Health Report - Separate stories podcast

This week, the hosts tackle listener queries about CT scans versus MRIs. They dive into the reasons behind the preference for CT scans, especially in cases of advanced lung cancer. The discussion highlights costly MRI access and the Medicare restrictions affecting bulk-billing referrals. Notably, they pinpoint inefficiencies in MRI availability and emphasize the importance of following specialist advice for imaging decisions. Tune in for insights into navigating the complexities of medical imaging!

Changes mean supplements containing more than 50mg of vitamin B6 will need to be bought over the counter with advice from a pharmacist.But the changes won't come into affect for another year and a half. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) says industry needs time to prepare. Also, the H5N1 strain of bird flu lands on Australian territory for the first time. Are we prepared for it on the mainland?And for the first time we get accurate numbers of how many people are living with metastatic breast cancer.ReferencesStronger safety controls to be introduced for products containing vitamin B6 - TGABird flu confirmed in elephant seal population at Heard IslandDecades of data missing: Metastatic breast cancer cases double previous estimates

CT scans can be vital in diagnosing disease, but they do come with small increased risks because of the radiation exposure.A recent US study found that  if current practices persist, CT-associated cancer could account for up to five per cent of all new diagnoses.So what can be done to drive down the risk? One radiologist thinks mandating informed consent before a scan is done would be a good start.Guest/sDr John de Campo, radiologist and Associate Professor in Radiology at the University of Melbourne ReferencesProjected Lifetime Cancer Risks From Current Computed Tomography ImagingStudy on current CT scanning practices and the incidence of future cancersResponse from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists:RANZCR supports increased access to MRI where appropriate for the patient’s clinical condition.RANZCR supports the ALARA principle, which means As Low As Reasonably Achievable in relation to radiation dose reduction. RANZCR advocates for appropriate use of CT and other imaging – i.e. imaging should only be used where valid clinical indications are present. In this way, use of radiation and other risks from imaging procedures is minimised.RANZCR supports informed patient consent and has a guideline, Medical Imaging Informed Consent Guidelines.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin.But evidence is emerging that psoriasis goes more than skin deep, and can have effects on metabolism and heart health.Given the condition is systemic yet incurable, what should people do to keep symptoms under control?Guest/sDr Annika Smith, consultant dermatologist in SydneyReferencesMediterranean Diet and Patients With Psoriasis: The MEDIPSO Randomized Clinical Trial

It’s a question dentists get a lot: what inspired you to get a job where you look in people’s mouths all day?We take a class at the University of Sydney’s school of dentistry to get a sense of what draws people to dentistry.

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au

A Senate committee has handed down 47 recommendations after an inquiry into the extent, regulation and management of PFAS "forever chemicals".Also a major journal publishes a series on the issue of ultra-processed foods which have been associated with a range of chronic health conditions. And results from a drug company-funded trial looking at a pill version of a GLP-1, as the race to develop oral treatments ramps up. ReferencesPFAS inquiry hands down 47 recommendations to better regulate 'forever chemicals' in Australia - ABC News The Lancet series on ultra-processed foodsOrforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (ATTAIN-2): a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial

It has long been thought that caffeine exacerbates abnormal heart rhythms.However in the first trial of its kind, researchers have compared a cup of coffee to complete abstinance from caffeine – and the results surprised them.The outcomes means patients with atrial fibrillation can have a cup of joe without worrying they’re doing harm.Guest/sProfessor Chris Wong, cardiologist at the University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide HospitalReferencesCaffeinated Coffee Consumption or Abstinence to Reduce Atrial Fibrillation: The DECAF Randomized Clinical Trial

The guidelines for asthma care in adolescents and adults have been changed, but what about children?Children aged six to 11 years are still being prescribed the blue puffer as first-line therapy, while older people are prescribed a combination inhaler with a corticosteroid.Now a major New Zealand study published in the Lancet suggests children should also be swapped over to a combined inhaler to reduce asthma attacks.Guest/sDr Paul Robinson, Professor of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Queensland Children’s Hospital and a Research Leader at the Woolcock Research InstituteReferencesBudesonide–formoterol versus salbutamol as reliever therapy in children with mild asthma (CARE): a 52-week, open-label, multicentre, superiority, randomised controlled trial

Liquid biopsies are tests that look for traces of cancer in bodily fluids like blood, urine and saliva.The hope is these non-invasive biopsies become more widespread to pick up and and track cancer sooner.At the moment applications are limited – while they’re being used in existing cancer cases, we’re far off when it comes to screening.Guest/sProfessor Sarah-Jane Dawson, clinician-scientist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Centre for Cancer Research University of Melbourne