The "Doh' Factor

I read a blog post this morning on the National Pain Report that came from another blogger. She wrote about wondering why researchers waste their time on the obvious? A research report that says 'fibromyalgia causes pain' or 'breast cancer can be found in men as well as women' or some other stupid blatantly obvious answer is a complete waste of time and money. When the answer is basically 'doh'. It was a waste.

Donna sums up her post by stating that research should focus on two questions, and two questions only:

• What causes fibromyalgia?
• And more importantly, how do I get rid of it?

And just switch that word 'fibromyalgia' with the word of your choice - breast cancer, thyroid cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerating disks are my choices. But you get the point.

My inbox is filled with the latest in medical research. And so often, I just wonder why they even bothered with the study. The results don't seem to tell me much and often only confirm what is previously known. I know if research discovers something they need to confirm it with multiple tests. But they don't need to announce it every time. 

Seriously, just give me the cause of my ailments and tell me how to make them go away. Thats enough for today. I am awfully cynical this morning. Maybe its because I have been up since 2:00 am (thank you fibromyalgia for giving me insomnia too).

Peeking Into Research

We have medical and scientific research going on around us all the time. We have the freedom of the press people demanding instant access to the research. There are some who are concerned about it in that opposing factions are demanding this access into research so they can come up with ways to block or slow it.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is even concerned about interference into the "deliberate nature of science research". Scientists learn about something new and have to digest and discuss it and research it further without interference to learn its impact.

"These scientists, the group says, are increasingly being harassed by ideological foes who seek to unearth documents that would derail or sully their work with evidence of bias."

My concerns have long been based in the media who seem to insist on hyping tiny developments in research, particularly cancer research, to be the biggest breakthrough since sliced bread. While I appreciate First Amendment rights for freedom of information and I do not think that anything but the truth should be published. I think we need to learn the whole story when the research is completed before being subjected to media hype.

If a clinical trial was based on FOUR people, as I blogged about last year, it is NOT newsworthy. Or if its a preliminary breakthrough which was not the goal of the study, why are you telling us this? And if you are only looking for a reason to derail someone else's work, why don't you wait until they are done (unless you truly have a scientific reason, not a personal agenda) to tell us about it. Research takes time and is not going to be ready for the evening news, until it is complete.

This holds true for all types of research. Time is a requirement of research. And even with the internet and open access an expectation, we need to allow the research to be completed before airing it. This also is the case for clinical trials and FDA approvals. 

Okay, this is a pet peeve of mine.

Another 'Breakthrough'

There is another cancer breakthrough that could lead to 'new treatments'. That would be nice to see. This one claims to have found a cancer mutation weakness that could be identified. And if it could be identified then it could be isolated and targeted. Then it could be stopped or 'cut off' and cancer could potentially be stopped. 

It sounds great on paper. And it might work out in the future. After a few years of research followed by five to seven years of testing. So in a decade this might make a difference to patients.

I am getting tired of this. New medical research is always taking place. But it takes so long to actually make a difference to patients. 

This is actually stressful to the patients who are waiting for treatment and a new medication to save them.

Here's the problem. The media now announces every new medical breakthrough as it is discovered which may or may not actually lead to a new treatment option in a decade or so. With the internet and newer technology the news is spread far and wide. This reaches all the patients and the families who are waiting for the treatments. 

Then as the drug development process starts, patients follow this information. And as drugs go through clinical trials, patients start lobbying the FDA to release drugs early and rush them through clinical trials. Which is not a great idea. 

Think about all those drugs that are recalled by the FDA after additional research finds out that they are harmful. 

But I digress. I hope this 'breakthrough' will lead to new treatments, but I am not holding my breath.

My cynical side is showing again.

Was I supposed to climb a mountain or something for some ailment awareness? I didn't. But apparently a lot of people do that kind of thing. You can find countless story about another person who climbed a mountain, ran a marathon, bicycled some long distance or did something significant to raise awareness for an ailment.

How does climbing a mountain help with an ailment? What are you doing on a mountain top that could do anything to help someone with that ailment? Other than let the person with the ailment feel disappointed that they could never do that any more? Please explain.

I didn't do any of that. I would never do any of that. Physically I can't. And emotionally I do not think those efforts are much needed. Honestly we do not need any more awareness of breast cancer. Period. For my other ailments, maybe some awareness could help. But awareness doesn't do squat.

What does help is research and treatment.

If you want to help with an ailment on a big level, raise some money for research and treatment. If you want to make the news headlines for doing something, raise a lot of money, send out a press release and invite the local media.

Or if you don't want to make any headlines and can't afford to spend any money, spend some time with someone who could use help. Is it a ride to a doctor appointment? Picking up their groceries? Mowing their lawn or raking their leaves? Or if you can't do any of that, drop by and chat or call them on the phone.

Skip the awareness crap and efforts, figure out how to go direct to the person coping or to research and treatment. Awareness doesn't do crap.