Health Buzz: Cancer Costs and Other Health News

Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment, Bankruptcy?

The costs of chemotherapy have risen so drastically in recent years that oncologists are now receiving their first guidelines on how to discuss the financial costs of cancer care.

The cost to treat cancer rises 15 percent each year  according to Allen Lichter of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which is releasing the guidelines. The soaring costs are largely due to new and expensive biotech drugs, which may run $100,000 a treatment.  Also patients are living longer, requiring extended treatment times.

ADHD Delaying, Not Derailing, Brain Development

A brain-imaging study by the National Institute of Mental Health on younger and older children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder shows that the condition may delay normal brain development but does not prematurely stop development.

The New York Times reports this morning that the affected areas of the brain oversee attention, control of movement, and other abilities.

The study also notes that for most children diagnosed with ADHD, the problems and symptoms associated with the condition will continue well into adulthood.

Finding Music in Autism

Think "autism," and the words that follow usually aren't "the musical." But this week's On Parenting column looks at the Miracle Project, a theater workshop for autistic children and their friends and family.

Spearheaded by Elaine Hall, an acting coach and parent of an autistic son, the Miracle Project organized to help a group of kids with autism to write and perform their own variety show.