A new study published in the medical journal the Archives of Internal Medicine details the differences in the ways physicians treat patients versus treatments they’d select for themselves.

Interestingly, doctors were far more likely to chance death in their own treatments than those offered to patients, opting for riskier hypothetical therapies during the study. 940 primary care physicians were surveyed during the study’s course, and presented with two hypothetical scenarios involving colon cancer and avian flu:

One option in the colon-cancer scenario was an operation that completely cures 80% of patients with no complications, fails to cure 16% of patients —meaning they will die within two years—and cures but leads to complications such as a colostomy or chronic diarrhea for the remaining 4%. The other option was a different surgery that also cures 80% of patients without any complications, but fails to cure 20% of patients.

The option with a lower risk of death may seem to be the logical choice. But 38% of physicians tasked with weighing the decision for themselves picked the treatment with the higher death rate—preferring not to risk complications. Only 25% of the physicians in the other group said they would recommend a patient go that route. In the avian-flu scenario, 63% picked the treatment with the highest chance of death for themselves, with 49% recommending it for patients.

Physician Peter Ubel commented on the findings and said that while doctors may not always select the higher-risk treatments for themselves off the bat, that different “psychological biases” come in to play when considering their own treatments. Ubel advises allowing a doctor to get to know you before asking for advice on issues such as quality versus length of life.

Study: Doctors would treat selves differently than patients is a post from: The Inquisitr

David Nelson, the last surviving member of the family who starred on “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” has passed away at the age of 74 due to colon cancer.

Along with his brother Ricky, and parents Ozzie and Harriet, David Nelson starred on the longest running live-action show on American TV for fourteen years, beginning in 1952. While Ricky Nelson went on to become a musician, David continued in television and film, acting and directing in his later years. (His last feature film appearance was in “Cry-Baby.”)

Of growing up in front of the cameras, David said in 1971:

“We would keep up the front of this totally problemless, happy-go-lucky group,” he said. “There might have been a tremendous battle in our home, but if someone from outside came in, it would be as if the director yelled, ‘Roll ‘em,’ We’d fall right into our stage roles.

“It’s an awfully big load to carry, to be everyone’s fantasy family.”

Nelson is survived by his wife, four children and seven grandchildren. Memorial services and his burial will be held Thursday.

‘Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet’ star David Nelson dies at 74 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Longtime photojournalist Margaret Moth died today after a three year long battle with colon cancer, CNN is reporting.

Moth, born Margaret Wilson in New Zealand, died this morning in hospice in Rochester, Minnesota. In 2009, she was the subject of a CNN documentary Fearless, about her lengthy and often dangerous career documenting breaking news and dangerous conflict around the world. Known for her distinctive looks and bravery, (Moth scarcely survived being shot in the face in Sarajevo in 1992, picking up where she left off as soon as she was physically able) Moth commented on her terminal illness in the documentary:

“Dying of cancer, I would have liked to think I’d have gone out with a bit more flair,” she said with a laugh last spring during an interview with a CNN documentary crew that had traveled to Texas, where she was visiting friends.

“The important thing is to know that you’ve lived your life to the fullest,” she said then, before tubing down a river in Austin, Texas; taking jaunts to Cape Cod and the Canadian Rockies; and piloting a houseboat up the Mississippi River — replete with beer and Cuban cigars. “I don’t know anyone who’s enjoyed life more.”

Normally impassive journalist Christiane Amanpour became emotional when discussing Moth’s impact on her own career and decision to push forward in dangerous situations:

“I said I’d go back, and I know to this day that if I hadn’t said yes then, I probably never would have gone back, and I never would have done this career. But I said yes because I couldn’t say no,” Amanpour remembered, fighting back tears. “We did the work for her. We did it because she was our champion, and we wanted to be her champion.”

Amanpour says that Moth’s life was one well lived:

She “led the complete life,” Amanpour said. “I don’t think Margaret could ever look back and say, ‘What if?’ She did it to the max, and she did it brilliantly. And she did it on her terms.”

“Fearless” photojournalist Margaret Moth dies is a post from: The Inquisitr