Hardesty, Tyde, Green & Ashton, P.A. blog

Monday, December 31, 2007

Danger of Heart Damage Associated with Certain Breast Cancer Drugs

Anthracyclines are a commonly used category of chemotherapy drugs for treating breast cancer in women. The best known drug in this category is Adriamycin. The problem with using these drugs, however, is that they can significantly increase the risk of heart muscle damage.

These drugs work by targeting an Her2 gene contained in many breast cancer tumors. Dr. Dennis Slamon of UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center has noted multiple studies which indicate that only about 8-20% of cancer patients have an overactive Her2 gene which is sensitive to anthracyclines. When anthracyclines are used in combination with another powerful chemotherapy agent, Herceptin, which also targets Her2 genes in tumors, the risk of heart damage is increased five times with no added therapeutic benefit. For this reason, the National Breast Cancer Coalition is currently suggesting reconsideration of treatment guidelines.

posted by Attorney Frank Ashton at 2:09 PM

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

New Study Shows Doctors Frequently Don't Report Medical Mistakes

A new Harvard Medical School study just published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that 46% of doctors surveyed knew of or had observed at least one serious medical error in a hospital or their own practice and failed to report it to hospital or other authorities. Most physicians surveyed, over 95% in the study, agreed that they had an obligation to report serious medical errors. Despite this, the majority did not do so. Shockingly, 55% of surgeons and cardiologists did not agree that they even had an obligation to report serious errors.

We all have an obligation to be honest and report improper practices that can cause serious injury or death. This is especially true for doctors and nurses who are supposed to protect patient health and act as patient advocates. Failure to do so risks the life of the current patient and future patients who may come under the care of the negligent institution, doctor or nurse.

posted by Attorney Frank Ashton at 5:59 AM