Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Hematology & Oncology for May 2015. 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.
AMA: Physicians Driving the Slowing of Health Care Costs
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Low physician spending is contributing to an overall slowing of health care costs, according to a viewpoint piece published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Score IDs Patients With Upper Extremity DVT at Low Risk
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), six easily available factors can be used to create a score that identifies those at low risk of adverse events during the first week, according to a study published online May 18 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
14.9 Million New Cancer Cases Worldwide in 2013
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Between 1990 and 2013, the proportion of deaths worldwide caused by cancer rose from 12 to 15 percent. During that time, years of healthy life lost to cancer increased 29 percent, according to data on 28 types of cancer in 188 countries published online May 28 in JAMA Oncology.
Mediterranean Diet Might Lower Endometrial Cancer Risk
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Adhering to a Mediterranean diet may significantly reduce a woman’s risk of endometrial cancer, according to a new study published in the May issue of the British Journal of Cancer.
Population-Based FIT Screening Can Reduce CRC Mortality
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Population-based fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) screening in adults aged 50 to 69 years can reduce colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality, according to a study published online May 20 in Cancer.
Link Identified for Gallbladder Cancer, Aflatoxin
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Gallbladder cancer seems to be associated with aflatoxin, according to a study published in the May 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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HSV-Derived Immunotherapy Promising in Advanced Melanoma
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A genetically engineered form of the herpes virus is showing promise in slowing the progression of melanoma, according to research published online May 26 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Hospice May Help Surviving Spouse Cope With Death
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Hospice care may help a surviving spouse better cope with depression following the death of a loved one, according to a study published online May 26 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Caution Urged When Using EHR Shortcut Features
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Caution should be exercised with use of electronic health record (EHR) documentation short cuts, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Large Practices Focused on Small Selection of EHR Products
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Sixty percent of clinicians in practices with 26 or more clinicians report use of one of 10 electronic health record (EHR) products, according to a report published by AmericanEHR Partners.
Front Desk Staff Has Key Role in Managing Practice Cash Flow
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Three steps that can be implemented by front desk staff can help increase practices’ cash flow, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
AMA: Avoiding Distress in Medical School
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Understanding the key drivers underlying medical students’ distress can help address the issues and enhance student well-being, according to an article published by the American Medical Association.
CDC: Smoking Rates on Decline in Many States
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cigarette smoking continues to decline in about half of American states, according to the latest U.S. government estimates. The new report was published in the May 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Not Enough Younger, High-Risk Americans Getting Colonoscopies
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A majority of people with a family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) are not getting screened for the disease early enough, according to a new study. The research was published online May 21 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Preventing Chronic Disease.
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Gender Differences in Receipt of End-of-Life Care
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There are gender differences in receipt of end-of-life (EoL) care among terminally ill cancer patients, with male patients more likely to receive intensive care unit (ICU) care, according to a study published online May 14 in Cancer.
Family Hx Alone Doesn’t Appear to Affect Breast CA Tx Outcomes
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A positive family history is not a significant independent risk factor for breast cancer outcome, according to a study published online May 20 in the British Journal of Surgery.
Benefits for Surgery Before Chemo in Advanced Ovarian CA
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Undergoing chemotherapy before surgery may help women battling advanced ovarian cancer, according to new research published online May 19 in The Lancet.
Enoxaparin Prevents VTEs in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC), enoxaparin is effective for prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), according to a study published online May 18 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
High-Value Care Advice Provided for Cancer Screening
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — High-value care advice has been provided for screening for five common types of cancer. The guidelines were published in the May 19 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Clinical Guideline
Value Framework
Oncologist Recs Plus Motivation Package Increases Exercise
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For breast and colorectal cancer survivors, the level of exercise participation is significantly increased for those receiving an oncologist’s exercise recommendations with an exercise motivation package, according to a study published online May 12 in Cancer.
History of Teenage Acne Tied to Increased Risk for Melanoma
MONDAY, May 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Having a history of teenage acne is associated with an increased risk of melanoma, independent of known risk factors, according to a study published in the May 15 issue of Cancer.
Not All With Dense Breasts Have High Interval Cancer Risk
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Not all women with high breast density have high risk of interval cancer, according to a study published in the May 19 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Pain Med Rx + Medical Cannabis Doesn’t Seem to Up Abuse Risk
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical marijuana users don’t appear to increase their risk for drug or alcohol abuse if they also take prescription pain medications (PPMs), according to research published in the May issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
Tips Provided for Doctors Who Want to Move to Private Practice
MONDAY, May 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For physicians who want to transition to private practice, several factors need consideration, including finances, legal matters, and insurance, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Weight Lifting Beneficial for Breast Cancer Survivors
FRIDAY, May 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For breast cancer survivors, slowly progressive weight lifting can reduce the incidence of physical function deterioration compared with usual care, according to a study published online May 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Study IDs Factors Linked to Improved Survival in OCSCC
FRIDAY, May 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Factors associated with improved survival in oral cavity squamous cell cancer (OCSCC) include neck dissection and treatment at academic or research institutions, according to a study published online May 14 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Iron Deficiency Seems to Affect Many Metabolic Pathways
FRIDAY, May 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For young women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), iron therapy is associated with increases in serum folate, vitamin B12, and with other biochemical parameters, according to a study published online May 11 in the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology.
TAS-102 Ups Overall Survival in Refractory Metastatic CRC
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer, the oral agent TAS-102, that combines trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride, is associated with improved overall survival, according to a phase 3 study published in the May 14 issue the New England Journal of Medicine.
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ASCO Updates Guidelines for Hepatitis B Screening in Cancer
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines for hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening among patients with cancer have been updated, according to a special article published online May 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
HPV Vaccination of Females Has Some Indirect Benefit for Males
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Males benefit indirectly when girls are immunized against human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a new study published online May 12 in The BMJ.
Multimodal Strategy Improves Ovarian Cancer Detection
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Screening with a multimodal strategy (MMS), in which annual serum cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is interpreted with the risk of ovarian cancer algorithm (ROCA), improves detection of invasive epithelial ovarian or tubal cancers (iEOCs), according to a study published online May 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Increased Risk of Cancer Seen for Offspring of Older Fathers
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Adults who were born to older fathers may be at increased risk for blood and immune system cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, according to a study published online May 11 in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
ADT for Prostate Cancer Tied to Impaired Cognition
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Men undergoing androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) to treat prostate cancer may experience impaired cognitive function within the first six months that persists for at least a year, a new study suggests. The report was published online May 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
MRI Findings May Help Predict Development of Breast Cancer
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Among high-risk women undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening, those with background parenchymal enhancement are nine times more likely to develop breast cancer over the next couple of years, according to a new study. The findings, published online May 12 in Radiology, suggest that MRIs could have value beyond detecting breast cancer.
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New Health Care Index Reports Increases in Consumer Costs
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new Health Care Index shows increases in consumer costs, according to a report published by U.S. News & World Report.
Guidance Offered to Help Doctors Deal With ‘Dr. Google’
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Good communication is the key to resolving conflicts between the tests and treatment a patient may want based on online searches and those a physician believes are necessary, according to an article published online in Medical Economics.
Survival Improving for Women With Ovarian Cancer
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are now much more likely to survive the disease than they were several decades ago, according to research published online May 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Nondisclosure Clauses Often Used in Malpractice Settlements
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nondisclosure clauses are frequently used in malpractice settlement agreements, according to research published online May 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
AMA: Six Traits of Financially Prepared Female Physicians
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The traits of a financially prepared female physician include having a retirement portfolio that is on track or ahead of schedule for age and career stage, having a liquid emergency fund, and feeling adequately protected in the event of a disability, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Some Childhood Cancer Survivors at Higher Risk of Later Obesity
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Certain treatments may increase a childhood cancer survivor’s risk of obesity later in life, according to research published online May 11 in Cancer.
Next-Generation Sequencing Panel Cost-Effective for CRC
FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of a next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel including genes associated with highly penetrant colorectal cancer and polyposis (CRCP) syndromes is cost-effective for CRCP diagnosis, according to a study published online May 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Full Adherence to Follow-Up Improves Head/Neck CA Survival
FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, compliance with posttreatment surveillance (PTS) is associated with survival, according to a study published online May 7 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Prostate CA Patients on Hormone Tx May Benefit From Statin
FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Statins may slow the progression of prostate cancer in patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy, according to a study published online May 7 in JAMA Oncology.
CDC: CA Screening Rates Below Healthy People 2020 Targets
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Screening rates for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers are below the Healthy People 2020 targets, according to research published in the May 8 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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High-Value Research of 2014 Presented for Hematology
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Articles relating to malignant hematology, transfusion medicine, and bleeding and clotting disorders are included in a special update summary published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Medical Students Want to Focus Learning on Preparing for Future
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical students report wanting to learn more about topics that are not currently being taught, including leadership training, health policy, health economics, and experiential learning, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Both Omega-3, Placebo Help With Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Pain
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs), arthralgia is improved with omega-3 fatty acid (O3-FA) treatment and with placebo, according to a study published online May 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
ACA Tied to Nearly 17 Million Gaining Health Coverage
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), nearly 17 million previously uninsured Americans now have health coverage, according to a 2013 to 2015 report from the Rand Corporation.
Strategies Provided for Maximizing Payment
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should use standard billing practices, including regular statements, to maximize accounts, and know that collection agencies and lawyers can help collect payment when necessary, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
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High-Value Research of 2014 Presented for Gastroenterology
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Articles relating to esophageal diseases, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and other topics are included in a special gastroenterology and hepatology update summary published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Signal on Telomeres May Point to Cancer Risk Earlier
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For the first time, researchers have identified a pattern of change in DNA that may signal the development of cancer long before a standard diagnosis can be made. The study findings were published in EBioMedicine.
Risk of All Cancers, Specific Cancers Up in Infertile Men
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Infertile men have increased risk of all cancers and some individual cancers, according to a study published in the May issue of The Journal of Urology.
Five ‘Top Issues’ to Be Discussed at AMA Medical Student Forum
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Issues that will be at the forefront of the National Medical Student Meeting include vaccinations, health care economics, Medicaid expansion, medical education loans, and the nationwide opioid epidemic, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Statins Linked to Improved Survival in Lung Cancer
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of statins for a year before a diagnosis of lung cancer is associated with a 12 percent lower risk of cancer-specific mortality, new research suggests. The study findings are published in the May issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Intense Exercise May Lower Risk of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A lifetime of vigorous exercise may lower the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, according to new research published in the May 1 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
High-Intensity Exercise Program Best for Fitness in Breast Cancer
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, a high-intensity physical activity program is most effective, while a low-intensity program offers a viable alternative, according to a study published online April 27 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Physicians Show Low Adherence to Cervical CA Screening Recs
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The indications for cervical cancer screening in asymptomatic average-risk women are described in a best practice advice article published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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