Health e News

Let’s stick with mammograms

The United States Preventive Services Task Force has revised the breast screening guidelines, recommending mammograms for women 50 to 74, every other year. It says women and their doctors should discuss the benefits and risks of mammograms beginning at age 40, but that is no longer recommended.

Ex-miners sue for contracting fatal disease

Twenty-four ex-miners are seeking compensation from Anglo-American after contracting silicosis, an incurable and fatal lung disease.

The ‘shameless’ Rian Malan

AIDS activist Nathan Geffen takes on Rian Malan over his claim that there has been ‘no massive AIDS- ­related death surge’.

Consequences of less funding for AIDS Living with AIDS # 413

Thanks to the international recession, donors are either decreasing or opting not to increase their funding of AIDS treatment. This will have devastating effects on poorer countries that are largely dependent on foreign aid.

Death stats ‘€˜implausible’€™

The Health Department’s claim of a massive jump in deaths in 2008 is unlikely, according to experts.

Why a pap smear is important

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Africa. Many women are unaware that a simple screening test can detect cervical abnormalities early, which could save a life.

Dying in pain a reality for most Africans

DAR ES SALAAM – People living with cancer are dying on the African continent in terrible pain as they present too late with advanced cancers that are mostly incurable by the time they reach a health worker and if they do reach help most of them find that effective pain medication not available.

The cost of Tik addiction

Drug use in general can be a costly habit. Richard, who recently discovered the highly addictive drug known in the Western Cape as ‘tik’, has learnt this the hard way.

Donors backtracking on funding AIDS treatment

Lives of AIDS patients in poor countries could be severely compromised if donors and rich nations continue reducing their funding commitments to AIDS programmes.

Health Minister promises responsible action on AIDS

In a frank admission of the Mbeki government’€™s failure to address HIV/AIDS, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi this week blamed ‘€œdenialism’€ for the ‘€œshocking’€ increase in the death rate among South Africans. Deaths rose by 182,654 in a single year, from 573,408 in 2007 to 756,062 in 2008. Read his full powerpoint presentation here.

More tax = less smoking

DAR-ES-SALAAM – Taxation is the most powerful weapon governments have at their disposal to control tobacco consumption and ultimately decrease deaths, Dr Yussuf Saloojee of the National Council Against Smoking told the African Organisation for Research & Training in Cancer (AORTIC) conference.

Lack of political will threatens AIDS funding Living with AIDS # 412

Universal access to antiretrovirals in poor countries is under threat as donors reduce funding for AIDS programmes, warns Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

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