Saturday September 11, 2010
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WCBA Season Debut
I'm thrilled to say we're back with a new season of new episodes of White Coat, Black Art beginning with today's episode. And this season, we're on for the first time with a full-length season of shows. Today, a critical appraisal of the reaction - inside and outside the medical community - to the Zamboni procedure for patients with multiple sclerosis or MS. The treatment is also known as venous angioplasty to relieve chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. Yet the Zamboni procedure is to all intents and purposes not available here, although a tiny number of procedures have been done. It's because most Canadian MS specialists and the MS Society of Canada dismiss the Zamboni procedure as unfounded and unproven. They're taking a wait-and-see attitude. Meanwhile, Canadians go overseas and pay out-of-pocket for the procedure.
This week, I talk with Dr. Paul Hebert, editor-in-chief of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, about why MS experts are so opposed to the procedure -- and what they have to lose if it does enter the medical mainstream. And, we take a close look at the media-led hype that may be giving patients false hope.
Tune in Saturday at 1100 am (1130 am in Newfoundland and parts of Labrador) or Monday September 13 at 1130 am (noon in Newfoundland and parts of Labrador).
Let us know what you think. Post a comment here or email me at whitecoat@cbc.ca. Or if you prefer the old-fashioned touch, our vox box number is 1-866-648-6714.