The United States has been taken to task for using outdated methods of measuring allowable radiation levels to prevent development of cancer. Currently, the rules are based on white, so-called, average men. However, the community is made of people from all ethnic backgrounds, men and women, different sizes, and of course, children.
According to an article that appeared in the New York Times yesterday, “The report, from the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, said the rules were still too heavily based on Reference Man,’ a standard created by the International Commission on Radiological Protection in 1975. That standard is a …read more

It’s not such an odd gift, if you think about it. If you’re celebrating a birthday, why not increase your chances of seeing many more by using that time to go for check ups and cancer screening, particularly for colon cancer, prostate, skin, and breast cancer – although there are several more that are easily tested.
This isn’t just speculation. Researchers, who published their findings in a recent issue of BMJ.com, found that annual reminders around birthdays and Christmas did increase participation in screening programs. It was a large study, almost 30,000 participants. What the researchers found was interesting. People who …read more

Just a quick shout out to Lia Emrich for coming up with a list on health blogs – IHM Health Blogs, Part 6 at hr multiple sclerosis blog: Brass and Ivory.
Cancer Commentary made it to the list under the Misc. Consumer Health category. Thanks again, Lisa!
Also, just a short notice that i only had intermittent internet connection the last three days and probably will be ’til the end of this month.
My inbox is clogged – there are too many things going on in this channel alone – and I would like to apologize for my non-participation. As much as I …read more

NPR (National Public Radio) has a cancer blog – My Cancer – authored by Leroy Sievers.
Leroy Sievers (blogger, podcaster, commentator) began a Morning Edition commentary in May 2006 on his fight with cancer by saying, “My doctors are trying to kill me.”
My Cancer blog is Leroy’s monthly commentary contribution to Morning Edition.
Do check it out.