This is a balanced and carefully written report on a newly published study linking vitamin D levels and colorectal cancer risk.
The news release implies that rivaroxaban was being compared to other anticoagulants when what was actually being compared was an early vs. late discharge strategy.
This is an oversight we see often in news stories reporting on research about new cancer screening tests.
Use of use of words like “breakthrough” and a phrase suggesting the drug offers “new hope” for patients detract from the cautious aspects of this release.
The story would have benefited from an outside expert weighing on the study and its potential ramifications and — more importantly — the potential harms of a false-positive test, which are not insignificant.
Without a control group in the study to prove otherwise, it’s possible the consumption of two cups of any fruit, or even any food, may affect systolic blood pressure.
Technology isn’t a panacea and news stories should quantify the purported benefits just as they would for drugs and other interventions.
This release calling on dermatologists to prescribe spironolactone as an alternative to oral antibiotics for acne treatment is missing several key pieces of information including evidence, benefits, cost and potential harms.
Gah - this is outrageous. @mlmjoyce digs into the flow of misinformation for @HealthNewsRevu with @VinayPrasadMD helping hand. One dramatic outcome from hundreds in clinical trial leads to fawning news coverage. https://t.co/t4nrD0vFtF
Newsworthy vitamin D research, accurately and cautiously explained by the American Cancer Society https://t.co/ZLUufRHljX
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