Abdomen

Proton beam therapy: A modern treatment for cancer, but not in Canada (yet)

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Proton, Partnership, Meal, Proton therapy, Travel, Pelvis, Deficit spending, Prostate, Patient, G7, Brain, Spine, Medulloblastoma, McGill University Health Centre, Tissue, Cancer, Abdomen, Ability, Disease, Medical imaging

Proton beam therapy is a more precise treatment that can better focus radiation on a cancer, reducing the side-effects of treatment.

Key Points: 
  • Proton beam therapy is a more precise treatment that can better focus radiation on a cancer, reducing the side-effects of treatment.
  • This leads to better cognitive function and fewer long-term side-effects among patients who receive proton therapy compared to X-ray (photon) treatment.
  • Although proton therapy is more expensive to deliver than photon radiation, studies have shown long-term cost-effectiveness of proton beam therapy for medulloblastoma.
  • In a study of more than 1,000 adults with other types of locally advanced cancer, proton therapy led to fewer unplanned hospitalizations.

Canadian patients need to travel for treatment

  • Researchers in the U.K. estimate that up to 15 per cent of all patients with curable cancers may benefit from proton therapy.
  • However, without a domestic facility, Canadians who need proton beam therapy must travel out-of-country to receive this medically necessary treatment for their cancer.


Patients who are able to travel out-of-country report high levels of stress and feelings of isolation. Many of these concerns would be reduced with a domestic, Canadian proton therapy facility.

Progress toward Canadian facilities


In 2016, Québec announced a partnership with a private health-care company to build a standalone proton therapy facility in Montréal.

  • It is recognized that the per-patient cost to deliver proton therapy would be less if a Canadian facility were available.
  • Canadian doctors and patients eagerly await the day when a cancer patient can receive this advanced treatment without travelling out of country.
  • Having access to proton therapy would also allow Canadian researchers to collaborate globally in scientific studies.


Derek Tsang receives research grant funding from ACCESS (https://accessforkidscancer.ca), the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, and the US National Cancer Institute. Tsang also received travel funding from Mevion Medical Systems in 2022.

Preamble Debuts as New Membership Longevity Service Harnessing the Three Emerging Trends in Healthcare: Biohacking, Healthspan and Personalized Care

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Software, Telemedicine, Virtual Medicine, Alternative Medicine, General Health, Health, Data Management, Health Technology, Technology, Green beret, Inflammation, Marketing, Army, Science, Cardiovascular disease, Hospital, Ageing, Biomarker, Exercise, Sleep, Patient, Longevity, Life, Special forces, Body composition, City, Risk, Death, Dementia, Conditional sentence, Abdomen, Medicine, Hormone, Biometrics, Cancer, Blood pressure, Nursing

Today, Preamble debuts as a healthspan and longevity membership program tackling the phenomenon of medicine 3.0 and the imperative need for a revolution within the healthcare industry.

Key Points: 
  • Today, Preamble debuts as a healthspan and longevity membership program tackling the phenomenon of medicine 3.0 and the imperative need for a revolution within the healthcare industry.
  • The healthspan membership program promises a future where treatments are personalized and technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing patient care.
  • “I founded Preamble with the aim of prioritizing proactive patient care, emphasizing prevention and performance enhancement over merely providing temporary solutions.
  • To join Preamble, membership starts at $2,500 annually with limited availability for founding member spots.

How much weight do you actually need to lose? It might be a lot less than you think

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024
Weight loss, Cholesterol, Human, Meta-analysis, Excess, Artery, Science, Overweight, Research, Knee, Obesity, Heart, BMI, Habit, LDL, Triglyceride, Osteoarthritis, Pancreas, Nervous system, Body composition, Weight, Sympathetic nervous system, Body mass index, Risk, Insulin, Stroke, Blood, Abdomen, Health, Hormone, Joint, Blood pressure, Dietary supplement

But type “setting a weight loss goal” into any online search engine and you’ll likely be left with more questions than answers.

Key Points: 
  • But type “setting a weight loss goal” into any online search engine and you’ll likely be left with more questions than answers.
  • They’ll typically use a body mass index (BMI) calculator to confirm a “healthy” weight and provide a goal weight based on this range.
  • Most sales pitches will suggest you need to lose substantial amounts of weight to be healthy – making weight loss seem an impossible task.

Using BMI to define our target weight is flawed

  • So it’s no surprise we use measurements and equations to score our weight.
  • BMI classifies bodies as underweight, normal (healthy) weight, overweight or obese and can be a useful tool for weight and health screening.


fails to consider two critical factors related to body weight and health – body fat percentage and distribution
does not account for significant differences in body composition based on gender, ethnicity and age.

How does losing weight benefit our health?

  • Losing just 5–10% of our body weight – between 6 and 12kg for someone weighing 120kg – can significantly improve our health in four key ways.
  • But research shows improvements in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels are evident with just 5% weight loss.
  • Excess weight is linked to high blood pressure in several ways, including changing how our sympathetic nervous system, blood vessels and hormones regulate our blood pressure.
  • A meta-analysis of 25 trials on the influence of weight reduction on blood pressure also found every kilo of weight loss improved blood pressure by one point.
  • Research shows just 7% weight loss reduces risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%.
  • In one study each kilogram of weight loss resulted in a fourfold decrease in the load exerted on the knee in each step taken during daily activities.

Focus on long-term habits

  • An analysis of 29 long-term weight-loss studies found participants regained more than half of the weight lost within two years.
  • When we lose weight, we take our body out of its comfort zone and trigger its survival response.
  • Read more:
    What's the 'weight set point', and why does it make it so hard to keep weight off?


losing weight in small manageable chunks you can sustain, specifically periods of weight loss, followed by periods of weight maintenance, and so on, until you achieve your goal weight
making gradual changes to your lifestyle to ensure you form habits that last a lifetime.
Setting a goal to reach a healthy weight can feel daunting. But it doesn’t have to be a pre-defined weight according to a “healthy” BMI range. Losing 5–10% of our body weight will result in immediate health benefits. At the Boden Group, Charles Perkins Centre, we are studying the science of obesity and running clinical trials for weight loss. You can register here to express your interest.
Dr Nick Fuller works for the University of Sydney and has received external funding for projects relating to the treatment of overweight and obesity. He is the author and founder of the Interval Weight Loss program.

Urology Care Foundation Spreads Awareness for National Cancer Prevention Month

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Education, Ache, Penile cancer, Urethral cancer, Urination, Kidney cancer, Bleeding, Fluid mechanics, Testicular cancer, Heredity, Urethra, Radiation, Back pain, Infection, Bladder cancer, Abdomen, Foreskin, Weight loss, FACS, Fever, Groin, Risk factor, Diet, AUA, Blog, Cancer, HPV, Combustion, Woman, Urethral caruncle, Growth, Papillomaviridae, Prostate cancer, Low back pain, Penis, Urethral diverticulum, Rib, Death, Skin, Blood, Disease, AIDS, Risk, Ejaculation, Smoking, Workplace, UTI, American Urological Association, Male, Scrotum, Pain, Tenderness, MBA, Somatic symptom disorder, Urine, Smoker, GCNIS, Ulcer, Birth control

BALTIMORE, Jan. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and the Urology Care Foundation, the official foundation of the American Urological Association (AUA), wants to spread awareness and information on the six main urologic cancers.

Key Points: 
  • BALTIMORE, Jan. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and the Urology Care Foundation, the official foundation of the American Urological Association (AUA), wants to spread awareness and information on the six main urologic cancers.
  • However, there are other urologic cancers that involve the bladder, kidneys and testicles,” said Urology Care Foundation Board of Directors member Brian McNeil, MD, MBA, FACS.
  • The Urology Care Foundation believes the first part of prevention is education.
  • Below are the six main urologic cancers and important resources for each:
    Bladder Cancer is the second most common type of urologic cancer.

PRMA Plastic Surgery Celebrates Remarkable Milestone: 12,000 Free Flap Breast Reconstructions

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 1, 2024
SAN, Abdomen, Survivor, Research, Patient safety, Patient, Breast cancer, Hope, DRS

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- PRMA Plastic Surgery, a leading provider of reconstructive breast surgery, is proud to announce a momentous achievement in their mission to restore hope and confidence to breast cancer survivors. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, PRMA has successfully completed 12,000 free flap breast reconstructions, becoming synonymous with hope and restoration for survivors worldwide.

Key Points: 
  • SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- PRMA Plastic Surgery, a leading provider of reconstructive breast surgery, is proud to announce a momentous achievement in their mission to restore hope and confidence to breast cancer survivors.
  • With an unwavering commitment to excellence, PRMA has successfully completed 12,000 free flap breast reconstructions, becoming synonymous with hope and restoration for survivors worldwide.
  • With an unwavering commitment to excellence, PRMA has successfully completed 12,000 free flap breast reconstructions, becoming synonymous with hope and restoration for survivors worldwide.
  • For more information about PRMA Plastic Surgery and their commitment to breast cancer survivors, please visit http://www.prma-enhance.com or contact Tabetha Williams.

Venous Stents Market to Reach $2,809.7 Million by 2030, Growing at a Robust 10.40% CAGR, backed by Increasing Adoption of Outpatient Procedures and Daycare Surgeries, States Kings Research

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Iliac, Venous insufficiency, Leg, Growth, Chronic venous insufficiency, Vein, MRI, Obesity, Varicose veins, USD, Ageing, Patient, Safety, Prevalence, Stent, Investment, Quality of life, Abdomen, Deep vein thrombosis, Birth control

Based on application, the venous stents market is categorized into leg, chest, abdomen, and others.

Key Points: 
  • Based on application, the venous stents market is categorized into leg, chest, abdomen, and others.
  • The leg segment is anticipated to lead the global market, accruing USD 1175.6 million in revenue by 2030.
  • The escalating trend toward outpatient procedures and day surgery is a significant driving factor for the increased demand for venous stents.
  • The emergence of bio-absorbable stents and the growing adoption of drug-eluting stents are poised to create new opportunities for the venous stents market in the future.

Apyx Medical Corporation Announces Peer-Reviewed Clinical Publication Evaluating the Safety of Renuvion® Following Liposuction in Multiple Areas of the Body

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 22, 2024
General Health, Health, Surgery, Other Health, Patient, MD, Plastic, Face, Neck, FACS, Systematic review, Abdomen, Food, Plasma, Human, FDA, Buttocks, Medical imaging

Apyx Medical Corporation (Nasdaq: APYX) (“Apyx Medical;” the “Company”), the manufacturer of a proprietary helium plasma and radiofrequency technology marketed and sold as Renuvion®, today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed article in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, which evaluated the use of Renuvion for contracting subcutaneous soft tissue following liposuction in multiple areas of the body.

Key Points: 
  • Apyx Medical Corporation (Nasdaq: APYX) (“Apyx Medical;” the “Company”), the manufacturer of a proprietary helium plasma and radiofrequency technology marketed and sold as Renuvion®, today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed article in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, which evaluated the use of Renuvion for contracting subcutaneous soft tissue following liposuction in multiple areas of the body.
  • “We are excited to see the publication of this real-world 483-patient analysis, demonstrating Renuvion’s impressive safety when used after liposuction, which is now the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the world.,” said Charlie Goodwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Apyx Medical.
  • Additionally, they concluded that the risks associated with the use of Renuvion for subcutaneous soft tissue contraction following liposuction do not differ significantly by body area.
  • A digital version of the clinical publication is available via the following link: https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojad112

Tacoma Resident Files Lawsuit Against City Following Devastating Incident with Police Vehicle, According to Osborn Machler

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 22, 2024
Professional Services, Law Enforcement, Emergency Services, Public Policy, Government, Public Safety, State, Local, Legal, Trauma, ACL, Life, City, Superior court, Memory, Abdomen, Pedestrian, Behavior, Rib, Meniscus, Pain, Fear, Running, Lung, Physical disability, Private investigator

Anthony Huff-McKay, a 24-year-old Tacoma resident, today filed a lawsuit against the City of Tacoma following a distressing incident where he was run over and severely injured by a patrol vehicle driven by Tacoma Police Officer Khan Phan.

Key Points: 
  • Anthony Huff-McKay, a 24-year-old Tacoma resident, today filed a lawsuit against the City of Tacoma following a distressing incident where he was run over and severely injured by a patrol vehicle driven by Tacoma Police Officer Khan Phan.
  • According to Austin Neff, an attorney with Osborn Machler who filed the suit on behalf of Huff-McKay, the legal action underscores significant concerns regarding police conduct and emphasizes the urgent need for systemic changes in law enforcement training and accountability.
  • The suit claims the car meet attendees gathered in an intersection and tensions rose as Phan attempted to push through the crowd of pedestrians using his patrol car.
  • “This case is a stark reminder of the grave consequences of inadequate police training and accountability.

Public advisory - Pediatrix Acetaminophen Oral Solution for children: One lot recalled due to potential risk of overdose

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Death, Abdominal pain, Liver failure, Nausea, Health, Paracetamol, Perspiration, Abdomen, Risk, Pharmacy, Fever, Child, Liver disease, Pain, Lethargy, Stomach, Health Canada, Liver, Vomiting, Medical device

Children may be especially at risk of the effects of acetaminophen overdose given their small size and developing bodies.

Key Points: 
  • Children may be especially at risk of the effects of acetaminophen overdose given their small size and developing bodies.
  • Signs of acetaminophen overdose include nausea, vomiting, lethargy, sweating, loss of appetite and pain in the upper part of the abdomen or stomach.
  • Abdominal pain may be the first sign of liver damage and may not be apparent for 24 to 48 hours.
  • Given the limited scope of the recall, it will not have any impact on the general availability of children's acetaminophen products.

More accurate tumour treatment thanks to superconductive ASG Superconductors technology

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
ASG, Proton, MgB2, Proton therapy, University, MRI, Heart, Radiation, Magnet, Pelvis, Map, Abdomen, Neoplasm, Movement, Radiation Research, Magnetic resonance imaging, Medical imaging

In fact, MRI offers the advantage over conventional imaging modalities of being able to visualise tumours with unsurpassed soft tissue image contrast.

Key Points: 
  • In fact, MRI offers the advantage over conventional imaging modalities of being able to visualise tumours with unsurpassed soft tissue image contrast.
  • This makes it possible to better delineate the tumour from the surrounding healthy tissue and to more precisely define the volume to be irradiated.
  • The prototype, based on the ASG technology already used for the MROpenEVO system, the only MRI in the world with a completely open design and MgB2 cryogen-free superconductive technology, will be used to demonstrate through scientific studies the added value of this new treatment modality for tumours in the chest, abdomen and pelvis.
  • Marco Nassi, CEO – ASG Superconductors declared "It is very challenging to contribute to such an innovative technical and scientific project in the proton therapy sector in close collaboration with highly prestigious hospitals, partners, and universities.