Minerva

Some American doctors seem to over-recommend mammography breast screening by offering it to terminally ill women who are unlikely to benefit. A range of doctors were asked to consider hypothetical patients aged 50, 65, and 80 years who were healthy, moderately unwell, or terminally ill and asked to which patients they would recommend mammography. Gynaecologists and physicians were more likely to recommend mammography to the terminally ill patients. Female doctors were more likely to recommend mammography in general. Patient age alone had no effect on recommendations (Cancer 2012;118:27-37, doi:10.1002/cncr.26233).

Arguing or competing at work can result in raised pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas participating in competitive sports does not. A group of 122 healthy adults kept a diary of social interaction for eight days, and within four days they gave saliva samples before and after a laboratory stress test. Inflammatory cytokines were increased after hostile interactions. The researchers suggest …