Articles tagged with Cancer Screening
Research suggests that PSA screening can reduce deaths from prostate cancer in younger, healthy men. The benefit of screening is particularly significant in men with risk factors such as black ancestry or positive family history. Screening may be discontinued for elderly men with multiple comorbidities and limited life expectancy.
A new study by Rush University Medical Center found that lung cancer screening with low-dose spiral CT scans can detect early-stage disease and reduce cancer-related deaths. The study estimates that commercial insurers should consider providing this benefit to high-risk individuals, which could lead to significant cost savings.
A new non-invasive technology, stool DNA (sDNA) testing, is being studied in a five-year clinical trial to detect colon cancer in its earliest stages. The test aims to improve colon cancer screening rates and decrease mortality from the deadly disease by complementing colonoscopy.
A new study in Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that mammography screening may lead to overdiagnosis of breast cancer, potentially causing unnecessary anxiety and altered quality of life. Meanwhile, an international network of experts proposes minimum standards for guideline development to ensure high-quality evidence-based care. Ad...
A new study found that lung cancers detected by annual CT screening grow as fast as those found with traditional methods, making early detection more effective. Non-small-cell lung cancer accounted for most cases, and solid nodules required less aggressive diagnosis and treatment.
A new study published in Radiology journal reveals that lung cancers diagnosed through annual rounds of computed tomography (CT) screening exhibit similar growth rates and cell-type distributions compared to those found in clinical practice. The findings suggest a less aggressive approach for diagnosis and treatment of sub-solid lesions.
A 20-year breast cancer screening program in the Netherlands showed a significant drop in deaths from the disease, with a 31% reduction in deaths among women aged 55-79. The program also found limited harm from false positives and over-diagnosis, with only 2.8% of all breast cancers diagnosed being over-diagnosed.
A new study published in The Milbank Quarterly found that US cancer screening services are less cost-effective than those in the Netherlands, despite conducting three to four times more screenings. Despite similar mortality rates, practical cost savings depend on how preventive services are implemented.
The American College of Physicians has released a guidance statement for colorectal cancer screening, emphasizing the importance of individualized risk assessment and recommending screening starting at age 50 for average-risk adults. A survey found that most physicians are confused by cancer screening statistics, with many relying on m...
A new study published in Radiology found that computed tomography (CT) colonography, also known as virtual colonoscopy, is an effective screening tool for colorectal cancer in adults over 65. The study analyzed data from 477 patients over 65 and found high diagnostic accuracy rates comparable to those for younger patients.
A recent study found that female cancer survivors have poorer health behaviors than women without a cancer history, including higher rates of smoking and weight gain. Researchers hope to capitalize on these 'teachable moments' to encourage healthier lifestyles among cancer survivors.
Repeated flexible sigmoidoscopy screenings increased the detection of colorectal cancer or advanced adenoma in participants by 26% and 34%, respectively. This improvement comes with a higher cost and increased need for diagnostic interventions.
A new, investigational colorectal cancer screening test developed by Mayo Clinic and Exact Sciences Inc. has shown highly accurate results in detecting precancerous tumors and early-stage cancer, improving the chances of better outcomes for patients. The test is noninvasive, patient-friendly, and requires no bowel preparation or diet c...
Researchers reassessed symptom indices to detect ovarian cancer early on, finding similar results to previous reports and a limited benefit in advancing diagnosis. The study highlights the challenges of detecting ovarian cancer early due to its biology, screening limitations, and clinical characteristics.
Research reveals obesity is associated with higher prostate cancer screening rates across all races/ethnicities and lower cervical cancer screening rates in white women. The study also found no correlation between weight and breast or colorectal cancer screening rates. Obesity was linked to lower rates of cervical cancer screening, par...
Men in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial had no evidence of a mortality benefit from annual PSA testing compared to usual care. The study found a higher percentage of deaths from other causes among prostate cancer patients diagnosed with PSA screening, indicating over-diagnosis.
New research confirms that annual prostate cancer screening does not reduce deaths from the disease, even among men in their 50s and 60s with underlying health conditions. The study found that six years of aggressive screening led to more diagnoses of tumors but not fewer deaths.
A new study by University of Florida psychologists Jennifer L. Howell and James A. Shepperd found that self-affirmation can break down resistance to medical screening by refocusing attention from a threat to overall wellbeing, resulting in increased willingness to undergo screenings and treatment.
The American Cancer Society has revised its guideline formation process to prioritize transparency, consistency, and scientific rigor. The new process involves a systematic evidence review, independent writing group, and clear articulation of benefits, limitations, and harms associated with cancer screening tests.
Cancer incidence rates have increased while deaths have decreased in Australia over the past quarter century. The study found that Indigenous Australians face higher death rates due to disparities in cancer diagnoses, treatments, and other illnesses.
Research from Boston University School of Medicine found no association between depression and delayed diagnostic resolution after abnormal mammograms or Pap tests. Women with psychiatric disorders face disparities in cancer screening and outcomes, but this study suggests pre-existing depression is not a significant barrier to resolution.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center found that men are less willing to be screened for cancer despite having higher mortality rates. The study suggests that better health and cancer screening promotion among men can improve existing practices.
The new guidelines recommend no routine mammography screening for women aged 40-49, and extend the screening interval to every 2-3 years for women aged 50-74. The task force also advises against routine clinical breast exams and breast self-exams in asymptomatic women.
A commentary by Michael Stefanek advocates for cancer screening reform to educate the public about potential harms and benefits. Conflicting guidelines and new technologies may lead to overtreatment or under-treatment, and false positives and negatives are a concern.
A new device developed at the University of Colorado Cancer Center uses gold nanoparticles to detect lung cancer in exhaled breath, distinguishing between small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancer. The device has shown promising results in preliminary studies, with the potential to revolutionize lung cancer screening and diagnosis.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that CT colonography significantly increased participation in colorectal cancer screening, with a more than 50% increase compared to traditional colonoscopy. This non-invasive technique has the potential to positively impact overall patient outcomes and reduce complications and costs.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is more effective than guaiac fecal occult blood testing (gFOBT) in colonoscopy screenings, increasing attendance and diagnostic yield while reducing false positives. FIT is also cost-effective and clinically beneficial for d...
A population-based analysis found that close relatives of women with breast cancer who don't carry the BRCA mutation have a similar risk to the general population. The study suggests they may not need extra cancer screening and preventive measures.
Fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is an accurate predictor of colorectal cancer, but it remains inferior to colonoscopy for prevention. Yearly FIT screenings may allow treatment to follow closely on the heels of discovery, but practices with repeat testing over time perform poorly.
The UT Southwestern-Parkland PROSPR Center aims to optimize colon cancer screening among Dallas residents, particularly those lacking insurance or underinsured. The partnership seeks to develop a model for screening that can be used by public hospitals nationwide.
A new analysis found that women who inherit BRCA gene mutations develop breast and ovarian cancers at significantly younger ages than their female relatives in the previous generation. The study suggests that early age of diagnosis is crucial for providing effective counseling, screening, and treatment services.
The UT Southwestern program identifies families with a high risk of colorectal cancer through tumor testing. Up to 50 family members can be tested for the Lynch syndrome, which carries an 80% risk of developing colon cancer.
A low-cost, hand-held device called Gene-Z is being developed to detect cancer in resource-poor countries. The device monitors microRNAs and other genetic markers to diagnose cancer, providing an affordable solution to the lack of cancer screening resources in these countries.
A single flexible sigmoidoscopy screening between ages 55-64 is associated with lower colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. The study found that CRC incidence was reduced by 31% among those screened, and CRC mortality was significantly reduced by 38%.
A new urine-based test has been found to be more accurate than traditional prostate cancer screening methods, detecting the disease in 100% of cases while minimizing false positives. The PSA/SIA assay works by analyzing changes in PSA protein structure associated with cancer.
Recent studies and guidelines suggest that traditional Chinese medicine may be effective in treating seasonal flu, while delayed surgery for hip fractures may not necessarily lead to poor outcomes. Additionally, new guidelines from the USPSTF recommend against bladder cancer screening in asymptomatic adults due to inadequate evidence. ...
A study published in Archives of Dermatology found that physician-detected melanomas are thinner and more often detected in the early stage compared to patient-detected lesions. Physician-based screening was associated with a higher overall patient-detection rate, with most lesions found by patients due to changes in appearance.
A study found that changes in family history of cancer can significantly alter screening recommendations, particularly for colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers. For patients aged 30-50, the risk of increased cancer risk more than tripled for colorectal cancer and increased by 60% for breast cancer.
Research found substantial changes in cancer family history between ages 30-50, leading to recommendations for earlier or more intense screening. Updates to family history should occur every 5-10 years to inform risk assessments and screening guidelines.
A large clinical trial found that low-dose spiral CT scanning reduced lung cancer deaths by 20% compared to chest X-ray screening. The study involved over 53,000 participants and provided conclusive evidence of the mortality benefit from CT screening.
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has introduced a comprehensive lung cancer screening program to detect the disease early. With computed tomography (CT) scans, the program reduces lung cancer-specific mortality by 20%, improving health outcomes for high-risk individuals.
A clinical trial of 78,216 women found no reduction in ovarian cancer death risk with screening. Instead, screenings led to more invasive medical procedures and higher complication rates. The study suggests that annual screening may not be effective in detecting cancers early enough to reduce mortality.
A randomized, controlled trial found that patient navigators can significantly improve CRC screening rates among low-income, black, and non-English-speaking patients. The study suggests that focusing on these populations with patient navigation may be an effective approach to reducing screening disparities.
Researchers identified a unique protein modification induced by fumarate hydratase deficiency in a rare type of cancer. This 'biological fingerprint' can be used as a biomarker to identify tumors caused by this mechanism, leading to early diagnosis and potential targeted treatments.
The American Cancer Society's new report highlights successes and gaps in cancer prevention efforts, including stalled declines in smoking rates and underutilized cancer screening tests. Improving these numbers will require coordinated efforts to address social, economic, and legislative factors influencing individual health behaviors.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that patient reports of family cancer history are not highly accurate. The study revealed low to moderate accuracy rates for breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer diagnoses, with higher accuracy rates for first-degree relatives
A study found that colonoscopies were performed more frequently than recommended in some older Medicare beneficiaries, while others went without necessary follow-ups. The researchers suggest that closer attention to screening rates is needed to ensure the procedure is reserved for those who can benefit from it.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that breast cancers discovered between screening mammograms tend to be more aggressive and have a poorer prognosis. The research compared data from women with interval cancers (detected between mammograms) to those detected during routine screening.
CTC utilization has tripled in recent years, increasing access to colorectal cancer screening, and potentially saving lives through early detection of disease. The study suggests an opportunity for more people to be screened due to CTC's alternative to conventional optical colonoscopy.
Researchers found that adults reporting workdays of 11 hours or longer had a 67 percent higher relative risk for CHD than those working 7 or 8 hours a day. Additionally, self-monitoring and self-adjustment of anticoagulant doses resulted in superior patient outcomes without an increase in major bleeding events.
A new study found that nearly half of elderly men in their seventies underwent PSA screening, while those aged 85 and older screened just as often as those in their early fifties. The high rate of unnecessary screenings may lead to complications such as incontinence and impotence.
Research suggests that PSA velocity is a poor predictor of prostate cancer and can lead to unnecessary biopsies. The study found that men with rapid rises in PSA levels did not have cancer more often than those with slower rises, highlighting the need for alternative screening methods.
PSA screening has declined in a US healthcare network following the publication of large trials and guidelines. The decline was observed among men aged 40-54, 55-74, and 75 years and older, with decreases of 3%, 2.7%, and 2.2 percentage points, respectively.
Women with prior breast cancer have lower sensitivity and specificity for detecting second cancers through mammography screening, which may lead to over- or under-diagnosis. Screening outcomes also depend on the treatment of the first cancer.
Women with a history of breast cancer have double the cancer rates as those without, according to a comprehensive study. Annual mammography screening detects second breast cancers early, but may not be as effective in detecting invasive breast cancer.
New studies reveal a low initial PSA score of 3.0 ng/ml is an appropriate minimum cut-off level for biopsy targeting those at risk, while proficiency in robotic-assisted prostate surgery requires over 1,600 surgeries to master. Dutasteride may also slow early-stage prostate cancer growth.
A new study found that MRI screening in women with a history of chest irradiation can detect invasive cancers missed on mammography. The addition of MRI to the screening process resulted in a 4.4% incremental cancer detection rate.
A new study found that repeat MRI screenings for breast cancer result in fewer false-positive results, with a cancer detection rate nearly twice as high as baseline exams. This improved detection rate reassures high-risk patients about the effectiveness of annual MRI screening.
A new study questions US Task Force recommendations for breast cancer screening, finding that starting at a younger age and screening more frequently saves more lives. The research found that women who undergo yearly mammograms between ages 40-49 have a 40% reduction in breast cancer deaths.
Physicians report time constraints and patient embarrassment as significant barriers to conducting full-body skin examinations. Dermatologists are more likely than internists and family practitioners to perform these screenings.