Happy Holidays!

Dear the Grey Horizon Blog Readers:

Apologies for not having been able to post as regularly as in the past, due to the service transition this past 7 months. Thank you for staying with us for over 3 years. We will strive to come back to regular postings starting the New Year.

Happy Holidays!

Time is of the essence in breast cancer: 'Don't delay'

JAMA Oncology. Published online December 10, 2015. Bleicher et al,abstract; Chavez-MacGregor et al, abstract; Editorial

The publications revealed that patients whose treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy was initiated longer than 91 days following surgery experienced the worst overall survival (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.15 - 1.57). In a subgroup analysis, the worst outcomes were seen for patients with TNBC (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.17 - 2.00). Similar observations were reported for breast cancer–specific survival.

Annual blood test may help prevent deaths from ovarian cancer

A British clinical trial conducted at University College London indicates that an annual blood test screening postmenopausal women for ovarian cancer, could reduce death rates by as much as 20%.  According to lead researcher Dr. Ian Jacobs, ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis, as it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.  While further research pertaining to this new blood test screening mechanism is required, Dr. Jacobs states that "this is the first time that there has been evidence of a reduction in deaths from ovarian cancer through early detection by screening."

To read more about this study, click here.

Could a scan someday replace lymph node biopsy?

Research being conducted at the Vein Center, University Hospital in Essen, Germany indicates that an audio-visual imaging technique may be a viable alternative to lymph node biopsy for "detecting early signs that melanoma skin cancer has spread."  According to lead study author Dr. Ingo Stoeffels, the current lymph node biopsy via a radioactive tracer indicates that "in most cases, tis approach uncovers no sign of cancer spread while exposing patients to unnecessary risks."

To read more about this study, click here.