Clipping Board » Medical Myths ─ The truth about healthcare is often different from what you intuitively think.
【United Online Planning╱Fan Huizhen Taipei Report】
2012.06.07 11:58 am
The latest research has found that since the implementation of Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI), the incidence and mortality rates of cancer have surprisingly increased by 1.75 times compared to the pre-NHI period. After analysis, this alarming trend may be closely linked to the widespread release of chronic prescriptions, such as blood pressure-lowering medications, under the NHI system!
Photo╱Provided by the Department of Health, Executive Yuan
Dr. Chen Zhiming, head of the Molecular Medicine Research Laboratory, pointed out that data from the Department of Health’s annual reports on causes of death reveal a sharp rise in cancer mortality rates post-NHI implementation (since 1995). The cancer death rate surged from 124 per 100,000 people to 143, increasing by approximately 1.12 persons annually (per 100,000, same below). Before the NHI, however, the annual increase in cancer mortality was only 0.64 persons. Post-NHI, the cancer death rate skyrocketed by 1.75 times. A similar trend was observed in cancer incidence rates: before the NHI, the annual increase was about 5.6 persons, but after its implementation, the rate jumped to 9.9 persons per year—1.77 times higher than before!
According to recent large-scale international authoritative studies, long-term use of blood pressure-lowering drugs significantly raises cancer risks. Numerous international clinical statistics also confirm that prolonged use of various antihypertensive medications markedly increases cancer incidence. Mid-last year, the Institute of Preventive Medicine at National Taiwan University’s College of Public Health similarly found that several commonly prescribed blood pressure drugs are closely associated with cancer among Taiwanese, leading to publication in an international authoritative cancer journal!
Dr. Chen further analyzed that patients with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, kidney, metabolic, and hypertensive diseases rely heavily on long-term, uninterrupted use of blood pressure medications to superficially control symptoms. Due to the widespread distribution of chronic prescriptions to community pharmacies, the convenience and minimal cost burden have made antihypertensive drugs the undisputed leader in both medication usage and NHI drug expenditure for over a decade.
Although the NHI has moderately controlled mortality rates from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (e.g., heart disease, stroke, hypertension), it has inadvertently led to a multiplicative surge in cancer cases among the population, even causing a negative growth in life expectancy. To resolve this public nightmare, the current government should not merely focus on extracting funds from citizens’ pockets for a so-called "second-generation" NHI, indirectly benefiting pharmaceutical companies. These symptom-masking chronic "poisons" are fueling an even more vicious and costly cycle of cancer, pushing millions into an inescapable downward spiral!
Dr. Chen advises the government to first establish correct public awareness, promoting the advanced concept that hypertension is a symptom rather than a disease. Additionally, stricter regulation of excessive blood pressure medication prescriptions is needed to curb misuse. Within a few years, a visible decline in cancer trends may emerge, and the NHI’s financial black hole might finally show signs of bottoming out.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ NATIONAL/ AD2/ 7143861. shtml#ixzz1x7leEO00
Save or Kill? Health Insurance Fuels Cancer Surge
2012.06.07 11:58 am
The latest research has found that since the implementation of Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI), the incidence and mortality rates of cancer have surprisingly increased by 1.75 times compared to the pre-NHI period. After analysis, this alarming trend may be closely linked to the widespread release of chronic prescriptions, such as blood pressure-lowering medications, under the NHI system!
Photo╱Provided by the Department of Health, Executive Yuan
Dr. Chen Zhiming, head of the Molecular Medicine Research Laboratory, pointed out that data from the Department of Health’s annual reports on causes of death reveal a sharp rise in cancer mortality rates post-NHI implementation (since 1995). The cancer death rate surged from 124 per 100,000 people to 143, increasing by approximately 1.12 persons annually (per 100,000, same below). Before the NHI, however, the annual increase in cancer mortality was only 0.64 persons. Post-NHI, the cancer death rate skyrocketed by 1.75 times. A similar trend was observed in cancer incidence rates: before the NHI, the annual increase was about 5.6 persons, but after its implementation, the rate jumped to 9.9 persons per year—1.77 times higher than before!
According to recent large-scale international authoritative studies, long-term use of blood pressure-lowering drugs significantly raises cancer risks. Numerous international clinical statistics also confirm that prolonged use of various antihypertensive medications markedly increases cancer incidence. Mid-last year, the Institute of Preventive Medicine at National Taiwan University’s College of Public Health similarly found that several commonly prescribed blood pressure drugs are closely associated with cancer among Taiwanese, leading to publication in an international authoritative cancer journal!
Dr. Chen further analyzed that patients with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, kidney, metabolic, and hypertensive diseases rely heavily on long-term, uninterrupted use of blood pressure medications to superficially control symptoms. Due to the widespread distribution of chronic prescriptions to community pharmacies, the convenience and minimal cost burden have made antihypertensive drugs the undisputed leader in both medication usage and NHI drug expenditure for over a decade.
Although the NHI has moderately controlled mortality rates from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (e.g., heart disease, stroke, hypertension), it has inadvertently led to a multiplicative surge in cancer cases among the population, even causing a negative growth in life expectancy. To resolve this public nightmare, the current government should not merely focus on extracting funds from citizens’ pockets for a so-called "second-generation" NHI, indirectly benefiting pharmaceutical companies. These symptom-masking chronic "poisons" are fueling an even more vicious and costly cycle of cancer, pushing millions into an inescapable downward spiral!
Dr. Chen advises the government to first establish correct public awareness, promoting the advanced concept that hypertension is a symptom rather than a disease. Additionally, stricter regulation of excessive blood pressure medication prescriptions is needed to curb misuse. Within a few years, a visible decline in cancer trends may emerge, and the NHI’s financial black hole might finally show signs of bottoming out.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ NATIONAL/ AD2/ 7143861. shtml#ixzz1x7leEO00