
Canadians seeing more doctors after hours but electronic medical-record use lags behind
(Canadian Press) — Family doctors in Canada are providing increased access to care compared with most of their counterparts in 10 other countries but still lag behind when it comes to using electronic medical records, findings of a survey show. The Commonwealth Fund Survey also found few doctors can share patients’ lab and diagnostic test […]
FIND OUT MORE
Fat around arteries may keep blood vessels healthy, surprising study reveals
(John Anderer/ Study Finds) — Fat, when it’s located around an artery, may actually be a good thing, believe it or not. That’s the surprising conclusion of a recent Michigan State University study that focused on blood vessel health. If true, this discovery could conceivably change how medical professionals and researchers alike test for treatments […]
FIND OUT MORE
Palliative care patients, doctors, caregivers in Quebec desperate for more home-care services
(Anne Leclair/ Global News) — A fight is brewing between Quebec’s general practitioners and their union, leaving palliative care patients stuck in the middle. The Federation des médecins omnipraticiens du Quebec (FMOQ) and the province signed an agreement in March to create 68 palliative home care units in the province. But nine months later, there […]
FIND OUT MORE
New remote robotic brain surgery could revolutionize aneurysm, stroke treatment
(Nick Boisvert/ CBC News) — Doctors at a Toronto hospital have performed what they’re calling the world’s first neurovascular surgery using robotics, a procedure that could open the door to heightened levels of precision and improved care for patients in remote communities. The procedure was performed on Nov. 1 at Toronto Western Hospital to treat […]
FIND OUT MORE
3D printed heart gets closer to reality with breakthrough bioprinting method
(Lucy Ingham/ The Verdict) — A 3D printed heart that can be custom created for those needing a transplant has been a goal for some time, but recreating the highly complex organ has remained a dream so far. However, a new bioprinting technique could prove a key step on the road to making it a […]
FIND OUT MORE