The Health News – 15 July 2016
Overview:
• This is the first time scientists have linked infected implants to the cancer, known as Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL). Associate professor Anand Deva from Macquarie University’s Health Sciences Centre led the research. They found that the women had developed the cancer within eight years of surgery.
• An independent review found systemic failures and widespread complacency led to the re- emergence of the disease, thought to have been eradicated 30 years ago. Workers’ X-rays will also be sent overseas to be re-checked, while local radiographers will be up-skilled. But Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists president Dr Greg Slater said that was not necessary.
• Suicide prevention researcher Gerry Georgatos created the Change.org petition addressed to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, for a royal commission into levels of suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP), which Mr Georgatos is a member of, has also previously backed a royal commission into the issue.
News on Health Professional Radio. Today is the 15th of July 2016. Read by Rebecca Foster. Health News
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-14/breast-implant-bacteria-linked-to-rare-cancer/7580874
Plastic surgeons in Australia have found breast implants contaminated with bacteria may increase women’s risk of developing a rare type of cancer.
Doctors already know infection during surgery can cause the most common complication associated with breast enhancement, known as capsular contracture.
Contracture is the hardening of scar tissue around the implant, causing physical deformity and pain.
However, this is the first time scientists have linked infected implants to the cancer, known as Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL).
Associate professor Anand Deva from Macquarie University’s Health Sciences Centre led the research.
The surgeons studied tissue samples from 22 women who developed the rare form of lymphoma after undergoing breast enhancement procedures.
They found that the women had developed the cancer within eight years of surgery.
Researchers also found that implants with a textured surface, which are popular in Britain and Australia, were 70 times more likely to harbour bacteria than smooth surfaced implants.
It is estimated between 5 million and 10 million women around the world have breast implants, but the study’s authors said only a small percentage had gone on to develop cancer.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-14/black-lung-leading-doctor-defends-radiologists/7627750
Australia’s leading radiologist college has hit back at a damning report into black lung disease, which found medical professionals need to be better trained to read X-rays.
An independent review… found systemic failures and widespread complacency led to the re-emergence of the disease, thought to have been eradicated 30 years ago.
Eleven cases of black lung have been diagnosed in Queensland, with 18 more suspected cases under review.
In response, the Queensland Government has promised stricter dust limit regulations.
Workers’ X-rays will also be sent overseas to be re-checked, while local radiographers will be up-skilled.
But Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists president Dr Greg Slater said that was not necessary.
“We believe that the expertise available in this country is sufficient to guarantee highest quality reporting and we don’t agree with the proposal,” he said.
The eight companies which operate underground coal mines in Queensland have committed to a new screening program for workers.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-14/calls-for-royal-commission-into-indigenous-suicide/7626862
Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for a royal commission into what researchers say are “catastrophic” levels of suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Suicide prevention researcher Gerry Georgatos created the Change.org petition addressed to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and wrote that a royal commission is “the only shot we have left” at addressing the issue.
Over 21,000 Australians have signed the petition since Sunday.
Among those calling for a royal commission are this year’s National Indigenous Human Rights Awards recipients and several past NAIDOC winners …
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP), which Mr Georgatos is a member of, has also previously backed a royal commission into the issue.
The report in the Medical Journal of Australia found that the number of suicides in the Kimberley region has more than doubled in the past decad’e.