All articles tagged with #cancer care
The article highlights the neglect of mental health support in cancer care in Pakistan, emphasizing that emotional wellbeing is often overlooked due to high costs, limited resources, and societal stigma, which hampers holistic recovery for patients. It advocates for integrating psychological screening and counseling into standard oncology treatment to improve outcomes and quality of life.
The article highlights the neglect of mental health support in cancer care, especially in Pakistan, where emotional suffering remains unaddressed due to high costs, limited resources, and systemic gaps, emphasizing the need for integrated, holistic treatment that includes psychological support for better patient outcomes.
Oncologists are urged to recognize antimicrobial resistance as a critical crisis impacting cancer treatment, with studies showing cancer patients are at higher risk of resistant infections, which threaten to undermine advances in cancer therapies. The article emphasizes the need for integrated efforts across disciplines to improve infection control, develop new antibiotics, and update treatment guidelines to address this emerging threat.
The UK's cancer care system is facing challenges with long waiting lists and high numbers of people presenting with symptoms, leading to deadly delays in care, as highlighted by the case of 37-year-old Nathaniel Dye who has stage 4 bowel cancer. While survival rates are at an all-time high, early detection and treatment are crucial, and the NHS is struggling to keep up with the demand for cancer care.
The World Health Organization predicts a 77% increase in new cancer cases by 2050, with over 35 million new cases expected. Factors contributing to this rise include population aging, changes in risk factor exposure, and inadequate funding for cancer care and treatment. The WHO emphasizes the need for increased investments in cancer prevention and control, as well as addressing disparities in access to high-quality care, especially in less developed countries.
The burden of breast cancer in lower income countries is revealed to be even worse than previously thought, with women in these nations being more likely to die from the disease due to late-stage diagnosis and limited access to diagnostic services and treatment. The World Health Organization's latest statistics highlight the stark disparities in breast cancer care between wealthy and low-income countries, emphasizing the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure, early detection initiatives, and strategic allocation of resources to address this global health inequity. Despite the challenges, there are examples of progress and promising efforts in some lower income countries, offering hope for positive change in the fight against breast cancer.
A study of 13,000 cancer patients in England has shown that analyzing the entire genetic code of cancer patients can help tailor treatments to individuals, leading to better outcomes. The study, published in Nature Medicine, found that genetic changes in most brain, bowel, and lung cancers could guide decisions about surgery or specific treatments. Whole-genome sequencing revealed genetic variations that may make patients more susceptible to cancer and helped identify different sub-types of cancer, guiding doctors in choosing the correct treatment. The study, led by Genomics England and NHS England, has created a resource for clinicians to better predict outcomes and tailor treatments, paving the way for precision oncology in mainstream cancer care.
NHS England's report of a record number of cancer checks in 2022 has been criticized by experts as misleading, pointing out that the health service is still failing to meet key cancer targets. Despite the reported increase in checks, the proportion of patients receiving timely treatment after urgent referrals is below the set targets, and the number of patients diagnosed or ruled out for cancer within 28 days is declining. Experts argue that the UK's cancer survival rates are among the worst in the Western world and call for a significant investment in treatment capacity and a dedicated cancer plan. In response, NHS England acknowledges the need to focus on the 62-day target for urgent cancer referrals, while the UK health minister highlights government efforts to improve cancer survival rates and screening. The Liberal Democrats propose a new legal right for patients to see a GP within seven days to address delays in accessing primary care.
Experts discuss the state of cancer and how technological advancements are reshaping our relationship to the illness, including the importance of early and accurate cancer diagnosis, targeted and individualized care, advances in diagnostics such as molecular and AI, and the development of unique treatment plans based on a person's specific cancer characteristics.
WellSpan breast surgeons are embracing oncoplastic surgery, an evolving specialty that combines breast cancer surgery with plastic surgery. This approach aims to provide optimum cancer care while maintaining a woman's quality of life and appearance. By removing tumors and reshaping the remaining breast tissue, oncoplastic surgery offers complete cancer removal, minimal scarring, shorter recovery time, and the best possible cosmetic outcome. Candidates for this procedure are typically women with smaller, single tumors and larger breasts. WellSpan's multidisciplinary team supports patients throughout their breast surgery journey, focusing on holistic care and ensuring patients feel healthy and happy.
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein is investigating Messino Cancer Centers' decision to stop providing chemotherapy services for acute hematology patients battling leukemia and lymphoma at Mission Hospital, which is contracted with HCA. Stein is demanding answers from HCA regarding the recent cancer care losses.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute plans to build a new cancer care center in Boston, moving its inpatient oncology care away from Brigham and Women's Hospital. The decision to partner with Beth Israel Lahey Health came as a surprise to Mass General Brigham executives. The move will create an independent cancer center and bolster the size and scope of Beth Israel, while Dana-Farber moves away from the dominant health system in the market. The new center will provide dedicated inpatient care for adult cancer patients, addressing the growing need for such services. The details of integration and design are yet to be worked out, and regulatory approvals will be required.
The University of Texas System Board of Regents has announced plans to build the University of Texas at Austin Medical Center, a world-class academic medical center for education, research, and patient care. The center will include two new hospital towers: the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and a UT Austin hospital. The MD Anderson Cancer Center will expand its Houston footprint to Austin, while UT Austin will build its own specialty hospital. The total investment for these projects is estimated at $2.5 billion, and the hospitals will be constructed on the current site of UT Austin's Erwin Center. The new medical center aims to provide transformative cancer care, enhance educational experiences for students, and benefit patients throughout the state and nation.
Cancer care in the U.S. is facing a crisis due to severe shortages of critical drugs, including commonly used chemotherapy medications. The scarcity of these drugs is causing moral dilemmas for providers, who must prioritize patients and reduce doses to stretch supply. The market for generic intravenous drugs is particularly vulnerable to supply chain issues due to price-focused considerations and production consolidation. The continual race to lower prices leads to quality issues and manufacturers exiting the market, resulting in drug shortages. To address this crisis, a national protocol for drug shortages should be established, a comprehensive list of essential drugs should be maintained, and the FDA should increase supply chain transparency and identify alternative sources. Congress should pass legislation to incentivize manufacturers to improve quality and transparency and examine reimbursement policies to prevent future shortages.
A collaborative study conducted by 28 National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers found that integrating tobacco treatment into cancer centers’ routine care can help almost 20% of participants quit smoking. An AI-powered mobile app called Quit Sense can also help individuals quit smoking by collecting information on past smoking events to curate messages that assist smokers in managing their urges. Although smoking has decreased in the United States, e-cigarette use is on the rise, with overall use rising to 6% in 2022 from 4.9% in 2021.