Cancer breakthrough: Scientists develop ‘smoke detector’ test that can spot disease before symptoms are noticeable | The Independent

September 7, 2016 By dralfoldman in Healthcare, People, Science Tags: American Cancer Society, Brain tumor, Breast cancer, Cancer, Cancer survivor, Colon Cancer, Multiple myeloma, Overweight, Prostate cancer, Thyroid cancer 1 Comment

Immune system

Immune system (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Independent reports that a simple blood test that can detect cancer before any symptoms are noticeable has been developed by researchers in a breakthrough that could save thousands of lives. The scientists, who unveiled the test at the British Science Festival in Swansea, compared the new test to a smoke detector, because it does not actually find cancer but changes to red blood cells that occur when cancer is present.

Source: Cancer breakthrough: Scientists develop ‘smoke detector’ test that can spot disease before symptoms are noticeable | The Independent

Unfortunately, large scale trials are required before this breakthrough becomes available.

Thoughts?

Thousands of cancer patients to be denied treatment – Telegraph

September 6, 2015 By dralfoldman in Business Administration, David Cameron, Healthcare, NHS, Politics Tags: American Cancer Society, Breast cancer, Cancer, Cancer Drugs Fund, Cervical cancer, Chemotherapy, Colorectal cancer, David Cameron, Lung cancer, Multiple myeloma, National Health Service, National Health Service (England), Ovarian cancer, Prostate cancer, United Kingdom 1 Comment

1938 poster identifying surgery, x-rays and ra...

1938 poster identifying surgery, x-rays and radium as the proper treatments for cancer. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to the UK Telegraph, common drugs for breast, bowel, prostate, pancreatic and blood cancer will no longer be funded by the NHS following sweeping cutbacks.

Source: Thousands of cancer patients to be denied treatment –

This is a deeply worrying story showing the impact of austerity and ineffective reform measures at the NHS, the UK’s public health system.

Once upon a time, the NHS was the gold-standard for public healthcare but in recent decades, the UK’s healthcare performance has fallen behind most advanced countries, based upon international benchmarks. Sadly, it is in cancer treatment that the UK record is probably worst.

Surely, it is increasingly obvious that the UK needs to scrap the NHS and replace it with a public healthcare system based upon the world’s best practice?

Thoughts?