The researchers theorize that these increases may be related to rising rates of obesity and changes in dietary patterns, including increased consumption of fast food.

Overall incidence rates for colorectal cancer in the United States have been on the decline since the mid-1980s, with the drop accelerating in the most recent time period. Rates are now dropping 2.8 percent per year in men and 2.2 percent per year in women, largely due to an increase in screening, particularly colonoscopy, among individuals ages 50 years and older. Screening can reduce colorectal cancer incidence by detecting and removing polyps before they become cancerous.

But recent incidence trends among adults younger than 50 years, for whom routine screening is not recommended, have not been analyzed thoroughly.
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Being venturesome in business can pay off. And the Somatom Definition, the world's first CT scanner with two X-ray tubes, has the sales figures to prove it. Since its market launch at the end of 2005, this system has already been installed over 500 times in leading clinics throughout the world. This proves that dual-source technology is in demand not only in research, but in routine diagnostics as well. Siemens is still the only company capable of manufacturing dual-source CTs. Dual-source computed tomography meets the most important demand placed on medical technology by cardiologists and radiologists: To generate the highest quality and most detailed images of quickly or irregularly beating hearts – and to achieve this at only half the radiation dose in comparison to other systems currently available on the market. Moreover, the system can simultaneously generate different energy levels with its two X-ray tubes. This makes it possible to determine the type, composition and perfusion of the tissue concerned also in routine diagnostics. Due to its high scan speed and especially large bore of 78 centimeters, today Dual Source CT is also preferred for emergency care and overweight patients.

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Royal Philips Electronics  introduced its new BrightView X, a scalable SPECT camera that can be easily upgraded with CT when physicians are ready for the full capabilities of BrightView XCT. Along with the addition of the new Nuclear Medicine Application Suite on the Extended Brilliance Workstation, Nuclear Medicine now available with the BrightView XCT; SPECT, PET, and CT processing can all be accessed on one common platform, helping to speed diagnosis and streamline workflow. The BrightView XCT, being shown with expanded applications in orthopedics, is a general purpose nuclear medicine SPECT/CT camera that was introduced at last year’s SNM.

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Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. and Schering-Plough Corporation  announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) adopted a positive opinion recommending the approval of SIMPONI™ (golimumab) as a once-monthly, subcutaneous therapy for the treatment of moderate-to-severe, active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), active and progressive psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and severe, active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

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"Ten years ago this month, I began my tenure as CEO of Boston Scientific, and two months from now, I will turn 65," said Tobin. "Over the course of the past decade, we have built a stronger, more diversified company that is well positioned for the future. We have achieved this due largely to the support of our employees, customers and investors, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them. Now is an appropriate time for me to turn over the leadership of the Company to Ray Elliott, our new CEO. Ray is an outstanding choice, and he has my full and enthusiastic support. We will have a smooth transition, which will culminate with Ray taking over next month."

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