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Mammography benefits overestimated

A review of randomised trials on cancer screening finds that mammographic screening may not reduce breast cancer mortality as expected. The study suggests that the benefits of mammography screening are likely to have been overestimated due to an unconventional statistical method used in earlier trials.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateJul 7, 2015

Tiny particles in blood useful for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool for early pancreatic cancer detection. Glypican-1-enriched circulating exosomes were found to be present in small amounts of serum from patients with pancreatic cancer, showing high specificity and sensitivity. Early detection of pancreati...

Study could reduce unnecessary cancer screening

A large clinical trial led by The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa found that CT scans do not improve cancer detection in people with unexplained blood clots. Approximately four percent of patients from each group were diagnosed with cancer within the next year, with no difference in cancer-associated deaths.

SourceThe Ottawa Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 22, 2015

Not all women with dense breasts need more imaging; ACP advises 'smarter' cancer screening

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that women with extremely dense breasts do not necessarily need additional imaging after a normal mammogram. However, those with high-risk dense breasts should discuss supplemental screening strategies with their doctors. The American College of Physicians advises 'smarter' canc...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 18, 2015

Campaign increases mouth and throat cancer screenings among low-income rural Floridians

A five-month media campaign in Florida's poorest counties increased black men's awareness of mouth and throat cancer, leading to a 13% rise in first-time screenings. The campaign, designed by UF Health researchers, aimed to reverse the health inequity faced by black men, who have lower survival rates due to delayed diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMay 14, 2015

Cancer prevention efforts in the US a mixed bag

The American Cancer Society's new report highlights disparities in cancer prevention and early detection efforts, including underutilized screening for colorectal and cervical cancers. Meanwhile, tobacco use remains a major cause of preventable disease and premature death, with wide variation by education and race/ethnicity.

How much overdetection is acceptable in cancer screening?

A UK survey found that people's willingness to accept overdetection in cancer screening varies greatly, depending on the level of benefit and perceived harms. The study revealed that up to 14% would accept overdetection in the entire population, with median acceptability ranging from 113 to 150 cases.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 3, 2015

Cancer screening concerns

Research reveals that adults in Ontario with IDD are nearly twice as likely not to be up-to-date on colorectal tests compared to their non-IDD counterparts. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to make cancer screening more equitable in this population, where chronic conditions like cancer increase with age.

SourceQueen's University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 26, 2015

UTMB study finds that Hispanic women less likely to survive endometrial uterine cancer

A recent UTMB study found that Hispanic women in the US were significantly less likely to survive endometrial uterine cancer compared to non-Hispanic white women. The study analyzed data from 69,764 women diagnosed between 2000 and 2010 and found that minority patients tend to be diagnosed with more aggressive cancer.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalGynecologic Oncology·DateDec 15, 2014

Lung cancer risk model refines decisions to screen

A new lung cancer risk model, PLCOm2012, refines decisions to screen individuals for annual CT scans, identifying a risk threshold for selecting high-risk smokers. The study found that this threshold resulted in higher sensitivity and specificity than the USPSTF criteria.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 2, 2014

Telephone counseling leads more adult childhood cancer survivors to get heart screenings

A national study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that telephone counseling from advanced-practice nurses more than doubled the likelihood of adult childhood cancer survivors receiving recommended heart screenings. The study showed a significant increase in cardiomyopathy screening rates among participants who received bo...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateNov 3, 2014

Screening patients at high-risk for lung cancer more likely when prmary care provider is familiar with guidelines

Research shows that primary care providers who know guideline recommendations for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening are more likely to order LDCT for high-risk individuals. This knowledge gap is highlighted by a survey of over 200 primary care providers, which found that 48% knew three or more guideline components.

Genetic test would help 'cut bowel cancer spread'

A genetic test for Lynch Syndrome could help reduce the risk of bowel, womb, and ovarian cancers in families. The test would identify individuals who are at higher risk and provide them with risk-reducing measures such as more intensive surveillance to spot recurrences and new cancers early.

SourceCardiff University·JournalHealth Technology Assessment·DateSep 30, 2014

Screening costs increased in older women without changing detection rates of ESBC

A new study published in JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that breast cancer screening costs increased substantially among older women between 2001 and 2009, despite unchanged detection rates of early-stage tumors. The study analyzed data from the SEER-Medicare linked database and found a significant increase in scr...

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 16, 2014

No link found between soy food and endometrial cancer risk, say researchers

Researchers analyzed data from over 112 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer, finding no association between soy food or isoflavone intake and the risk of endometrial cancer. The study's findings contradict previous research suggesting potential protective properties of soy foods against endometrial cancer.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·DateJun 18, 2014

Improved diagnostic performance of low-dose computed tomography screening

A recent study found that a 5-year low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening protocol can detect lung cancer effectively, with a high proportion of cancers being treated and good long-term survival rates. The results show improved diagnostic performance compared to other studies, including the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJun 16, 2014