Food, housing, transportation insecurity associated with disparities in cancer care and patient outcomes

 A series of three papers discussing housing, transportation, and food insecurity among cancer patients were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI).  Researchers "summarized existing evidence related to disparities in cancer care and patient outcomes, as well as identifying promising interventions and research opportunities to inform policy and improve health equity."  

To read more about these studies and the programs that have been developed to combat inequities regarding access to cancer care, click here. 

Sources mentioned:  

Sanchez JI, Adjei BA, Randhawa G, Medel J, Doose M, Oh A, Jacobsen PB. National Cancer Institute-funded Social Risk Research in Cancer Care Delivery: Opportunities for Future Research. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022 Sep 8:djac171. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djac171. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36073952.

Graboyes EM, Chaiyachati KH, Sisto Gall J, Johnson W, Krishnan JA, McManus SS, Thompson L, Shulman LN, Yabroff KR. Addressing Transportation Insecurity Among Patients With Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022 Sep 21:djac134. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djac134. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36130286.

Fan Q, Keene DE, Banegas MP, Gehlert S, Gottlieb LM, Yabroff KR, Pollack CE. Housing Insecurity Among Patients With Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022 Sep 21:djac136. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djac136. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36130291.

New study shows sugar-sweetened drinks increase risk of cancer mortality

A recent study conducted by the American Cancer Society indicates that drinking 2 or more sugar-sweetened beverages on a daily basis results in a 5% "increased risk of death from an obesity-related cancer, including gastrointestinal, postmenopausal breast, endometrial, and kidney cancer." The study, conducted on 900,000 cancer-free participants who provided information on their consumption of sugar and artificially sweetened beverages found a direct correlation between sugar consumption and known cancer risk factors including weight gain and obesity.  According to lead author of this study Dr. Marjorie McCullough, artificial sweetener use is increasing and thought to be relatively safe, however more research on use of artificial sweeteners and cancer risk is needed. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Early cancer detection with blood test may change cancer screening paradigms

New data from a study conducted in France suggests that multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests (currently in development) have the ability to determine common cancer signals from over 50 different types of cancer.  Known as PATHFINDER, the MCED test "detected a cancer signal in 1.4% of 6621 people aged 50 years and over who were not known to have cancer, and cancer was confirmed in 38% of those with a positive test. Of 6290 people who were cancer free, 99.1% received a negative test result." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Sources mentioned:  

Abstract 903O ‘A prospective study of a multi-cancer early detection blood test’ will be presented by Deb Schrag during the proffered paper session “Basic science and translational research” on Sunday, 11 September, 16:30 to 18:00 CEST in Orléans Auditorium. Annals of Oncology, Volume 33 Supplement 7, September 2022

Swanton C, Neal RD, Johnson PWM et al. NHS-Galleri Trial Design: Equitable study recruitment tactics for targeted population-level screening with a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test. J Clin Oncol 2022; 40(16) suppl.