Prevention and Screening: Major Contributors to Saving Lives in Five Key Cancer Types

 

A recent study led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in JAMA Oncology highlights the significant impact of prevention and screening in reducing mortality from five major cancer types over the last 45 years. The research focused on breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers, which collectively represent nearly half of all cancer diagnoses and deaths. This study underscores that while treatment advances are often viewed as the primary contributors to mortality reduction, prevention and screening have played a more substantial role in saving lives.

Co-lead investigator Katrina A. B. Goddard, Ph.D., from the NCI's Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, emphasized that 80% of the deaths averted from these cancers since 1975 can be attributed to advances in prevention and screening rather than treatment. Particularly notable is the impact of smoking cessation, which alone accounted for 3.45 million lives saved from lung cancer. The study further found that prevention and screening were the predominant factors in reducing deaths from cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers, while treatment advances led in breast cancer mortality reduction.

The study utilized statistical models to analyze cancer mortality data between 1975 and 2020, revealing that 5.94 million deaths were prevented due to interventions in these five cancers, with prevention and screening accounting for 4.75 million of these. The breakdown by cancer type showed varying contributions of screening and treatment. For example, in lung cancer, tobacco control was overwhelmingly effective, accounting for 98% of the averted deaths. Conversely, in breast cancer, treatment was the major contributor, although mammography screening also played a significant role.

These findings underscore the necessity of a multifaceted approach to cancer reduction, combining effective prevention, screening, and treatment strategies. W. Kimryn Rathmell, M.D., Ph.D., director of NCI, stated that understanding which strategies are most effective helps guide future efforts to reduce cancer mortality further. The study also points to recent advancements like HPV vaccination and lung cancer screening, which could potentially enhance these effects even though they were not widely used during the study period.

However, the researchers acknowledge that the study's focus on these five cancers, which represent less than half of all cancer deaths, means the findings might not apply to cancers without effective prevention, screening, or treatment options. Dr. Philip E. Castle, another co-lead investigator, emphasized the importance of optimizing and expanding access to proven interventions, particularly for underserved populations, and developing new strategies for other lethal cancers such as pancreatic and ovarian cancer.

The authors also noted limitations, including the study's reliance on population averages and its exclusion of potential screening harms like false positives and overdiagnosis. These findings present a complex picture of cancer prevention and treatment, highlighting the critical role of integrated strategies in ongoing efforts to reduce cancer mortality across various populations.

 

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RadParts, a TTG Imaging Solutions Company, is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts. We specialize in low-cost parts for repairing linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Our mission is to provide high-quality, user-friendly, low-cost components and support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Contact RadParts at 877-704-3838 to learn more.

 

Written by the Digital Marketing Team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/.

 

Can AI Improve Early Detection of Breast Cancer in MRI Studies?

 

Recent research indicates that using artificial intelligence (AI) to reevaluate breast MRIs deemed high-risk could markedly enhance early breast cancer detection. A retrospective study published in Academic Radiology examined the effectiveness of a convolutional neural network trained on breast MRI data to predict breast cancer development within a year following initially negative MRI results. The study involved 3,029 MRI scans from 910 patients (average age 52), including 115 cases where breast cancer was later diagnosed on MRI. Initially, all patients received a BI-RADS assessment of less than 3.

The study found that the AI model predicted breast cancer within one year with a 72 percent accuracy as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Of the initial MRI scans, 83 out of 115 cases showed visual correlations with biopsy-proven breast cancer, with the majority of these correlations measuring less than 0.5 cm.

The researchers emphasized that using the AI model to reassess MRIs identified as high-risk could improve early breast cancer detection rates by up to 30 percent. "It's crucial to recognize that the reported 30% sensitivity refers to cancers that would likely have remained undetected until the subsequent exam. These are additional detections, supplementing those already identified with high sensitivity by radiologists," explained lead study author Dr. Lukas Hirsch of the City College of New York.

The study also highlighted that with the AI model’s reassessment, the positive predictive value (PPV) could reach 6 percent for high-risk MRI scans. If radiologists were to recall only half of these cases, they would achieve the PPV standard for tissue diagnosis and detect at least an additional 15% of tumors, representing a clinically significant improvement.

Furthermore, the AI model successfully pinpointed the future location of breast cancer in 57 percent of the cases, with a 71 percent accuracy rate in the 35 true positive cases.

Despite the promising results, the study’s authors acknowledged several limitations, including the single-center, retrospective nature of the study, the assessment limited to sagittal scans, and the small number of cancers detected through screening.

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RadParts, a TTG Imaging Solutions Company, is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts. We specialize in low-cost parts for repairing linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Our mission is to provide high-quality, user-friendly, low-cost components and support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Contact RadParts at 877-704-3838 to learn more.

 

Written by the Digital Marketing Team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/.

BAT: A Revolutionary Garment Enhancing Radiation Safety for Healthcare Professionals

 

On September 23, 2024, Burlington Medical announced the availability of BAT, a groundbreaking radiation protection garment designed to significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer and other radiation-associated cancers among healthcare workers. This innovative garment covers crucial areas such as the breast, axilla, and thyroid.

Developed by Dr. Lauren Ramsey, a Breast Surgical Oncologist, BAT was inspired by a personal loss. Dr. Ramsey's friend and colleague succumbed to breast cancer, which she believed was exacerbated by occupational radiation exposure. Addressing a dire need within the medical community, BAT offers an additional layer of protection that is often missed by traditional radioprotective aprons.

Dr. Ramsey highlights the increased risk faced by female healthcare professionals, particularly noting, "Female orthopedic surgeons have up to a three times higher risk of developing breast cancer." With women now comprising 55 percent of medical school attendees, the design of BAT is tailored specifically with their safety in mind. It achieves over 97 percent reduction in radiation exposure to the upper outer quadrant of the breast and also lessens exposure to the thyroid, chest, and spine.

Key benefits of BAT include:

• Targeted Protection: BAT is meticulously crafted to shield the breast, axilla, and thyroid, cutting down radiation exposure by up to 97.7 percent.
• Comfort and Mobility: Featuring a lightweight design with mesh panels, BAT ensures comfort, freedom of movement, and temperature control.
• Compatibility: Designed to be worn with any radioprotective apron, BAT requires no additional attachments, making it a versatile and essential addition to any healthcare professional's safety gear.
• Enhanced Safety: Besides safeguarding the breast and axilla, it also minimizes scatter radiation that can impact the chest, neck, and spine.

Exclusively distributed by Burlington Medical, BAT stands out as a vital innovation in the field of healthcare safety, offering a critical solution to reduce cancer risks associated with ionizing radiation exposure, which accumulates over time. This garment empowers healthcare workers by providing effective protection without compromising on comfort or mobility.

Healthcare professionals can directly place orders at: https://burmed.com/store/bat.html

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RadParts, a TTG Imaging Solutions Company, is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts. We specialize in low-cost parts for repairing linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Our mission is to provide high-quality, user-friendly, low-cost components and support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Contact RadParts at 877-704-3838 to learn more.

 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/