So the PSA test for prostate cancer should be abandoned, according to a government advisory panel? Not in the opinion of highly regarded Santa Monica urologist Milton Krisiloff, who was my doctor in the late 1990s when I lived on that side of town. “I think the PSA is an excellent test when it’s used properly,” said Krisiloff. As reported this week, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has concluded that few lives are saved by PSA screening. But when cancer is detected, 90% of men are treated with surgery or radiation even though most tumors are not life-threatening, and that can lead to avoidable impotence and incontinence, among other problems. That’s true, said Krisiloff, and doctors should be more discriminating in recommending aggressive treatment ... Continue reading →

They say tonight's soiree for President Obama at George Clooney's house in Studio City is supposed to gross $15 million, and the operative word is "gross." Yeah, pardon me for being such a party pooper, but isn't it a little offensive that 150 of L.A.'s high rollers would shell out $40,000 to kiss Clooney's ring and get maybe 10 seconds of face time with Obama? And what about the thousands of saps who pumped an average of $23 into Obama's campaign coffers for the chance to be one of the two peons chosen to break bread with the VIPs? I'd rather watch the Lakers game from a bar stool, which in fact is what I may do. I haven't seen Clooney's guest list, but I'd ... Continue reading →

It was “just horrifying” to have watched the video of his son Kelly’s beating in court this week, Ron Thomas said Wednesday morning. He was on his way back into the Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana to hear closing arguments in the preliminary hearing for two Fullerton police officers charged in the death of the homeless, mentally ill Kelly last July. Ron Thomas told me he was feeling a little stronger as he reentered the courthouse. But he reminded me that he is still dealing with two other family tragedies since his son’s death. In March, Ron Thomas’ younger brother died of throat cancer, and in April, his teenage grandson was killed in an auto accident. What keeps him going, Thomas said, is Kelly’s ... Continue reading →

Here's a morning double-header, something on the Dodgers and something on San Diego Charger legend Junior Seau: It was nice to see that the new Dodgers owners kicked Frank McCourt around Wednesday, promising he won't get a nickel from parking revenues. And it was nice to hear the parking fee will be dropped from $15 to $10. But if you polled the fans, I think they'd rather be able to buy a hot dog without missing half the game while standing in those ridiculous lines. The new owners said they're working on that, too, but what's there to work on? Fire Levy, which has the contract, if they don't come up with a better system immediately. You order your food, and the clerk has to ... Continue reading →