HealthNewsReview.org Recent Reviews

Bone-Growth Proteins Show Risk in New Study

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(4 stars)
A clear alert on potential hazards of using bioengineered proteins to promote bone growth in spinal fusion for upper spine pain. But it doesn’t discuss nonsurgical alternatives or costs.

Bone Proteins Costly In Surgery, Study Says

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(2 stars)
Story fails to address: Does the [initially] more costly technique produce better outcomes? Is this another case of an expensive new technique making a company rich before good evidence is in hand?

Medtronic's Infuse a hit in growth of spine fusion

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(3 stars)
A noticeably different framing in this story than in others we reviewed on the same topic. But this one comes from the paper in the city where one of the product manufacturers is headquartered.

Essure tubal coil permanent birth control catching on

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(3 stars)
Story gave an incomplete picture of harms, complications and followup required with the device. Didn't adequately compare cost or effectiveness with other methods.

Stem Cells and Weakened Hearts

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(1 star)
CBS claimed an "exclusive" on this "cutting edge, trailblazing, major advance." But it didn't emphasize that there is no evidence of benefit. And it didn't discuss potential harms or other options.

Major Cancer Breakthrough?: New Drug Potential "Holy Grail" For Treatment

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(0 stars)
Worst of the three network TV segments we reviewed on this same PARP inhibitor study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Just call it a breakthrough and the holy grail and call it a day.

Breakthrough?

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(2 stars)
This is the kind of story that will prompt desperate cancer patients to demand access to "the cure they saw on TV," only to be disappointed when they hear the full facts.

PARP Inhibitors: Cancer Breatkthrough?

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(2 stars)
More restrained in its enthusiasm than the NBC story, and offers more info on the underlying science - the real core of the news value of the new study. Still, though, too much dazzle.

Stomach stapling may lower cancer risk in women

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(3 stars)
Story generally conveys the main findings, but fails to mention treatment costs, harms or alternatives, and fails to explain the risk reduction in the most understandable way.

Fighting Prostate Cancer: Experimental Drug Helps Shrink Prostate Tumors

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(3 stars)
A case study in how medical news is made. Research that was not covered at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting weeks ago now IS news apparently because of a Mayo Clinic news release.

Three Heart Tests Every Woman Should Know About

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(0 stars)
Classic morning show health news garbage - confusing screening and diagnostic tests and confusing viewers. And a glaring error claiming that heart CT scans had no radiation! On which planet?

Cancer Activist Sounds Alarm For Early Testing For Genetic Marker

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(2 stars)
Fails to present many of the important nuances associated with testing for BRCA gene mutations.

Tulsa company hopes device can ease cancer screenings

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(0 stars)
This story on a new ultrasound imaging device stands out from other zero-star stories we've reviewed. This piece doesn't merely fail to be accurate, balanced and complete. It fails to even try.

Red Yeast Rice: Natural Cholesterol Remedy?

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

(2 stars)
Takes a narrowly-focused trial and pumps it up like a grand medical advance, concluding by saying "an ancient supplement might just be the answer," but this story can't even get the question right.