Changes mean supplements containing more than 50mg of vitamin B6 will need to be bought over the counter with advice from a pharmacist.But the changes won't come into affect for another year and a half. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) says industry needs time to prepare. Also, the H5N1 strain of bird flu lands on Australian territory for the first time. Are we prepared for it on the mainland?And for the first time we get accurate numbers of how many people are living with metastatic breast cancer.ReferencesStronger safety controls to be introduced for products containing vitamin B6 - TGABird flu confirmed in elephant seal population at Heard IslandDecades of data missing: Metastatic breast cancer cases double previous estimates
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CT scans: benefits vs cancer risks
CT scans can be vital in diagnosing disease, but they do come with small increased risks because of the radiation exposure.A recent US study found that if current practices persist, CT-associated cancer could account for up to five per cent of all new diagnoses.So what can be done to drive down the risk? One radiologist thinks mandating informed consent before a scan is done would be a good start.Guest/sDr John de Campo, radiologist and Associate Professor in Radiology at the University of Melbourne ReferencesProjected Lifetime Cancer Risks From Current Computed Tomography ImagingStudy on current CT scanning practices and the incidence of future cancersResponse from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists:RANZCR supports increased access to MRI where appropriate for the patient’s clinical condition.RANZCR supports the ALARA principle, which means As Low As Reasonably Achievable in relation to radiation dose reduction. RANZCR advocates for appropriate use of CT and other imaging – i.e. imaging should only be used where valid clinical indications are present. In this way, use of radiation and other risks from imaging procedures is minimised.RANZCR supports informed patient consent and has a guideline, Medical Imaging Informed Consent Guidelines.
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Psoriasis isn't just a skin condition
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin.But evidence is emerging that psoriasis goes more than skin deep, and can have effects on metabolism and heart health.Given the condition is systemic yet incurable, what should people do to keep symptoms under control?Guest/sDr Annika Smith, consultant dermatologist in SydneyReferencesMediterranean Diet and Patients With Psoriasis: The MEDIPSO Randomized Clinical Trial
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Taking a trip to dental school
It’s a question dentists get a lot: what inspired you to get a job where you look in people’s mouths all day?It takes about four years to become a dentist, and the job is more than just fixing people’s teeth.We take a class at the University of Sydney’s school of dentistry to get a sense of what draws people to dentistry.Guest/sDr Tanya Wiendels, dentist and lecturer at the University of Sydney
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Mailbag: Oat sunscreen?
A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at [email protected]
Australia