Ideal Health Doctor

Serious problems in part of New Zealand’s national breast cancer screening programme have led to delays in the diagnosis of the deadly disease in a number of women.

The Ministry of Health confirmed last night that faults had been identified in the BreastScreen HealthCare programme serving the women of Otago and Southland.

“The issue relates to the reading of mammograms,” said the ministry’s chief medical officer, Dr Don Mackie, who issued a written statement to the Herald, but did not return the paper’s phone calls.

“An internal audit has identified that there may have been a delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer for some women,” Dr Mackie said.

“This issue is being taken very seriously.

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The Indiana State Department of Health sent out a statement Feb. 3, two days before the New England Patriots and the New York Giants squared off for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.  The bulletin, which advised “Hoosiers and out-of-town guests” to “Practice Good Health Defense for a Safe Super Bowl Sunday,” offered tips about healthful eating, drinking in moderation, keeping warm and storing party foods properly to avoid food-borne illnesses. Less than a week later, the department circulated another release that touched on a Super Bowl health hazard few had considered: measles, and the importance of vaccination.  State health officials reported two confirmed and two probable cases of the respiratory ailment.  One of infected individuals had attended pre-Super Bowl celebrations in downtown Indianapolis on Feb. 3 Read more…