Articles tagged with Cancer Screening
A novel imaging technique, low-dose positron emission mammography (PEM), shows promise in transforming breast cancer detection by providing high sensitivity and low false positive rates. PEM could potentially decrease healthcare costs and reduce unnecessary procedures for patients with dense breasts.
Researchers at Northwestern University found a significant decrease in screenings for prostate cancer and urinary tract infections after implementing point-of-care alerts. The study showed a 9% reduction in PSA screenings and a 5.5% reduction in urine testing, with minimal changes in overtreatment of blood sugar.
Scientists have created a low-cost imaging device suitable for endoscopic screening programs, offering excellent contrast between healthy and malignant tissue. The new system uses ultraminiature spatial frequency domain imaging technology to detect cancerous lesions with high specificity and sensitivity.
A study of 18,000 women found those diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were 8 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to control group. This increased risk is attributed to higher likelihood of psychiatric conditions such as depressive disorders and anxiety disorders associated with PCOS. Researchers emphasize the ne...
Researchers mapped changes in tumor-related bacteria to uncover potential strategies to combat the rise of young-onset colorectal cancer. Unique bacterial signatures were found in tumors from younger patients, including Akkermansia and Bacteroides, which are more likely to have left-sided, rectal, and advanced stage tumors.
Screening rates for blood pressure, cholesterol, and common cancers were lower in 2021 than 2019, particularly among Asian adults. The study of 89,000 adults highlights the need for public health efforts to increase preventive health screenings among eligible adults across racial and ethnic groups
A systematic analysis by MedUni Vienna's Center for Public Health found that people experiencing homelessness are twice as likely to develop cancer due to increased exposure to risk factors. Key barriers include lack of access to preventive services, inadequate support from healthcare systems, and traumatic experiences.
Researchers have developed an AI-driven test that accurately diagnoses ovarian cancer in women clinically classified as normal, improving detection of early-stage disease. The test uses machine learning and blood metabolite information to assign a probability of disease presence or absence, offering a more clinically informative approach.
A study found that the 21-gene breast recurrence score test may underestimate chemotherapy benefits for young Black women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The researchers recommend lowering the test's cutoff point to ensure accurate treatment recommendations for all patients regardless of race or ethnicity.
Experts predict a significant increase in bowel cancer death rates among young adults in the EU and UK, driven by rising obesity and heavy alcohol consumption. Death rates are predicted to rise by 26% in men and nearly 39% in women in the UK, with similar increases seen in Italy and other European countries.
A new study funded by NIHR has led to the UK government approving digital pathology for cancer screening samples. This technology enables faster reporting and improved care for patients with bowel, breast, lung, and cervical cancers. The use of digital pathology will help reduce risk of sample loss or damage and allow pathologists to r...
A study found rectal examinations offer no advantages over PSA blood tests for detecting prostate cancer. The research analyzed data from 85,738 participants and concluded digital rectal examination alone or with PSA is not more effective than the PSA test.
A new diagnostic kit allows dentists to screen for oral squamous cell carcinoma with a simple brush biopsy, detecting genetic signals of the disease with over 90% accuracy. The non-invasive test is less complicated than surgical biopsies and can be performed in under a minute without numbing required.
A Stanford Medicine-led study found that advances in treating metastatic breast cancer are responsible for nearly one-third of the decrease in annual deaths from breast cancer between 1975 and 2019. This decline is attributed to improved treatments, which have enabled women with metastatic disease to live longer than ever.
Researchers developed a training curriculum for community health workers to enhance cancer genetic screening in Black women. The 10-module program, KEEP IT, improved genetic knowledge and competencies among CHWs, who are trusted members of their communities.
A survey of low-income adults showed a significant decrease in food insecurity, from 20.6% in 2019 to 15.5% in 2021. The findings highlight the importance of financial relief and nutritional benefits for vulnerable populations during the pandemic.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that mailing signed orders to patients with cirrhosis led to a significant increase in liver cancer screenings. The study involved over 500 patients and showed that 55% completed their screening within six months, compared to just 27% in the control group.
Researchers identified Benidipine as a compound promoting the death of cigarette smoke-induced senescent lung cells, improving lung emphysema. The dihydropyridine family of calcium channel blockers constitutes a new class of senolytics that could improve lung diseases.
The IASLC Early Detection & Screening Committee published a perspective outlining key components of LDCT screening regimens. The report emphasizes the need for data-driven management systems, quality assurance assessments, and multi-disciplinary clinical management to maximize benefits of early detection and treatment.
Researchers found that colon cancer screenings reduce cancer rates by about 0.5 percent, doubling previous estimates of a quarter of a percentage point. This effect is twice the impact of just being invited to screen, suggesting that actual screening rather than just the offer makes a difference.
A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that adopting a lung nodule program can increase early lung cancer detection for patients not eligible for traditional screening. The study revealed significant differences in stage at diagnosis and overall survival rates between young, elderly, and screened cohorts.
Researchers found that patients who scheduled their own mammograms through an online patient portal had a 13 percentage point increase in screening completions. This simple intervention doubled the number of mammogram completions, resulting in approximately 4,500 more people getting screened.
Studies published in Nature Medicine show that implementing updated WHO screening guidelines could reduce cervical cancer death rates by over 63% in low-to-middle-income countries. Women with HIV have a sixfold risk of developing cervical cancer, and primary HPV testing can save up to 38 women's lives for every 71 screened.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that regular screening is not enough to prevent advanced breast cancer diagnoses, particularly among women of color who are overweight or obese. The researchers recommend primary prevention strategies to reduce the number of advanced cancer diagnoses.
A new AI-based risk model evaluates mammographic images to identify women at high risk of developing breast cancer. The study confirms that the method works well in different European populations, with 6.2% of women classified as high-risk having almost seven times the risk of developing breast cancer.
A study published at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting found that attending regular mammograms can lower breast cancer mortality rates by up to 72%. Women who missed a scheduled mammogram had a significantly reduced survival rate, emphasizing the importance of adherence to screening schedules.
A study found country of birth to be a significant risk factor for gastric intestinal metaplasia, a precursor to stomach cancer. Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean showed varying rates of risk.
A randomized clinical trial of 31,000 individuals found that direct-mail human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling increased cervical cancer screening by more than 14%. The study suggests that systems implementing HPV self-sampling should prioritize direct-mail outreach for under-screened individuals to increase screening adherence.
Researchers developed an AI tool that can identify never-smokers at high risk for lung cancer based on their chest X-ray images. The study found that 28% of non-smokers were deemed high risk by the model, and these patients had a 2.1 times greater risk of developing lung cancer compared to low-risk individuals.
A study of 34,000 patients found that screening-detected colorectal cancer had a lower risk of recurrence. The risk of recurrence decreased over time, and risk-stratified surveillance protocols may be warranted for selected patient groups.
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that over 10% of fecal immunochemical tests used for routine colorectal cancer screening contained unsatisfactory samples. This led to fewer than half of patients completing follow-up testing within 15 months. The authors suggest potential solutions to improve comp...
A study of 54,000 participants found that diabetes was associated with an elevated risk of colorectal cancer. The association was attenuated for those who completed colonoscopies, highlighting the potential benefits of preventative screening.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that nitrile gloves can effectively prevent the collapse of speculums during pelvic exams, reducing discomfort and misdiagnosis. The researchers used a physical model to test the effectiveness of gloves versus condoms, with promising results.
The UTHealth Houston Institute for Implementation Science has received a five-year, $5 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to support research and training in implementation science. Researchers will focus on improving cancer control efforts in Mexico and Latin America.
Scientists at Nagoya University have discovered a reliable cancer marker, stromal cell-derived factor 4 (SDF-4), that detects gastric cancer with high accuracy. The protein is found in high levels even in patients with stage I gastric cancer, suggesting its potential for early detection.
Researchers have identified 451 genetic variants associated with prostate cancer risk through a comprehensive analysis of nearly 950,000 men. The findings improve the accuracy of genetic risk scores and may lead to personalized screening recommendations for men at higher risk.
A Mayo Clinic study found patients with lower extremity lymphedema had twice the risk of developing skin cancer, including basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Regular skin cancer screenings are crucial for these patients as early detection is critical.
A drug currently in clinical trials as a cancer therapy can also stimulate pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin, revealing a new mechanism for insulin regulation in type 2 diabetes. The preclinical discovery provides a new chemical tool for probing the biology of diabetes and could lead to better treatments.
A study published in Cell Host and Microbe found that gender-neutral HPV vaccination is effective in preventing cervical cancer by inducing a stronger herd immunity. The vaccine protects against high-risk HPV types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of all HPV-related cervical cancers, and also provides cross-protection against low-risk types.
The HPV vaccine effectively clears most cancer-causing strains, but a new equilibrium of lower-risk HPV types emerges, suggesting a change in screening approaches. Vaccinating boys and girls may be necessary to clear all cancer-causing HPVs.
A large-scale study found that low-dose CT screening increases the 20-year survival rate of lung cancer patients from 18.6% to 81%, with Stage I cancers having an even higher long-term survival rate of 95%. Early detection through annual screening can effectively cure lung cancer in the long term.
A new study published in Radiology shows that patients diagnosed with lung cancer via CT screening have a 20-year survival rate of 81 percent, significantly higher than the average five-year survival rate for all lung cancer patients. Early detection through routine screening can lead to a cure if found early.
A study found that physicians who presented treatments for obesity as good news and an opportunity were more successful in helping patients lose weight. Patients who received counseling with a positive and optimistic tone had significantly higher weight loss outcomes compared to those who received neutral or negative advice.
Researchers found that Black men are more likely to have prostate cancer than white men, regardless of PSA level. This highlights the importance of earlier and more frequent screening for Black men to reduce health disparities.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed new, tissue-equivalent curved organic X-ray detectors that are cheaper, more flexible, and sensitive than traditional detectors. These detectors have the potential to improve accuracy in cancer treatment and reduce radiation risk.
The study demonstrates that concurrent DNA and RNA sequencing improves the detection of novel variants in individuals undergoing hereditary cancer testing, expanding identification of those with hereditary cancer predisposition. This advancement enables personalized therapeutics and surveillance for these individuals.
Researchers found a significant long-term increased risk of breast cancer among women with false-positive mammography results. The risk is highest in women aged 60-75 and those with low breast density, facing a 60% increased risk over the subsequent 20 years.
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology found that false-positive mammography results may significantly increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The risk varies depending on individual characteristics and follow-up, highlighting the need for personalized screening strategies after a false-positive result.
Thyroid cancer incidence is significantly higher in more affluent areas of São Paulo State, Brazil, compared to less developed regions like Barretos. The study suggests overdiagnosis may be responsible for this trend, with mortality rates remaining similar across socioeconomic groups.
Research by George Mason University found that women with physical disabilities have lower cervical cancer screening rates, highlighting the need for improved access to preventive health services. The study's findings also reveal disparities in screening rates among different types of disabilities.
Researchers found that presenting adults between 76 and 85 with personalized information about the benefits and harms of colon cancer screening decreases excess screening. The study involved 431 older adults who received either standard or personalized care, with no significant differences in screening orders between the two groups.
The TMIST breast cancer screening trial is expanding to Thailand, aiming to improve outcomes for Black and Hispanic women. The trial, led by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, is comparing 3-D and 2-D mammography in 128,905 women to better inform tailored future screenings.
Researchers developed a blood test to detect cancer earlier in individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, an inherited condition with a high risk of developing cancer. The study provides a proof-of-principle framework for detecting specific cancers earlier, paving the way for further clinical trials and improved patient care.
A clinical trial in Spain found that only 1 in 3 family members of patients with colorectal cancer participate in screening, missing opportunities for early detection. The study used fecal testing and colonoscopy to screen first-degree relatives, but uptake was low.
A new multitarget stool RNA test, ColoSense, has been shown to detect colorectal neoplasia with high sensitivity and comparable specificity to existing molecular diagnostic tests. The test also demonstrated significant improvement in sensitivity relative to the fecal immunochemical test.
A study of 5,435 adolescents and young adults with cancer found that those receiving specialty palliative care experienced a decrease in pain severity. However, the intervention did not affect other symptoms, highlighting the need for new interventions targeting other symptoms during treatment.
Researchers documented a steady increase in cervical cancer incidence and death rates in Appalachian Kentucky from 2000 to 2019. The region's cervical cancer death rate is now twice the national average, with distant-stage cancers increasing by 5.5% per year.
Researchers found that polygenic risk scores identify only 11% of individuals who develop disease and generate 5% false positives. The scores contribute little health benefit while adding cost and complexity to healthcare systems.
TTUHSC researchers received funding for pilot studies on photothermal tumor therapy, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and colorectal cancer screening in underserved areas. The grants support the purchase of a cell sorter and address regional health disparities.
Researchers discovered the STAT3 signaling pathway as a potential target for treating H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), a uniformly lethal central nervous system malignancy. The current standard of care, including palliative radiation and chemotherapy, remains ineffective in this disease.