Patient-reported symptom burden and supportive care needs of patients with stage II-III colorectal cancer during and after adjuvant systemic treatment

 A retrospective population-based cohort study conducted on newly diagnosed stage II-III colorectal cancer patients in Calgary, Alberta, Canada was recently published in JCO Oncology Practice.  The study, conducted on 303 patients over a period of 3 years (January 2016 - January 2019), indicated that while symptom severity was low and most systems either remained stable and/or or improved following adjuvant systemic treatment, "ongoing assessments and interventions to address physical and psychologic symptoms and supportive care needs in patients [with colorectal cancer] during and after treatment are needed." 

Study mentioned: Cuthbert CA, O'Sullivan DE, Boyne DJ, Brenner DR, Cheung WY. Patient-Reported Symptom Burden and Supportive Care Needs of Patients With Stage II-III Colorectal Cancer During and After Adjuvant Systemic Treatment: A Real-World Evidence Study. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 Jan 6:OP2200462. doi: 10.1200/OP.22.00462. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36608313.

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.

Cancer care in war zones: what have we learnt?

 A recent clinical practice perspective interview by the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), with Professor Richard Sullivan, from the Conflict and Health Research Group at King's College in London, UK, emphasizes the impact of cancer care in war zones for the global oncology community.  Discussion topics include challenges caring for refugees with cancer, coordinating cancer care support amongst different agencies, and the impact of the current conflict in Ukraine on cancer care in the future. 

To read the complete interview, click here.  

Humoral response to the third dose of the MRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine in a large cohort of patients with cancer

 A recently published letter to the editor in Annals of Oncology, authored by Dr. Vincenzo Di Noia from the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute in Rome, Italy, "described the serological response to the third dose of the BNT162b2 mENA COVID-19 vaccine in a large cohort of patients with cancer."  407 patients received a third dose of BN1162b3 between September - November 2021.  366 (89.9%) of patients were on active anticancer treatment 28 days before BNT162b2 was administered.  Median age of patients was 67, with breast (28.5%) and lung (19.9%) identified as the most common cancer types.  402 (98.8%) of patients studied "had a positive serological status after the third vaccine dose." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Study mentioned: Di Noia V, Pimpinelli F, Renna D, et al. Potentiation of humoral response to BNT162b2 vaccine after the third dose in patients with solid cancer. Annals of Oncology; Published online 21 February 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2022.02.006

Majority of patients with cancer are willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19

 A recently conducted survey among ambulatory patients at four French cancer centres found that most patients undergoing treatment for their cancer wish to be vaccinated against COVID-19.  Study authors further confirmed that "patients with cancer have a variable but confirmed higher risk of severe COVID-19.  They advocate that patients with cancer should be a target population for vaccination, despite [being] excluded from the first trials."  Patients responding to the survey also believed that oncologists are qualified to provide guidance and advise regarding COVID-19 vaccination. 

To read more about this survey, click here. 

Study mentioned: 

Barrière J, Gal J, Hoch B, et al. Acceptance of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among French patients with cancer: a cross-sectional survey. Annals of Oncology; Published online 29 January 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2021.01.066

New trial alert: NCI COVID-19 in cancer patients study

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has launched a natural history study of COVID-19 in cancer patients.  Blood tests, medical history and imaging will be obtained from 2,000 cancer patients, who are more susceptible to serious illness if they contract COVID-19.  Anticipated outcomes of the trial include understanding genetic risk factors of COVID-19 diagnoses while patients are undergoing cancer treatment, as well as establish a repository of blood tests and imaging results for future research.

To learn more about this study, click here.

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COVID-19 Infection in Cancer Patients in Wuhan: Emphasis on Severe Events

A new retrospective study on COVID-19 among cancer patients, focusing on risk factors associated with admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) has been conducted by a team of clinicians from 3 hospitals in Wuhan, China, and recently published in the Annals of Oncology.  Clinical data gathered from 28 cancer patients with COVID-19 infection between January 13, 2020 - February 26, 2020 indicates that 17 patients (60%) were male, with an average age of 65 years.  Of the 28 cancer patients studied, 7 (25%) had lung cancer, followed by oesophageal cancer (4 patients), and breast cancer (3 patients).  10 patients had a stage IV cancer diagnosis and 8 patients developed COVID-19 from hospital-associated transmission.  Further, of the 6 patients who received anti-tumour treatment within 14 days of their COVID-19 diagnosis, 5 (83%) developed severe events.

To read more about this study, click here.

Study mentioned: Zhang L, Zhu F, Xie L, et al. Clinical characteristics of COVID-19-infected cancer patients: A retrospective case study in three hospitals within Wuhan, China. Annals of Oncology; Published online 23 March 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.03.296

Persistent peripheral neuropathy increases fall risk among cancer survivors

On February 5, 2016, a new study finds many female cancer survivors have problems with mobility and other physical functioning as a result of persistent peripheral neuropathy caused by chemotherapy treatment. The problems with physical functioning were associated with a substantial increase in the women’s risk for injurious falls.

The study findings were presented on January 11 at the 2016 Cancer Survivorship Symposium in San Francisco. Read More here.

IMAGINE Project focuses on patient-first health-care culture

The Alberta health-care system includes extraordinary talent and forward-thinking initiatives. But it is also faced with challenges to patient safety, frequent patient dissatisfaction, and a culture that can struggle with always putting the patient first. That is the picture of the health-care system that emerged during a nearly five-hour forum attended by almost 400 people, streamed live and hosted by the O’Brien Institute for Public Health at the Cumming School of Medicine. The forum marked the launch of the IMAGINE Project, a grassroots, citizen-led initiative that aims to refocus the health-care system on the patient. Read more here.

The Household Products Database (HPD) from the National Library of Medicine (NLM)

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Household Products Database (HPD) now contains over 14,000 products.

The Household Products Database links over 14,000 consumer brands to health effects from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provided by manufacturers and allows scientists and consumers to research products based on chemical ingredients. Each MSDS also contains information about carcinogenicity of the product. The database is designed to help answer the following typical questions:

* What are the chemical ingredients and their percentage in specific brands?
* Which products contain specific chemical ingredients?
* Who manufactures a specific brand? How do I contact this manufacturer?
* What are the acute and chronic effects of chemical ingredients in a specific brand?
* What other information is available about chemicals in the toxicology-related databases of the National Library of Medicine?

Report calls for new approach to Ontario's breast and colon cancer care

Ontario needs to improve the way it cares for breast and colon cancer patients taking protective chemotherapy, nearly half of whom are making unplanned visits to overburdened emergency rooms, according to a new evaluation of cancer care in Canada’s most populous province. The Cancer System Quality Index, released Tuesday, shows that 46 per cent of colon cancer patients and 43 per cent of breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy after surgery turned to ERs at least once, an outcome that suggests oncologists and family doctors are not doing enough to help patients cope with the toxic side effects of their therapy. Read more here.

New ASTRO white paper provides practice guidelines for high-dose-rate brachytherapy

Commissioned by ASTRO’s Board of Directors as part of the Target Safely campaign, the white paper evaluates the current safety and practice guidance for HDR brachytherapy, makes recommendations for guidance applications to the delivery of HDR brachytherapy, suggests topics where additional guidance is needed and examines the adequacy of general physics, quality assurance (QA) and clinical guidance currently available for the most common treatment sites with regard to patient safety. The manuscript also addresses HDR brachytherapy procedures, the use of checklists and forms, the multidisciplinary treatment team, challenges to maintaining safe use of HDR brachytherapy and key measures for avoiding catastrophic failure. Read more here.

Researchers receive Movember Discovery Grant: Findings could lead to new diagnostic tool

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canadian men, but some men may have a type of the disease that doesn't require aggressive treatment.

As part of a Movember Discovery Grant from Prostate Cancer Canada, University of Calgary researchers are trying to understand indolent (dormant) prostate cancer better, in hopes of developing a test to differentiate dormant versus aggressive disease upon initial diagnosis. Dormant prostate cancer is not aggressive and does not spread, thereby making it less of an immediate threat than aggressive prostate cancer. Read more here.

Ontario’s successes in pathology reporting have potential to improve practice across Canada

As is your pathology, so is your medicine.

So said Dr. William Osler, a Canadian physician and one of the founding fathers of modern medicine. He was referring to the critical role that pathology – the study of tissue samples to diagnose disease – plays in diagnosing cancer and identifying treatment options.

Almost 100 years later, we’ve made tremendous progress in diagnosing and treating cancer, and there continue to be opportunities to improve. A recent article in the Journal of Oncology Practice has showcased the advancement of pathology reporting in Ontario. Initiated in 2008, Cancer Care Ontario’s Pathology Reporting Project uses structured electronic checklists to make the reporting of diagnostic findings by pathologists more complete. This has resulted in the vast majority of Ontario hospitals implementing electronic tools to report cancer diagnosis, standardized reporting and more complete pathology reports. This leads to more effective care planning and better outcomes for patients. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Srigley J, et al. Closing the quality loop: facilitating improvement in oncology practice through timely access to clinical performance indicators. J Oncol Pract. 2013 Sep 1;9(5):e255-61. doi: 10.1200/JOP.2012.000818. Epub 2013 Jul 2. PubMed PMID: 23943888.

IOM report released today, “Delivering high-quality cancer care: Charting a new course for a system in crisis"

Today, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its report, “Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis.” According to the IOM, the American cancer care system often is not patient-centered, does not provide well-coordinated care, and does not encourage evidence-based treatment decisions. NCCS is a sponsor of the IOM report, along with other patient advocacy organizations, professional societies, and government agencies. As a leader in advocating for quality cancer care from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond, NCCS commends the IOM for its recognition of the challenges facing the cancer care delivery system and supports the findings and recommendations. Read more here.

IOM releases “Partnering with Patients” meeting summary

The Institute of Medicine released a meeting summary today of a workshop that took place in February, “Partnering with Patients to Drive Shared Decisions, Better Value, and Care Improvements.” A short video capturing the key messages of the workshop, and including the voice of patients, has also been released. In an efficient health care system, care choices are democratized and based on the best evidence. Empowering patients to become partners in — rather than customers of — health care is a critical step on the road to achieving the best care at lower cost, although the infrastructure and cultural changes necessary to transform the patient role are significant. Encouraging patient engagement in care decisions, value, and research is crucial to achieving better care, improved health, and lower health care costs. Read more.

AHRQ Releases New Guide to Help Hospitals Engage Patients and Families in Their Health Care

A new resource available online today from HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) gives hospitals four evidence-based strategies to engage patients and families in their care. The field-tested strategies outlined in AHRQ's new Guide to Patient and Family Engagement in Hospital Safety and Quality can help hospitals make care better and safer by bridging the communication gaps among patients and families and their health care providers. Read more here.

Collaborative efforts generate new radiotherapy technology guidelines

The Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy and the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists have released the first set of technical quality standards created through their joint efforts to standardize procedures and improve the quality and safety of radiation therapy. Read more here.

Seniors five times more likely to be hospitalized for adverse drug reactions

One in 200 seniors was hospitalized because of an adverse drug reaction (ADR) in 2010–2011, compared with 1 in 1,000 of all other Canadians. This translates to approximately 27,000 people age 65 and older, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Blood thinners, often used to prevent heart attack and stroke, were the drug class most commonly associated with ADR-related hospitalizations among seniors (12.6%). This was followed by chemotherapy drugs (12.1%) and opioids, a class of strong pain killers (7.4%). The most likely reasons for hospitalization varied based on the drug class. They included bleeding from blood thinners, low white blood cell count from chemotherapy drugs and constipation from opioids. Read more here.

Source mentioned: Canadian Institute for Health Information. Adverse Drug Reaction-Related Hospitalizations Among Seniors, 2006 to 2011. Ottawa. 2013 Mar 26. Download report.

Is proton beam therapy for prostate cancer worth the cost?

"Thousands of men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each month. These men and their loved ones often turn to the internet to learn about their disease and treatment options, and these searches may lead to medical centers offering proton beam therapy. These centers espouse the benefits of this treatment approach, and some include glowing testimonials from men who have undergone the treatment. So is proton therapy the "magic bullet" for prostate cancer?" Continue reading the American Cancer Society Expert Voices blog here.