Articles tagged with Cancer Screening
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Patients with certain gene mutations are at high risk of fatal chemotherapy toxicity, with a 25-times increased risk detected in those with uncommon DPYD variants. The study suggests that adding pre-treatment screening may help prevent avoidable deaths without interrupting standard care.
Researchers found that salivary HR-HPV DNA can detect HPV-driven head and neck cancers (HNC) in most patients at the time of diagnosis. The study showed a clear survival advantage for salivary HR-HPV-positive patients, with high-risk strains detected in most cases.
The report reveals a high risk of preventable cancers among Hispanic/Latino population, with 2-fold higher rates of liver and stomach cancers. Access to quality prevention, early detection, and treatment services is crucial for reducing the cancer burden in this population.
A new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that computer-aided detection can improve colonoscopy quality by reducing the miss rate, with a relative reduction of nearly a third when used in conjunction with standard-of-care colonoscopy. The study suggests that artificial intelligence may be an important tool...
A study compared four voice assistants - Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, and Cortana - to assess their accuracy in providing information on cancer screening. The top three assistants provided consistent information with USPSTF guidelines roughly 70% of the time.
Breast and colorectal cancer screening rates increased following the introduction of national quality indicators, with greater reductions in socioeconomic disparities. Cervical cancer screening rates remained unchanged due to its exclusion from initial quality indicators.
The article highlights the need for financial and technological support to enable effective interprofessional teams in primary care. The authors suggest training community members to serve their communities and exploring how diversity impacts patient care outcomes. They also advocate for innovative payment models that allow primary car...
A new study found that breast cancer screening rates dropped significantly among women aged 50-74 at community health centers serving lower-income populations. The decline would have resulted in 47,517 fewer mammograms and 242 missed breast cancer diagnoses if trends had continued.
Researchers from Okayama University conducted a randomized trial to assess the benefits of interventions for early cancer screening in patients with schizophrenia. The study found that 47.1% of counseled patients underwent colorectal cancer screening, compared to 11.8% of those receiving only usual treatment.
Researchers developed prediction models to distinguish true-positives from false-positives in MRI screenings, reducing recalls and biopsies without missing cancers. The models, based on clinical characteristics and imaging findings, could have prevented 45.5% of false-positive recalls and 21.3% of benign biopsies.
A free cancer screening program, See, Test & Treat, has been implemented to address barriers to healthcare for under-served women in Mississippi. The program offers same-day results and improves knowledge of cancer screenings and self-efficacy for seeking regular check-ups, with positive effects on health behaviors.
A study found that transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) screening missed over four times more cases of endometrial cancer among Black women compared to White women. The screening tool was not sufficiently accurate or racially equitable for Black women, putting them at a higher risk of false-negative results.
Cancer screenings experienced a sharp increase in the last quarter of 2020, following a decline during the early pandemic months. Racial and socioeconomic disparities were found to persist among users of some screening tests, with mammography showing significant shifts in patient distribution.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers suggests that playing virtual reality games during a venipuncture procedure can reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric patients. However, the study also found that VR gameplay added an average of 4-6 minutes to the procedure time due to technical issues.
A blood test has been shown to be accurate enough for multi-cancer screening among people at higher risk of disease, detecting cancer signals from more than 50 types, and correctly identifying tumor locations. The test's sensitivity varies by type of cancer, with some cancers detected earlier than others.
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer with an absence of screening programmes, leading to late diagnosis and poor prognosis. Despite targeted therapies, personalized medicine remains a challenge due to inconsistent symptoms and resistance to chemotherapy.
A recent study found that fewer than one in three women aged 64 to 66 met the criteria to discontinue cervical cancer screening. The majority of women in this age group may be at risk for cervical cancer due to inadequate screening or preexisting high-risk conditions.
The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has formed partnerships with the Lazarex Cancer Foundation to create Cancer Wellness HUBs in Los Angeles, addressing health disparities through community engagement and education. The initiative aims to provide vital resources and support services for cancer patients and their families.
Researchers found that urine protein biomarkers IL-1α, IL-1ra, and IL-8 can distinguish bladder cancer from controls with high accuracy. These markers also show promise in discriminating between different stages of the disease.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that colorectal cancer screening after age 75 reduces incidence and death from the disease in most individuals. Screening is particularly beneficial for those without cardiovascular disease or multiple health conditions.