Scientists have developed a gene test which predicts how well chemotherapy will work in cancer patients.
Starting with 829 genes in breast cancer cells, the team whittled down the possibilities to six genes which had an impact on whether a drug worked.
They then showed that these genes could be used to predict the effectiveness of a drug called paclitaxel in patients.
It is hoped the approach, reported in The Lancet Oncology, can be replicated for other cancers and treatments.
The international project, including researchers from Cancer Research UK’s London Research …

Scientists have developed a gene test which predicts how well chemotherapy will work in cancer patients.
Starting with 829 genes in breast cancer cells, the team whittled down the possibilities to six genes which had an impact on whether a drug worked.
They then showed that these genes could be used to predict the effectiveness of a drug called paclitaxel in patients.
It is hoped the approach, reported in The Lancet Oncology, can be replicated for other cancers and treatments.
The international project, including researchers from Cancer Research UK’s London Research …

The nation’s largest insurance lobby is rolling out initiatives in New Jersey and Ohio to streamline and simplify the insurance filing process by allowing physician offices to log on to one Web portal to carry out a full range of insurance functions. (Source: AAFP Practice Management)

The Senate has failed to pass a short-term payment patch for the Medicare physician payment rate, thus allowing a 21.2 percent payment cut to take effect on March 1 based on the sustainable growth rate, or SGR, formula. But the reduction is not expected to have an immediate effect on physician payments. (Source: AAFP Government and Medicine)

By Jane ElliottHealth reporter, BBC News

When Lisa Simmons heard her younger brother needed a kidney transplant she did not hesitate – immediately offering him one of hers.
Having lost both her parents, she is very close to 29-year-old Tim and said the decision had been an easy one to make.
"The waiting list, we were told, could be up to eight years," said the 32-year-old PA, from London.
"I just wanted him to have the transplant. The thought of him having to go onto dialysis and wait…
"I would never have …

Movie-goers should have more information about how many calories are in cinema snacks, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said.
The nutrition watchdog is concerned about the portion sizes of cinema snacks which are often high in fat, sugar or salt.
The FSA said that cinemas sell "pretty large portions" and do not offer a smaller choice to customers.
FSA chief executive Tim Smith told The Times cinema food was "a concern".
Mr Smith said there seemed to be increasingly large snacks on sale. "Who would ever have thought of the idea …

A new campaign has been launched to put pressure on the NHS to examine where its medical instruments come from.
The British Medical Association (BMA) wants more Fairtrade and ethically-sourced kit to be used.
It says at least a fifth of surgical instruments are made in northern Pakistan, where child labour is common.
Ministers said "exploitation of any kind was unacceptable" and the Department of Health was working with the BMA to develop practical guidance.
The BMA is hoping NHS staff will support the campaign – Fair Medical Trade – and …

By Jane ElliottHealth reporter, BBC News

Lauren Roberts is only 23 years old, but fears she might never become a mother.
For Lauren has endometriosis, which results in patches of the womb’s inner lining growing in other parts of the body.
Endometriosis, which affects around two million women in the UK, can cause severe pain, heavy periods and infertility.
Lauren once bled for eight months solidly and says she still has daily pain.
Hysterectomy threat
Her gynaecologist has warned her that she faces a hysterectomy sooner, rather than later.
But she is desperate …

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is calling for every patient with a long-term condition to have access to specialist nursing care.
It wants guaranteed funding to avoid cutbacks in specialist nurses after the general election.
It says specialist nurses save money through reduced complications and fewer hospital re-admissions.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently announced that cancer patients would have access to specialist nurses.
Specialist nurses focus on particular conditions such as cancer, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.
The RCN says they can deliver savings by enabling patients to be treated …

POMONA, CA–(Marketwire – February 26, 2010) – Western University of Health Sciences has been named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction for its commitment to volunteering, service learning and civic engagement.