Recently, the New England Journal of Medicine published a paper from Cornell University researchers on the value of spiral CT scans for early detection of lung cancer.
This finding is what could be considered breakthrough medicine, as early detection of lung cancer is so difficult, and once lung cancer is advanced the prognosis is more often than not death.
Last month the New York Times (Cigarette Company Paid for Lung Cancer Study) published a report that the funding for this study came from a foundation connected to the Liggett Company (a tobacco company) . The article includes quotes from several medical leaders condemning the acceptance of such monies for research even if the results of the research contributed to improved outcomes in public health!
This was an article about research, yet the article included quotes from Murray Kopelow, Executive Director of ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education).
"An increasing number of doctors and institutions are setting up foundations to accept money from companies without having to disclose its source," said Dr. Murray Kopelow, chief executive of the ACCME.
“This is the third time in the past few weeks that one of these has been identified to us,” said Dr. Kopelow, whose organization is investigating how widespread the practice is.
This week Thomas Stossel, MD, and David A. Shaywitz, MD, wrote a joint editorial on this subject for Weekly Standard titled: Attack of the Pharmascolds. In addition Sally Satel, MD, published an editorial titled: Source of Medical Research Funding. The bottom line message in both editorials is the same question, "What is more important: Improving Patient Outcomes or Source of Funding?"
This is a powerful question, and if you wife has undetected lung cancer, what would your answer be?