Oncology massage goes mainstream

22/07/2021 0 Comments read Cancer, Health & Science

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 22.07.2021 (The Medical Republic): Major cancer hospitals across the country are offering oncology massage as one of the tools in their integrative oncology and support centres to help some people cope better with treatment.

When Marcia Sherring underwent a bilateral mastectomy and related surgeries followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, her surgeon referred her to the integrative oncology service at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a comprehensive cancer hospital in Sydney. She was recommended oncology massage for her lymphedema.

At first, she was hesitant. “I looked like an extra from a war movie with lots of scars and stitches on my body. But to my surprise, the oncology massage therapist wasn’t shocked. She seemed to have complete knowledge and understanding of my medical history and she modified her technique to account for the adhesions and scarring on my chest. It made me feel safe and confident in her hands”, says Sherring.

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Climate plans lag as Asia tops temperature-linked deaths

13/07/2021 0 Comments read Climate Change, Environment & Development, Health & Science

Low-lying and crowded coastal cities in East and South Asia most impacted by temperature related mortality. Photo Credit: ©Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 12.07.2021 (SciDev.Net): Asia accounts for more than half of the over five million global deaths attributed to ambient cold and hot temperatures, according to an international study. But many governments are failing to prioritise health in their climate change strategies, experts warn.

The study, published 1 July in The Lancet Planetary Health, found that mortality rates in low-lying and crowded coastal cities in East and South Asia were particularly affected by temperature.

Researchers found that 9.4 per cent of global deaths from 2000 to 2019 could be attributed to non-optimal temperatures, with most of those caused by exposure to cold. However, this is predicted to change as global warming increases heat-related deaths. Continue reading →

Is farming harming our health?

02/07/2021 0 Comments read Environment & Development, Health & Science

Researchers look at how agriculture is adding to climate change and negatively impacting health outcomes. Photo Credit: ©Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 01.07.2021 (SciDev.Net): While increased agriculture production has reduced hunger, it is also linked to unhealthy diets and increased emissions that are severely affecting human health, says a study.

Published in Environmental Research Communications, the study focuses on the integrated assessment of global climate, air pollution and health impacts of food production and consumption.

“Changing global food consumption patterns towards healthier diets would see reductions in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and dietary health benefits,” says Chris Malley, lead author of the study and senior research fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute’s (SEI) office at the University of York in the UK.

As many as 640,000 premature deaths are associated with high red meat consumption in East and South-East Asia, according to the study. An estimated 4.1 million deaths in 2018 were associated with dietary health risks, 6.0 million with overweight or obesity, and 730,000 infant deaths resulted from malnutrition.

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