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Magnitude of overdiagnosis in cancer indicates need for strategies to address the problem

A recent review found that approximately 25% of breast cancers and 60% of prostate cancers detected by screening tests may not be destined to cause symptoms or death due to overdiagnosis. This phenomenon leads to unnecessary treatment and other harms, emphasizing the need for strategies to address it.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 22, 2010

New study implicates health care utilization, over biology, in colorectal cancer disparities

A new study by the National Cancer Institute found that health care utilization, rather than biology, plays a more important role in colorectal cancer disparities among African Americans. The study revealed that blacks were less likely to receive follow-up colonoscopies after screening, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 6, 2010

Blacks have lower follow-up rates after colon cancer screening

A recent study found that blacks in the US are less likely to follow up on abnormal colon cancer screening test results, highlighting disparities in healthcare utilization. The study analyzed data from a large national trial and found that 62.6% of black participants went for a diagnostic colonoscopy, compared to 72.4% of white partici...

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 6, 2010

Researchers find that sociodemographic characteristics are related to a patient's willingness to participate in cancer screenings

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found sociodemographic characteristics significantly influence a patient's willingness to participate in cancer screenings. Lower education and income levels are associated with lower rates of cancer screenings, leading to potential disparities in mortality rates.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the National Medical Association·DateMar 1, 2010

1 disease, not 1 demographic

A recent study by Grace X. Ma found that cancer screening rates differ greatly across Asian subgroups in the US, with some groups facing significant barriers to care due to language and cultural differences. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive interventions to address these disparities.

SourceTemple University·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Behavior·DateOct 30, 2009

Contribution of clinical breast examination to breast cancer screening

A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that adding clinical breast examination to mammography improves breast cancer detection rates and sensitivities, but also leads to higher false-positive rates. The study used a cohort of over 290,000 women screened between 2002 and 2003.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 31, 2009

How to increase colonoscopy attendance?

A Chinese study establishes a multifaceted barrier-focused intervention program to increase colonoscopy attendance among nonadherent high-risk populations for colorectal cancer screening. The program significantly increased attendance rates, especially among those with objective barriers.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateAug 26, 2009

Cancer mortality rates experience steady decline

A recent report by the American Association for Cancer Research finds that cancer mortality rates have declined steadily across all age groups over the past three decades. The decline is attributed to improved screening and treatment methods, with even younger individuals experiencing significant reductions in mortality rates.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalCancer Research·DateAug 13, 2009

Cost-effective strategy to screen second primary colorectal cancers in cancer survivors

A decision-analytic model suggests that more frequent and strict colonoscopy recommendations can be cost-effective strategies for screening second primary colorectal cancers in male cancer survivors. The most vulnerable population aged 40 years old may benefit from COL5, while the general population aged 50 years old may follow COL10.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateJul 16, 2009

Advance in bowel cancer test research

Australian researchers have developed gene expression biomarkers that can accurately detect pre-cancerous and cancerous colorectal growths from non-cancerous controls. This breakthrough is a result of a collaborative study involving CSIRO, Flinders University, and Clinical Genomics Pty Ltd.

Lifelong cancer risk for patients treated for childhood cancer

A new study found that childhood cancer survivors have a significantly increased risk of developing second primary cancers throughout their lives. The research, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, analyzed data from 47,697 people diagnosed with cancer before age 20 and found a higher incidence rate of new primary...

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 26, 2009

Human papillomavirus genotype distribution in New Mexico cervical cancers

A population-based study found that HPV16 and HPV18 genotypes were present in the majority of invasive cervical cancers in New Mexico. The mean age of women diagnosed with HPV16- or HPV18-positive cancer was 5 years younger than that of women diagnosed with other HPV types, suggesting implications for future cancer screening.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 24, 2009

PSA screening cuts deaths by 20 percent

The study found that PSA screening can reduce prostate cancer deaths by 20%, saving one life for every 1,408 men screened. The European Association of Urology's largest prostate cancer screening study provides robust evidence for the effectiveness of screening on prostate cancer mortality.

SourceEuropean Association of Urology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 18, 2009

Small molecules block cancer gene

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine identified three small molecules that block the activity of Stat 3, a key enzyme in cancer cell survival. The compounds showed promise in inducing programmed cell death in breast cancer cells, offering new hope for cancer treatment.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 10, 2009

Model highlights benefits and risks of cervical cancer screening methods

A computer model analysis suggests that different cervical cancer prevention approaches offer varying trade-offs between minimizing cancer risk and false-positive test results. Combined cytologic and HPV testing leads to more referrals for colposcopy than other strategies, with a three-fold difference in referrals for the least and mos...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateSep 22, 2008

Brown-assisted trial finds new colorectal screening procedure is accurate and less invasive

A new colorectal screening procedure, CT colonography, has been found to be highly accurate in detecting intermediate and large polyps. The study, which used virtual reality technology, compared the accuracy of CT colonography with conventional colonoscopy and found that it was comparable in its ability to accurately detect problems.

SourceBrown University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 17, 2008