The world did not ending on 28 October 2011 or 2012?

Once again, the doomsayers who predicted the end of the world with such confident certainty have been proven wrong - at least in the eastern side of the world.

If there is still time to forewarn those living on the western part of the world who deeply believe in such unscientific rantings, stop the press and avoid doing harm to yourself or others. Those so-called astrological alignments dispensed by self proclaimed gurus are not endorsed by astronomy.

Widely available on the internet such as End of the World predicted : 28 Oct 2011 and many others including Wiki entries, there is no way of tracking how many truly believe in them. Though a minority of mankind, it may not an insignificant number if you count by worldwide standards.

Unlike the "second coming" which does not name a date and claims to be benevolent towards believers, . Nevertheless, the concurrence of such beliefs in mainstream religion could easily be exploited by marginal doomsday believers to bolster their stand.

While these predictors do not qualify as cultists in the strict sense, much harm could be done albeit indirectly. Unlike the likes of Heavens Gate that commit mass suicide and Aum Shinrikyo that employed terrorist poison gas on the innocent, doomsday believers are no less powerful and destructive.

It would be difficult to establish the linkage of accountability and casual responsibility to nail promoters down as culpable murderers unlike a clear cut criminal offence or cult leadership.

No matter whether followers subscribe to their views, publications, or "like" their blogs, propagators of doomsday dates are free from legal obligations and liabilities.

The number of people would foolishly believe in such doomsday predictions and fall prey by ending their lives which they thought would be more miserable when natural disasters and mayhem are unknown to date. Fuelled by recent spate of natural phenomenons such as the earthquake in Christchurch, Earthquake cum tsunami that led to chain radioactive disasters in Fukushima, pessimists are vulnerable to descend further into the doldrums.

Shouldn't the authorities proactively denounce irresponsible doomsayers and wake the gullible to their senses before more tragedies unfold.

Live our life fully and count our blessings everyday.

Doctors want independent review of cancer treatment drugs

Overdose of cancer treatment drugs may be harmful to the health and recovery of patients. Treatment should ideally be calibrated to suit individuals instead of being treated as part of the production line and general statistics.

Some Australian oncologists are calling for independent review of cancer treatment to ensure toxic, expensive and ineffective drugs are not being overused at the expense of patients and taxpayers.

- Fairfax newspapers

Tests later may show cancer that would regress

Researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, suggest that some of the cancers detected by mammography may have spontaneously regressed had they not been discovered and treated.
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=43391

A somewhat controversial and inconclusive study by Norwegian researchers may not make tests for cancer redundant but it is something females should be aware of. The coincidence is uncanny. 

Last week, I was chatting with a lady friend, bouncing ideas on my belief that cancer cells could at times grow or go into remission naturally. This raises questions on whether aggressive intervention and treatment are always suitable for every patient diagnosed with malignant tumour. 

Even those who are at risk of developing cancer are advised to be treated with drugs or low dosage of chemotheraphy. In the cases of some friends, now deceased, the cancer cells spread more rapidly in spite of or due to surgery and radio or chemo theraphies. 

There are still many unknowns in this area. To the individual patient, it could be a matter of trial and error, if not stabbing in the dark. 

Some scientists I have spoken to are not convinced current treatments are calibrated to yield beneficial and effective results for patients.  The course of treatment and recovery can be quite painful and undignified too.