Thousands of cancer patients could be undergoing unnecessary overtreatment
Prostate Cancer UK warns that current National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, last updated in 2021, do not account for advances in testing and diagnosis, leading to overtreatment.
Overtreatment of slow-growing prostate cancers can result in severe side effects such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, which could often be avoided with active monitoring.
Experts describe a "wild west" or "postcode lottery" in care, with overtreatment rates varying significantly across England and many hospitals developing their own inconsistent guidelines.
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The Guardian
37 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘Severe' staff shortages at US veterans' hospitals, watchdog finds
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is experiencing 'severe' staff shortages at all its hospitals, with the number of shortages increasing by 50% this fiscal year, according to a new report from the agency's independent watchdog. The report, released on Tuesday, came a day after the Guardian revealed the department had lost thousands of healthcare professionals deemed 'core' to the system under Donald Trump, without which, the agency said, 'mission-critical work cannot be completed'. The inspector general found 94% of VA facilities faced a 'severe' shortage of doctors, while 79% faced a severe shortage of nurses. Psychology was 'the most frequently reported clinical occupational staffing shortage'. A majority of VA facilities also reported severe shortages of police officers, who keep veteran patients and staff safe. The VA operates the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, serving 9 million veterans annually. The report is required under two laws, one signed by Trump in 2017, which require the agency's inspector general annually to determine the extent of staffing shortages within each medical center. In a statement, Congressman Mark Takano of California, the ranking Democrat on the House committee on veterans' affairs, said the report 'confirms our fears' that shortages of medical staff were leading to 'decreased access and choice for veterans'. The VA press secretary, Peter Kasperowicz, told the Guardian the congressionally mandated watchdog report was 'not a reliable indicator of staffing shortages' and that it was 'completely subjective, not standardized and unreliable'. The report is based on a survey of VA medical centers in April. Since then, a Guardian review of agency staffing records found, the VA has continued to lose doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and other frontline medical professionals. Kasperowicz did not dispute the fact that the agency had lost thousands of 'mission-critical' healthcare workers under Trump – including after the watchdog's survey period concluded. The VA is in the midst of a department-wide reduction of 30,000 workers, which the secretary of veterans affairs, Doug Collins, said could be accomplished by September through a combination of attrition, a hiring freeze and deferred resignation program. The staff cuts, Collins said, would not affect patient care, but were 'centered on reducing bureaucracy and improving services to veterans'. In May, the Guardian reported that staff losses at the VA had led to unit closures, reduced hours of operations and exam backlogs across the hospital system.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
UK cases of mosquito-borne chikungunya virus more than double
There has been a significant increase in the number of UK cases of a mosquito-borne virus that can cause sudden fever and joint pain and is normally only found in Africa and southern UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says more than 70 cases of the chikungunya virus were reported in the first six months of this year, more than double than in the same period last year – all of them linked to while rarely fatal, can leave people experiencing joint pain for UKHSA is warning travellers to take precautions against mosquito bites. In most cases, people recover fully within a couple of weeks, but for some, pain can persist for months or even years. In very rare cases it can be fatal. While the 73 infections seen in the UK in the first six months of this year is not a huge number, it is more than double the 27 cases over the same period last year. An outbreak of the virus is under way in the Indian Ocean region, and almost all of the infections were linked to travel in India, Sri Lanka and Mauritius. Chikungunya is spread by two types of mosquito, neither of which are present in the UK, so there is no risk on onward infection. But Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA, says it is a warning to travellers to make sure they take precautions against mosquito bites."Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK. "It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. "Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk. "Before you travel, check the Travel Health Pro Website for the latest advice on your destination. "A chikungunya vaccine may also be considered for those travelling to higher-risk regions." The same report also says the first ever UK cases of Oropouche virus, normally only found in Central and South America and the Caribbean, have also been detected in travellers returning from Brazil. This virus is predominantly spread by midge bites rather than mosquitos, with the main type of midge involved in transmission not found in Europe or the include high fever, chills, headache, joint pain and muscle UKHSA warns of a rise in Oropouche virus infections globally since 2024, and says pregnant travellers should take particular care following some concerns about the impact the virus can cause during pregnancy.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Comatose man's secret lovers join forces to keep him alive - after only finding out about each other when he suffered a brain bleed
A comatose man's secret lovers have joined forces to keep him alive, despite finding out about one another after he had suffered a bleed on the brain. The two women, who had been with their partner for over two decades, were unaware of each other's existence until the 60-year-old suffered a bleed to the brain last October. Due to the brain injury, he developed a prolonged disorder of consciousness (PDOC) - a term used for patients in a coma or a vegetative state (VS). After being admitted to ICU, he was later transferred to a rehabilitation unit under the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where he remains. The Trust had requested permission from the court to withdraw his clinically assisted hydration and nutrition, which would lead to his eventual death. However, the man's lovers, referred to as JG and MB, argued against the proposal, saying the man would have wished to keep living despite his vegetative state. The pair are also 'his bedside each day, provide emotional and physical care for him' and are 'very well attuned to his physical needs', the court was told. The Official Solicitor, who was present to represent YD's interest, also argued the 60-year-old would feel 'his life now is dignified because of the love and care provided to him by his partners. 'He would wish to continue in this way until the life of his body was ended by a process such as a heart attack, further stroke, or infection,' they added. Mrs Justice Theis ruled it was in YD's best interest to continue to receive the clinically assisted treatment after considering the matter 'through a wide best interests lens'. The judge acknowledged how 'striking' it had been that even though the women had known YD for 20 and 24 years respectively, they had been unaware of one another. Yet, despite not having known one another until the incident, they were 'able to independently confirm many common features' about his wishes and beliefs, the judge said. 'In particular, regarding the depth of his interest in the spiritual world and his limitless curiosity about such matters that he held strong beliefs about. 'YD has long held beliefs about the healing power of the mind, body and soul, and to understand and, if required, push established boundaries based on his learning and understanding. 'From their descriptions, YD was a compassionate, private person who was a fiercely independent thinker about a wide range of issues, in particular regarding the spiritual world and healing. 'His long-standing interest in the healing power of the mind, spirit or soul would very likely be values that would inform his decision if he had capacity,' they added. 'The changes that have been observed he would regard as positive signs and that he had the potential to make further changes.' Mrs Justice Theis also added how the 60-year-old's beliefs in healing were 'likely to be relevant' and would have informed his decision if he had the capacity. They continued that it would have been a factor in his 'wishing' to continue to receive clinically assisted nutrition and hydration. Noting his participation in spiritual healing, she said: 'YD would also likely factor in, due to his long-standing beliefs in such matters, that others believe they are in communication with him.' The judge concluded while there would be burdens for YD in continuing treatment, both long-term and short-term, it would, 'most importantly', preserve his life. And even though his awareness is 'extremely limited' and that 'there may be little or no further improvement', they concluded: 'It is far from clear that in the circumstances YD is in, he would regard his continued existence as a burden.' 'There is a strong presumption in favour of preserving life which, in my judgment, having carefully evaluated the evidence in this unusual case, the Trust has not discharged.' The hospital's application was refused.
