Van Brings Free Brain MRIs To Capitol Hill; Experts See Enormous Potential for Harm

From The Cancer Letter, May 8, 2009:

Over the past several months, over 1,000 New Yorkers have inserted their heads in an MRI unit mounted inside a truck operated by The Brain Tumor Foundation, a nonprofit started by a prominent neurosurgeon at New York University.

Earlier this week, the truck was parked at the base of Capitol Hill, and about 60 people—among them six legislators—stepped in to receive free scans.

Skeptics say these folks should have their heads examined. Screening experts Steven Woloshin and Otis Brawley and neurosurgeons Henry Brem and Rolando Del Maestro say there's no evidence to support brain scans for asymptomatic people.

For the rest of the story, and an interview with neurosurgeon Patrick Kelly, who insists everyone should get screened, click on The Cancer Letter Archive at left to read the May 8 issue (subscription or day pass required).






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tags: cancer screening