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Active clinician support and assistance are critical to successfully quitting smoking

A new study finds that providing direct assistance, such as counseling and nicotine replacement therapy, significantly improves the likelihood of patients quitting smoking. The research team analyzed data from over 1,600 participants who underwent lung cancer screening, finding that active clinician support increased quit rates by 40%.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJun 15, 2015

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy achieves better overall survival than surgery for early lung cancer

A phase III randomized clinical trial suggests that Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is equally effective to surgery in treating operable stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients, with better survival rates and lower toxicity. SABR appears to be a suitable alternative for elderly and comorbidity-prone patients.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateMay 13, 2015

Detecting lung cancer at an early stage

Researchers have developed a new diagnostic method called spectral histopathology that facilitates marker-free detection of individual subtypes of lung cancers. The accuracy of this method is higher than traditional histopathology, reaching over 92%, allowing for more precise diagnosis and personalized treatment options.

Socioeconomic factors affect odds of death after a lung cancer operation

A recent study by the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that socioeconomic factors such as income level, education, and hospital type significantly impact lung cancer patients' odds of death within 30 days after surgery. Patients from lower-income households were 25% more likely to die than those in higher-income areas.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateApr 16, 2015

No association between lung cancer risk in women and reproductive history or hormone use

The study of over 160,000 postmenopausal women revealed no significant link between lung cancer risk and reproductive history or hormone therapy. However, some subgroups showed reduced risks for specific types of lung cancer, emphasizing the need for further research into complex relationships.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateApr 8, 2015

8 reasons the US Surgeon General should announce that UV tanning causes skin cancer

A University of Colorado Cancer Center opinion argues that announcing the causality could save lives. The link between UV tanning and skin cancer is supported by eight out of nine criteria used to determine a causal relationship in disease, including strength of association, consistency of association, and temporality.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateApr 8, 2015

Early stage NSCLC patients with low tumor metabolic activity have longer survival

Researchers found that patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and low tumor metabolic activity have increased overall survival. A diagnostic test using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG/PET) can help identify patients who may benefit from post-surgical chemotherapy.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMar 30, 2015

Concurrent chemoradiation treatment at high-volume facilities improves survival for NSCLC

Patients treated at high-volume facilities for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have longer overall survival when receiving definitive concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Studies show improved outcomes for patients treated at these centers, regardless of academic or community status.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMar 11, 2015

Global studies in Health Affairs' March issue

A global review of health issues highlights the UK's National Health Service (NHS) reduced spending on low-value procedures, while sub-Saharan Africans rate their health among the lowest in the world. The study also suggests that US cancer care may provide less value compared to Western Europe.

SourceHealth Affairs·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMar 3, 2015

Online education tool helps bridge gaps in therapeutic decision-making for advanced NSCLC

An interactive online education tool has been developed to help practicing oncologists with therapeutic decision-making for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by providing feedback from an expert panel. The tool integrates clinical, histological, and molecular features into treatment plans, leading to a change in treatment cho...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateFeb 26, 2015