Cancer prevention and screening account for most cancer deaths averted among different interventions across the cancer control continuum

 An extensive study of population-level mortality data, along with cancer prevention and screening interventions across common cancer in the United States over the past 45 years was recently compiled by the National Cancer Institute.  According to the authors, "an estimated 5.94 million cancer deaths were averted for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers combined, [where] cancer prevention and screening efforts averted 8 of 10 (4.75 million) deaths." The authors further emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and prevention may "reduce or eliminate treatment, minimize harmful adverse effects of cancer or treatment, and reduce the financial burden of cancer." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: 

Goddard KAB, Feuer EJ, Mandelblatt JS, et al. Estimation of Cancer Deaths Averted From Prevention, Screening, and Treatment Efforts, 1975-2020. JAMA Oncology; Published online 5 December 2024. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.5381

High risk of breast cancer specific mortality at 20 years in men with hormone receptor positive stage I to III breast cancer

 Findings from the first population study assessing the risk of breast cancer specific mortality among male breast cancer patients, was recently published in JAMA Oncology.  As a diagnosis of breast cancer in males is rare, the disease trajectory, particularly with regards to inclusion of male breast cancer patients in clinical trials, has not been well studied.  However, "the median age at diagnosis is substantially higher in men than in women, and patients with male breast cancer are more likely to have regional nodal involvement."  

To learn more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: Leone J, Hassett MJ, Freedman RA, et al. Mortality Risks Over 20 Years in Men With Stage I to III Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer. JAMA Oncology; Published online 29 February 2024. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.7194

Black cancer survivors face increased risk and mortality from heart disease; neighborhood socioeconomic status and insurance contributing factors

 A new report released by the American Cancer Society has found that "Black cancer survivors carry from 30% up to a three-fold higher mortality risk from cardiovascular disease", compared to White cancer survivors.  Notable racial differences were also observed in terms of neighborhood socioeconomic status and health insurance status, "explaining 12% to 31% of the excess cardiovascular death among Black versus White survivors." 

To learn more about this report, click here. 

Increased risk for cardiovascular diseases in survivors of adult cancers

A recent population-based study conducted by the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink set out to "identify cohorts of survivors of the 20 most common cancers in adults who were alive 12 months after diagnosis and controls without history of cancer."  While significant improvements in treatment regimens have results in about 50% of diagnosed cancer patients surviving for 10 years or longer post-treatment, cardiotoxic treatment effects have led to an increase long-term risk for cardiovascular diseases.


To read more about this study, click here.


Source mentioned:


Strongman H, Gadd S, Matthews A, Mansfield KE, Stanway S, Lyon AR, Dos-Santos-Silva I, Smeeth L, Bhaskaran K. Medium and long-term risks of specific cardiovascular diseases in survivors of 20 adult cancers: a population-based cohort study using multiple linked UK electronic health records databases. Lancet. 2019 Aug 20. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)31674-5. [Epub ahead of print]

Eight factors may link disparities in cancer death rates and income

The results of a recent study in JAMA Network Open linked food insecurity to an increased risk of cancer death. People in low- and middle-income counties in the United States are more likely to die of cancer than those who live in high-income counties. Eight factors, including lack of access to high-quality clinical care, food insecurity, smoking, and obesity may explain more than 80% of the relationship between poverty and disparities in cancer death rates at the county level.

To read more about this study, click here.

Elevated bladder cancer risk in New England and arsenic in drinking water from private wells

On May 2, 2016 A new study has found that drinking water from private wells, particularly dug wells established during the first half of the 20th century, may have contributed to the elevated risk of bladder cancer that has been observed in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont for over 50 years. Other risk factors for bladder cancer, such as smoking and occupational exposures, did not explain the excess risk in this region.

Bladder cancer mortality rates have been elevated in northern New England for over half a century. The incidence of bladder cancer in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont has been about 20 percent higher than that in the United States overall. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Baris D … Silverman DT, et al. Elevated Bladder Cancer in Northern New England: The Role of Drinking Water and Arsenic. May 2, 2016. JNCI. DOI: DJW099

Study links residential radon exposure to hematologic cancers in women

On April 28, 2016 a new report finds a statistically-significant, positive association between high levels of residential radon and the risk of hematologic (blood) cancer in women. The study is the first prospective, population-based study of residential radon exposure and hematologic cancer risk, leading the authors to caution that it requires replication to better understand the association and whether it truly differs by sex. It appears early online in Environmental Research. Read more here.

New analysis of breast cancer subtypes could lead to better risk stratification; Annual Report to the Nation shows that mortality and incidence for most cancers continue to decline

For the first time, researchers have used national data to determine the incidence of the four major molecular subtypes of breast cancer by age, race/ethnicity, poverty level, and several other factors. These four subtypes respond differently to treatment and have different survival rates. The new data will help researchers more accurately stratify breast cancer by clinically relevant degrees of risk and potentially have an impact on breast cancer treatment. Moreover, armed with this information, women will be able to better understand the implications for their health based on their breast cancer subtype. Read more here.

US women's awareness of breast density varies

Researchers conducted a national cross-sectional survey of 2,311 women ages 40 to 74 in English and Spanish. The survey response rate was 65 percent. Overall, more than half of women who responded (58 percent) had heard of breast density, 49 percent were aware that breast density affects breast cancer detection and 53 percent knew that breast density is associated with cancer risk. Read more here.

Study shows elevated number of cancers in US HIV positive population

In 2010, an estimated 7,760 new cancers were diagnosed among the nearly 900,000 Americans known to be living with HIV infection. According to the first comprehensive study in the United States, approximately half of these cancers (3,920) were in excess of what would be expected if HIV-infected people had the same cancer risk as the general population. Read more here.

Analysis of key breast cancer genes reveals distinct profiles for African-American, European-American women

Researchers have uncovered new information that may begin to explain why many African-American women are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive, often deadly forms of breast cancer, which strengthens the evidence that increased dietary folate intake may prove to be an effective strategy for reducing risk for the disease in African-American women. In the first large study of its kind, the team, led by Roswell Park Cancer Institute epidemiologists Zhihong Gong, PhD, and Christine Ambrosone, PhD, identified patterns in gene variations associated with breast cancer risk that diverged significantly between African-American women and women of European descent. Read more here.

Lung cancer screening framework can help maximize benefits, reduce risks

Following new evidence that suggests screening via low-dose CT scans could help reduce lung cancer-related deaths in high-risk populations, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer’s pan-Canadian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative has developed the Lung Cancer Screening Framework for Canada to help interested provinces and territories design targeted early detection programs for high-risk populations. Read more here.

IARC's first Russian-language recommendations for cancer registries

Following the first International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) cancer registration course in Russian, held in Astana, with participation from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the IARC proposed a set of recommendations to enhance the availability and quality of population-based cancer registration in CIS countries. Read more here.

Vanderbilt-led study identifies genes linked to breast cancer in East Asian women

A new study in East Asian women has identified three genetic changes linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. While breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women worldwide, most studies of the genetic risk factors for the disease have focused on women of European ancestry. Given the differences in genetic heritage and environmental exposures between East Asian women and those of European ancestry, the Vanderbilt University investigators decided to conduct a study in East Asians to search for genetic changes that are linked to breast cancer development. Read more here.

CAREX Canada

CAREX (CARcinogen EXposure) is a multi-institution research project that combines academic expertise and government resources to generate an evidence-based carcinogen surveillance program for Canada. This surveillance project estimates the number of Canadians exposed to substances associated with cancer in workplace and community environments. These estimates provide significant support for targeting exposure reduction strategies and cancer prevention programs. Read the July e-Bulletin here.

Visit the website here.

CI5: Cancer incidence in five continents

Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) is the result of a long collaboration between the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the International Association of Cancer Registries. The series of monographs, published every five years, has become the reference source of data on the international incidence of cancer. The CI5 databases provide access to detailed information on the incidence of cancer recorded by cancer registries (regional or national) worldwide. Read more here.

IARC/WHO and IACR launch new guidelines for planning and developing cancer registries in low- and middle-income settings

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Association of Cancer Registries (IACR) have launched new guidelines for establishing cancer registries. The publication provides essential guidance on the key steps in planning a registry, including accessing sources of information, monitoring the quality of the data, and reporting results. The guidelines serve as a vital tool to help low- and middle-income countries attain the highest possible standard of cancer registration, and address the limitations and challenges these registries may face. Read more here.

Read the full guidelines here.

Analysis finds wide variation in lung cancer rates globally

The only recent comprehensive analysis of lung cancer rates for women around the world finds lung cancer rates are dropping in young women in many regions of the globe, pointing to the success of tobacco control efforts. However, rates continue to increase among older women in many countries, indicating a need for more concentrated efforts to initiate or expand comprehensive tobacco control programs across the globe to curtail future tobacco-related lung cancer deaths. Read more here.

Training guide for cancer registry personnel

The Manual for cancer registry personnel, a classic resource written to help people working in population-based cancer registries, is now available online. The chapters follow the order of the tasks which have to be performed starting with learning to recognize appropriate medical vocabulary. Other chapters discuss identifying information sources, coding medical diagnoses, managing and analyzing registry data, and maintaining confidentiality. Read the full IARC manual here.

Time, trust and transparency keys to minority biospecimen collection

Blood and tumor specimen collection from cancer patients is critical to research into new, more personally targeted therapies. But biospecimen collection among diverse populations lags far behind that of whites. In work aimed at boosting these collection rates, researchers at UC Davis and collaborators at three other institutions found that Asian, African and Hispanic Americans are open to donating specimens for research when clinicians and scientists adopt the right strategies. Read more here.