. . . a disease-care system out of control Most patients like to believe that their doctors' decisions regarding treatment are motivated by concern for patient health. However, according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, all too many physician decisions are motivated by fear and greed, leading to an epidemic of over-treatment. In a survey of 627 members of the AMA, 75% admitted to over-treating patients due to fears of malpractice charges, while 62% agreed that diagnostic testing would be reduced if it didn't generate revenue. Since doctors are paid for both procedures and tests, the temptations to over-test and over-treat are great. Doctors also say they do more tests because they don't get enough time with their patients. Meanwhile another study found that in 2009 over $6.7 billion in excess healthcare spending was wasted in the primary care setting alone (primary care refers to health practitioners like family doctors who make initial assessments and oft…

. . .  35% of breast cancer goes undetected in women with dense breasts! Do you or a loved one have dense breasts? A 2010 Harris Poll found that 95% of women haven’t a clue, and that very few doctors discuss breast density with their patients. However about 40% of women have “dense breasts,” which some studies indicate may increase their risk of breast cancer. What exactly makes breasts “dense?” Whereas most breasts are composed of 75% or more fatty tissue, dense breasts contain more milk-producing glands and connective tissue than fat. Mammograms are not very good at detecting cancerous growths in women who have dense breasts.  A 2007 study found that as breast density goes up, the accuracy of mammograms goes down; as a result, about 35% of breast cancer in women with dense breasts goes undetected. While fatty tissue appears dark on a mammogram, dense tissue appears white. Since cancerous growths also appear white, according to Kemi Babagbemi, MD, at Cornell Medical College,…