AMJ

The Asian Tsunami of 2004 is widely regarded as one of the most catastrophic events in recent times, and yet the death rate from causes related to poverty is equivalent to a tsunami occurring every 1.5 weeks.

Many treatable cancers present with symptoms when there is potential to ensure a good prognosis by early intervention. We must listen closely to our patients, and trust our instincts but above all examine people as we were taught by our mentors at medical school.

There is an urgent need to tighten regulation of dangerous drugs freely available to Indian consumers. Further research to increase public awareness about drug side effects is required in order to reduce the potential for harm from under regulation.

The majority of Australians with life-limiting illnesses are cared for at home by their families and friends with medical support provided by their General Practitioner. In Nepal well organized palliative care services are not available. Palliative care is provided by primary physicians/ surgeons indicating a shortage of specialists in the field, in addition many doctors and health services providers do not regard palliative care as a priority.

Rupert Hodder explores the evidence for medical surveillance of patients treated for colorectal cancer.

The Students in Health and Medical Research Conference was held in Perth, Western Australia in September 2009. We are pleased to publish the abstracts of papers presented at the conference.