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According to a study published on Jan. 21, a genetic marker test could help doctors identify which stage 2 colon cancer patients have an aggressive form of the disease and could benefit from chemotherapy. The test could change the way colon cancer patients in Oregon...
An Oregon woman died after a hospital administered the wrong drug to her following brain surgery. She had gone to the hospital with a question about her dosage, and a doctor prescribed an anti-seizure medication. However, instead she was given a paralyzing agent that...
Are you aware of the risks you face during surgery? A new study found that roughly 50 percent of surgeries in the United States involve a medication error or side effects from the drugs you are given. The study found that a third of these errors resulted in patient...
Cancer is a serious concern of many Oregon residents and their health care providers. Preventive measures that may be discussed during routine care include diet modifications, exercise and screening. However, medical recommendations related to cancer screening have...
Although physicians in Oregon generally try to make accurate diagnoses, studies repeatedly reveal that mistakes are common. For example, cellulitis, a serious bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissue, is far too frequently misdiagnosed, studies have shown. When...
As many Oregon women know, screening for breast cancer may help detect anomalies at an early stage. With proper and timely diagnosis, breast cancer treatment may have greater efficacy. There are several methods used to detect breast cancer, but recent reports indicate...
Tort reform has been legislated or at least heavily debated in every state, including here in Oregon. Proponents of tort reform (specifically related to medical malpractice) have argued that healthcare costs are out of control and doctors are practicing defensive...
Medicine is not a perfect science. Physicians have the difficult job of observing symptoms, talking to patients and using that information to correctly diagnose the problem. Because symptoms often overlap, it can be tough to make a correct diagnosis quickly and on the...
Obtaining an accurate and timely diagnosis is critical to properly treating a medical condition. In some cases, like those involving cancer, an early and accurate diagnosis can increase survival rates and treatment efficiency. A wrong diagnosis can also leave an...
Though expecting parents do not like to hear it, things can go wrong during the birthing process. The good news, though, is that doctors are typically well-trained to handle these situations and to deliver the child without harm to him or her or the mother. However,...