Mesothelioma Helping

Digital Healthcare, a Wake Forest, NC company specializing in sight-saving retinal risk assessment, announced today that DiabetesAmerica, a group of comprehensive diabetes management Health Centers based in Houston, Texas has selected the Retasure solution to provide retinal imaging risk assessment. DiabetesAmerica specializes in helping individuals live with diabetes. Their medical professionals promote wellness through a variety of personalized treatment and educational programs--from medical treatment to diabetes education, nutritional counseling, exercise programs and lifestyle instruction.

Wake Forest, NC  -  March 25, 2008 -- Digital Healthcare, a Wake Forest, NC company specializing in sight-saving retinal risk assessment, announced today that DiabetesAmerica, a group of comprehensive diabetes management Health Centers based in Houston, Texas has selected the Retasure solution to provide retinal imaging risk assessment.

DiabetesAmerica specializes in helping individuals live with diabetes. Their medical professionals promote wellness through a variety of personalized treatment and educational programs--from medical treatment to diabetes education, nutritional counseling, exercise programs and lifestyle instruction. Five of their physicians have been recognized nationally by the Diabetes Physician Recognition Program for providing outstanding diabetes care to their patients. DiabetesAmerica currently has health centers in Houston, Dallas, Corpus Christi and San Antonio, and will be adding additional facilities across Texas and in other states in 2008.

"We are proud to have DiabetesAmerica as our latest client," said Scott Sanner, Senior Vice President, North American Operations of Digital Healthcare. "They are an organization that prides itself on providing comprehensive services to their patients. Our Retasure solution addresses an unmet need for their patients and is an excellent compliment to their patient-focused mission."

"Our focus is to provide our patients the tools needed to self-manage their diabetes and become healthier and more independent," said Wendy Hawkins, MD, Director of Clinical Affairs for DiabetesAmerica. "Diabetics have a high risk for diabetic retinopathy and blindness and the Retasure solution will increase our ability to assess our patients' total health."

The FDA-approved and HEDIS compliant Retasure program provides a simple, affordable, and non-invasive solution that allows physicians to capture their patients' retinal images during a three to five minute procedure without eye dilation. Images are transmitted over a secure, HIPAA compliant network to an accredited reading center. A state-licensed and board certified ophthalmologist reviews the images and results are returned to the original physician within 72 hours. The simplicity of the assessment process is unique in the market and addresses a previously un-met need for one of the nation's largest public health issues.

There are an estimated 21 million diabetic patients in the US, but only about half have any retinal assessments, despite a high risk of diabetic retinopathy. The National Eye Institute indicates diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among working age American adults. More than a million patients worldwide have received a retinal risk assessment using Digital Healthcare software.

About Digital Healthcare
Digital Healthcare is the global leader in retinal risk assessment. They are the world's leading provider of care management programs for diabetic retinopathy. Their award-winning MS-HUG technology is used by leading hospitals and research centers including University Hospitals Case Medical Center at Case Western Reserve University, The Wilmer Eye Institute at The Johns Hopkins University and the United States Military. Digital Healthcare's Retasure solution offers several advantages for primary care and endocrinologist physicians and their patients: It can be operated by non-clinicians; it is non-invasive and requires no dilation; it obtains exceptionally high-quality digital images of the retina using a simple-to-operate fundus camera; it returns results quickly to the ordering physicians; and it encourages patient compliance for retinal evaluation and comprehensive eye examinations. For more information, visit www.retasure.com.

Press Contact: Scott Sanner
Company Name: Digital Healthcare
Phone: 919-554-9650
Website: www.retasure.com

# posted by PPC Meso @ 11:07 PM 0 comments

Organizations designated to disseminate accurate information about cancer actually spread most of the modern myths surrounding this disease, says Bill Sardi, author of the book You Don't Have To Be Afraid Of Cancer Anymore ( www.thecancerbook.com ).

October 15, 2007 -- Cancer information bureaus claim cancer is not contagious, surgery doesn't spread cancer, sugar doesn't make cancer grow faster, hair dye doesn't cause cancer, and use of sunscreen lotion prevents skin cancer. "All of these are falsehoods," says Sardi.

Cancer is contagious

"Cancer certainly is indirectly contagious," says Sardi. Up to 15% of cancers are caused by germs, says Sardi, who says a whole book documents that fact. (Microbes and Malignancy, Oxford University Press, 1999) Lymphomas, sarcoma, gastric carcinoma, liver and cervical cancer all emanate from viral or bacterial infection, says Sardi. Examples are oral, throat and cervical cancers which are caused by the Human papilloma virus and gastric cancer which is unequivocally caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Furthermore, masses caused by Mycobacteria tuberculosis are indistinguishable from cancer. TB may be a major cause of cancer. [Quarterly Journal Medicine 100(1):59, 2007; European J Gynaecology Oncology 24(6):561-2, 2003; Acta Neurochir (Wien). 145(6):513-7, 2003; Diagnostic Cytopathology 28(2):107-9, 2003
Does surgery cause cancer to spread?

A survey indicates 41% of Americans believe surgery can cause cancer to spread. Cancer agencies say that is fiction. A physician spokesperson for the American Cancer Society says this myth "really keeps patients from potentially receiving what could be a definitive, if not curative, surgery." But surgery is not a cure for cancer, and there is published evidence surgery does indeed facilitate the spread of tumors.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School clearly state that "surgical wounding associated with the removal of experimental primary cancers can trigger angiogenesis (new blood vessels) in previously dormant micro-metastatic tumor deposits, which can result in the acceleration of relapse and death." (Lancet 357: 1048, 2001)

It is said that surgery "kick starts" hidden small tumors. Surgeons know this and often prescribe pre-operative chemotherapy, or anti-estrogen drugs, to limit the effect surgery has upon accelerated growth of remaining small tumors following surgery. {Lancet 347: 260, 1996)

In a report entitled "Excisional surgery for cancer sure: therapy at a cost," researchers indicate there is "strong" evidence that tumor removal influences the growth of remaining tumors. (Lancet 4: 760-68, 2003)

A report in Medical Hypotheses states that "surgery can increase the number of circulating tumor cells and induce an immunosuppressive effect that might facilitate metastatic spread. The process of wound healing can stimulate growth factors that have been shown to accelerate tumor cell growth. This situation is a double-edged sword." (Medical Hypotheses 67: 1054-59, 2006)

Researchers in Ireland report that surgical removal of a primary tumor is often followed by a faster and more aggressive tumor at the same site. (Annals Thoracic Surgery 80: 1046-50, 2005)
Even a simple biopsy is invasive enough to activate the wound-healing process and accelerate tumor progression. (Lancet 357: 1048, 2001)

Finally, Georgetown University doctors report that surgery carries an increased risk for cancer weeks or even years after an operation. (Anesthesiology Clinics North America, June 2006)

Hair dye and cancer.

The American Cancer Society says hair dyes don't cause cancer. But this so-called myth persists. After examining 79 different studies, a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association says "We did not find strong evidence of a marked increase in the risk of cancer among personal hair dye users." (Journal American Medical Assn 293: 2516-25, 2005)
However, a study conducted by researcher at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health found that the use of any hair dye in the month before and/or during pregnancy is associated with a modest increased risk of neuroblastoma in offspring. (Cancer Causes Controls 16: 743-48, 2005) Neuroblastoma is a tumor containing embryonic nerve cells.

When data was pooled from different population studies, it was found that "personal use of hair dye products increases bladder cancer risk by 22% to 50%." (Public Health Reports 120: 31-38, 2005)

A recent study shows that the use of hair dyes is associated with adult acute leukemia and that more frequent use and long-term use increased the risks for this type of cancer. Non-permanent hair dyes were not associated with leukemia, but long duration of permanent hair dye "may have an impact on the risk of leukemia." (American Journal Epidemiology 160: 19-25, 2004)

Another study could not completely dismiss data linking hair dye use with a modest increased risk for bladder cancer. (International Journal Cancer 109: 581-86, 2004)

It's possible the hair care industry knows why hair dye is linked with cancer since a recent study shows that the increased risk for Hodgkin's lymphoma was only found among women who started using hair coloring products prior to 1980. (American Journal Epidemiology 159: 148-54, 2004) It's possible some carcinogens have been removed from currently made products.
The data is not clear enough to say no to the idea that hair dye may increase cancer risk, even if only by a modest degree.

Does sugar promote cancer growth?

According to the American Cancer Society, sugar doesn't make cancer grow faster.
Dr. John T. Ely of the University of Washington decided to test whether sugar abets tumor growth. Dr. Ely found that patients in remission from tumors have lower blood sugar levels. (Integrative Cancer Therapy 4: 25-31, 2005)

Dr. Ely and colleagues went on to conduct an animal test. Mice were placed on three different diets designed to produce different blood sugar levels and then injected with highly aggressive breast tumor cells. Seventy days later 16 of 24 mice on a high sugar diet had succumbed to cancer, 8 of 24 mice on a normal sugar diet died and only 1 of 20 mice on a low-sugar diet died. (Biochemistry Biophysical Research Communications 132: 1174-79, 1985)

Dr. Ely has taken breast cancer patients, placed them on a low sugar diet, added supplemental vitamin C and treated their tumors with radiation, and demonstrated a prolonged survival. (Integrative Cancer Therapy 4: 25-31, 2005)

Does sunscreen use prevent skin cancer?

When Americans were surveyed, 43% said that sunscreen use can prevent skin cancer. The ACS says: "The use of sunscreen on a daily basis is a good practice for reducing skin cancer risk."

Yet, when researchers scrutinized the issue of whether sunscreen use prevents skin cancer, they found that there is no association between sunscreen use and the development of malignant melanoma, the most feared form of skin cancer. (British Journal Dermatology 153: 378-81, 2005) When researchers analyzed data from many studies they concluded that "the melanoma protective potential of sunscreens cannot be proven using the existing evidence." (Photodermatology Photoimmunology Photomedicine 18: 153-56, 2002)

The big shocker is that 95% of solar radiation is UV-A energy, while most sunscreens protect from the harsher UV-B rays. UV-A may also induce skin cancer. [Journal Investigative Dermatology 121:869-75, 2003 The latest study shows that UV-B rays only partially contribute to the development of melanoma. UV-A is also involved. (Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 97: 1822-1831, December 21, 2005)

SPF (sun protection factor) refers to the ability of a product to block out UV-B rays. So there is a flaw in the design of the sunscreen products themselves. (Postgraduate Medicine 116: July 2004)
Melanoma was rare up until the 1950s when sunscreen use began as "tanning lotions." Now there are over 40,000 cases of melanoma and 7,000 deaths from melanoma reported annually. Rising trends in the incidence of and mortality from melanoma began in the 1970s and 1980s, when sunscreens with high sun protection factors were more widely used. (Annals Epidemiology 3: 103-10, 1993)

Blockage of UV-B sun rays by sunscreen lotion inhibits production of vitamin D in the skin. (American Journal Clinical Nutrition 80: 1678-88S, 2004) According to a recent report, frequent regular sun exposure acts to cause cancers that have a 0.3% death rate with 2,000 U.S. fatalities per year and acts to prevent cancers that have death rates from 20-65% with 138,000 U.S. fatalities per year. (Preventive Medicine 22: 132-40, 1993):

A recent study estimates that 50,000-63,000 individuals in the United States and 19,000-25,000 in Britain die prematurely from cancer annually due to insufficient vitamin D. (Photochemistry Photobiology 81: 1276-86, 2005)

For more information about myths that surround cancer read the new book You Don't Have To Be Afraid Of Cancer Anymore, offered at www.thecancerbook.com

Press Contact: WILLIAM SARDI
Company Name: Knowledge of Health
Phone: 909 596 9507
Website: www.thecancerbook.com

# posted by PPC Meso @ 10:57 PM 0 comments

MVP Financial Services announced today that it has selected Settlements For Life as its broker of choice for all life settlement transactions. This rewarding product will be marketed immediately to all of MVP's producers.

Memphis, TN  -  March 18, 2008 -- MVP Financial Services announced today that it has selected Settlements For Life, as its broker of choice for all life settlement transactions. This rewarding product will be marketed immediately to all of MVP's producers.    

About MVP Financial
MVP Financial Services is a leading financial brokerage company, offering life insurance, long term care, annuities and disability through its extensive list of top producers and financial advisors. According to Jim Chrisler, company partner, adding life settlements, to the existing product portfolio is long overdue.

Commenting on the new partnership with Settlements For Life he adds: "MVP has always viewed life settlements from afar. In the past, we have been concerned with the industry players. Our primary goal is to present honest and forthright advice regarding the sale of life insurance through our producers and financial advisors. We have interviewed numerous firms, asking questions about their experience, their professionalism and their honesty.

Settlements For Life has given MVP the feeling of true partnership. Their desire, flexibility and enthusiasm for training MVP's customer relationship representatives and producers were paramount in choosing the right settlement company. In addition, Settlements For Life offers MVP the ability to review the market place quickly, evaluating actual policies that clients are considering lapsing, and through their expertise, we save both time and money."

About Settlements For Life
Founded in 2003 by a CPA with 25 years of public practice experience, Settlements For Life, LLC is one of the most experienced brokers in the life settlement industry. As a leader among national life settlement brokers, Settlements For Life is often the first choice when it comes to managing a senior client's life settlement needs. This is due to their reputation for integrity, transparency and diligence in representing the client's needs.

David Pryor, Regional Vice President for Settlements For Life comments: "It's fantastic to see more companies adding life settlements to their product portfolio. We are extremely excited and look forward to a long and prosperous working relationship with MVP Financial Services."
If you are an agent or producer in need of life settlement support, the experts at Settlements For Life will educate you on:

• The current market for life settlements
• When it is appropriate to use a life settlement
• Which of your clients would qualify for a life settlement
• How to know that you are getting the best deal for your clients

For more information on life settlements, contact Mr. Pryor or a representative at Settlements For Life:

Phone: 901-683-5558
Email: info @ settlementsforlife.com

Press Contact: David Pryor
Company Name: Settlements For Life
Phone: 877-588-5558
Website: www.settlementsforlife.com

# posted by PPC Meso @ 4:40 PM 0 comments

Some useful guidelines from the Johns Hopkins White Paper 2008: Prescription Drugs on how to dispose of your unwanted medications safely to minimize the impact on humans and wildlife.

New York, NY - March 12, 2008 -- The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2008: Prescription Drugs recently published a summary of the Office of National Drug Control Policy literature on the subject of how to dispose of your medications safely.

According to a recent Associated Press investigation, prescription drugs have been found in drinking water across the U.S. They found a vast array of pharmaceuticals -- including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones in the drinking water of 41 million Americans.

Though the level of concentration has been said to be very small, at this point it is unclear as to what the effects of continuous exposure to these drugs in these combinations could mean for humans and wildlife.

In light of these findings, the Johns Hopkins Prescription Drug White Paper summary should prove of some use in answering Americans' concerns about how to dispose of unwanted medications safely.

The original summary states:

How To Dispose of Your Medications
If you've ever wondered what to do with leftover or expired prescription medications, the federal government recently released some important advice. Here are the three options:

1. Throw in the trash.
To do this, remove pills from their original containers. If you are worried about illegal reuse, mix the pills with coffee grounds or kitty litter and place in an empty can or sealable bag.

2. Flush down the toilet.
Do this only if the drug label says so. Drugs that should be flushed down the toilet rather than thrown in the trash include narcotic pain medications, such as fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic Transdermal System, Fentora), oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), meperidine, and morphine (Avinza); the narcolepsy drug sodium oxybate (Xyrem); the hepatitis drug entecavir (Baraclude); the attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder drug methylphenidate (Daytrana Transdermal Patch); and the HIV drugs atazanavir (Reyataz) and stavudine (Zerit).

3. Utilize take-back programs.
If you are concerned about the environmental effects of flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, take advantage of take-back programs, which allow you to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. Ask your local pharmacy or municipal waste collection system if they have such a program.
Source: THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY, February 2007

But in view of the recent AP investigation findings, the Office of National Drug Control Policy might want to consider revising their recommendations with regard to Option 2.

In the meantime, Americans can all do their share for the environment by choosing Options 1 or 3.

We might also like to consider applying the same vigilance in disposing of any over the counter medications we might have on hand the next time we decide to clean out our bathroom cabinet.

For more Health Alerts on Prescription Drugs and how to take them safely, please visit:
Prescription Drugs Health Alerts

For a review of the latest research on prescription drugs, please visit The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2008: Prescription Drugs:
http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/white_papers/prescription_drugs_wp/digital08_landing.html [Prescription Drugs White Paper__title__ Prescription Drugs White Paper Information Page

"How To Dispose of Your Medications" excerpted from The Johns Hopkins Prescription Drugs White Paper, page 41. C 2008

Press Contact: JOAN MULLALLY
Company Name: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts
Phone: 917-640-4362
Website: http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com

# posted by PPC Meso @ 1:11 PM 0 comments

ADAO Applauds the United States Senate for Passing a Resolution to Establish "National Asbestos Awareness Week"

Resolution Furthers Education and Awareness of Asbestos Dangers

Washington, DC . March 6, 2008 --- The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an organization dedicated to serving as the voice of asbestos victims, today applauds the United States Senate for passing a resolution that would designate the first week of April as "National Asbestos Awareness Week." In particular, ADAO praises Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) for sponsoring the resolution and additional cosponsors and key supporters of S.RES.108 including: Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) for their leadership in this important legislation.

"We are pleased with the passage of this resolution as we approach the day when asbestos is finally banned in the United States," said Dr. Richard Lemen, former Assistant Surgeon General and Co-chairman of the ADAO Science Advisory Board.

"We already know that asbestos exposure causes deadly diseases and cancers that kill Americans on a daily basis. The passage of this resolution will help raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos and move our nation closer to banning the deadly mineral permanently," stated Michael R. Harbut, MD, MPH, FCCP, CoDirector, National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos-Related Cancers, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University.

"The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization applauds the U.S. Senate and the bi-partisan cosponsors for the passage of this resolution. We cannot bring those back we've lost from exposure to this deadly substance, but we can ensure that our loved ones are not affected by asbestos in the future," said Linda Reinstein, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.

To recognize National Asbestos Awareness Week, ADAO will hold its fourth annual conference and Remembrance Service at Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute on March 29-30 in Detroit, Michigan.

About Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims a united voice to help ensure that their rights are fairly represented and protected, and raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the incurable and often deadly asbestos related diseases. ADAO is funded through voluntary contributions and staffed by volunteers. For more information visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.

Media Contact:
Doug Larkin
Director of Communications
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
Phone: (202) 391-1546
doug@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org

# posted by PPC Meso @ 3:47 PM 0 comments