To tell or not to tell
Almost 90 per cent of older people would like to be told if they developed cancer, despite evidence that doctors fail to tell patients, particularly older people, when they have the disease. Eighty-eight per cent of the 65- to 94-year-olds surveyed wanted to be informed of the diagnosis, 11 per cent did not and 1 per cent were indifferent. Only 6.4 per cent of those under 75 did not want to be told, compared with 13.7 per cent of those aged 75 or over. Telling patients they have cancer has sometimes caused conflict between physicians and family members, say the researchers, in the British Medical Journal. "Our study clarifies this issue and should help decision-making in the difficult situation where family members ask that their elderly relatives should not be informed."
Energy boost?
Chronic fatigue syndrome presents doctors with a dilemma, as there is little consensus on how to manage the condition. A recent review of 44 trials found some promising treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy. It found no evidence that combining either method with antidepressant therapy further benefited patients, however, and was unable to draw conclusions about treatments such as growth-hormone therapy, antidepressants, antihistamines, homeopathy, massage and liver extracts.
Ear this
Acute otitis media, or middle-ear infection, is one of the commonest childhood illnesses seen in general practice. New research has found that almost 80 per cent of cases will clear up without antibiotics, which appear to kick in only after the first 24 hours, when symptoms are already improving. This wait-and-see approach has the added benefit of reducing the build-up of antibiotic resistance.
Easier reading
A new scheme is to help those with literacy problems get access to health information and services. Run by the National Adult Literacy Agency, the project aims to improve health professionals' awareness of the difficulty some people have reading medicine bottles, for example. You can get more information from the agency, at 021-4317012.
Herbal remedy
Judith Hoad is one of Ireland's best-known herbalists. Based in Co Donegal, she is also a strong advocate of sustainable living. She will share her ideas on health and the environment on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m., in the Irish Film Centre, in Dublin. Tickets cost £5 (concessions £3).
Get happy
Dr Robert Jones, a psychologist at the University of North Wales, had some food for thought last week. In a lecture called Zen And The Gentle Art Of Happiness, he told the Psychological Society of Ireland that psychological research, eastern philosophies and western religions have been saying the same things: wealth, power and influence don't make people happy; being in loving relationships, being socially involved and caring for others do. He also said psychology should focus on making people happier rather than on making them less stressed.
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