Quick notes on the new Tamoxifen study

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I decided to check out the headlines for the newly released Tamoxifen study. They were predictably embarrassing, and a suitable lesson on why news coverage cannot be considered a trustworthy source on scientific research, especially involving health and medicine:

  • “Tamoxifen dramatically lowers incidence of breast cancer in high-risk women, study shows”
  • “Tamoxifen linked to lower incidence of breast cancer in high-risk patients”
  • “Tamoxifen Drug Can Protect Women With a High Breast Cancer Risk For 20 Years, Scientists Say”
  • “Tamoxifen Effective in Lowering Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence”
  • “Tamoxifen could protect women from cancer for 20 years if taken daily”
  • “Research shows tamoxifen can cut cancer rates by a third”

That sounds great, but what is being left out?

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Medications documented to induce mitochondrial damage

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Here is a list of drugs, organized by drug class, which have been documented to induce mitrochondrial damage. This is not to suggest these medications are inappropriate or to be avoided, just that it is best to be aware of this potential side-effect.

Excerpted from: Medication-induced mitochondrial damage and disease

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ProPublica: The Two Things That Rarely Happen After a Medical Mistake

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  • It was common for health care providers to withhold information about medical mistakes. Only 9 percent of patients said the medical facility voluntarily disclosed the harm.
  • When officials did disclose harm it was often because they were forced to. Nine percent of respondents said the harm was only acknowledged under pressure.
  • Apologies were infrequent. Only 11 percent of patients or their family members reported getting an apology from a provider.
  • More than 30 percent reported paying bills related to the harm. The average cost: $14,024.

The Two Things That Rarely Happen After a Medical Mistake

Summarizing the 4 stages of B12 Deficiency

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I believe it is important to note that suboptimal levels of B12 may be present long before symptoms serious enough to seek healthcare. Tests for B12 deficiency are also likely to miss B12 deficiency until it progress to stage 3 or 4.

  • Stage 1 – “declining blood levels of the vitamin” – signs and symptoms often go unnoticed or neglected and may only be detectable by measuring holoTC (reduced in deficiency) in serum, plasma, or urine.
  • Stage 2 – “low cellular concentrations of the vitamin” – signs and symptoms often go unnoticed or neglected and may only be detectable by measuring holoTC (reduced in deficiency) in serum, plasma, or urine.
  • Stage 3 – “increased blood level of homocysteine and a decreased rate of DNA synthesis” – may produce stronger signs and symptoms and may be detectable by homocysteine and blood methylmalonic acid (both elevated in deficiency).
  • Stage 4 – “pernicious anemia” – where signs and symptoms commonly associated with B12 deficiency are often seen. This stage is where markers such as hemoglobin and red blood cells are likely to present as anemia and serum B12 levels are likely to be reduced to below “normal” levels.

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“There Is No ‘Healthy’ Microbiome”

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I think this is an decent piece that presents several important points in an easy to understand manner.

“Healthy” microbes can easily turn rogue. Those in our guts are undoubtedly helpful, but if they cross the lining of the intestine and enter our bloodstream, they can trigger a debilitating immune response. The same microbes can be beneficial allies or dangerous threats, all for the difference of a few millimeters.”

There Is No ‘Healthy’ Microbiome

Some further considerations:

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Recent Research on Mammogram Screening

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Research

Twenty five year follow-up for breast cancer incidence and mortality of the Canadian National Breast Screening Study: randomised screening trial (2014)

“Annual mammography in women aged 40-59 does not reduce mortality from breast cancer beyond that of physical examination or usual care when adjuvant therapy for breast cancer is freely available. Overall, 22% (106/484) of screen detected invasive breast cancers were over-diagnosed, representing one over-diagnosed breast cancer for every 424 women who received mammography screening in the trial.”

Effect of Three Decades of Screening Mammography on Breast-Cancer Incidence (2012)

“Despite substantial increases in the number of cases of early-stage breast cancer detected, screening mammography has only marginally reduced the rate at which women present with advanced cancer. Although it is not certain which women have been affected, the imbalance suggests that there is substantial overdiagnosis, accounting for nearly a third of all newly diagnosed breast cancers, and that screening is having, at best, only a small effect on the rate of death from breast cancer.”

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My home is entirely lit by LED lighting

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As of a few weeks ago I finished switching out CFL bulbs for LED bulbs and I’m happy with the result. I prefer the quality of light to both CFL’s and incandescents and it’s nice to be able to throw away lightbulbs if they break and not have to worry about mercury exposure or contamination. The price of LED bulbs has gotten to be reasonable and they are also dimmable. For my home I have used Cree bulbs exclusively, a combination of 9.5 Watt 800 Lumen Soft White (60 Watt Replacemetn) and 6 Watt 450 Lumen Soft White (40 Watt Replacement). So while not an explicit endorsement I’ve been happy with the bulbs from Cree and I would suggest that people consider LED replacement bulbs for their homes.