7.9 month improvement in metastatic bowel cancer patients following microsphere radiotherapy and chemotherapy – June 2, 2015
As published on Bowel Cancer Australia’s website today, results from an Australian-led global study have shown that treatment with radiation microspheres and chemotherapy (chemo-radiotherapy) improved progression-free survival in the liver by around eight months among metastatic bowel cancer patients. The SIRFLOX study – the world’s largest study of its kind involving 530 metastatic bowel cancer patients…
Protecting your online self – A Guide to Social Media Afterlife: May 29, 2015
Palliative Care Australia’s (PCA) Guide to a Social Media Afterlife launched this week explains how to protect your online data after you pass away. When posting pictures, chatting on Facebook or issuing Tweets into cyberspace, probably the last thing on your mind is your mortality. More than 80 per cent of Aussies have done nothing…
Protect against pneumococcal pneumonia – May 24, 2015
“Pneumococcal pneumonia is a severe lung infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, responsible for a large proportion of pneumonia cases among those aged 65 years and above” – A/Prof Lucy Morgan. According to Lung Foundation Australia’s ‘Lungs4Life’ research released this week, fewer than one-in-seven Australians (14 per cent) aged 18 to 74 who have…
Abbott government committed to introducing new therapies to Australia – May 22, 2015
The Abbott Government has implemented more than 652 new and amended listings to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) since winning government in September, 2013. In a press conference held on Thursday, May 21, 2015, Federal Health Minister, The Hon. Sussan Ley MP, said “We are listing new and amended drugs, about 30 a month, which…
Big pharma set for Senate tax avoidance inquiry investigation – May 22, 2015
Following an exposé of alleged “rampant off-shoring” of profits by tech-companies including Apple, Microsoft and Google, Australia’s Economics References Committee met last week to discuss widening the focus of its Senate Tax Avoidance Inquiry to include “big pharma”. The Senate Tax Avoidance Inquiry was referred to the Economics References Committee by Senate on October 2,…
High-risk patients skip pneumonia jab – The West Australian – May 19, 2015
DANGER IGNORED – The West Australian Words by Cathy O’Leary Only one in five West Australians at increased risk of deadly pneumonia is having a preventive vaccine, despite many being eligible for a free jab under the national immunisation program. A Lung Foundation Australia survey has found that even in the high-risk age group of…
Fatal lung infection not on public’s radar – May 19, 2015
Fatal lung infection not on public’s radar Experts calling for Aussie adults to curtail risk of infection this Pneumonia Awareness Week Fewer than one-in-seven Australian adults at-risk of pneumonia consider themselves vulnerable, with only one-in-five having reported vaccinating against the often-fatal lung infection.1 In addition to advancing age (65+), Lung Foundation Australia’s ‘Lungs4Life’ research released…
2015 Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Week – May 8, 2015
This week marks national Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Week in Australia, which runs from May 3 – 9 each year. National MND Week aims to acknowledge the MND community, including people living with MND, and commemorates Australian MND advocates and those who have passed away from the disease. Partnering with the State MND Associations, to…
New research reveals a tuberculosis treatment may hold the key to overcoming phobias – May 5, 2015
Researchers from Macquarie University, Sydney may have uncovered an interesting new use for tuberculosis treatment, D-cycloserine. Further to antibiotic activity in treating tuberculosis, D-cycloserine partially attaches to nerve cell receptors responsible for nerve conduction strength and memory, and as a result, can enhance learning and memory processes. In the research study, it was administered to…
Striking over-the-counter pain medications for elderly off PBS to minimise strain on public purse – April 27, 2015
In a bid to save taxpayers millions of dollars, paracetamol, aspirin, antacids and other over-the-counter (OTC) medicines could be struck off the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as of May, 2015. On average, OTC paracetamol, which is sold in supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies, costs between $2.89 and $3.50 for a pack of 20. For the…