Newspapers / InterCom (Durham, N.C.) / May 21, 1976, edition 1 / Page 1
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ntcKcom duke uniucusity mc5icM ccnteR. VOLUME 23, NUMBER 20 MAY 21,1976 DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA North Carolinians Can Dial Toll-Free New Service Answers Questions on Cancer FIELDING CANCER QUESTIONS—Volunteer Judy Halleck and inTormation specialist Cary Handley consult in helping a caller to the ComprehensiveCancerCenter's new toll-free answer line. (Photo by Harold MooreJ CCT Scanner Gives Safer, Quicker Diagnoses in Brain The Department of Radiology has installed a $440,000 X-ray device that can often detect tumors and other diseases of the brain quicker and more safely than any other diagnostic tool. The device, known as a Cranial Computed Tomography (CCT) scan ner, was developed in England in 1969 and is considered by radiologists to be one of the most im portant innovations in their field in recent times. “The CCT scanner can frequently detect brain tumors when other diagnostic tests such as electroen cephalography, isotope brain scan ning, cerebral angiography and pneumoencephalography show nothing out of the ordinary,” said Dr. John A. Goree, chief of the depart ment’s neuroradiology section. Describing the way the machine works, Goree said that in a painless examination lasting about 20 minutes, a patient lies down with his head in the center of a metal ring. An X-ray lube attached to the ring makes a 240-degree sweep, taking multiple cross-sectional “pictures” of his head. The pictures are then fed into a computer, Goree said, where they are converted into a composite television image which can be photo graphed or stored on video tape. ' “This device doesn’t necessarily eliminate the need for other diagnostic examinations, but it may provide enough information so that uncomfortable and higher risk pro cedures aren’t needed,” he said. “For example, pneumoencephalo graphy, in which air is injected into the cavities of the brain from a needle in the spine, is considered to be the most painful examination in diagnostic radiology,” Goree ex plained. “Obviously, it’s an advantage when we don’t have to perform it on a pa tient.” The neuroradiologist said that because the CCT procedure is so sim ple, a patient being examined may not need to be admitted to the hospital and thereby saves considera ble time and money. As of yesterday anyone in North, Carolina can get answers to questions about cancer by dialing a toll-free number to Duke. Answering questions from 9 a.m. to 4:30 weekdays will be staff members and trained volunteers of the new Cancer Information Service, located at the Comprehensive Cancer Center here. They work in quarters on the second floor of the Atlas Street Building. “We want to help North Carolinians become more responsible for their own health care, especially in the area of cancer,” said Dr. Diane McGrath, director of the service. The toll-free number is one way of helping, she said. It opened officially Thursday at a meeting sponsored by the North Carolina Division of the American Cancer Society. The number is 1-800-672-0943. (In Durham, Butner and Creedmoor, 286-2266.) Callers in some areas of the state will use an “access code” other than “1.” Local operators can provide the local code. A project of the Cancer Center and the Cancer Society, the telephone service is part of a nationwide cancer information network funded by the National Cancer Institute. Laymen who dial the service will get physician-approved answers. Dr. McGrath said. Health care professionals who call will be put in touch with cancer specialists. The service has the backing of the North Carolina Medical Society. “This is an excellent resource for North Carolinians and I’m sure physicians around the state will use it and recommend it to their patients,” said Dr. James E. Davis of Durham, immediate past president of the medical society. Dr. C. T. Streeter of Jacksonville, state president of the American Cancer Society, said, “I think this is a most worthwhile way for people to get information about cancer which may not be readily available in certain areas of the state.” Dr. McGrath explained why the servfce was created. “We want people to knovy what they can do to avoid cancer,” she said. “We want them to be aware that the earlier some cance;rs are detected, the better the chance for a cure. When people hear that word ‘cancer,’ they think it’s synonymous with death, but that’s not necessarily the case. Thousands and thousands of people who’ve had cancer are leading productive lives today.” Even people who don’t have telephones can use the free service. Dr. McGrath said. “If someone will walk into a phone booth and ask the operator to dial the toll-free number, he won’t be charged for the call,” she said. Callers who phone after office hours can record their questions on an answering device. They’ll get a call back the next-working day, she said. (Continued on page 4) British Ob>Gyn Speaks Today A British obstetrician and gynecologist will speak on the socialized health system in Great Britain at 4:30 p.m. today in the amphitheater. The speaker will be Dr. Charles P. Douglas and his topic will be, “Off With His Head: The Disappearance of Private Patient Care in England.” Douglas is at the Royal Free Hospital in London. He spoke last week in Dallas at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and is in Durham as guest of Dr. Roy T. Parker, chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and immediate past president of the national organization. NO, IT'S NOT A WASHING MACHINE—Neurorafjjoiogy technical supervisor Brenda Warwick adjusts the Department of Radiology's new CCT scanner, a $440,000 diagnostic device for detecting tumors and other diseases of the brain. The "patient" is Intercom eiitor Dave Williamson. (Photo by Sally Herndon)
InterCom (Durham, N.C.)
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May 21, 1976, edition 1
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