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NYT Raises Questions About Candidates' Health

LibertySugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:45:00 -0700

Today's New York Times outlined the known state of all four candidates' health. While it dedicated a section to each, the report clearly raised new questions about John McCain's chances of melanoma recurrence.

Here is a look at how the paper of record summarized the medical records:

McCain: Wounds from untreated injuries and torture while a POW mean McCain may eventually need joint replacements. Inconsistencies about the severity of McCain's melanoma skin cancer, make the probability of recurrence unknown. A reclassification of severity, called for by some experts, would change his statistical odds for survival at 10 years from about 60 percent to 36 percent. He has had no recurrence for eight years; but the 10th anniversary, which would be in 2010, is an important benchmark.
Obama: Obama’s campaign released a one-page letter from his doctor citing Obama’s “excellent health," last May and a series of test results last week. Obama has one medical issue, which is a difficulty in stopping smoking. Obama began smoking 20 years ago, trying several times since to quit. Obama, who decided to quit before running for president, has used Nicorette gum “with success," according to his doctor.

To see what the paper's doctor-turned-reporter summed up about the VP nominees,

Showing McCain's Cancer Scars in Ad on Health: Ugly Tactic?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:03:53 -0700

A 30-second spot airing on MSNBC and funded by two liberal PACs are choosing John McCain's historic bouts with skin cancer as the face of worries about the candidate's health. The ad shows his scars following skin cancer procedures with the text, "John McCain is 72 years old and had cancer 4 times. Why won't McCain release his medical records?" One of the PACs behind the spot is helmed by DNC Chairman Howard Dean's brother, a connection the RNC calls "despicable." The spot highlights the groups' efforts to gain more access to McCain's medical records. So far 2,500 doctors have signed a petition put forth by one of the PACs calling for the documents to be released. A total of 1,173 pages of medical records were made available to reporters in May.The records showed that the last bout with melanoma was six years ago, and described him as having a strong heart and good health. He receives a thorough cancer check every few months. Barack Obama's health records have not been similarly made available. With the black-and-white closeups of the aftermath of McCain's procedures and doctors intoning, "Another bout of cancer for John McCain while he's president of the United States would profoundly affect his ability to lead," combined with the tie to the DNC — is this ad fair? Where are Obama's records? Is it just an age thing or the ugliest of politics?

Showing McCain's Cancer Scars in Ad on Health: Ugly Tactic?

Ugly politics. Zooming in on his scars is a baseless scare tactic and irrelevant.

Fair argument! He's had cancer. All of his records should be public, now.

Both candidates health records should be equally accessible and open.

Other. I'll give you the reflection of my opinion in the comments.

Reality Star Learns She Has Cancer — on TV! Where's the Line?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:00:56 -0700

Hey, I watched Joe Millionaire, I'm no reality TV snob, but crushing medical diagnoses? Is this entertainment? Millions of viewers will get to decide that for themselves when they watch British reality star Jade Goody find out she has cancer on the Indian version of the show Big Brother (called Bigg Boss.) The 27-year-old star received the diagnosis that she had cervical cancer from her doctor and broke the news to her housemates, in tears of course, all on camera. Goody immediately quit the show but the event had already been caught on tape. She's since given her consent to have the footage shown, but is there a line?While we certainly follow the health concerns of celebrities, at least with stories like Christina Applegate, she carefully chose how to break the news and certainly wasn't filmed at the time of finding out. Should reality TV be a free-for-all, as long as the participant agrees — or should we start policing what we deem entertainment with the long arm of the remote?Source

Reality Star Learns She Has Cancer — on TV! Where's the Line?

There shouldn't be a line. If someone wants to do it on TV, fine. I'll watch.

The networks should walk a finer line of exploitation vs. entertainment. This is the former.

We're setting the line ourselves. If we watch it, they will make it. Turn the channel!

Other. I'll star in my own reality show in the comments.

Front Page: Cancer Director Warns of Cell Phones, House Passes Housing Relief, Libya Cuts Off Swiss Oil

CitizenSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:59:01 -0700

Cancer Director Warns of Cell Phones:
The director of a leading US cancer research institute just sent a memo to thousands of his staff cautioning of possible higher risks from cell phone use. He said waiting for definitive studies was folly and that action should be taken now. Children should use cell phones only in emergencies, and adults need to keep the phone away from the head. The warning is based on early findings from not yet published data.

House Passes Housing Relief:
The House approved help for the US housing market, including protection for two of the largest mortgage finance companies. It includes a bold plan to help hundreds of thousands of struggling consumers avoid foreclosure by refinancing their mortgages with more affordable government-insured loans. Bush has said he will sign the bill once it passes the Senate, perhaps by Saturday.
Libya Cuts Off Swiss Oil:
Libya says it has stopped oil shipments to Switzerland to protest the brief arrest of leader Muammar Gaddafi's son. The country has threatened further punishment if the Swiss don't apologize. The Swiss police held Hannibal Gaddafi for two days after he and his pregnant wife allegedly assaulted Swiss officers. The move could prove costly for both parties as Switzerland gets half of its oil from Libya, and Libya has a huge oil refinery in Switzerland.

Source

Cancer Survival Rates Differ Based on Country's Wealth

LibertySugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:29 -0700

Wealthy countries where patients have access to diagnostic equipment have higher cancer survival rates than their poorer counterparts. Using data from over two million cancer patients worldwide (from the 1990s), the first major study to compare global cancer survival rates found that the US, Australia, Canada, France, and Japan had the highest five-year survival rate. Algeria had the worst. The UK did not report well compared to other Western European countries although its survival rate has risen this decade.

The US had the highest five-year survival rate for breast cancer (89 percent) and prostate cancer (91.9 percent), compared to the UK 69.7 percent and 51.1 percent respectively. The UK had regional disparity, evidence that access to services matters. To find out what's behind the phenomenon,

Waitress Shaves Hair For Charity, Told to Take Time Off. Fair?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:45:15 -0700

A restaurant owner in Ontario, Canada has gotten himself into a very hairy situation. Waitress Stacey Fearnall recently raised more than $2,700 for cancer research by shaving her hair, but she claims when she showed up for work without her locks and refused to sport a wig, her boss unceremoniously told her to take the summer off without pay. The restaurant is described as an "upscale steak and seafood eatery" and Fearnall, who is 36, had worked there for two years.The boss said his "restaurant has certain standards prohibiting men from wearing earrings and requiring employees to keep their hair at a reasonable length," adding that the waitress is still on the payroll and can return to work when her hair grows back. My favorite part? The owner of the restaurant said all workers are expected to "dress appropriately" and that he didn't think Fearnall's look was "appropriate." Really? Would he rather she wear Britney Spears' extensions?

Waitress Shaves Hair For Charity, Told to Take Time Off. Fair?

Yes. Owners should be allowed to dictate the "dress code" or hairstyles of employees.

No. She has every right to donate her hair to cancer. It won't affect her ability to work.

Something else. See my answer in the comments.

Front Page: Ted Kennedy In Surgery, Mugabe at UN Food Summit, Gates to Myanmar "Criminal Neglect"

CitizenSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:00:04 -0700

Ted Kennedy In Surgery: Ted Kennedy is at the Duke University Medical Center this morning undergoing surgery for his cancerous brain tumor. The surgery comes after the 76-year-old senator was diagnosed last month with a malignant glioma, an especially lethal type of brain tumor. He's being operated on this morning by one of the nation's top neurosurgeons, Dr. Allan Friedman, and the surgery will be followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Kennedy will recuperate in NC for a week, before moving to Massachusetts General for the rest of his treatment. Kennedy said of the support he's received, ''I am deeply grateful to the people of Massachusetts and to my friends, colleagues and so many others across the country and around the world who have expressed their support and good wishes as I tackle this new and unexpected health challenge. I am humbled by the outpouring and am strengthened by your prayers and kindness.''

Mugabe at UN Food Summit: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe presence at a United Nations food summit has raised eyebrows and hackles and is being called "obscene". Australia's foreign minister said of the embattled leader's arrival, "this is the person who has presided over the starvation of his people." It's Mugabe's first visit to Europe since the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) won a majority in parliamentary elections in March. He still faces a presidential run-off on June 27 against opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Gates to Myanmar, "Criminal Neglect": US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday that Myanmar was guilty of “criminal neglect” for blocking international aid to cyclone victims, and warned that more civilians would perish unless the military regime reversed its policy. Because of the stonewalling, he said it was probably a matter of days before the Pentagon withdrew four Navy ships carrying supplies that have been “steaming in circles” for days in the waters off Myanmar’s coast, waiting for permission to unload their cargo of aid. Gates said, “it’s becoming pretty clear that the regime there is not going to let us help. I’d say that unless the regime changes its approach, changes its policy, more people will die.”

How Healthy Is He? McCain Releases His Medical Records

LibertySugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:00:16 -0700

John McCain released his medical records from 2000-2008 today. According to the AP, the 71-year-old maverick's health issues are pretty common for someone his age. In the not-so-common column, as a result of war injuries, the former prisoner of war has degenerative arthritis that might mean a future joint replacement. The group of journalists, handpicked by McCain, could not keep, nor photocopy the documents.

So what's the fuss? In 2000, McCain underwent surgery for his Stage 2A melanoma, a form of cancer that kills a third of sufferers within 10 years. Judging by his records, medical experts think McCain's early treatment and constant checkups mean he has a very low risk of reoccurrence. McCain said last week that there will be no surprises and that the doctors have assured him he is in good health. Besides, his mom is 96 years old!

Do you think Americans have an appetite for McCain's health history? Should the issue of age, just like race, be taken off the table this campaign season? Should voters be asking for Hillary and Obama's health histories too?

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Is the Media Closing the Door on Senator Kennedy's Recovery?

LibertySugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:27 -0700

Ever since the sad news of Senator Ted Kennedy's brain tumor diagnosis broke, I've been seeing a barrage of news coverage that seems pretty postmortem. Article topics include:

The coverage makes me think media companies are rolling out their prefabricated eulogies a little too soon. In fact, if someone wasn't paying close attention, they might assume the Senator already died!

Are these reports an honor to Senator Kennedy, or disrespectful? Since he did just receive a very serious diagnosis, should the country take the opportunity to celebrate all of his achievements while he is still alive? Should the media adopt a more hopeful and positive outlook in order to support Kennedy's efforts to battle the tumor?

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