BJU international
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• Many experts consider that media coverage, marketing and/or direct-to-consumer advertising, particularly Internet-based forms, are fundamental to the widespread adoption of robotic-assisted prostatectomy (RARP). However, this has not been explored previously. • The primary objective of the present study was to delineate the role of media coverage and marketing of RARP on the Internet, whereas the secondary goal focused on website quality with respect to the presentation of prostatectomy. ⋯ • Media coverage and marketing of RARP on the Internet is more widespread compared to LP and ORP. • Disturbingly, the quality of websites using any technique for prostatectomy was of poor quality when using principles of honest information presenting and such findings need to be discussed with respect to obtaining informed consent from patients.
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What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Radiation exposure is a cause of cancer. Increasing use of CT scans has increased patient exposure to ionizing radiation which may increase long-term risk of cancer. Not all scans performed may be medically necessary. Up to 30% of patients presenting with renal/ureteric colic have been estimated to receive too much radiation. At least 30% of patients attending for stone surgery have exceeded the recommended annual radiation dosage. Many Australian radiology providers do not routinely record CT radiation dose. Radiation dose varies widely between individual patients and between radiology providers. Image intensifiers may be an additional significant source of radiation exposure. Implementing guidelines and informing patients of their cumulative radiation exposure should reduce exposure and risk. ⋯ • Many patients with urinary tract stones are subjected to relatively high doses of radiation in the course of their investigation and treatment. This may have later malignant consequences. • Many providers in Australia are not recording radiation dose and patients seem to have many unnecessary scans. • Suggestions on improved management are made which could significantly reduce radiation exposure.
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• To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and interferon α-2B (IFNα-2B) in treating superficial bladder cancer (SBC). The mentioned combination has shown synergism in pre-clinical studies. ⋯ • The combination of BCG and IFNα-2B in the patient population with SBC has similar efficacy and toxicity to BCG monotherapy.
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Comparative Study
An analysis of world media reporting of two recent large randomized prospective trials investigating screening for prostate cancer.
•The publication of two large screening studies for prostate cancer (CaP), the Prostate Lung Colorectal Ovarian Cancer (PLCO) and the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), has generated intense interest in medical and lay press not only as a result of their robust size, but also their opposing outcomes and differing methodologies, making interpretation controversial. •To characterize the world online media response to the studies by assessing reports for quality and message, as well as noting geographical differences. ⋯ •World newsprint media in general portrayed screening in a negative light after publication of the ERSPC and PLCO studies. •North American media concluded that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening was excessive, whereas the UK media indicated that an inadequate level of PSA screening is occurring. •The media influences public opinion and government policy and it is important that urological organizations are aware of the true impact.