Medical Breakthroughs reported by Ivanhoe Broadcast News
First To Know Bulletin from the Webdoctor
Week of September 9 to 15, 2002
http://www.ivanhoe.com
Phone: 407-691-1500 * Fax: 407-740-5320

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Tears and Laughter

With the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks coming up this week, I encourage anyone interested in accessing various sources of information and experts on bereavement, trauma, grief, and related challenges to check out the Last Acts Web site at http://www.lastacts.org. This site has an excellent resource guide and many helpful references to a wide range of websites, programs and events addressing grief and end-of-life care issues.

On our own site this week, we have two very interesting reports on advances in new drug treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. John Roberts, M.D., of Virginia Commonwealth University is using the "double whammy" of a new drug that seeks out and changes cancer cells, followed by chemotherapy. Besides using this for CLL patients, Dr. Roberts is also studying this dual approach for treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Also treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients is Dr. Roger Macklis, who is testing a newly approved drug he says is having an 80-percent success rate instead of the traditional 50-percent success using traditional treatment. I liked Dr. Macklis' reminder that such drugs are the product of Madame Curie's research 100 years ago!

Though drugs have been used for treating chronic pain over the years, Dr. Gary Heit at Stanford University is using a new, non-drug approach for pain relief with an implanted device over the motor cortex of the brain. Read the report on this new, very successful treatment, as well as this week's Dr.'s Q&A with Teresa Long, M.D., of the Kansas University Medical Center, where she discusses providing pain relief to chronic wound patients with a combination gel and morphine topical application. And on a totally different topic, don't miss the story on Dr. Stephen Embury's research and how he's gotten involved with a possible new treatment for sickle cell disease.

We have two special reports in our Archives. One is our May 2001 whitepaper, "Overcoming Chronic Pain" and the other is a June 2002 compilation of interviews with three leading doctors from New York, New York, Fox Chase Cancer Center, and University of Minnesota, on new developments in prostate health.

Finally, during this emotional time of remembering last year's events and losses, it's important to keep in mind the physical, emotional and psychological benefits of laughter. According to psychologist and joyologist, Steve Wilson, who brought laughter clubs to the United States, among many other benefits, laughter improves your immune system. So, if you want to contact one of the more than 400 laughter leaders to boost your morale, body and soul, click here to find one in your area: http://www.worldlaughtertour.com. I, for one, would love to meet a joyologist!

And there's more where that came from...

Marjorie Bekaert Thomas
President, Ivanhoe Broadcast News

"Of all the vices, intellectual pride is the most treacherous and the most difficult to free oneself from, because it is not recognized as a vice."
-Swami Veda Bharati

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What's New for the Week of September 9 to 15, 2002

Medical Headlines
o Jolt Away Pain: To help chronic pain sufferers find relief...
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=4299 AOL users click here.
o One-Two Punch for Leukemia: Makes leukemia more susceptible to treatment...
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=4302 AOL users click here.
o A New Kind of Drug: Acts like a smart bomb targeting cancer cells...
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=4305 AOL users click here.

News Flashes (Updated Daily!)
o Update on Asthma in Children
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=4336 AOL users click here.
o Paying for Pediatric Research
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=4337 AOL users click here. o Continued Treatment Best for Depression
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=4338 AOL users click here.
o Dopamine Could Stop Smoking
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=4339 AOL users click here.
o Infections Cause Problems for Smokers
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=4340 AOL users click here.

Play It Again, Please
o Eye Exam Detects Stroke: This eye doctor visit may one day become common...
http://www.ivanhoe.com/story/p_playagain.cfm AOL users click here.

Special Reports:
o Laugh It Up
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=4308 AOL users click here.
o Wound Pain Relief -- Full-Length Doctor's Interview
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=4330 AOL users click here.
o From Labs to Patients
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=4310 AOL users click here.

Subscription-Based Archive Features:
o Prostate Health Dr.'s Q&As -- Executive Summary (March 2002)
http://search.ivanhoe.com/archives/p_archive.cfm?storyid=4335 AOL users click here.
o Overcoming Chronic Pain -- White Paper (May 2001)
http://search.ivanhoe.com/archives/p_archive.cfm?storyid=4331 AOL users click here.