Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Study finds providers use prostate cancer screening tests, even when they provide little value to patients

A study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that primary care providers frequently order prostate cancer screening tests, even when they provide little value to patients. The research team analyzed data from the National Ambulatory Medicare Care Survey and found a significant increase in low-value screenings, such as PSA...

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateJan 4, 2023

OB-GYN research lacks racial, ethnic inclusivity

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that all U.S. OB-GYN subspecialties lack racial and ethnic representation in clinical trials and research publications. This absence has negative consequences, including biased tools for diagnosing endometrial cancer and unacceptably low sensitivity in the Black female population.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateDec 21, 2022

Large-scale study led by Fred Hutch finds new genetic risk factors for colorectal cancer, paving the way for better screening, prevention

A comprehensive analysis of over 100,000 colorectal cancer cases identified 100 new genetic risk factors strongly linked with the disease. These findings could help clinicians determine who's at highest risk for early detection and potentially identify candidates for preventive treatments.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalNature Genetics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 20, 2022

THE LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH: Cervical cancer burden remains high in many countries, scale-up needed to meet WHO’s 2030 elimination target

Despite decreases in some high-income countries, the global cervical cancer burden remains high due to inadequate screening and vaccination programs in low- and middle-income countries. The study highlights the need for scaling up HPV vaccination and screening efforts globally to achieve the WHO's 2030 elimination target.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeObservational study·DateDec 14, 2022

November/December 2022 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

A study found that concerns about colonoscopy, lack of opportunity to discuss next steps with a medical provider, and assumptions about personal risk are common reasons patients don't follow up after a positive at-home test. Researchers also developed two simple risk measurement tools to predict COVID-19 mortality rates, which could he...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 30, 2022

New study provides evidence for three-year interval for multi-target stool DNA screening for those at average risk of colon cancer

A new study found that a three-year interval between screenings using non-invasive multi-target stool DNA testing is clinically appropriate for individuals with average risk of colorectal cancer. The study, led by Thomas F. Imperiale, M.D., identified no colorectal cancers in participants after an initial negative test.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateNov 29, 2022

Researchers explore why patients don’t follow up with their doctors after receiving a positive colorectal cancer test

A nationwide questionnaire in Dutch colorectal cancer screening found that concerns about colonoscopy, lack of provider discussion, and personal risk perceptions are common reasons for not following up. Personalized screening counseling and family practitioner involvement may help increase follow-up rates.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 29, 2022

Are older women being over-screened for cervical cancer?

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that more public health data is needed on the utilization of cervical cancer screening-associated services among older women. The analysis showed that over 1.3 million women received cervical cancer screening-associated services after age 65, with costs exceeding $83 million.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 28, 2022

Women with benign breast disease face higher risk of breast cancer in the long term

A large observational study found that women diagnosed with benign breast disease through screening are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer in the long term. The risk persisted for at least two decades and was found to be significantly higher among women with benign breast disease compared to those without.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateNov 17, 2022

National quality improvement initiative led by the American College of Surgeons successfully helped address pandemic-related cancer screening deficits

A national quality improvement project led by the American College of Surgeons restored cancer screenings to pre-pandemic levels and increased additional screening tests. The initiative helped accredited programs increase screening rates by implementing evidence-based interventions and achieved a minimum of 10% growth in screening.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 16, 2022

Personalized breast cancer screening could improve cancer survival and reduce overdiagnosis

A new model predicts individual breast cancer risk based on ten known risk factors, allowing for tailored screening strategies. The study found that the risk of developing breast cancer ranges from 0.22% to 7.43%, with some factors, such as exercise, having a greater impact than previously thought.

Possible biological explanation for increased cancer risk in dense breasts

Research at Linköping University suggests that dense breasts have unique biological characteristics that promote cancer growth, leading to a fivefold increased risk. The study used MRI and microdialysis techniques to measure proteins in breast tissue, finding elevated levels of inflammatory markers and growth factors.

SourceLinköping University·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2022

Lower prostate cancer screening rates associated with subsequent increase in advanced cancers

A large-scale analysis of VA medical centers found that facilities with lower yearly PSA screening rates had higher rates of metastatic prostate cancer in subsequent years. The study supports the benefits of prostate cancer screening in reducing metastatic prostate cancer risk, particularly for high-risk groups like Black patients.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateOct 24, 2022

ACP says federal government needs to improve health support for indigenous communities

The American College of Physicians recommends increasing funding for health services and prioritizing health promotion in Indigenous communities. Community-driven public policy is also necessary to address historical trauma, social determinants of health, and inadequate access to healthcare services.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2022

Scientists at IRB Barcelona and the PCCB develop a study model for Ewing sarcoma in the Drosophila fly

Scientists at IRB Barcelona and the PCCB have created a genetically tractable model of Ewing sarcoma using Drosophila flies expressing a mutant version of the human oncogene EWS-FLI. This model allows for the identification of critical proteins required for EWS-FLI's oncogenic function and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

Expanding LDCT eligibility guidelines would increase number of women and blacks who benefit from screening

A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology suggests that expanding low-dose CT screening eligibility criteria can increase access to screening for women and Black persons. The research found that widening eligibility guidelines reduced smoking exposure criteria increased lung cancer diagnoses among these groups.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateOct 5, 2022

Research led by UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center tests cost-effective approach to early-cancer detection from cell-free DNA in blood samples

Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a novel, cost-effective approach to detect cancer at its early stages using cell-free DNA in blood samples. Their method, cfMethyl-seq, has shown high accuracy and potential for accurate early diagnosis of certain cancers from a single blood test.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2022

Colonoscopies in FIT-positive persons requires much higher ADR than primary colonoscopy

A cohort study found that endoscopists performing colonoscopies in FIT-based screening programs should aim for markedly higher ADRs compared to primary colonoscopy screening. The study suggests that high ADRs are associated with lower colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. Researchers recommend using ADR targets, including differen...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateSep 26, 2022

Journal editorial: Regenstrief researcher calls for tailoring colorectal cancer screening for 45-to-49-year-olds

The author suggests that individuals at average risk between 45 and 49 years old should consider non-invasive screening alternatives, such as fecal immunochemical tests or stool DNA testing. This approach would benefit others who need more invasive screening resources and reduce the strain on colonoscopy services.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateSep 22, 2022

Nanorattles shake up new possibilities for disease detection

Researchers at Duke University developed nanorattles that amplify signals from separate biomarkers, allowing for accurate detection of head and neck cancers without biopsies. The technology uses machine learning algorithms to tease apart multiple biomarker signals, making it possible to target multiple diseases simultaneously.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Raman Spectroscopy·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2022

New technique boosts online medical search results

A Cornell-led group of researchers has developed a search method that identifies terms similar to cancer screening tests in colloquial language, expanding conventional data-collection pipelines. The technique was applied to YouTube searches, retrieving relevant videos using words semantically close to the main term.

SourceCornell University·JournalJMIR Medical Informatics·DateSep 6, 2022

Obstructive sleep apnoea linked to increased risk of cancer, a decline in mental processing powers and an increased risk of blood clots

A large study found that obstructive sleep apnea is independently associated with an increased risk of cancer. Patients with more severe OSA were also at a greater risk of developing blood clots. Additionally, a second study linked OSA to a decline in mental processing powers, particularly in the elderly.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2022

Steepest annual rise in advanced cervical cancer in US among White women

Advanced cervical cancer rates have been rising in the US, with a significant increase among White women and higher prevalence among Black women, particularly those in their mid-to-late 50s. The study found that obesity and older age at first birth may contribute to the rise in this type of cervical cancer.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2022