Survivors of childhood cancer are at excess risk of late mortality even 40 years from diagnosis

 According to the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) cohort, "long-term survivors of childhood cancer are at four times the risk of death compared with the general, ageing population."  Particularly in the 5-9 year survival period after diagnosis, health-related causes of death include heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, influenza, pneumonia, sepsis, and kidney failure, conditions normally attributable to a diagnosis during middle age.  

To learn more about this study, click here.  

Sources mentioned:  

• Dixon SB, Liu Q, Chow EJ, et al. Specific causes of excess late mortality and association with modifiable risk factors among survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort. The Lancet; Published online 5 April 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)02471-0 
• Tonorezos ES, Marcil V. Childhood cancer survivors: healthy beahviours and late mortality. The Lancet; Published online 5 April 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)02632-0

New study shows more deaths with cancer as contributing cause during first year of pandemic

 A new study unveiled by the American Cancer Society indicates that "individuals living with cancer were at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and experiencing more severe symptoms due to their health conditions and treatment-related immune suppression."  Jingxuan Zhao, senior associate scientist and lead researcher in the study further explains that strict pandemic measures, especially orders to stay at home, along with a pause of non-emergency treatment had a different effect on delays in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment.  

To read more about this study, click here.  

Source mentioned:  Zhao J, Han X, Miller KD, Zheng Z, Nogueira L, Islami F, Jemal A, Yabroff KR. Association of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Changes in Patterns of Cancer-Related Mortality in the United States. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 Apr 11:OP2200522. doi: 10.1200/OP.22.00522. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37040580.

Happy Easter - blog postings will resume week of April 17th.

 To all Grey Horizon readers, 

Please note that postings will resume the week of April 17th following the Easter break. 

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of this blog.  

Helicobacter Pylori infection modifies the risk of gastric cancer associated with germline pathogenic variants in homologous recombination genes

A joint Japanese and Australian cohort study, led by the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Yokohama, indicated that "pathogenic variants and Helicobacter pylori infection interacted to markedly increase the risk of gastric cancer..."   According to lead researcher Dr. Yukihide Momozawa, evaluation and eradication of Helicobacter pylori is of particular importance in individuals "known to carry a pathogenic variant in a homologous recombinant gene."  

To read more about this study, click here. 

Sources mentioned: 

• Usui Y, Taniyama Y, Endo M, et al. Helicobacter pylori, Homologous-Recombination Genes, and Gastric Cancer. N Engl J Med 2023;388:1181-1190.
• Müller A, He J. A Double Whammy on Gastric Cancer Risk. N Engl J Med 2023;388:1225-1229.