Tom Treasure – författare

Lung Cancer is the most common cause of cancer death and cancer symptoms. The ABC of Lung Cancer is a much needed reference for those treating and caring for patients with lung cancer such as primary care doctors, specialist cancer nurses, junior doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, radiographers and other health care professionals. This new title in the ABC series covers the epidemiology and diagnosis of lung cancer, focusing particularly on primary care issues such as what symptoms require urgent investigation, and when to refer to a specialist. This is a practical guide for all those involved in the care of the lung cancer patient, as well as patients and their families and carers.

What is the evidence? Evidence-based medicine, or EBM which slips off the tongue more readily, seeks to offer proof that what we offer patients whenever we treat them, do a diagnostic test, or recommend anything from an operation to change in life style, is known to be effective. Fifty to 100 years ago, health care was delivered patchily, much less of it was effective, and was based on an image of a kindly doctor treating the sick, who were glad of whatever help could be offered. Now, medicine is effective and whether you look at it as major government expense or big business in private health care insurance, there is no sense in spending money on ineffective treatments, while we do not have enough to spend on what is of proven worth. Individual doctors cannot read everything and cannot possibly synthesise what they do read, so that they are aware of what is proven to be effective and what probably is not. The "The Evidence for ..." series seeks to fill that need. Into "The Evidence for Cardiothoracic Surgery" we have commissioned systematic reviews of the common operations and some innovative treatments, to present the facts to busy doctors. Where is there and where is there not evidence?