Do you live your life in pain or know someone who does? Pain is a common symptom and pain at its core is suffering and its persistence can be vexing to those who help the sick and often at a burdensome cost to society. Pain is a warning system and feedback mechanism that influences how we adapt to our environment. The causes of pain are innumerable and exist within the full spectrum of human diseases. The diagnosis of pain is often problematic due to its connection to both benign and life-threatening conditions.

The Learning Center is offering a "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" special with the purchase of one of the tutorials in the 'Clinical Strategies – Pain Series" by Ashley Davidoff, M.D. Log into the Learning Center and click on 'My Account – My Discount Code' and enter 39169181. This offer is valid until June 30, 2010.

National Stroke Awareness month is a time to educate everyone about stroke and managing risk factors. It is important for healthcare professionals to recognize stroke symptoms and be able to respond.

For National Stroke Awareness Month, the Philips Learning Center is offering the tutorial "Stroke: Treatments, Clinical Trials, and Imaging Technologies", worth 1.5 CE, free-of-charge for the month of May. The 100% discount will be applied at checkout. This offer is valid from May 1 – 31, 2010. Log onto the Learning Center and click on "My Account - 'My Discount Code' and enter 19615178.

The Philips Learning Center provides continuing education (CE) approved and/or accredited self-directed learning activities by Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanisms (RCEEMs). Our education offerings are supported by the industry's leading academic institutions and accreditation organizations. That's why more than 250,000 medical professionals use the Learning Center for their continuing education needs. Visit the Learning Center to see our extensive Course Catalog with monthly specials and new offerings.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States after lung cancer and is one of the most preventable cancers. Many colorectal cancer deaths could be avoided if people over 50 went for the recommended screening tests. The majority of colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas but begin as polyps. This cancer develops from the lining of the large intestine and rectum. Colorectal cancer grows slowly and often does not cause symptoms for quite some time. As the cancer grows, it invades the wall of the large bowel. Often nearby lymph nodes are invaded. Blood from the wall of the intestine is carried to the liver; colorectal cancer easily spreads or metastasizes to the liver soon after spreading to the lymph nodes.

Are you interested in learning more about colorectal cancer, tumor types, staging and the unique information that each imaging modality, clinical exam, or test provides to reach a diagnostic conclusion? In honor of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Philips Learning Center is offering three online courses at a 50% discount for the month of March. Log onto the Learning Center to sign up for the courses that most interest you.

Did you know that February is American Heart Month? Heart disease is the leading killer of adults in the United States and a major cause of disability. The goal of American Heart Month is to increase awareness of cardiovascular disease including heart attacks, strokes and other heart-related problems. Heart disease can be reduced with lifestyle changes and controlling factors that put all of us at risk.

In celebration of American Heart month, the Learning Center is offering two free online courses worth 2.5 Category A CEUs for the entire month of February.

• Foundational Human Anatomy and Physiology on the Cardiac System (2.0 CE)
• The History of Cardiac Catheterization, Past & Present (0.5 CE)

Are you looking to begin a career in Computed Tomography (CT). I am excited to tell you about a new series called "CT Basics" encompassing all the topics found in the ASRT's CT curriculum. Seven of the ten modules have been completed. Visit the Learning Center and select Computed Tomography in the Course Catalog.

Cancer is one of those words that send chills up your back. Everyone is affected by cancer in some way or another at some point in their life; whether if be you, a loved one or a friend. Cancer is an aggressive growth disorder initiated by a cell or a group of renegade cells with genetic aberrance, usually caused by either a carcinogen in the environment, or less commonly by an inherited genetic abnormality. The disease is complicated by local spread within the organ and surrounding tissues, displacing well meaning and well functioning tissue. Continued uncontrolled growth results in the invasion of blood vessels and lymphatics and spread to distant organs where metastatic disease repeats the pattern of continued advance of rebellious and aggressive parasitization of normal tissue. Evaluation and care of the oncology patient can be markedly complex, yet their integration and simplification is the key to success. You can learn more about cancer in the new module "Oncology Series: Part 1: Introduction to Cancer " by Dr. Ashley Davidoff. Log onto the Learning Center at: and go to the Course Catalog – Radiology Department Topics. If you are a first-time user of the Learning Center, you will need to click on the "Register" button to register and obtain a password.

Each year radiologic technologists around the U.S. celebrate National Radiologic Technology Week. This event recognizes the discovery of x-ray on November 8, 1895 and the dedicated Radiologic Technologists that practice in the field of radiology, using this important diagnostic and therapeutic technology on a daily basis to care for our patients. This week is all about increasing awareness and recognizing the RT's dedication, knowledge and skill.

In celebration of National Radiologic Technology Week, Philips Learning Center is giving away 2.5 Category A CE credits from November 1 – 30, 2009.

* Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology Refresher - Abdomen (2.5 CE)
* Shock: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention (1 CE)

Log onto the Learning Center and look for the alert box on the right for instructions on how to use the discount codes.

Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer ranks second among cancer deaths in women (second to lung cancer). According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the United States and an estimated 40,170 women are expected to die from breast cancer in 2009. There are approximately 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States today. I have friends and family affected by this disease as I am sure most of you do too.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Philips Learning Center is offering FREE breast cancer CE courses! The courses included in this promotion are listed below. Sign up on the Learning Center at: and go to the Course Catalog –Anatomy and Physiology. If you are a first-time user of the Learning Center, you will need to click on the "Register" button to register and obtain a password. To sign up for your free courses, go to the Course Catalog and select category "On Sale Today". The offer is valid October 1-31, 2009.

• Breast Cancer Overview (1 CE)
• Metastatic Inflammatory Breast Cancer (1 CE)
• Breast: Intraductal Papilloma (1 CE)
• Genetic Breast Cancer (1 CE)

Technological innovation is a vital part of today's health care environment. The Learning Center is offering a new course which provides educators, students, clinical staff and clinical managers with valuable information on how handheld device technologies can enhance data collection and management. As a user of the iPhone, I was curious and a little bit sceptical on how this would work. Kevin Powers provides comparisons of handheld devices with traditional paper-and-pencil based data recording systems along with examples of recording student data in real time on iPod and Palm handheld devices. This course was developed by the ASRT and can be found under the ASRT Authored Courses in the Learning Center.