Cancer Survivorship Provider Network’s Post

📃Scientific paper: Prioritization of head and neck cancer patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study Abstract: Background The COVID-19 pandemic placed considerable strain on the healthcare system, leading to the re-allocation of resources and implementation of new practice guidelines. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 guideline modifications on head and neck cancer (HNC) care at two tertiary care centers in Canada. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted. HNC patients seen at two tertiary care centers before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (pre-pandemic: July 1st, 2019, to February 29th, 2020; pandemic: March 1st, 2020, to October 31st, 2020) were included. The pre-pandemic and pandemic cohorts were compared according to patient and tumor characteristics, duration of HNC workup, and treatment type and duration. Mean differences in cancer care wait times, including time to diagnosis, tumor board, and treatment as well as total treatment package time and postoperative hospital stay were compared between cohorts. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare characteristics and outcomes between cohorts. Results Pre-pandemic (n = 132) and pandemic (n = 133) patients did not differ significantly in sex, age, habits, or tumor characteristics. The percentage of patients who received surgery only, chemo/radiotherapy (CXRT) only, and surgery plus adjuvant CXRT did not differ significantly between cohorts. Pandemic patients experienced a significant time reduction compared to pre-pandemic patients with regards to the d... Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/I8oY ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.

📊 Dutch Medullary Thyroid Cancer Cases: Steady Rates, Rising Survival! 🇳🇱 Over the past three decades, the Netherlands has seen a consistent incidence of Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC) while achieving remarkable improvements in patient survival rates. 🔍 Key Highlights: - Centralized Care: MTC treatments in academic hospitals surged from 41% to 86%, enhancing treatment efficiency. - Surgical Advancements: Central neck dissections increased from 77% to 93%, leading to survival rates soaring from 55% to an impressive 88%. - Better Detection: A rise in median age at diagnosis indicates advancements in early detection methods. This data-driven approach underscores the importance of specialized care and adherence to clinical guidelines, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients. Let’s continue pushing for innovations and improvements in cancer care! 💪 #ClinicalResearches #HealthcareInnovation #MedicalResearch #PatientCare #Publications #SurvivalRates #ThyroidCancer #MarketAccess #MarketAccessToday

🌟 Brazil Enhances Breast Cancer Care with New Protocols and Technologies! 🇧🇷 The Brazilian Ministry of Health has announced groundbreaking advancements in public cancer care, introducing the first Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines (PCDT) specifically for breast cancer. This initiative aims to standardize screening, diagnosis, and treatment across the nation, ensuring equitable care for all patients. Key highlights include: - Introduction of Advanced Medications: CDK4/6 inhibitors and trastuzumab deruxtecan to reduce mortality rates. - Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques: Enhancing recovery times while minimizing infection risks. - Doubling Breast Reconstruction Surgeries: Addressing patient demand for improved post-treatment quality of life. - Integration of 67 New Technologies into SUS, with 16 focused on oncology. With a goal to reduce waiting times for critical services to within 30 days, Brazil is setting a new standard in breast cancer treatment. This proactive approach signifies a robust commitment to improving health outcomes and elevating the quality of care for thousands of women annually. 👉 Click on the link to learn more about these transformative changes! #BrazilHealth #BreastCancer #CancerCare #HealthEconomics #HealthcareInnovation #PublicHealth #RegulatoryAgencies #MarketAccess #MarketAccessToday

𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞-𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 Results from the largest trial with the longest follow up of the effects of once-only flexible sigmoidoscopy screening show that a single screening test can reduce the chance of developing colorectal cancer by 24% and the chance of dying from #colorectalcancer by 25%, for up to 21 years after screening. Participants were >170,000 men and women aged 55-64 from 506 UK general practices who underwent FSS from 1994-99. After 21 years, there were 47 fewer cases and 16 fewer colorectal cancer deaths per 100,000 person-yrs in the group invited to screening than in the control group. Effects were particularly evident in the distal colorectum, with 196 v 708 deaths in the screening group compared with controls. Co-author Stephen Duffy said: 'Flexible sigmoidoscopy has great potential as one of the items in the toolbox for prevention and control of colorectal cancer, and it is underutilised worldwide.' This trial was carried out by researchers at Imperial College London and Queen Mary University of London, and funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and Cancer Research UK (CRUK). Read more about this trial here: https://lnkd.in/dmwu7a9Y Queen Mary Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Cancer Screening and Prevention Research Group

Detecting the Undetectable – The Power of Early Screening in Colorectal Cancer At Preventis GmbH, we're passionate about turning the tide in the fight against colorectal cancer. How? Through the lens of early detection - the unsung hero in saving lives. Our latest blog delves into the game-changing realm of early colorectal cancer detection. With a focus on those at higher risk, we're talking about transformative screening programs designed to spot and stop cancer in its tracks before it advances. From the precision of colonoscopy to the convenience of stool-based tests, our post unpacks the why and how of making early detection a health routine. Whether you're in the lab, on the go, or deep in data, this is a read that matters – because knowledge is not just power; it’s protection. Join the conversation that's shaping the future of in-vitro diagnostics and share this beacon of hope with your network. Let's champion the cause of regular screenings and informed discussions for a healthier tomorrow. Dive into our blog here: Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer: A Key to Saving Lives. https://lnkd.in/ehx7VqGB #EarlyDetection #ColorectalCancer #InVitroDiagnostics #HealthcareInnovation #ScreeningSavesLives

📢 On this World Pancreatic Cancer Day, Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society is thrilled to announce the publication of its first scientific paper: Canadian National Pancreas Conference 2023: A Review of Multidisciplinary Engagement in Pancreatic Cancer Care, published in Current Oncology. This groundbreaking paper underscores the power of collaboration across disciplines like oncology, surgery, nutrition, and palliative care to improve outcomes for those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. 💬 "This publication is a pivotal moment for us," shared Stefanie Condon-Oldreive, Founder and Director. "It showcases how a multidisciplinary approach can truly enhance pancreatic cancer care." 💬 Dr. Ravi Ramjeesingh, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Board Director - Medical Advisory, added, "By combining expertise from different fields, we can significantly improve patient outcomes. This paper highlights the importance of teamwork in treating such a complex disease." The paper draws from insights shared at the Canadian National Pancreas Conference 2023, co-developed by Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society and the Canadian Association of General Surgeons. Held in Montreal, QC, this hybrid event brought leading professionals together to advance pancreatic cancer care on all fronts. This milestone reaffirms our mission to change the outcome for pancreatic cancer patients. 📖 Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gZXwuyYy #PancreaticCancer #MultidisciplinaryCare #MedicalAdvancements #ResearchMatters #HelloPancreas #WPCD

🔍 Rethinking Prostate Cancer Screening: Balancing Benefit and Harm A new study by Daskivich et al. highlights a critical issue in prostate cancer care within the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health system: while overtreatment of low-risk prostate cancer has decreased, overtreatment among men with limited life expectancy—especially those with intermediate to high-risk disease—has increased, largely due to radiotherapy. ⚠️ According to an editorial by Schoenborn and Walter, this trend points to a broader concern: the risks associated with over-screening. Screening men with limited life expectancy often leads to a cascade of further testing and treatment, which may expose patients to toxic effects without meaningful benefits. ⚠️ Key Takeaways • Consider Life Expectancy in Screening Decisions: For men with limited life expectancy, the benefits of prostate cancer screening and treatment may not always outweigh the risks. Thoughtful consideration of each patient’s unique health outlook is essential. • Addressing the Over-Screening Cycle: By integrating life expectancy tools and tailored discussions, healthcare providers can help ensure that screening and treatment decisions align more closely with patients’ long-term well-being. • Focusing on Immediate Health Priorities: In some cases, it may be more beneficial to address current health concerns rather than pursue treatment for asymptomatic localized prostate cancer, offering a balanced approach to care. As Schoenborn and Walter note, “The first step involves stopping the over-screening pipeline that feeds into the cascade of overtreatment.” A system-wide shift is necessary to prioritize high-value, individualized care and minimize low-benefit interventions. 🔗 Learn More: Daskivich TJ, Luu M, Heard J, Thomas IC, Leppert JT. Overtreatment of prostate cancer among men with limited longevity in the active surveillance era. JAMA Intern Med. Published online November 11, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.5994 Schoenborn NL, Walter LC. Do Not Wait to Consider Life Expectancy Until After a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis. JAMA Intern Med. Published online November 11, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.6020 #PatientCare #CancerResearch #HealthcareInnovation

Announcing CancerIQ Reach: a campaign-based marketing outreach solution that helps healthcare providers efficiently and accurately identify individuals in their communities with elevated cancer risk and motivate them to take action within the health system. It requires little to no IT lift or changes to existing workflows, and was developed based on CancerIQ's decade-long experience working with patients and providers around the country. This approach is proven to increase patient acquisition for high-value service lines, like imaging and oncology. For example, data from a pilot of CancerIQ Reach shows a campaign targeting patients with a history of smoking led to a 270% monthly increase in low-dose CT scans scheduled at the lung cancer screening clinic. Within the first two months of the campaign, four patients were diagnosed and successfully treated for Stage 1A lung cancer after LDCT screening. Further increasing systemwide value, the campaign led to a significant increase in referrals to radiology for breast MRIs, as well as several referrals to pulmonology and cardiology for follow-up care. Read the release below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eJsHK4BX #precisionprevention #aheadofcancer #canceriqreach

SAFETY OF COLONOSCOPY IN COLORECTAL CANCER PATIENTS PRESENTING EMERGENTLY WITH ACUTE LARGE BOWEL OBSTRUCTION Purpose: It has been theorized that colonoscopy in patients presenting emergently with large bowel obstructions (LBO) secondary to colorectal cancer increases the risks of severe caecal dilatation, necrosis, perforation, and total colectomy. However, there is a gap in the evidence supporting this theory. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients at a single tertiary institution with colorectal cancer requiring operation at their index admission using a 5-year database of colorectal cancer patients. Results: The database showed a total of 361 patients, 54 (15%) of these were emergency admissions requiring operation at their index admission. Twenty-four (44%) of these emergent patients presented with acute LBO. The mean caecal diameter of those with LBO was 83.2 mm compared with 48.4 mm of those not obstructed (p < 0.05). 7/24 (30%) emergency patients with acute LBO underwent colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy prior to resection, with only one patient requiring subtotal colectomy due to caecal dilatation related to colonoscopy. The remaining 6 patients had treatment altered based on the results of their colonoscopy. Four patients had confirmation of cancer and thus proceeding to operative management, one patient had failure to arrest bleeding and proceeding to operative management, one patient had a rectal stent which then perforated and proceeded to operative management. Conclusion: In the correctly chosen patient population, it is safe to undergo diagnostic colonoscopy in patients presenting emergently with acute LBO due to colorectal cancer.

#News: Doctors have begun trialling in hundreds of patients the world’s first #personalised #mRNA #cancervaccine for #melanoma, as experts hailed its “gamechanging” potential to permanently cure #cancer. Melanoma affects about 132,000 people a year globally and is the biggest #skincancer killer. Currently, surgery is the main treatment although radiotherapy, medicines and chemotherapy are also sometimes used. Now experts are testing new jabs that are custom-built for each patient and tell their body to hunt down #cancercells to prevent the disease ever coming back. A #phase2 trial found the #vaccines dramatically reduced the risk of the cancer returning in melanoma patients. Now a final, phase 3, trial has been launched and is being led by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). Dr Heather Shaw , the national coordinating investigator for the trial, said the jabs had the potential to cure people with melanoma and are being tested in other cancers, including lung, bladder and kidney. “This is one of the most exciting things we’ve seen in a really long time,” said Shaw. “This is a really finely honed tool. To be able to sit there and say to your patients that you’re offering them something that’s effectively like the Fat Duck at Bray versus McDonald’s – it’s that level of cordon bleu that’s coming to them … The patients are really excited about them.” Read more from The Guardian 👇🏽 https://lnkd.in/d6EUr7UY