Screening & Early Detection - Cancer Currents Blog
News about research on cancer screening and early detection. Includes stories on the impact of screening, new technologies, and approaches to improving the safety and efficacy of screening.
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Colorectal Cancer Screening: Where Does the Shield Liquid Biopsy Fit In?FDA recently approved the Shield test, the first blood test for the primary screening of people at average risk of colorectal cancer. Where does it fit in with other screening options for the disease, including colonoscopy and stool tests?
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Some Women Avoid Breast Cancer Screening After False-Positive Mammogram ResultsSome women who receive a false-positive result on a mammogram may not come back for routine breast cancer screening in the future, a new study finds. Better doctor–patient communication about the screening process is needed, several researchers said.
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Screening People at High Risk for Pancreatic Cancer May Help Them Live LongerRegular imaging tests to monitor the pancreas may help detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage in people who are at high risk, a new study suggests. This type of surveillance could also help improve how long these patients live.
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FDA Approves HPV Tests That Allow for Self-Collection in a Health Care SettingThe expanded approval of two HPV tests allows the patient to collect a vaginal sample themselves in a health care setting, rather than a health provider collecting a sample during a pelvic exam. The availability of a self-collection option in health care settings could help widen access to cervical cancer screening.
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How Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tools WorkDrs. Ruth Pfeiffer and Peter Kraft of NCI’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics discuss how breast cancer risk assessment tools are created and how people can use them to understand and manage their risk.
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Blood Test Accurately Detects Early-Stage Pancreatic CancerIn a new study involving nearly 1,000 people, a liquid biopsy accurately detected early- and late-stage pancreatic cancer. When paired with a test for the protein CA19-9, the combination accurately identified 97% of people with early-stage disease.
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Pump Up the Volume: “Priming Agents” May Improve Cancer Liquid BiopsiesUsing two different techniques, researchers showed they could temporarily boost ctDNA levels in the blood of mice with tumors. With more ctDNA in collected blood draws, a liquid biopsy could better detect cancer, the research team found.
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What Happens If More People Get Screened for Cancer?Researchers used computer modeling to estimate the number of deaths that could be prevented, and the harms caused, if more people used USPSTF-recommended cancer screening tests. The study’s lead investigator, Dr. Amy Knudsen, explains the findings.
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Following Abnormal Cancer Screening Results, Multi-Level Reminders May Increase Follow-UpIn a clinical trial, a simple letter and phone call helped increase the number of people who completed the recommended follow-up testing after an abnormal cancer screening result.
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Is AI Ready to Play a Leading Role in Colorectal Cancer Screening?Using computer-aided detection (CAD) during a colonoscopy doesn’t help doctors find the growths most likely to become colorectal cancer, two studies find. Researchers agreed that CAD, which is aided by artificial intelligence technology, needs further refinement.
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Could Bacteria Help Find Cancer?Engineered bacteria can detect tumor DNA that has been shed into the gut by colorectal tumors, a new study in mice shows. The bacteria are programmed to seek and capture DNA containing a specific genetic change found in cancer.
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Study Adds to Debate about Mammography in Older WomenFor women in their 70s and older, the risk of overdiagnosis with routine screening mammography is substantial, a new study suggests. The findings highlight the need for conversations between older women and their health care providers about the potential benefits and harms of continuing screening mammography.
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Catch-Up HPV Testing May Help Prevent Cervical Cancer in Some Over Age 65It may be worthwhile for some individuals between ages 65 and 69 to get tested for HPV, findings from a Danish study suggest. Specifically, the testing may help prevent cervical cancer among those who haven’t had cervical cancer screening for at least 5 years.
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Study Identifies Potential Warning Signs of Colorectal Cancer in Younger AdultsResearchers have identified four warning signs that they believe may help identify colorectal cancer early in younger adults. The signs or symptoms are abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and iron deficiency anemia.
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Can Cancer Prevention Be Better Integrated into Primary Care?When it comes to cancer prevention, primary care clinicians play a critical role. But there are many barriers to integrating cancer prevention into primary care. Researchers are trying to better understand those barriers and how best to overcome them.
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3-in-1 Approach Helps Women in Rural Areas Get Cancer ScreeningsIn a new study, providing rural women with an interactive video about cancer screening and follow-up calls with patient navigators helped get them up to date on screenings for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer.
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When Prenatal DNA Tests Point to CancerAn NIH-led study called IDENTIFY is analyzing what happens when prenatal blood tests in a pregnant person suggests the person may have cancer. Dr. Diana Bianchi and Amy Turriff talk about their experience with the study thus far.
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Can the New “Omics” on the Block Find Liver Cancer in Blood?Researchers have developed a blood test that, in a preliminary study, accurately detected liver cancer, including in people with early-stage disease. The test uses a new type of technology called fragmentomics to analyze bits of DNA in the blood.
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Cancer Screening Guidelines Often Lack Information on Potential Harms, Study FindsIn a review of 33 cancer screening guidelines, researchers have found that many don’t adequately capture the potential harms of cancer screening. Providing information on harms is critical so people can have informed discussions about screening with their health care providers, the researchers noted.
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Working to Close the Cancer Screening Gap Caused by COVIDMany hospitals and community health centers are trying to increase cancer screening rates after the COVID pandemic caused them to plummet. The largest effort aims to add a total of 70,000 additional monthly screening tests over a 6-month period.