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.
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.
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.
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...
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A recent study found that only 19% of women in sub-Saharan Africa underwent cervical cancer screenings between 2011 and 2018. The rates varied greatly by country, with some countries having nearly 46% of women screened versus less than 1%. Increasing screenings is crucial to detect the disease early and improve treatment outcomes.
The USPSTF now recommends starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45 for most adults, with selective offers for those aged 76-85. Nearly one-third of eligible adults were not up to date with screening in 2018.
A new study found a link between drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer in women under age 50. Heavy consumption during adolescence and young adulthood can increase disease risk, suggesting public health efforts to reduce sugar intake may be beneficial.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decline in cancer screenings for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. According to the study, screening rates dropped by an estimated 22% during the pandemic.
Geisinger Health System has been awarded a $3.6 million contract from the National Cancer Institute to analyze genetic data from its MyCode Community Health Initiative. The study aims to identify specific gene variants linked to cancer risk, expanding the list of genes used for genetic cancer screening.
The NCCN Foundation has awarded $150,000 in funding to six young investigators advancing research on cancer prevention, racial disparities in screening, and CAR T-cell therapy. The recipients will present their research at the NCCN 2023 Annual Conference.
A recent study published in Radiology found that 3D-mammography reduces the number of breast cancer cases diagnosed between routine screenings. The study included almost 15,000 women who received both 3D-mammography and traditional mammography, and compared cancers detected in between screenings.
A study published in Radiology found that digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) reduces the rate of interval cancers, which are more aggressive than screen-detected cancers. The study suggests that DBT may contribute to lower breast cancer mortality by detecting rapidly growing cancers with poorer prognosis.
A new technique called GETMap can trace the source of circulating DNA in the blood, which could be used to monitor organ transplant rejection, detect hidden cancers, and even screen for early asymptomatic cancers. The test identifies genetic and epigenetic markers to determine whether DNA comes from a specific tissue or organ.
Screenings for breast cancer and colon cancer dropped dramatically during the pandemic but returned to near-normal levels by July 2020. Researchers analyzed insurance claims from over 6 million Americans and found that mammography rates among women aged 45-64 declined by 96% in March and April 2020.
Researchers found that people searching for objects in 3D image stacks are less successful than those searching for the same in single 2D images. This is due to a bottleneck in human vision and cognition, where humans under-explore 3D search areas and rely on peripheral visual processing.
A new UCF study found that Chinese adults seldom ask about cancer screenings despite family history or caregiver roles. Age was a factor, with older participants being reluctant to discuss screenings due to traditional culture.
A recent study reveals an increase in cancer incidence and mortality rates in China, with rising rates seen in colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers. The study highlights the importance of implementing cost-effective approaches for primary prevention and collaborative efforts to reduce the cancer burden.
The study demonstrates MEK inhibitors as a promising targeted therapy for basal subtype bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of 3D cell culture drug screening. Established genomic and transcriptomic data are correlated with drug response to identify novel groups of tumors vulnerable to specific drugs.
Researchers analyzed 751 pediatric patients treated for solid tumors and found germline genomic sequencing details for inherited gene mutations. This information can help guide treatment, family screening, and prevent future cancers.
A new technique using deep mutational scanning has identified important mutations in the MSH2 gene associated with Lynch Syndrome, a major cause of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer. This approach could improve predictive value of genetic screening for individuals at risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Research highlights barriers to lung cancer care for marginalized communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and low-income patients. Key findings also show sex disparities in lung cancer incidence rates across countries.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected cancer screening test utilization and subsequent cancer diagnoses in the largest US healthcare system. Researchers analyzed data to understand the impact of the pandemic on cancer care.
During the first COVID-19 surge, cancer screenings and diagnoses declined by 70% due to reduced testing. However, screening levels largely recovered in the months following the peak period. The study urges patients who delayed screenings to contact their provider to discuss rescheduling.
Radiologists question the status quo to spark positive dialog and improve patient care. Featured articles debate the use of physician extenders and incorporation of AI algorithms into daily practice.
A recent study by University of Cincinnati Cancer Center researchers shows that the pandemic had a negative impact on both preventive screening and patient outcomes for lung cancer. The team found that total monthly CT scans and new patient scans significantly decreased during the COVID-19 period, leading to increased proportion of sus...
The Stand Up To Cancer initiative will fund a 'Dream Team' of researchers and public awareness campaigns to increase screenings in medically underserved communities. The goal is to develop better approaches to colorectal cancer interception and make the disease preventable with simple tests, while addressing health disparities.
A study published in Radiology found that digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) improved cancer detection and reduced false negative rates compared to digital mammography. DBT also showed advantages in imaging women with dense breasts, leading to lower recall rates and more effective cancer screening.
Residents of Southwest Virginia have set priorities for cancer prevention and early detection, focusing on tobacco cessation, HPV vaccination, lung and colorectal cancer screenings. The region's partnership with the UVA Cancer Center Without Walls aims to improve health outcomes through a collaborative effort.
A study published in Radiology found that digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) with synthetic mammography improved cancer detection rates compared to traditional digital mammography. The technique reduced radiation exposure and detected a higher proportion of early-stage cancers, particularly among women with dense breasts.
A meta-analysis of eight randomized clinical trials found that low-dose CT screening reduces lung cancer-caused death by 0.4%, translating to one preventable death per 250 at-risk adults. The study suggests the benefits may outweigh potential harms from overdiagnosis, aligning with US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations.
A new study from the American Cancer Society found that active older adults have better overall physical and mental health. Higher amounts of regular moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity and lower duration of sedentary time are associated with higher global mental and physical health.
Research at the European Breast Cancer Conference highlights a significant difference in survival rates between breast cancers detected during screening and those detected in the interval between screenings. Screen-detected cancers have higher eight-year distant metastasis-free interval rates, even among high-risk tumours.
A study by Spanish researchers found that women with incident, proliferative benign breast disease are at a nearly four-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to those with no BBD. The study analyzed data from over 629,000 women and recommends personalized screening strategies based on individual risk factors.
A repeated testing protocol for COVID-19 among patients with cancer was examined in a quality improvement study. The study found that asymptomatic cancer patients can be safely screened for COVID-19 without increasing the risk of infection.
Drs. Dennis Lo, Karen Mann and Ronald Przygodzki are recognized for their pioneering work in non-invasive prenatal testing and cancer detection using circulating nucleic acids. Their innovations have created a paradigm in prenatal medicine and advanced the field of molecular diagnostics.