Screening and 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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For Early-Stage Lung Cancer, Study Identifies Potential New Biomarker, Treatment TargetA new study has identified a potential biomarker of early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The biomarker, the study’s leaders said, could help diagnose precancerous lung growths and early-stage lung cancers noninvasively and distinguish them from noncancerous growths.
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Genomic Test Helps Identify Thyroid Nodules That Don’t Require SurgeryThe test measures genomic changes in thyroid biopsy samples and generates a score based on how strongly each change is associated with thyroid cancer. A study showed the test accurately identified samples that, after surgery, were found to be benign.
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For HPV-Positive Women, Test Can Guide Cervical Cancer Screening Follow-UpA new test can help to improve the clinical management of women who screen positive for HPV infection during routine cervical cancer screening, an NCI-led study has shown.
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Study Provides Closer Look at Postmenopausal Bleeding and Endometrial CancerA new study has found that 90% of postmenopausal women diagnosed with endometrial cancer reported vaginal bleeding before their diagnosis. Approximately 9% of postmenopausal women who saw a doctor for bleeding, the study showed, later received an endometrial cancer diagnosis.
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Do Frequent Follow-Up Tests Benefit Colorectal Cancer Survivors?Two studies examined the impact of more frequent follow-up testing for cancer recurrence in colorectal cancer survivors. Learn whether the studies showed that frequent testing improved survival.
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Study Shows Experimental Screening Test Can Detect Endometrial and Ovarian CancersScientists have struggled to come up with a simple test to detect endometrial and ovarian cancers early, when they are most likely to respond to treatment. Can a liquid biopsy test called PapSEEK change that?
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Interactive App Improves Colorectal Cancer Screening RatesColorectal cancer screening reduces deaths from the disease, yet about one-third of Americans aren’t up to date with screening. Learn what happened when people waiting for routine checkups used an app that allowed them to order their own screening test.
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Lung Cancer Screening Most Beneficial for Those at Highest Risk, Analysis SuggestsAn analysis of data from a demonstration project led by the Veterans Health Administration may help to better define who is most likely to benefit from lung cancer screening.
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Prior Cancers Common in Patients Newly Diagnosed with CancerA new study shows that many patients diagnosed with a new cancer have had one or more cancers in the past, which has potential implications for long-term surveillance and clinical trial enrollment.
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Liquid Biopsy: Using DNA in Blood to Detect, Track, and Treat CancerResearch studies show tests that analyze tumor DNA in blood, called liquid biopsies, may help detect cancer early, guide precision cancer treatment, and track treatment response.
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TMIST Trial Aims to Provide Clarity on Breast Cancer Screening ApproachesA large nationwide clinical trial called TMIST has been launched to compare two techniques used for mammograms: tomosynthesis, often called 3D mammography, and standard 2D digital mammography.
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Low-Tech Outreach Methods Improve Colorectal Cancer ScreeningProactive, low-tech outreach approaches can help increase the number of people who get screened for colorectal cancer with a colonoscopy or home stool test and complete the appropriate follow-up.
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Dual-Biomarker Blood Test Shows Promise for Pancreatic Cancer Early DetectionA new blood test that measures levels of two specific proteins may be able to accurately detect pancreatic cancer at its earliest stages, when it is most likely to respond to treatment, findings from a new study suggest.
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Biomarker Test Could Reduce Unnecessary Biopsies to Detect Prostate CancerFindings from a new study show testing for two biomarkers in urine may help some men avoid an unnecessary biopsy to detect a suspected prostate cancer.
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Lung Cancer Screening Pilot Reveals Challenges, Growing PainsA demonstration project by the Veterans Health Administration is highlighting some of the complexities and challenges associated with the expansion of lung cancer screening in the United States.
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Symposium Brings Rising Global Cancer Burden into FocusAn NCI Cancer Currents blog post about the NCI Global Cancer Research Symposium, which examined ways of increasing research collaboration, particularly in cancer prevention and screening, to reduce the cancer burden.
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CA-125 Testing, CT Scans Still Used for Ovarian Cancer Surveillance Despite Lack of Proven BenefitA new study shows clinicians continue to use CA-125 testing and CT scans to monitor for recurrences although the benefit of these tests has not been proven.
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Partner-Aided Skin Exams Increase Early Detection of New MelanomasPeople previously treated for melanoma can team up with a spouse, family member, or a friend and be trained to find new melanomas, a new study shows.
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Enhanced Risk-Based Lung Cancer Screening May Prevent More Deaths than Current ApproachesA blog post on a modeling study from NCI researchers suggesting that individualized, risk-based selection of ever-smokers for lung cancer screening may prevent more lung cancer deaths compared with current screening recommendations.
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BRCA Testing Rates High in Young Women with Breast CancerTesting for genetic mutations strongly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer has risen dramatically among women younger than age 40 who are diagnosed with the disease, according to a new study.
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Bringing Precision to Screening for CancerA recent NCI-sponsored conference brought together leading screening and cancer control researchers to discuss the state of the science of precision screening for five cancers.
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Overdiagnosis of Cancer: Bringing an Important Problem into FocusExperts are convening for a conference on the dilemmas posed by overdiagnosis in many types of diseases. Overdiagnosis is generally defined as the diagnosis of a disease or condition that is unlikely to ever cause harm.
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Pancreatic Cancer Study Finds Possible Diagnostic Marker in BloodA protein attached to vesicles circulating in the blood could be a biological marker for detecting early signs of pancreatic cancer.
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Many Women with Dense Breasts May Not Need Additional ScreeningBreast density is just one of several factors that should be taken into account in determining the need for additional cancer screening, study suggests.
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Using Gene Expression to Diagnose Lung Cancer More AccuratelyA pattern of gene expression in the cells of the upper airways of patients with suspected lung cancer can help to diagnose lung cancer more accurately than bronchoscopy alone.
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Screening Rates for Several Cancers Miss Their TargetsScreening rates for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer are lagging behind target rates set by the Healthy People 2020 program, according to a new study.
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DNA "Minicircles" Could Improve Cancer Detection, Study SuggestsInjecting customized DNA “rings” into tumor-bearing mice caused the tumor cells to release a biomarker that can be detected with a simple blood test.
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Medicare to Cover Annual Lung Cancer Screening for Some BeneficiariesFor the first time, Medicare will cover the costs of lung cancer screening for some beneficiaries, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on February 5.
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Analyzing the Gut Microbiome to Help Detect Colorectal CancerNew research suggests that identifying specific changes in the gut microbiome could potentially help screen patients for colorectal cancer.