Sunday 9 October 2011

PSA Test-Debate in the USA..again!

Rather than post full articles relating to the draft recommendations by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) I'll post brief parts with links. It must be remembered that as yet nothing has changed in the US:

Screening for Prostate Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement 
DRAFT
Summary of Recommendation and Evidence

 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer. This is a grade D recommendation. This recommendation applies to men in the U.S. population that do not have symptoms that are highly suspicious for prostate cancer, regardless of age, race, or family history. The Task Force did not evaluate the use of the PSA test as part of a diagnostic strategy in men with symptoms that are highly suspicious for prostate cancer. This recommendation also does not consider the use of the PSA test for surveillance after diagnosis and/or treatment of prostate cancer.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement



  U.S. Panel Says No to Prostate Screening for Healthy Men


Healthy men should no longer receive a P.S.A. blood test to screen for prostate cancer because the test does not save lives over all and often leads to more tests and treatments that needlessly cause pain, impotence and incontinence in many, a key government health panel has decided.

The draft recommendation, by the United States Preventive Services Task Force and due for official release next week, is based on the results of five well-controlled clinical trials and could substantially change the care given to men 50 and older. There are 44 million such men in the United States, and 33 million of them have already had a P.S.A. test — sometimes without their knowledge — during routine physicals.




The rest of the links are from medical websites/blogs:


AUA RESPONDS TO NEW RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 07, 2011

The American Urological Association (AUA) today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force draft recommendations on the use of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The statement is attributed to AUA President Sushil S. Lacy, MD: The American Urological Association (AUA) applauds the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for its interest in reviewing the use of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. However, we are concerned that the Task Force’s recommendations will ultimately do more harm than good to the many men at risk for prostate cancer both here in the United States and around the world. The AUA’s current clinical recommendations support the use of the PSA test, and it is our feeling that, when interpreted appropriately, the PSA test provides important information in the diagnosis, pre-treatment staging or risk assessment and monitoring of prostate cancer patients.
AUA RESPONDS TO NEW RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING

   Poor science underlies the USPSTF recommendation about PSA-based screening

 Posted on October 8, 2011 by Sitemaster

 Whatever we may think individually about the recent decision by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to recommend against the use of PSA testing as a means of “screening” for risk of prostate cancer, we would be wise to understand that at the heart of this decision is poor science. The “New” Prostate Cancer InfoLink




USPSTF “forced” to release PSA recommendations earlier than expected

Posted on by Sitemaster

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) — after previously stating that it would be releasing its new recommendations about PSA testing for risk of prostate cancer on Tuesday next week — has been pressured (by a variety of organizations, and by the media) to release its draft recommendation today. The “New” Prostate Cancer InfoLink

Tuesday 4 October 2011

LATEST NEWS AND FUTURE EVENTS(Updated 13th October)



Latest News/Website Updates

Renal And Urology News-September 2011 Edition


Urology Times-October 2011 Edition


Urology Times-September 2011 Edition

Urology Times-August 2011 Edition

Mediwatch Positions/Jobs

Clinical Nurse Specialist
 About the Job
 Clinical Nurse Specialist required to set up and run a series of clinical trials on a point of care test. This will initially be a part time role but could lead to a full time position in the next 6 months. Opportunity to travel to support and train customers in the UK and Europe initially.

 Must have a degree in Biochemistry, management experience, be trained in phlebotomy and have experience of working with point of care testing. The right candidate will have a specialist nurse background, sales and training experience and be capable of project managing clinical trials.

 You will be well organised, have good adminstration skills and flexibility to meet the needs of the business. This will initially be a part time role but could lead to a full time position within 6 months.

 Field Service Engineer
 About the Job
 Mediwatch UK Ltd designs, manufactures and sells high tech medical equipment to the NHS and private customers worldwide. A Field Service Engineer is required to carry out maintenance visits to our UK customer base.

Based at our offices in Rugby you will also carry out diagnostics and repairs to equipment returned to base. Reporting to the UK and Ireland Sales Manager you will be able to prioritise and respond to our customers needs. Experience in a similar role is essential and you should have excellent skills in repairing and programming computers.

 You must be eligible to work in the UK and hold a clean, current UK driving license. There may be some weekend work required and you may also be asked to attend and support exhibitions in the UK and Europe.
 

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Future Events Events where Mediwatch are attending/exhibiting will be marked as so or updated,hopefully before the event is finished.More Events to add later


Walt Disney World Swan Hotel November 3-5, 2011
 Mediwatch USA Inc. are exhibiting T19
2011 Annual Meeting Exhibitor List and Floorplan






STUFF THAT MAYBE DID BUT NOW DOESN'T FIT IN WITH THE TITLE...

Directors' Shareholdings-Issued 28th July

Interim Results for the six months to 30 April 2011-This copy 28th July (RNS-26th July)

Mediwatch-Annual Report-Issued 24th March 2011

Mediwatch-Final Results for year ended 31 October 2010-Issued 27th January 2011

Mediwatch USA Inc. Awarded US General Service Administration Federal Supply Schedule Contract 14th December

OEM Partnership with ACON Laboratories 1st November

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Interim Results

Mediwatch Newsletter-July 2010 Edition

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