Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Hematology & Oncology for July 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Telemedicine Use Explodes During COVID-19 Pandemic
FRIDAY, July 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The emergence of telemedicine has accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic. HD Live! sat down with Rujuta Saksena, M.D., an oncologist at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, New Jersey, and Ateev Mehrotra, M.D., associate professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School in Boston, to discuss the future of telemedicine and its impact on health care.
Survivors of Adolescent, Young Adult ALL May Suffer Late Effects
FRIDAY, July 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may experience late effects, with a high incidence of subsequent endocrine disease and cardiac disease, according to a study published in the August issue of JNCI Cancer Spectrum.
Sex Differences in Income Vary With Proportion of Male Doctors
FRIDAY, July 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For surgical and nonsurgical specialists, sex differences in income vary with the proportion of male physicians in a practice, according to a study published online July 30 in The BMJ.
Most Gynecologic Cancer Therapy Not Tied to Higher COVID-19 Risk
THURSDAY, July 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For gynecologic oncology patients with COVID-19, the case fatality rate is 14.0 percent, and chemotherapy and recent major surgery do not predict COVID-19 severity or mortality, according to a study published online July 30 in Cancer.
Study IDs Which Women Benefit From DBT Versus Digital Mammography
THURSDAY, July 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Improvements in recall rates and cancer detection rates with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) versus digital mammography (DM) are greatest on baseline examinations, according to a study published online July 28 in JAMA Network Open.
ACS Issues Updated Guideline for Cervical Cancer Screening
THURSDAY, July 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a guideline update from the American Cancer Society, published online July 30 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, recommendations are presented for cervical cancer screening of individuals at average risk.
Teen HPV Vaccination Rates Suboptimal
THURSDAY, July 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Lack of parental intent to initiate and complete the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series for adolescents is a major public health concern, according to a study published online July 21 in The Lancet Public Health.
Obesity in Young Adulthood Tied to Later Venous Thromboembolism
WEDNESDAY, July 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Men who are obese or severely obese in young adulthood have an increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) later in life, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Cancer-Related Encounters Down Since Start of COVID-19
WEDNESDAY, July 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There has been a decrease in cancer-related encounters and in cancer screening since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published online July 27 in JCO: Clinical Cancer Informatics.
Burden of Pre-, Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Up Worldwide
TUESDAY, July 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is evidence of an increasing burden of premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer worldwide, according to a study published in the August issue of The Lancet Global Health.
Low Muscle Mass, Density Linked to Shorter Survival in DLBCL
TUESDAY, July 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the combination of low muscle mass (LMM) and low muscle density (LMD) is an independent prognostic factor for survival, according to a study published in the July issue of Leukemia & Lymphoma.
Indigenous American Ancestry Tied to HER2+ Breast Cancer
TUESDAY, July 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Indigenous American (IA) origin could partly contribute to the higher incidence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer in Latinas, according to a study recently published in Cancer Research.
ASTRO Issues First Guideline on Radiation Therapy for Cervical Cancer
FRIDAY, July 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is strong evidence supporting the use of radiation therapy (RT) for nonmetastatic cervical cancer, according to a clinical practice guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) published in the July/August issue of Practical Radiation Oncology.
CDC Guidance Issued for Testing, Management of HCP Exposed to Hep C
FRIDAY, July 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance report, published in the July 24 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, recommendations are presented for testing and clinical management of health care personnel (HCP) exposed to the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Financial Health of Hospitals ‘Dire’ Due to COVID-19
THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — COVID-19 continues to cause financial peril for U.S. hospitals, according to a report released by the American Hospital Association (AHA).
Diets High in Protein, Plant Protein Tied to Lower Mortality
THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Plant protein intake is associated with a lower risk for all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, according to a review published online July 22 in The BMJ.
Role of COVID-19 Treatments Explored in Patients With Cancer
THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For adults with invasive cancer and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, treatment with hydroxychloroquine in combination with any other drug is associated with increased mortality, according to a study published online July 22 in Cancer Discovery.
Varenicline Strongly Recommended for Smoking Cessation
THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Varenicline is strongly recommended over the patch for adult smokers hoping to quit, according to an American Thoracic Society practice guideline published online in the July 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Cord Blood Transplants May Treat Nonmalignant Genetic Disorders
WEDNESDAY, July 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For children born with various nonmalignant disorders, a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen and single-unit unrelated umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplant results in high survival and low rates of graft failure, according to a study published online July 7 in Blood Advances.
CDC: Former Smokers Have Higher Levels of Fair, Poor Health
WEDNESDAY, July 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Smoking cessation is beneficial, but even after cessation, former smokers have worse health measures, according to a study published online July 22 in National Health Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pembrolizumab Use Supported in Advanced Melanoma
WEDNESDAY, July 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Use of pembrolizumab is supported among patients with advanced melanoma, regardless of BRAF V600E/K mutation status or prior receipt of a BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) with or without MEK inhibitor (MEKi) therapy, according to a study published online July 20 in JAMA Oncology.
Rise in Avoidable Cancer Deaths Expected Due to COVID-19
TUESDAY, July 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — An increase in the number of avoidable cancer deaths is expected in England as a result of diagnostic delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published online July 20 in The Lancet Oncology.
Parents Make Some Common Sunscreen Mistakes
TUESDAY, July 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Some parents may not be adequately protecting their children from the sun, according to a new C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital national poll from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Blood Test Can Detect Cancer Before Conventional Diagnosis
TUESDAY, July 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A noninvasive blood test based on circulating tumor DNA methylation can detect cancer four years before conventional diagnosis, according to a study published online July 21 in Nature Communications.
Periodontal Disease, Tooth Loss Linked to Esophageal, Gastric Cancer
TUESDAY, July 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Periodontal disease and tooth loss, indicative of oral microbial dysbiosis, are associated with esophageal and gastric adenocarcinoma, according to a research letter published online July 20 in Gut.
Blood Type Not Linked to Progression to Severe COVID-19
TUESDAY, July 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For COVID-19 patients, blood type is not associated with the risk for progression to severe disease, according to a study published online July 12 in the Annals of Hematology.
FDA Issues Warning Letters Regarding Illegal Sales of Vape Products
MONDAY, July 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Ten companies have been ordered to remove their flavored disposable e-cigarettes and e-liquid products from the market, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
Surgical Delay Worsens Survival for Some Gastrointestinal Cancers
MONDAY, July 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Surgical delay is associated with an increased risk in some gastrointestinal malignancies, and understanding the impact on outcomes may assist surgeons in triaging patients whose surgeries were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research published online June 30 in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.
Demographic, Clinical, Hospital Factors Tied to COVID-19 Death
MONDAY, July 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), demographic, clinical, and hospital-level risk factors are associated with death, according to a study published online July 15 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Lymphoma Survivors at Risk for Developing Chronic Kidney Disease
MONDAY, July 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Lymphoma survivors are at substantial long-term risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) development, according to a study published online July 11 in Leukemia & Lymphoma.
Ban on Menthol Cigarettes Might Cut Smoking Rates in the U.S.
MONDAY, July 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Extending the U.S. cigarette flavor ban to include menthol products could promote smoking cessation and reduce initiation, according to a review published online July 9 in BMC Public Health.
Reminder + FIT Test Cost-Effective for Promoting CRC Screening
MONDAY, July 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Sending a mailed reminder to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) screening with an included fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) kit is cost-saving for each additional Medicaid enrollee screened compared with just sending a reminder, according to a study published online July 20 in Cancer.
Physical Distancing Interventions Cut Incidence of COVID-19
THURSDAY, July 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Physical distancing interventions are associated with a reduced incidence of COVID-19 globally, according to a study published online July 15 in The BMJ.
Premature Mortality Dropped With Adoption of Food Guidelines
THURSDAY, July 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Adoption of national food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) is associated with about a 15 percent reduction in premature mortality, according to a study published online July 15 in The BMJ.
Lymphocytopenia May Predict Greater Severity in COVID-19
WEDNESDAY, July 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Lymphocytopenia may be predictive of disease severity in patients with COVID-19, according to a study published online July 10 in the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology.
Global Population Anticipated to Peak in 2064
WEDNESDAY, July 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The global population is anticipated to peak in 2064 and then decline to year 2100, according to a study published online July 14 in The Lancet.
Layoffs Cost 5.4 Million Americans Their Health Insurance
TUESDAY, July 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — About 5.4 million Americans lost their health insurance after being laid off between February and May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study shows.
The New York Times Article
Genomic Alterations Distinct for Black Men With Prostate Cancer
TUESDAY, July 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — African-American (AFR) men with prostate cancer have distinct genomic alterations from European-American (EUR) men, according to a study published online July 10 in Clinical Cancer Research.
Pap/HPV Cotesting Better for Cervical Cancer Screening in Over 30s
TUESDAY, July 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Liquid-based cytology (LBC) and human papillomavirus (HPV) cotesting enhances screening for cervical cancer (CxCa) and precancer among women aged 30 years and older, according to a study published online July 8 in the American Journal of Clinical Pathology.
Commercially Viable Mobile Lung Screening Program Feasible
TUESDAY, July 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Developing a commercially viable and financially sound mobile program for lung screening is feasible, according to a study published online July 14 in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Adherence to Prophylaxis for EGFRi-Linked Rash Beneficial
MONDAY, July 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Increasing adherence to evidence-based prophylaxis protocols for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRi)-associated rash can reduce interventions and toxicity-associated chemotherapy interruptions, according to a study published online July 1 in JAMA Dermatology.
Policy Guides Medical Marijuana Use at Pediatric Hospital
MONDAY, July 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Development of institutional policy and clinical support services is beneficial for pediatric hospitals interested in use of medical marijuana (MMJ), according to a special article published online July 13 in Pediatrics.
Viral Exposure Signature Predicts Hepatocellular Carcinoma
FRIDAY, July 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A viral exposure signature can predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk before clinical diagnosis among at-risk patients, according to a study published online June 10 in Cell.
Electronic Health Records Fail to Detect Many Medication Errors
THURSDAY, July 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is wide variation in the safety performance of electronic health record (EHR) systems used in U.S. hospitals, according to a study recently published in JAMA Network Open.
Odds of Surgery Lower for Black Patients With Esophageal Cancer
THURSDAY, July 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Black patients with esophageal cancer have a reduced likelihood of receiving surgery, and patients not undergoing surgery have higher mortality, according to a study published online June 4 in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.
American Cancer Society Updates HPV Vaccination Guidelines
WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The American Cancer Society has updated guidelines on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, emphasizing that vaccination should be routinely offered at age 9 to 12 years; the updated recommendations were published online July 8 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
USPSTF Advises Annual Low-Dose CT Lung Screening for High-Risk Individuals
TUESDAY, July 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for people aged 50 to 80 years at high lung cancer risk due to smoking history. These recommendations form the basis of a draft recommendation statement, published online July 7 by the USPSTF.
Draft Evidence Review
Draft Recommendation Statement
Comment on Recommendation Statement
Early Breast Cancer Screening Benefits Childhood Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, July 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For childhood cancer survivors, early initiation of breast cancer screening with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may reduce breast cancer mortality by more than half, according to a study published online July 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Endotheliopathy ID’d in COVID-19, Tied to Higher Mortality Risk
MONDAY, July 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Endotheliopathy is present in COVID-19 and is associated with critical illness and death, according to a study published online June 30 in The Lancet Haematology.
Most Women Unaware of Breast Implant-Related Lymphoma
MONDAY, July 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Only a minority of American women have heard of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and understand its association with breast implants, according to a study published in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Medicaid Expansion Contributing to Earlier Cancer Diagnosis
MONDAY, July 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Among low-income adults, the odds of being diagnosed with metastatic breast, cervical, colorectal, or lung cancers decreased following Medicaid expansion in Ohio, according to a study published online July 6 in Cancer.
CRC Risk Down With ACEi, Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Use
MONDAY, July 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers is associated with a lower risk for colorectal cancer that develops within three years after index colonoscopy, according to a study published online July 6 in Hypertension.
Medicaid Expansion Linked to Drop in Uninsured With Breast Cancer
THURSDAY, July 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Expansion of Medicaid was associated with a reduction in the number of uninsured patients with breast cancer, according to a study published online July 1 in JAMA Surgery.
Mortality Risk Down With Meeting Recommended Exercise Levels
THURSDAY, July 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality is reduced for adults who engage in leisure time aerobic and muscle strengthening activities at levels recommended by the 2018 physical activity guidelines, according to a study published online July 1 in The BMJ.
HDHPs Up Disparities in Access to Care Among Cancer Survivors
THURSDAY, July 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For cancer survivors, high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are associated with cost-related barriers to care, and these barriers are greater for black cancer survivors, according to a study published online June 24 in JAMA Network Open.
Roughly 2 Million Americans Buy Prescriptions From Outside the Country
THURSDAY, July 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — An estimated 1.5 percent of American adults purchase prescription medication from outside of the United States to save money, according to a study published online June 24 in JAMA Network Open.
Genetic Tests May Differ in Their Interpretation of Certain Variants
WEDNESDAY, July 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Different genetic test interpretations have been identified for genetic variants, and some of these can impact patient management, according to a research letter published online June 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Artificial Intelligence Provides Benefit for Cervical Cancer Screening
WEDNESDAY, July 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For women undergoing human papillomavirus (HPV)-based cervical cancer screening, automated evaluation of p16/Ki-67 dual-stained (DS) slides reduces the number of colposcopies compared with current standards, according to a study published online June 25 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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