Articles filed under 'CANCER'
Buried in the basin, the ovaries are difficult to examine. Thus, cancers affecting them are often discovered late. If improvements are to provide treatment, the prognosis remains closely linked to early care.
Ovarian cancer is the fifth largest female cancers in US, with 4,000 new cases per year. But his prognosis remains very bleak as it is often discovered at a late stage. Panorama from an unknown disease.
Ovarian cancer is relatively uncommon. All too often discovered at a late stage, this cancer is difficult to treat. As it is detected late, ovarian cancer has a fairly bleak prognosis. Each year, 3,800 Americans die from that cancer. The survival rate of ovarian cancer is just over 30% in 5 years, while for breast cancer, it is about 75%.
Few women are genetically predisposed to ovarian cancer. Genetic factors were responsible for 5 to 10% of cancers of the ovary. Between 160 and 320 women are suffering from a hereditary cancer of the ovary annually. Family mutations of certain genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 rarely, are known to predispose strongly to this cancer, with an earlier age (before age 50). Alteration of these genes is also responsible for predisposition to breast cancer.
Without benefiting from screening test, ovarian cancer has long been nicknamed the silent killer because symptoms are supposed to appear at an advanced stage of the disease. But the results of a recent study could detect that kind of cancer more quickly.
Early detection is an incredible challenge: 70 to 90% of women with ovarian cancer detected at a primary stage are still alive five years after diagnosis against only 20 to 30% of those whose cancer was diagnosed at an advanced stage. And unfortunately, the second scenario is more often met … Some figures show awareness of this scourge, female: 4,488 new cases and 3,508 deaths directly linked to the disease in the year 2006
Characteristic symptoms: Beware of the trio!
Researchers have followed 1,408 women who were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire about symptoms experienced with the previous year. Among the proposed events can include pelvic pain, abdominal, low back pain, the urge to urinate, constipation, weight loss, unexplained, and so on. The severity, duration and frequency of these signs were also informed. The same procedure was conducted on 128 women awaiting surgery for pelvic tumors, including ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is no longer the silent undetectable killer . Even women with cancer at preliminary stages have signs. Paying attention to certain symptoms (or rather their frequency or severity), it may be possible to react in time!
The diagnosis of ovarian cancer is based on clinical examination, gynecological and a determination of tumor marker, supplemented by medical imaging examinations, including pelvic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. But only the surgical exploration allows a complete diagnosis of the local extension of ovarian cancer.
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
October 10th, 2009
Cancer is something that a lot of people worry about getting. If cancer is found at an early stage, then it can be taken care of. However, cancer can spread around the body, and thus, the best way to get rid of cancer is to not get it. Today we are going to talk about the five things that you should do that can help you avoid getting cancer all together. These things can help keep you safe and help keep you healthy for a long time to come.
First of all, to avoid getting cancer, you need to avoid using any kind of tobacco product. As we all already know, tobacco can cause a lot of health problems, one of which is cancer. You need to do your part in avoiding tobacco to help avoid the chance that you will ever get cancer. This is one of the most important things that you can do to avoid getting cancer. Although it may sound like it’s just a small step in preventing cancer, it is actually one of the biggest. Remember that any kind of tobacco can put you on the course to getting cancer.
The next big way to avoid getting cancer is to watch what you eat. There are certain things that you can do that the American Cancer Society recommends to help keep from getting cancer. First, make sure that you eat five or more servings of fruits or vegetables each day. Things that are whole grain are always best for you and can really help you avoid getting cancer. You can also try eating beans, which are said to help avoid cancer as well.
Try to limit the amount of fat that you take in. When you eat meat, try eating learner meat. This can help you avoid getting cancer in your colon, stomach and other places. Last, try to only drink alcohol in moderation. They say that a little bit of alcohol can actually help you in some ways. However, drinking too much can actually cause problems down the road.
Next, you have to shoot for maintaining a healthy weight. This can be done by exercising regularly and, of course, not overeating. Try to mix up your diet, because eating a lot of meat and nothing else can increase your risk of getting cancer. It is very important that you eat your meat (because the body needs it), but also eat other things that can help keep your system clean.
Last, but not least, is skin cancer. Another way to avoid getting cancer is to avoid getting skin cancer. You can do this by protecting your skin from the sun. The sun is the number one cause of skin cancer in the world, but not the only one. You also need to avoid repeat exposure to x-rays and, of course, certain chemicals that can cause skin cancer as well. Following these steps can really help you to avoid getting cancer, and that is what this whole talk was about, helping you to keep your body safe from cancer.
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
October 8th, 2009
Modern women always have a fear of breast cancer. Whilst average woman has around 12% risk of getting affected with breast cancer, others have 85% chance of getting their life troubled with this menace. For women with high risk of breast cancer, fear is very much real, and most of them look to ways for lowering its risk.
An option, which some high-risk women considers for treating breast cancer, is prophylactic or preventive mastectomy. You may consider it, if you:
1-Are having cancers in one of your breasts and looking forward to remove the healthy breast for avoiding it to get affected too.
2-Are at high risk of breast cancer and looking forward to remove both breasts before it develops to advance and untreatable stage.
Mastectomy is a surgical procedure done for removing nearly all the tissues of your breast, where cancer may grow. This is, in no mean, a guarantee that you will not have breast cancer, as it’s impossible for taking out every bit of the tissue. However, experts have estimated that mastectomy can reduce the risk by almost 90%.
Some women find losing their breast for reducing risks of cancer to be beneficial. However, their choice cannot be clear cut. Various factors, which include women’s personal risk and their own feelings on the same, can affect the application of Mastectomy on their breasts.
Who Can Opt For Preventive Mastectomy?
You should opt for preventive mastectomy, if you know that you’re at high risk of breast cancer. You might be at high risks if:
1-You are sure that you have BRCA (breast cancer) gene change. You can find about BRCA by having a gene testing. Gene testing is generally done on women having a history of ovarian or/and breast cancer in their family.
2-You are having a history of breast cancers in your family. If any (or more than one) of your close family member (mother or sister) had breast cancer before, you are said to have a strong history. Risks are also considered high, if you are having both ovarian and breast cancer on any side of your family.
3-You are already having cancers in your breast. This means that there is a possibility of getting it on the other breast.
4-You have already been diagnosed with LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma in Situ). LCIS means that you are having abnormal cells in lobules (milk glands) of your breast. Experts classify it to be a pre-cancer or stage ‘0’ cancer. It might be increasing your risks of breast cancer. However, figures suggest that most women, who have been diagnosed with LCIS, do not get breast cancer.
5-Your chest has been exposed to radiation therapy before you were 30.
How Can I Make A Decision On Preventive Mastectomy?
Decision for having mastectomy to prevent cancer is a very personal one. To make the decision easy and right, it might help if you:
1-Consult your doctor or genetic counselors for getting a better idea of the risk involved.
2-Give consideration to your feelings. Some of us cannot imagine the thought of giving up our breasts, whereas others feel greater peace of mind covers up the loss.
3-Discuss this decision with the one, who are close to you. Suggestions from them can go a long way in helping you to decide.
However, you should always remember that it’s your body and it will always be your decision.
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
October 6th, 2009
Some tumors of the prostate do not respond to standard hormone therapy. Now there is a new drug on the horizon that appears to slow the growth of difficult-to-treat tumors. Two small studies have yielded promising results.
In the first of these studies, a drug called abiraterone shank tumors by 30% in one-fourth of 31 men whose prostate cancer did not respond to standard therapies and continued to grow. In 35% of the patients taking the experimental drug, their tumors stopped growing.
Standard PSA (prostate-specific antigen) measurements were able to give accurate indications of each man’s response to the new treatment. PSA levels after 12 weeks of treatment with abiraterone lowered PSA levels by 50% or more in 71% of the patients. In two men, the PSA fell so dramatically, it was undetectable.
A leading medical authority at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles’ Radiation Oncology Department called abiraterone “currently the most promising prostate cancer drug on the horizon.” He explained that the new hormone therapy appears to be active in men not responsive to other hormone treatments.
Abiraterone works differently from other hormone treatments in wide use today. The new drug targets an enzyme called CYP17 that is needed to produce male hormones throughout the body. Current hormonal treatments can only prevent production of male hormones in the testes. Other parts of the body are still able to produce testosterone and related hormones called androgens that fuel the growth of prostate cancer.
The first study involved men who were initially treated surgically or medically to prevent testosterone production in the testes. None had received chemotherapy, sometimes administered when the cancer does not respond well to hormone therapy. Men in the study took abiraterone orally once a day and generally tolerated the drug without serious side effects.
In a second study, men who were given chemotherapy after their hormone treatment no longer worked showed similar encouraging results after taking the experimental drug. Cougar Biosciences is the manufacturer of abiraterone, and they funded this study.
Researchers have begun enrolling men in a larger and longer study. Patients will be randomly assigned to abiraterone or a placebo (sugar pill). If results continue to be promising, the company will apply to the FDA for approval of the drug. Unfortunately, these studies and the approval process can take several years.
In the U.S., prostate cancer was diagnosed in over 180,000 men and 28,000 men died of the disease in 2008. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in the U.S.
Source: WebMD Health News; 3/1/09 written by Charlene Laino and reviewed by Louise Chang, M.D. blog article by Anna Dabney
March 2nd, 2009
The most recent of several studies involving women who had breast cancer and who also take drugs to strengthen bone shows encouraging results. The study of 1,800 women, published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved those who took hormonal therapy to block estrogen production that fuels growth in certain breast cancers. Half of the group was also given zoledronic acid, or Zometa, intravenously twice a year for three years. Women given Zometa showed a 36 percent reduction in cancer recurrences and metastases, compared to half the group who didn’t get it.
Four years later, 54 women receiving zoledronic acid and 83 who didn’t get the bone drug had a recurrence, a new cancer in the second breast, or a spreading of cancer to the bone. The question is, shouldn’t all women on hormonal therapy for breast cancer receive Zometa or a similar bone drug? Before prescribing these drugs as standard therapy, researchers plan to examine results from two other large studies now nearing completion. Women taking hormonal therapy are blocking estrogen production, which in turn can cause thinning of bones. Why not add the bone-building drugs to their anti-cancer therapies?
Cancer cells are known to interact with a type of bone cell called osteoclasts, whose role is to break down bone. Breast cancer cells sometimes migrate to the bones and stimulate osteoclasts, which in turn stimulate cancer cells. It’s a vicious cycle. But what if the cycle can be interrupted?
Drugs used to treat the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis have been shown to stop osteoclasts from releasing substances that cause bone loss. As osteoclasts stop working, they die. Other studies of bisphosphonates to prevent osteoporosis have shown in lab studies that they might have other anticancer effects. Bisphosphonates affected the ability of cancer cells to stick to surrounding tissue, to invade and grow in numbers. One of the new study’s lead researchers believes that bisphosphonates could squelch the cells that migrate to the bones and hide in marrow, thus affecting the ability of breast cancer to recur.
Researchers are also investigating whether bisphosphonates could treat cancer that has already metastasized to bone. After determining that they could, zoledronic acid and other bisphosphonates were approved for women with bone metastasis. These therapies were shown in one study to prevent further spread of cancer in bones. Zometa is approved only for bone complications of cancer and is not an official drug for osteoporosis. There is a rare but quite serious side effect, osteonecrosis of the jaw, which has been seen with bisphosphonate use. No instances have been seen in study participants, however.
Studies are still in progress to investigate whether these bone drugs used in high doses to treat cancer can prevent breast cancer from initially spreading. Results have been mixed. In research now ongoing, there is hope that zoledronic acid could add a benefit to existing breast cancer therapy to the same degree as the magnitude from chemo or hormonal therapy alone. Scientists and physicians are waiting for data from other studies. Clinical trials may have the answers in the near future.
Source: Gina Kolata; New York Times; Feb. 11, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/health/research/12bone.html?th&emc=th
blog article by Anna Dabney
February 16th, 2009
terine Cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, which actually start in the lining of the cells in the uterus. The womb or the uterus is a vital part of the reproductive system in a woman.
Type of Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer may denote various types of cancers, which occur in a woman’s uterus. Uterine sarcomas, commonly known to be leiomyosarcomas are a type of uterine cancer, which occurs in the muscular layer of a uterus. Endometrial cancer is another type of uterine cancer, which originates from the cells that are located in the glands of the uterine lining or the endometrium. Cervical cancer is a different type of uterine cancer, which is known to arise from the lower portion of a uterus. It extends to the transitional zone of a woman’s cervix and connecting to the upper part of her vagina.
Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
A woman having uterine cancer can notice some common symptoms. However, they may differ from person to person depending upon the disease in consideration. Commons symptoms include painful or difficult urination, unusual discharge or vagina bleeding, extreme pain during the time of having sexual intercourse, a typical pelvic lump, abnormal weight loss, pain in the pelvic region and having never breast-fed. In fact, uterine cancer occurs rarely before menopause, during which a woman have regular menstrual periods.
It generally occurs during the time when the regular menstruation cycle stops. If a woman notices reappearance of bleeding at this stage of her life, she should immediately bring it to the attention of her general physician, as there may be a possibility of uterine cancer.
The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding from a woman’s uterus after her menopause. The bleeding may be in the form of a blood streaked, watery discharge containing more blood. In some cases, a woman may experience lower abdominal pain too.
Causes behind Uterine Cancer
There are different causes of uterine cancer, which have been discovered till date. Diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovaries having prolonged anovulation, nulliparity or having borne not a single child, lack of menstruation, extended usage of tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancers and taking unopposed estrogen without progestin are some of the valid causes of uterine cancer.
Diagnosing the Disease
Uterine cancer can be diagnosed by endometrial and endocervical sampling. Apart from these techniques, vaginal ultrasonography is also used to detect the thickness of the endometrium because increased thickness of the uterus may determine some serious cancerous change. Apart from this, the Pap test can also be an accurate way detecting uterine cancer but cannot be termed as a reliable source.
Treatment of Uterine Cancer
The treatment of uterine cancer is performed on the basis of grade and stage of the cancer. Abdominal hysterectomy is a standard therapy, which involves in the surgical removal of the woman’s uterus along with both the ovaries and fallopian tubes, washing of the abdominal cavity to determine malignant cells and the selective removal of the aortic and pelvic lymph nodes. Many doctors prefer usage of hormone therapy that removes the possibility of metastatic cancer. Again, women also opt for radiation therapy for the treatment of their uterine cancer.
Although treatment is a possibility for Uterine Cancer, still you should take immediate action after noticing the symptoms. Don’t let it reach a level from where it cannot be cured!
To Your Health!
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
January 27th, 2009
An “Early Stage” breast cancer is sometimes referred as Stage 1 breast cancer. In such cases, the affected region is less than 2–2.5 centimetres in diameter. However, cancer does not spread inside the tissue of the breast. In fact, among all the women detected for breast cancer in the U.S, 63% of them suffer from “Early Stage” Breast Cancer, as it is still localized to the tissue of the breast.
Today, Breast Cancer is considered to be one of the most deadly and emotional types of cancers occurring in women. However, it should be kept in mind that it is not only women, who are at a risk of having breast cancer. Men can also have such type of cancers, but most patients are female.
Early detection increases chances of survival
If the breast cancer is an early stage one and it is properly detected and treated, the survival rate of that patient increases to a large extent. The best trick to fight breast cancer is to catch it early on and generally women can detect it by finding a typical lump in any one of their breasts. Women should immediately check out in such cases but they should not worry, as all lumps are not cancers.
Early stage breast cancer cannot always be cured, even though cancerous cells are unable to reach the lymph nodes. Women, who catch early stage breast cancer, gets treated at that point and many of them are able to enjoy life in a normal lifestyle for more than ten years. It is highly recommended for every woman to check her breasts regularly to be on the safe side, so that possible cases of breast cancers can be detected early. With proper treatment, women can enjoy high survival rates.
Symptoms of Early Stage Cancer
An early stage breast cancer can be detected on the basis of various symptoms. Some of them are unexpected abnormal changes in the anatomy & the size of the breast, appearance of the skin of the breast becomes dimpled & puckered, sudden unexpected changes in the size and shape of the nipple like the changing position and nipple being inverted. Other symptoms include abnormal discharge from the nipple, development of rash in the nipple, continuous pain in the region of armpit & breast, thickening or formation of the lump in the armpit & breast and swelling of the collarbone region & armpit.
Treatment following the detection
Any of the above symptoms determine an early stage breast cancer and any woman having such symptoms should immediately contact her general physician. Doctors examine the patient properly and if necessary, can refer them to a breast clinic for more examinations and mammogram. Upon detection of a lump, the cancerous cells can be extracted with the help of a delicate needle. A biopsy should also be done to ascertain, if the affected area or lump is malignant.
Every woman should know how to do self-examination of her beasts, so that she can know her breasts easier and recognise abnormal changes on them.
To Your Health!
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
January 25th, 2009
A mammogram is one of the safest ways that is used to check if there is any problem with the breast of a woman. It is actually an x-ray of the breasts, as it involves in using a special and very low dose x-ray machine taking pictures of both breasts.
Effective Method of Preventing Cancer
Mammogram is an effective way of breast cancer prevention, as it is the most reliable procedure to detect early stages of breast cancer. However, there are some limitations of mammogram. Many cancers may not be detected by mammograms. Such breast cancers can be detected by breast self-exam. This article will guide you in getting ready for your mammogram.
What You Should Watch Out For?
Firstly, you should check the place where you are going to have your mammogram, so that you get to know about any special instructions, which you must follow before you arrive there. You should make the appointment for your mammogram for at least one week after the completion of your period. This is because your breast generally hurt less during this time. You should make sure that you tell your mammography facility, if you have ever got any type of breast implants.
Things to Remember Before Visiting Mammogram Facility
It is better that you wear a shirt preferably with shorts, skirt or pants. This helps you to undress from the waist up, thus leaving your pants, skirt or shorts on while you are getting your mammogram. It is highly advised that do not use any sort of deodorant, lotion, powder or lotion on your breasts or under your arms on the day you are having your mammogram.
Using these things may result in shadows on your mammogram, as they contain small aluminium particles. You can use cornstarch in place of talcum powder or deodorant, as it does not interfere with the x-ray image. You should not use any sort skin lotions on your breasts, as it can make them slippery. Hence, it will result in a movement during the process and a blurred image may be produced.
What Actually Happens During the Diagnosis Process?
After reaching the clinic, you should undress up to your waist. Try wearing clothes that can be easily removed and has loose fittings. Do not wear a bra on the day. Do not forget to take a hairbrush, so that you can tidy up at the time of redressing. After undressing, you will be asked to put on the hospital gown, opening to the front. The technician will help you in positioning yourself in front of the mammogram machine while standing. While taking the mammogram, your technician will rest each of your breasts on a metal plate, arranging maximum of the breast tissue between the top compression plate and the bottom plate. Your breasts will then be imaged and compressed for various lateral and vertical images.
It is recommended that women, especially those belonging to the upper age limit of 40 years or more, have a mammogram of their breasts done every year. This helps in early detection of breast cancer in one’s breast and ensures proper treatment, which can even cure cancer.
To Your Health!
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
January 23rd, 2009
One of the most prominent cases of cancer in women, which we hear today, is breast cancer. Cases of breast cancer have increased at an alarming rate and therefore, it is very important that we know the exact signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Women are the worst victims of this breast cancer, but men are also reported to suffer from this deadly disease.
Breast cancer can be cured in cases when women catch that they are having breast cancer in very early stages when the cancer is unable to reach the lymph nodes. In fact, 80% of all the women suffering from breast cancer are fully cured and they enjoy life as a normal person provided they are treated in the early stages of breast cancer.
Catch the Disease at an Early Stage
The best way to survive from cases of breast cancer is to catch it early on. For this, a woman should regularly perform breast self-exam of her breasts. This helps in finding and detecting breast cancer in the early stages ensuring that with proper treatment, it can be cured. A woman should perform self-exam of her breast regularly, so that she knows how her breasts normally feel. She can easily locate, if there is any sort of change in the anatomy of her breasts in future. This helps in improving the chances for her survival and eliminating the risks of breast cancer.
Consult Your Physician Immediately
As soon as you notices change in your breasts by performing self-exam, you should immediately contact your general physician or healthcare provider. Although most lumps or breast changes are found to be non-cancerous, such preventive measures can help you in determining the exact reason behind the abnormality of your breasts.
Fix a Time for Self-Exam
Every woman should conduct regular self-exam of her breasts. It is recommended that she does it every month and particularly after a few days before her period ends. This is because during that particular time, a woman’s breast is found to be less swollen or tender. Doctors also say that a woman should perform self-exam of her breast at the same time of every month, so that she notices exact changes.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
While performing a self-exam of your breasts, you should immediately contact your doctor if you notice any sort of abnormal lump. Again, you should consult them if any of your breasts shows some other symptoms like nipple retraction or skin irritation, skin dimpling & skin irritation, watery discharge from the nipple and redness on the breast skin or nipple.
Benefits of Regular Self-Exam
Regular self-exam ensures that a breast cancer is found early and there are more treatment choices for the affected person. Woman having breast cancer in the early stages have a better chance of recovery, as the cancer is unable to affect the lymph nodes.
It is very important that every woman perform regular self-exam of her breasts, so that the breast cancer can be detected and treated as early as possible.
To Your Health!
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
January 22nd, 2009
The FDA is re-evaluating its position as to the safety and effectiveness of LASIK surgery. Millions of Americans have had successful outcomes from LASIK, in which a laser reshapes the eye’s cornea and reduces or eliminates dependence on glasses or contact lenses. However, members of the U.S. regulatory agency on healthcare issues are currently considering the testimony of 140 patients who are complaining of serious side effects. These individuals had LASIK procedures performed between 1998 and 2006.
Approximately 700,000 Americans elect to undergo laser surgery for vision correction each year. The majority who are selected as appropriate candidates can see with 20-20 vision or better after vision correction surgery. Unfortunately, about 25 percent of those who consult LASIK surgeons for the procedure are not appropriate patients. Those persons should clearly understand the risks they are taking if they decide to proceed with LASIK, which generally costs about $2,000 per eye.
With the LASIK procedure, doctors cut a flap in the cornea, the eye’s clear covering, and aim a laser underneath it. The laser quickly and painlessly zaps and reshapes the cornea to achieve sharper vision. Cutting the corneal flap severs the nerves responsible for tear production. If these nerves heal well, dry eye is only temporary. Some individuals endure long-lasting dry eye and intense pain which can sometimes be improved by additional surgery to help the eyes retain moisture.
Those with overly large pupils, thin corneas, severe nearsightedness, or who have difficulty with dry eyes should not be considered good candidates for LASIK. Some surgeons can be faulted for not giving adequate information on potential problems and for not ruling out those who do not meet appropriate criteria for the surgery.
About 95 percent of patients who undergo LASIK are satisfied with their outcome. In the 5 percent or less who have poorer outcomes, it is unknown how many suffer with troublesome daily side effects. It is estimated that less than 1 percent have severe complications that leave them with poor vision.
Among the complaints aired at the hearings are reports of unremitting eye pain, blurred or double vision, painful dry eyes, and poor vision even using glasses. For others, their problems leave them unable to drive at night due to glare or fuzzy vision. Headlights from approaching cars may look like huge “starbursts” of light. In extreme cases, an individual may become despondent and resort to suicide. In one testimony, a father told of his son’s suicide note in which he described his deep depression over his reduced vision and years of intolerable side effects.
Among the suggestions the FDA is hearing: (1) use photographs to illustrate the effects of poor outcomes; (2) explain how often patients suffer from side effects such as dry eyes (almost half experience this condition even months after LASIK); (3) communicate clearly the conditions that should disqualify someone from having the eye surgery; (4) explain to young persons with extreme nearsightedness that they would be guaranteed to need reading glasses in middle age if they have the eye surgery. Without LASIK, they might avoid the need for glasses in later life, as eyes become more far-sighted with age.
Although the FDA agrees with eye surgeons’ studies indicating that only about 5 percent of patients are dissatisfied, they do not yet know how many individuals suffer lasting severe problems and how many simply didn’t have the degree of vision correction they expected.
Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, AP reporter Lauran Neergaard, 4/26/08;
Yahoo News, 4/25/08; Susan Heavey,
New York Times
April 27th, 2008
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