October 26th, 2008 by Dr. Val Jones in Expert Interviews
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Dr. Armstrong
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Genetic testing is all the rage. Thousands of tests are now available over the Internet, costing people anything from $60 to $3000 per test. While some DNA sequences are fairly well understood (like the BrCA gene or the chromosomal anomaly that causes Down’s Syndrome), most of them are only loosely associated with specific diseases and health outcomes. Experts agree that one day we’ll have a better understanding of the complex interplay of multiple gene sequences, but that day is still far off.
A recent post at GigaOM (h/t to KevinMD ) was critical of genetic testing in general, noting its potentially prohibitively expensive consequences:
Somewhere between 10 and 50 percent of autopsies reveal diseases other than the one that killed the patient. If consumers test themselves, then tell their doctors, the medical system could wind up treating 50 percent more diseases than it does today — even those that wouldn’t have killed the patient.
I interviewed Dr. Joanne Armstrong, senior medical director for Aetna, and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, about the current state of genetic testing. To listen to the full conversation, please click here.
Dr. Val: First of all, could you tell me a little bit about your work, and what got you interested in genetics in the first place?
Dr. Armstrong: I am the head of the Women’s Health division of Aetna, and about 8 years ago when BrCA testing (the test for predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer) became widely available, I began thinking about the educational initiatives that needed to support this testing. I knew that it would become part of mainstream medical practice and wanted to make sure that patients understood the tests and what to do about them.
Dr. Val: In your view, what are some legitimate and appropriate genetic tests?
Dr. Armstrong: There are about 1200 genetic tests available now, and most of them are not medically appropriate or clinically valid. Read more »
October 25th, 2008 by Dr. Val Jones in Celebrity Interviews
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Ben Vereen
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I had the pleasure of speaking with Tony-award winning actor and Broadway star, Ben Vereen about his recent diagnosis of diabetes. Ben has had an extremely accomplished career, including recent guest appearances on NBC’s Law and Order, and ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. He’ll appear in an upcoming Fox feature with Patti Labelle called, “Mama, I Want To Sing” so don’t miss it.
To listen to a podcast of our interview, please click here.
Dr. Val: Ben, how exactly were you first diagnosed with diabetes?
Vereen: Unfortunately, prior to my diagnosis I didn’t recognize the signs of diabetes and didn’t understand what was causing my symptoms. I had dry mouth, frequent urination, severe thirst, sugar cravings and fainting episodes and didn’t realize they were all caused by diabetes. One day my daughter saw me pass out and she took me to the hospital. It didn’t take them long to figure out that my blood sugar was out of control. They kept me overnight and told me the next day that I had diabetes. I was shocked because I thought I was exercising regularly and eating well – it never occurred to me that I could have diabetes.
Looking back I realize that I had been told once (about 8 years ago) that I had “a touch of diabetes” but I thought it had gone away because of my good eating habits and exercise. I wish I had thought to follow up on that diagnosis and ask my primary care physician to check my blood sugar regularly.
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October 24th, 2008 by Dr. Val Jones in Friday Funny
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You may have seen this cartoon here before… but it did go for the highest bid (of the two I auctioned) at the National Press Club yesterday so I thought I’d make it this week’s Friday Funny. Enjoy!
October 23rd, 2008 by Dr. Val Jones in Announcements
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I flew back from San Francisco just in time to get to the National Press Club’s annual “Cartoons & Cocktails” event. Two of my cartoons were auctioned off for charity – along with donations from many other artists. Lynn Johnston (the syndicated cartoonist behind “For Better Or Worse”) sent in two original cells, though political cartoons made up the bulk of the offerings (including a signed copy of the scandalous New Yorker cover about Senator Obama). It was truly an honor to have my work featured along with such talented peers.
Of course, I asked my husband to join me at the event to take pictures. I have a new iPhone – and its camera seems to have a bit of a learning curve. I was a little disappointed that my head was cut in half for most of the shots, and that my TV interview with an Indian political team was captured from behind my head. The Washington Examiner had its own photographer – so I might show up in the “social sightings” in one piece.
For your amusement, I offer my husband’s chronicles of the evening:
October 21st, 2008 by Dr. Val Jones in Announcements
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Dear friends of the blog – I’m going to San Francisco to the Health 2.0 conference, Oct 21-22 (I have to return to DC on the 23rd to attend the Cartoons & Cocktails event at the National Press Club. Some of my original artwork will be auctioned off for charity.)
Blogging may be light for 2-3 days, but stay tuned. And if you’re going to the Health 2.0 please stop by my booth. It’s #118.
