A test developed by Quest Diagnostics (Madison, Wisconsin) could give greater insight into the likelihood of female patients developing cervical cancer. Late last week the company reported the availability of a the test, which is designed to help physicians identify women who are at increased risk of developing malignancy, unless treated, after receiving unclear results for cervical cancer risk from standard screening tests.

Having grown up in a small rural town in South Carolina, I can attest to the fact that sometimes your choices for service are usually few and far between. Typically, there's only one of anything, and if you want to check out a competitor be prepared to drive at least 50 miles out. This is the case especially when it comes down to healthcare needs. One of my family members is now in a position where she sees a specialist who is about 60 miles away. Every Tuesday she dreads that long commute, which is reflected through her blood pressure...

Perhaps the words, "It's been a long time coming", which happen to also comprise much of the chorus for an old Sam Cooke song, are appropriate when describing the latest news coming out of GI Dynamics (Lexington, Massachusetts) this week. The med-tech firm, which has been relatively quiet over the last few months, reported on Thursday that it had received FDA conditional approval for a pivotal clinical trial for the EndoBarrier Gastrointestinal Liner. The FDA's measure is an important milestone in the continued development of the product, the company said.