Blooducation is a British organization that produces educational podcasts on lots of topics related to haematology (blood-related diseases of all kinds).
Their latest is called "An Update on the Management of Follicular Lymphoma," and features an interview with Dr. Toby Eyre from Oxford University Hospitals. The podcast (like all Blooducation podcasts) is meant for health professionals, so it can get a little technical in spots.
Still, like most of these "updates" posts, I find them interesting because they give a good "state of the art" about Folicullar Lymphoma -- the latest treatments, some of the controversies, and just generally the opinions of a well-known expert.
This one is especially interesting to me because it's coming from the UK. While clinical trials take place all over the world, and the results of those trials can affect which treatments are approved in a particular country, there are still differences in the way patients are treated, depending on the country. I know I write a lot (mostly) about what is happening in the lymphoma community in the U.S. But we have lots to teach one another.
For example, just based on what I hear in the podcast, it seems like there is more of a consensus on treatment in the UK on the treatment path. In other words, most patients will get a certain treatment based on their stage and grade, and then get another if that doesn't work. It seems like that's not the case in the U.S., where a patient might have receive any of three or four, depending on the doctor (and maybe what private insurance will pay for).
All that choice is good, in some ways. But it also causes some potential problems, too. It's easy to wonder if you're getting right treatment when there are three other possibilities.
So, overall, I think it's an interesting podcast, with some good information, especially if you're a real Cancer Nerd like me.
Enjoy.
No comments:
Post a Comment