Articles tagged with Cancer Screening
A recent study by City of Hope researchers highlights the limitations of Signatera, a popular liquid biopsy test for detecting colorectal cancer recurrence. The study found that standard-of-care CT scan plus CEA blood draw test was more effective in identifying early disease recurrence.
A new study developed an algorithm estimating a person's risk of developing prostate cancer based on age and two prostate cancer markers. The approach was found to reduce the number of false positives by three quarters compared to a standard PSA test while catching the same proportion of cancers, making screening safer and more accurate.
A new study found that cervical cancer incidence is increasing in low-income US counties, while plateauing in high-income counties. The study analyzed data from 2000 to 2018 and estimated trends by county-level household income and smoking prevalence.
The Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas has awarded a grant extension to Dr. Rakhshanda Rahman, allowing her to provide no-cost mammograms and Pap smears to underinsured and uninsured women in the Permian Basin. The program aims to address high cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in West Texas.
A meta-analysis of 280,660 cases of colorectal cancer and 14,139 cases of adenoma found that taller individuals have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer and precancerous colon polyps. The study suggests that adults over 4 inches (10 cm) above the average U.S. height may be at increased risk.
A modeling study suggests that breast cancer overdiagnosis may occur in about 15% of screen-detected cases, rather than the estimated 30%. This could spare around 25,000 women unnecessary treatment. Researchers used data from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium to estimate the rate of overdiagnosis.
Scientists have discovered a new therapeutic approach to aid the immune system in fighting cancer, offering hope for better solutions for patients. Researchers found that blocking the EP4 molecule can 'free' the immune system and restore its cancer-fighting functions.
Researchers developed a new deep learning algorithm that allows for real-time reconstruction of images combining optical and magnetic resonance imaging data. The algorithm, Z-Net, enables faster image generation and can be trained with simulated data, improving breast cancer detection.
A regionwide, structured colorectal cancer screening program eliminated disparities in colorectal cancer death rates between Black and white Kaiser Permanente members. Organized screening outreach markedly increased screening rates and led to significant decreases in incidence and death rates.
Annual MRI screenings starting at ages 30-35 may reduce breast-cancer mortality by more than 50% among women who carry certain genetic changes in three genes. The predictions involve pathogenic variants in ATM, CHEK2 and PALB2 genes – which collectively are as prevalent as the much-reported BRCA1/2 gene mutations.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to fewer early-stage and more late-stage breast cancer diagnoses. Researchers at UC San Diego Health surveyed patients with breast and colorectal cancers in 2019 and 2020, finding a significant increase in stage IV diagnoses.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center developed a machine learning algorithm that integrates genetic data from over 5,000 patients to predict patient benefit from chemotherapy and immunotherapy. A 32-gene molecular signature was identified, providing prognostic information and predicting patient response to immunotherapy.
New studies from Michigan Medicine researchers aim to remove financial barriers for patients who receive abnormal test results, enabling them to complete the diagnostic process. The findings suggest that removing cost barriers could save lives by increasing screening uptake, particularly among women and underserved populations.
A comprehensive analysis of over 2,200 patients in Europe reveals the complexity of cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer often diagnosed at an advanced stage. The study highlights the need for education programs to raise awareness and improve early diagnosis, survival, and quality of life.
Researchers have designed a tiny and flat antenna for receiving and transmitting terahertz signals, enabling the miniaturization of THz devices. The new design integrates the antenna with the system, eliminating the need for bulky silicon lenses and reducing optical power required.
A culturally tailored patient navigation program improved the rate of colorectal cancer screening among Hispanic adults, reducing historical gender disparities. The program's colonoscopy completion rate was 85%, with no difference between males and females.
A study found that risks of preterm birth, infant sepsis, and other adverse outcomes associated with CIN-3 treatment have decreased over time. Pregnancies after CIN-3 treatment should be managed as 'high risk' to reduce these risks.
A new study found nearly 17% of cancer survivors experience moderate or increased housing insecurity, complicating disease management and healthcare navigation. Housing insecurity also correlates with lower household income, educational attainment, and being Black.
Researchers in Japan evaluated the cost-effectiveness of adding dipstick hematuria screening to a mass health check-up program. The study found that including routine testing for hematuria would promote early detection and treatment, leading to cost savings and improved patient outcomes. This cost-effective approach has the potential t...
The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization has awarded more than $143,000 to three projects led by researchers in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Veterinary Medicine. Guri Johal is developing a corn variant that could impact worldwide corn production with Trask funds supporting his project on clon...
A new study finds that weight loss is associated with a 46% reduced risk of developing colorectal adenoma. Adults who are initially overweight or obese may be able to reduce their risk by losing weight, while weight gain increases the chance of developing adenoma.
A novel blood test, Stockholm3, in combination with MRI reduces overdiagnosis of low-risk cancers by 60% and unnecessary biopsies by 9%. This cost-effective approach is recommended for Sweden's organized prostate cancer testing (OPT) pilot projects.
A new polygenic risk score is made from genetic variants and lifestyle factors to identify younger adults at risk of colorectal cancer. The study found those with the highest risk scores were four times more likely to develop colorectal cancers than those with lower scores.
A study analyzing US SEER data from 2000-2016 found that younger age groups experienced the steepest increase in distant-stage early-onset colorectal adenocarcinoma incidence. Younger non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations showed greater proportions of distant-stage disease.
Common chronic conditions like high cholesterol, pulmonary diseases, and anxiety disorders saw significant declines in new diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A substantial increase in primary care physicians, face-to-face visits, and proactive care is needed to address this decline and prevent poor health outcomes.
A recent study has found that faulty versions of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with an increased risk of developing prostate and pancreatic cancers in men. The study analyzed data from over 3,200 families and estimated that men who carry a BRCA2 mutation have a 27% risk of developing prostate cancer by age 80.
A study found that lung cancer screening among non-smoking women in Taiwan has led to a 6-fold increase in early-stage diagnoses, while late-stage cancer and death rates remain stable. The researchers estimate that between 7,000 and 12,000 Taiwanese women have been overdiagnosed with lung cancer.
Scientists at the University of Missouri discovered that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal brain development. MicroRNAs in the placenta play a key role in regulating cellular functions, including neural development. Researchers believe that microRNA packages could reach the brain through the placen...
A blood test combining a four-marker protein panel with an independent model improves lung cancer risk assessment, identifying 9.2% more cases for screening and reducing referrals by 13.7%. The study shows the potential to determine who may benefit from lung cancer screening with improved accuracy.
A Kaiser Permanente study shows that well-designed depression screening programs can effectively identify patients in need of behavioral health care and increase referrals. The program was successfully integrated into the patient care workflow of medical oncology teams, leading to improved mental health care for breast cancer patients.
A recent study found that a substantial decline in lung cancer deaths is associated with earlier diagnosis of lung cancer through increased screening via computed tomography (CT) and follow-up scans. This approach can lead to surgical interventions, which can often be curative for precancerous nodules.
A prospective study found that ultrasound alone adequately completed the diagnostic evaluation of 71.2% of noncalcified lesions, diagnosed 92.1% of cancers, and yielded a sensitivity of 94.9%. Radiologists should consider performing ultrasound first for digital breast tomosynthesis-recalled noncalcified masses.
A study found that rural women are less likely to get screened for colorectal cancer compared to urban counterparts, despite similar breast cancer screening rates. The disparity may be attributed to limited access to testing and financial constraints, highlighting the need for targeted public health interventions.
Researchers simulated an attack that falsified mammogram images, fooling both AI breast cancer diagnosis models and human radiologist experts. The study highlights the need to develop ways to make AI models more robust to adversarial attacks, which could lead to incorrect cancer diagnoses.
A study found that primary care clinicians prefer noninvasive options for patients who are unwilling to undergo invasive procedures, concerned about work time, or unconvinced of the need for screening. The researchers suggest tailoring recommendations to patient preferences to improve adherence to colorectal cancer screening.
A predictive model based on magnetic resonance spectroscopy can detect lung cancer from alterations in blood metabolites, allowing for early-stage screening and potentially improving survival rates. The study screened tens of thousands of blood specimens and found accurate predictions using values from prior-to-diagnosis blood samples.
A new study found elevated rates of a myeloma precursor condition, MGUS, in older Black adults and those with a family history of blood cancer. Individuals at high risk were twice as likely to have MGUS, an asymptomatic condition that can progress to myeloma.
A study found that men with Li-Fraumeni syndrome have a 25-fold increased risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer, and those with inherited TP53 variants are diagnosed at a young age. Routine screening for prostate cancer is recommended for these individuals.
After the 2012 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) statement discouraging routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, rates of prostate cancer screening and biopsy decreased across racial groups. However, Black men had higher rates of local and metastatic prostate cancer despite similar screening rates.
A study at Tampere University in Finland found that statin users had lower rates of low-risk prostate cancers detected through screening, but no difference in high-risk cancer detection. Statin use also reduced prostate cancer mortality in screened men compared to unscreened men.
Research conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that cervical cancer rates are significantly higher in low SES neighborhoods of New York City. The study analyzed data from two databases and calculated a 73 percent greater risk of cervical cancer in these neighborhoods compared to high-SES areas.
A modeling study found that annual mammography screening beyond age 75 may provide little to no benefit in terms of lives saved, while increasing costs and potential harms from overdiagnosis. Biennial screening up to age 80 is more cost-effective but yields a small number of deaths averted.
A study found that lung cancer screening rates increased significantly among high-risk males who gained access to Medicare, with a 16% jump in screenings reported. The rise is attributed to the reduced out-of-pocket costs and greater access to care for these individuals, many of whom were previously uninsured.
A clinical study concludes that fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is not designed for diagnosis in emergency and inpatient settings. FIT should only be used for validated colorectal cancer screening, not for evaluating symptoms such as rectal bleeding or abdominal pain.
Researchers have developed a simple, postal urine test that can detect signs of urothelial cancer in Lynch Syndrome (LS) patients, who are at high risk of developing tumors. The test uses cell-free DNA shed into the urine to identify DNA from tumor cells with characteristic microsatellite instability.
A retrospective study found that Lung-RADS performed well in assessing lung cancer risk on follow-up CT scans, with a weighted cancer risk of 5% for new nodules. Strict application of Lung-RADS criteria downgraded some malignant nodules, highlighting the need for category 4X for suspicious features.
A study by Temple University Hospital found that virtual single-visit screenings are just as effective as in-person screenings, especially for African American patients. The telemedicine approach helped preserve access to lung cancer screening during the pandemic, despite a 75% decline in overall screenings.
A survey of adults shows low colonoscopy rates during the pandemic, but home-based fecal occult blood testing increased by 30% among respondents. The study highlights the need for tailored screening options to address patient concerns and improve colorectal cancer screening rates.
A recent study found that cancer screenings in the VHA often fail to meet their potential benefits due to various socio-economic and clinical factors. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities and improve cancer screening rates among veterans.
Research suggests that regular PSA testing from age 40 could detect life-threatening prostate cancer in men with genetic hallmarks of Lynch syndrome, increasing the chances of earlier diagnosis and treatment. Men with MSH2 gene faults were eight times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer at a younger age.
Women with dense breast tissue are at increased risk of developing breast cancer, which can be masked by mammograms. Mayo Clinic expert Suneela Vegunta recommends supplemental screening to diagnose additional cancers; however, consensus-based guidelines and randomized controlled studies are needed.
A Loma Linda University Health research study found that mammogram cancellations increased during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic before decreasing to pre-pandemic levels. The study's findings could help breast cancer surgeons prepare for a potential surge of patients presenting with more advanced stages of breast cancer.
Researchers found that selecting the embryo with the lowest predicted risk score reduces disease risk more effectively than eliminating high-scoring embryos. However, polygenic embryo screening offers no guarantees about a baby's health and has limited effectiveness depending on factors like ancestry and age.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that the 2021 USPSTF guidelines will likely increase lung cancer screening of women, racial and ethnic minority groups, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status. This is expected to lead to an estimated 30% increase in lung cancer diagnoses compared to the 2013 recommendations.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new, label-free biosensing platform for detecting cancer biomarkers in exosomes. The technology uses gold nanodisks to capture and analyze surface proteins on exosomes with high sensitivity.
A pilot program providing tailored cervical cancer screening for trans men and nonbinary people was well-received, with 100% satisfaction rates. The program aimed to address barriers such as dysphoria and stigma, and could serve as a model for similar programs.
A study published in Radiology found that an AI-based system can accurately triage breast MRIs in women with dense breasts, dismissing normal cases without missing cancers. The system showed promising results, dismissing about 40% of lesion-free MRIs and considering 90.7% of MRIs with lesions to be non-normal.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital found that liquid biopsy can accurately identify patients with poor breast cancer prognosis. High integrity of circulating DNA is associated with a poor prognosis, enabling earlier and more accurate detection of breast cancer. The study's findings have si...
A recent study found that colorectal cancer diagnoses fell dramatically by 40% in a year during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decline was attributed to the suspension of screening programs and postponed non-urgent colonoscopy investigations.
New studies show that patients with abnormal screening results may face significant out-of-pocket costs for follow-up tests, potentially delaying care. For women, colposcopy costs rose sharply over 13 years, with some facing bills of nearly $1,000. Lung cancer screening CT scans also led to high costs for invasive procedures.