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Type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer risk

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 14, 2023

UTHealth Houston partners with Mexican organizations for $5 million NIH grant to improve implementation of cancer control interventions in Mexico and Latin America

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.

Drug screen points toward novel diabetes treatments

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.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 9, 2023

Gender-neutral HPV vaccination best at preventing cervical cancer

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.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeObservational study·DateNov 8, 2023

Patients more likely to lose weight if physicians offer advice using optimistic tone

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.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateNov 6, 2023

Women with physical disabilities are less likely to be screened for cervical cancer than women without disabilities

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.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateOct 30, 2023

Can personalized care prevent over screening for colorectal cancer in older adults?

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.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 30, 2023

When family members of patients with colorectal cancer are invited to screening appointments themselves, just 1 in 3 go ahead with either fecal testing or colonoscopy, representing missed opportunities for early detection

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 24, 2023

Improving follow-up of abnormal cancer screening results

A multilevel primary care intervention, including electronic health record reminders and patient outreach, improved timely follow-up of overdue abnormal cancer screening test results for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer. The intervention was found to be effective in reducing missed screenings.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 10, 2023

STAT3 as a target in H3K27M-mutant DMGs

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.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 10, 2023

Study compares health information exchange data versus patient self-reports to measure cancer screening uptake

A recent study compared using health information exchange (HIE) data with patient self-reported data as a means of gathering intelligence on cancer screening uptake. HIE data provided more information about laboratory screening tests, while patient self-reports offered more details about cancer screening procedures.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalBMC Medical Research Methodology·DateOct 10, 2023

Should a more individualized model replace the current method for determining which people should be screened for lung cancer?

A new study found that an alternative model to identify patients with lung cancer eligible for screening was more accurate than the currently used method based on the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) criteria. The PLCOm2012 models had higher sensitivity and identified more people with lung cancer eligible for scree...

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateOct 9, 2023

Potential genetic screening for aggressive melanoma

Researchers from The University of Queensland and The Alfred hospital in Melbourne have identified gene variants associated with a higher risk of nodular melanoma. The study found that four genes with rare DNA variants were linked to the aggressive subtype, which accounts for most melanoma deaths.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 3, 2023

Computer model predicts who needs lung cancer screening

A machine learning model developed by researchers can predict lung cancer risk with an 83.9% sensitivity, identifying those who need screening for the disease. The model uses just three predictors: age, smoking duration, and pack-years of smoking, making it a simplified approach to determine high-risk populations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 3, 2023

Men who trust their doctors, receive adequate time and general information about prostate cancer screening are more likely to have productive discussions

A scoping review identified four key themes: everyday language, thorough information, adequate discussion time, and a trusting relationship. The study also highlighted the impact of racism on Black men's medical interactions. Researchers suggest strategies to support men's communication preferences.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 25, 2023

Screening for adverse childhood experience can improve trauma-informed care, though time constraints and limited referral resources present challenges

Clinician staff perspectives on implementing Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) screening in Los Angeles County Pediatric Clinics revealed that screening can elicit important patient information and build trust. However, challenges arise from insufficient time for screening, inadequate training, and limited referral resources.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 25, 2023

Making mammography inclusive for patients with disabilities

Researchers advocate for accessible breast cancer screening services for individuals with disabilities, highlighting physical barriers such as equipment accessibility and fragrance-free policies. They stress the need for social and procedural barriers removal through comprehensive training and resources.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 12, 2023

Self-reported “night owls” more likely to have unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, significantly increased diabetes risk

A large study found that people with an evening chronotype were more likely to engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, poor sleep, and physical inactivity. These individuals had a 72% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with a morning chronotype.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateSep 11, 2023

Higher breast cancer risk after certain forms of childhood cancer treatment

A large-scale international study of childhood cancer survivors found that women who received high-dose doxorubicin chemotherapy without chest radiation have a significantly increased risk of breast cancer before age 40. The researchers are calling for broadening guidelines for breast cancer screening in these patients.

SourcePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateSep 11, 2023

New test shows promise for detecting hard-to-find cervical cancers

Scientists at Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center have developed a novel HPV test that detects cervical adenocarcinoma and its precursor lesions with high sensitivity. The test assesses methylation levels in cervical tissue samples, offering a more accurate detection method for this common type of cancer.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2023

Estimated lifetime gained with cancer screening tests

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 clinical trials involving 2.1 million individuals found no significant lifetime gain from common cancer screening tests. However, colorectal cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy may have a potential benefit, according to the study.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 28, 2023

Breast cancer study altered guidelines in Sweden

A Swedish study revealed that including all eleven associated genes in the screening test doubled the proportion of women with genetically confirmed hereditary breast cancer. The study included 4759 individuals and found that around 85% of women investigated for suspected hereditary breast cancer had a genetic abnormality.

SourceLund University·JournalBMC Cancer·DateAug 23, 2023