Geriatrics and the limits of modern medicine

Article Abstract:

A doctor who specializes in geriatrics believes a different medical model is needed for treating elderly people. He believes a hospice model may be better for the elderly, rather than a scientific model that looks for problems and fixes them. The hospice model focuses on relieving suffering rather than treating a condition. Many medical conditions are 'proto-illnesses', which cause no symptoms or suffering but may increase a person's risk of developing a real disease. High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol are two examples.

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Early androgen deprivation for prostate cancer?

Article Abstract:

More research is needed to determine whether androgen ablation is effective in treating prostate cancer. Androgens are male sex hormones and they are known to stimulate the growth of tumors. Androgen ablation uses drugs that inhibit the production of androgens. A 1999 study showed that men with prostate cancer who received androgen ablation after their prostate gland was removed survived longer than a similar group of men who did not receive androgen ablation. However, other studies have shown no benefit from androgen ablation.

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Risk of fracture after androgen deprivation for prostate cancer

Article Abstract:

The use of androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer among 50,613 men was studied. The results indicated that androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer increases the risk of fracture.

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