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Cancer vaccine research
Original broadcast date: July 19, 2009 The understanding of a disease process or pathophysiology is crucial to the development of innovative ways to find effective therapies to treat it. On Sunday House Call we have been following various avenues in cancer research that continue to reveal insights into the protein chemistry, genetics and immune response…
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Lyme disease in Canada
Original broadcast date: July 19, 2009 A recent report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal notes that Lyme disease is being found in regions that were once free from the ticks that spread the disease. They are urging the public and health professionals to be more vigilant and learn to recognize some of the signs…
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Cost vs. benefit: The approval of new anti-cancer therapies
Original broadcast date: July 19, 2009 In a recent issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Drs. Tito Fojo of the National Cancer Institute’s medical oncology division and Christine Grady of the NIH’s bioethics department recommended that studies of cancer drugs that provide two months or less of extended survival should be undertaken…
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The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite
Original broadcast date: July 12, 2009 We like to believe that we are a rational species. If, the assumption goes, we are presented with information that is cogent, specific and valid, we will respond by incorporating these ideas for the betterment of our lives. What we decide to eat and drink is a world onto…
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The "Oprah"fication of Medicine
Original broadcast date: July 5, 2009 The general principle in science and medicine is to challenge claims and research findings in order to evaluate its veracity and repeatability. It takes evidence, solid evidence as the fuel for debate and contrarian viewpoints, not opinion based on anecdotal evidence. To wit, the news that Oprah Winfrey is…
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What do cancer cells need to survive?
Original broadcast date: June 28, 2009 What do cancer cells need to survive? We know that gene mutations contribute to the development of cancer and research continues to identify the aberrant genetic sequences as cataloged in the Cancer Genome Atlas. However, are mutations and the proteins that they code for the principle components that ensure…
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Worried Sick: A Prescription for Health in an Overtreated America
Original broadcast date: June 21, 2009 It is a jungle of medical information out there on TV, radio, newspapers and journals. Reports appear daily espousing or refuting the latest finding to cure our ills and prevent disease. The contradictions abound and foster confusion for the public and health practitioners alike. It is creating a situation…
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Overcoming persistent insomnia
A common concern for many of my patients at some point in their lives is the inability to sleep. Indeed, this is a common problem in our society with many remedies, medications and therapies portending to provide “the solution” to our sleep disorders. What does the evidence say regarding the best approach to help those…
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Bacteriophages kill resistant bacterial ear infections
Original broadcast date: June 14, 2009 Pathogenic or disease-causing bacteria want to survive. To that end, they have complex mechanisms that will allow them, over time, to adapt and resist antibiotic treatments. The pace of new antibiotics being introduced into the market is slowing and other approaches are needed to help fighting difficult to treat…
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