Cancer

A new study has found that one in three early-stage breast cancer patients who received genomic testing when deciding about treatment options felt they did not fully understand their discussions with physicians about their test results and their risk of recurrence. About one in four experienced distress when receiving their test results.

A new survey finds that while both whites and African Americans know and think little about lung cancer, African Americans are more likely to hold beliefs and perceptions about the disease that could interfere with prevention and treatment. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the report indicates that public health messages regarding lung cancer should be targeted to all communities.

A new study has found that many male cancer survivors who develop testosterone deficiency after receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy have an impaired quality of life and reduced energy levels. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study suggests that young male cancer survivors with testosterone deficiency may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.

Increased Medicare payments to physicians for outpatient surgeries for bladder cancer have led to a dramatic rise in the number of these procedures being performed and an overall increase in cost to the healthcare system. That is the conclusion of a new study published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The findings indicate that some Medicare policies aimed at decreasing costs may instead be contributing to an increase in healthcare expenditures.

A new analysis has found that women with medium or low levels of income are particularly susceptible to anxiety and depression after being diagnosed with the precancerous breast condition, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study suggests that women with financial hardship may benefit from psychosocial interventions that are designed to accommodate their unique needs.

A new analysis has found that Black patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or liver cancer, have worse survival than patients of other races, even after receiving comparable treatments. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study indicates that Further investigation is warranted to identify the reasons for the stark disparity in outcomes between Blacks and other patients following transplant for liver cancer.

Prostate cancer patients treated in county hospitals are likely to undergo surgery while patients treated in private facilities tend to receive radiation or hormone therapy. Those are the findings of a new study published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study suggests that prostate cancer patients’ treatment decisions are influenced by the type of health care facility where they receive care.

Despite guidelines recommending that physicians discuss end-of-life options with terminally-ill patients who have less than a year to live, most who see cancer patients would not do so as long as their patients are feeling well.

A new study finds that the herb milk thistle may help treat liver inflammation in cancer patients who receive chemotherapy. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study indicates that the herb could allow patients to take potent doses of chemotherapy without damaging their liver.

A new study finds many breast cancer patients - particularly African American women - do not receive recommended radiation treatments after undergoing a lumpectomy. The study, published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, indicates that efforts are needed to improve breast cancer care in general, and that they should specifically address racial disparities.

A new study points out that co-existing medical conditions and body mass index do not explain the decreased survival in African Americans with colon cancer relative to Caucasians.

A new study finds that women treated for breast cancer are at higher risk of cancer recurrence if they have dense breasts

News from Cancer: A statistical model can accurately predict which patients will have poor outcomes after bladder surgery and can determine the need for chemotherapy.

Prostate cancer patients of low socioeconomic status are more likely to die than patients with higher incomes.

A new study of New York State data finds that the number of women opting for surgery to remove the healthy breast after a cancer diagnosis in one breast is rising, despite a lack of evidence that the surgery can improve survival.

Depression can affect a cancer patient’s likelihood of survival, finds a study published in the journal Cancer.

A new study in Cancer finds that there is little information available about the use of new testing technologies and targeted therapies in breast cancer, specifically the anti-cancer drug trastuzumab (Herceptin).

Research news from the journal Cancer

Among unmarried cancer patients, those who are separated at the time of diagnosis do not live as long as widowed, divorced, and never married patients. That is the conclusion of a new study to be published in the November 1, 2009 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The authors of the study say its results suggest that the stress associated with marital separation may compromise an individual’s immune system and lead to a greater susceptibility to cancer.

News from CANCER