In the largest study ever done of breast cancer treatments, researchers have found that most women with the most common form of early-stage breast cancer, where the disease has not spread to the lymph nodes, can safely skip chemotherapy without hurting their chances of beating the disease.
The results are expected to spare up to 70,000 patients a year in the U.S. from the rigors and expense of chemotherapy, which can produce adverse side effects. The study used genetic testing to gauge patients' cancer risk and found that other, often emerging, treatments were more effective, such as immunotherapy, at treating cancer early.
Body of Knowledge
An adult human spine compresses roughly half an inch from morning to night.
Life in Big Macs
One hour of sitting at a sporting event burns 102 calories (based on a 150-pound person) or the equivalent of 0.1 Big Macs. Add a few more calories burned if you jump up a lot to cheer your team or throw up your hands in disgust. Walking to the concession stand for Nachos doesn't count.
Counts
25: Percentage of health care provided in rural practices by nurse practitioners, not physicians
Source: Health Affairs
Stories for the Waiting Room
Doctors consult a calculator, which uses data compiled in 2013, to determine whether a patient might benefit from the use of a statin (among the world's most prescribed drugs) to prevent heart attack or stroke compared to taking aspirin or blood pressure drugs.
New data, however, suggesting existing guidelines overestimate risk in some people and underestimate it in others — and more than 11 million people might need to reconsider the use of statins as a coronary disease preventative.
Doc Talk
SOB: shortness of breath (The term may be used by patients after they get their medical bill.)
Phobia of the Week
Philemaphobia: fear of kissing. The term derives from the Greek word philema, to kiss.
Never Say Diet
The Major League Eating record for strawberry-rhubarb pie is 7.9 pounds in eight minutes, held by Patrick Bertoletti. This record has stood unbested for more than 12 years, possibly because it's hard to find anybody who likes strawberry-rhubarb pie.
Best Medicine
One evening, a man visits his doctor.
The doctor asks what's wrong and the man replies, "I think I'm a moth."
"You think you're a moth?" the doctor exclaims. "You don't need a doctor. You need a therapist."
"I know," replies the man. "I was on my way to see a therapist, but then I saw your light was on."
Observation
"We were primitive people when I was a kid. There were only a few known diseases: Gunshot wounds, broken legs, toothache, fits. Anything that hurt you from the lower end of your neck down was known as a bellyache."
—American humorist Will Rogers (1879-1935)
Medical History
This week in 1924, the tuberculosis vaccine was developed by Albert Calmette and Alphonse Guerin, a French physician and veterinarian, respectively.
Med School
Q: What is a normal output of urine per 24 hours?
A: Assuming intake of half a gallon of fluid or eight cups, normal output would be between 1.6 and 4 cups. (Think one 12-ounce soda can to a 32-ounce bottle.)
Last Words
"Too late for fruit, too soon for flowers."
—English poet Walter De La Mare (1873-1956)
To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
View Comments