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Unjust Stigma, Lack Of Physician Training Hinder Market For IUDs, Opinion Piece Says
Intrauterine devices "seem like the perfect form of contraception: simple to use, long-lasting, reversible, hormone-free, economical," Slate columnist Kate Klonick writes. She asks, "So why are American women so late to this party? Perhaps the better question is: Why did they leave the party to begin with?"Klonick explains the benefits of IUDs, calling them a "foolproof method of birth control" and noting that they are 99% effective and "can last up to 10 years." Although IUDs can cost between $300 and $500, it is a one-time expense that is often covered by insurance, according to Klonick. She notes that although efficacy studies show that birth control pills, patches and vaginal rings can be "99% effective in a clinical setting, real-life compliancy -- like forgetting to take the pill at the same time every day -- reduces its success rate." Klonick adds that the availability of hormone-free IUDs makes them an "ideal" option for "women prone to some of the negative effects of hormonal birth control, like weight gain, mood swings, acne or high blood pressure."According to Klonick, IUDs were used by almost 10% of U.S. women taking birth control in the late 1970s but are now used by less than 2% of such women. She writes that Katharine O"Connell, a gynecologist at Columbia University who specializes in contraception, believes IUDs still carry a stigma "due to the erroneous belief that they"re highly dangerous" partly due to a number of deaths that occurred in the early 1970s tied to a specific brand of IUD known as the Dalkon Shield. Because of bad publicity surrounding the devices, "the U.S. pharmaceutical industry abandoned the research and manufacturing of IUDs in the mid-1980s, claiming the devices were no longer profitable," Klonick states. According to O"Connell, most experts now agree that the Dalkon Shield"s problems were related to its design, which made users more susceptible to infection, and a lack of testing for sexually transmitted infections before insertion.There are now two major brands of IUDs -- Mirena and ParaGard -- on the U.S. market, but physican training remains a problem, according to Klonick. She writes that studies show that premedical students are not educated regarding IUDs to the extent they are about oral contraceptive pills. O"Connell also noted that many medical schools limit classes on contraception to one lecture, which often omits IUDs. Klonick writes, "This lack of training can leave many doctors feeling uncomfortable recommending the once-controversial devices to their patients." She adds that many physicians who know how to insert and remove IUDs "still refuse to recommend it to childless patients because of the device"s checkered history." She concludes, "With Mirena advertising on television, the downturn in the economy forcing people to economize, and more women concerned about the long-term effects hormones have on their bodies, perhaps the IUD"s stigma will finally become a thing of the past" (Klonick, Slate, 7/29).
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American Lung Association Teams With CHEST Foundation To Award Clinical Research Grant Totaling $80,000 To Study Asthma
The American Lung Association and The CHEST Foundation are partnering to further clinical research to benefit the estimated 22.9 million of Americans living with asthma.
News of the day
Food And Drug Administration Moves Towards Greater Openness
The Food and Drug Administration is taking steps towards greater openness. The Associated Press reports that FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg "announced Tuesday she has created a task force to make recommendations on how the agency can release more information in such areas as drug evaluation and enforcement matters. She wants a report in six months." Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein will head the task force, which will represent all of the FDA"s major divisions as well as its law enforcement branch. It will hold two public meetings with the first on June 24. "The FDA has long operated under strict confidentiality rules," the AP reports, and in opening up information, one sensitive issue will be what to do with unpublished clinical trial data from drug manufacturers. Despite such concerns, "Hamburg said she believes the need for secrecy may have been taken too far, and is harming the FDA"s credibility within the medical community and among consumers" (Alonso-Zaldivar, 6/2).
Diagnostics

Britons Unaware Of The Signs Of Skin Cancer

With many British families packing for their annual summer holiday, basking Britons could face a cloud on the horizon this summer with many unaware of how to check for skin cancer, research from Friends Provident reveals. Many Brits preparing to soak up the sun need to not only research their holiday destination, they also need to learn about self-examination techniques. The majority (63%) of Brits don"t know how to self-check for skin cancer and a further 42% do not check their moles for changes or monitor their bodies regularly for cancerous signs. With the summer holidays now in full swing taking precautions when out in the sun is increasingly important. Skin cancer now affects twice as many people as 20 years ago and over the last 25 years skin cancer rates have increased faster than any other common cancer. Mark Jones, head of protection at Friends Provident, said: "A hot summer provides a great opportunity for us all to enjoy being outdoors, relax and switch off. Despite this, people should still be vigilant about their health and wellbeing, now and over the long term. The usual protection offered by sun cream, hats and avoiding direct sun during the middle of the day, can also be supported by an increased personal awareness of how to check for signs of skin cancer." Women are slightly more aware than men on how to self-check for skin cancer - 41% compared to 33%. British females are also more likely to regularly examine themselves for cancerous signs such as moles - 60% to 56%. Men in the UK are largely prone to taking more risks with their health with 77% ignoring medical symptoms. Those in the over 50s age group are setting the best summer skin safety example with 42% knowing how to self-check for skin cancer and 64% checking themselves regularly for cancerous signs. Those in Scotland are the most proactive with over two thirds (67%) regularly examining themselves for cancerous signs compared to an average across the UK of 58%. Mark Jones continues: "As we approach the middle of summer it"s important that we all look after our long term health wherever we may be enjoying the sunshine. We"re urging people to be more aware of the symptoms of skin cancer and to keep an eye on moles to help protect themselves against longer-term impacts on their health. It is important for people to educate themselves and be proactive in managing their health." Cancer Research UK has launched "Sun Smart" a microsite for people who would like to know more about skin cancer. It includes helpful advice for those who would like to know more about checking themselves for skin cancer and skin cancer symptoms. For more information please visit here. Friends Provident Life and Pensions Limited


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