RE: Re: Value of anecdotal evidence

[Guest guest]

(snip)

> Each person is similar but each is always different.

Or, to emphasize 's point, what helps me might harm you; and vice

versa.

That's the practical reason why anecdotes and war stories from patients,

however well-intentioned, must be considered to be unreliable as to the

case of any other patient.

Regards,

Steve J

" What are the facts? Again and again and again -- what are the facts?

Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget 'what the stars

foretell,' avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind

the unguessable 'verdict of history' -- what are the facts, and to how

many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are

your single clue. Get the facts! "

--Lazarus Long

[Guest guest]

Dan,

You have oversimplified this a little. We

are not talking about diet, we are talking about decision making for a disease

that has the potential to kill.

From a page on pharmacogenomics

To a

limited degree. The cytochrome P450 (CYP) family of liver enzymes is

responsible for breaking down more than 30 different classes of drugs. DNA

variations in genes that code for these enzymes can influence their ability to

metabolize certain drugs. Less active or inactive forms of CYP enzymes that are

unable to break down and efficiently eliminate drugs from the body can cause

drug overdose in patients. Today, clinical trials researchers use genetic tests

for variations in cytochrome P450 genes to screen and monitor patients. In

addition, many pharmaceutical companies screen their chemical compounds to see

how well they are broken down by variant forms of CYP enzymes (2).

Another

enzyme called TPMT (thiopurine methyltransferase) plays an important role in

the chemotherapy treatment of a common childhood leukemia by breaking down a

class of therapeutic compounds called thiopurines. A small percentage of

Caucasians have genetic variants that prevent them from producing an active

form of this protein. As a result, thiopurines elevate to toxic levels in the

patient because the inactive form of TMPT is unable to break down the drug.

Today, doctors can use a genetic test to screen patients for this deficiency,

and the TMPT activity is monitored to determine appropriate thiopurine dosage

levels (3).

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/pharma.shtml

We all

know that not all people respond the same way to the same medicine.

The worst

side effect I heard about was about a man who had proton treatment. It doesn’t

happen often but it does happen.

All men

are different. To chose a treatment because it worked for your neighbor does

not take into account the specifics of your disease.

Anecdotes

are good to hear but to make a decision based on someone else’s disease

is not a very smart idea. We are all different. In my mind the anecdotal

stories give you alternatives to look at but it is your disease and you have to

do what is best for you. The other person is not going to live with the outcome

of your decision. You are.

Kathy

From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of roadlessgraveled

Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2008

7:38 PM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject:

Re: Value of " anecdotal " evidence

>

> (snip)

>

> > Each person is similar but each is always different.

>

> Or, to emphasize 's point, what helps me might harm you; and

vice

> versa.

I agree, but with this observation.

We are alike enough so that " reference ranges " have been established

and are useful to detect abberrations in all manner of body

chemistry, metabolism, temperature, electrical activity, reflexes,

anatomy, etc.

Nutrition also falls within a certain range. We all need about 50

essential nutrients to survive, with no exceptions noted so far!

There is not anyone on earth who can live without C,D,Zinc, etc. The

machinery simply will not function. But within that, biochemical

diversity can cause one person to be malnurished while another

functions fine on the same diet.

The bulk of humanity fall within the " fat part " of the bell curve.

What is poison for me is MOST LIKELY poison for you, and conversly

what is good for me is most likely good for you, too.

This makes such predictors as nomograms possible. But not perfect!

Because of the similarity of people, things such as medical

diagnosis and treatment is geared towards the average, rather than

the exception. Which is a good thing, overall...unless you happen to

be the exception!

My best,

Dan

[Guest guest]

Folks

This thread can get circular. I suggest that we try to get new ideas on the group by 10.00 am Greenwich Mean Time tomorrow (London time).

Remember we get few of the men who don't need medics on these groups. So ones who neither are ecstatic about the treatment or greatly upset are often out there continuing their lives.

Best wishes