Articles related to IMAGING/SCREENING

Pfizer and Thermo Fisher Scientific have partnered to expand access to next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based testing for lung and breast cancer patients in over 30 countries across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The collaboration aims to address the limited availability of advanced genomic testing in these regions. Local access to NGS testing can provide faster analysis of associated genes, enabling healthcare providers to select the most appropriate therapy for individual patients. Thermo Fisher will identify local laboratories that will use their NGS technology and ensure they meet industry standards, while Pfizer will explore ways to make NGS testing affordable and raise awareness among healthcare providers. The companies plan to expand geographically and extend testing to other types of cancer. The global burden of cancer is expected to rise significantly, with breast and lung cancer being the leading types responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. To improve treatment outcomes, the collaboration seeks to deliver precision insights to underserved patients through rapid NGS testing conducted in decentralized labs closer to where patients are treated. The program aims to provide tailored care for cancer patients worldwide, acknowledging that individualized approaches based on precise disease characteristics are often required. By adopting next-generation […]

Recent draft guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) propose a change in routine screening mammography recommendations. The new guidelines suggest that women should begin undergoing regular mammograms 10 years earlier than previously advised, starting at the age of 40. This recommendation applies to all individuals assigned female at birth. Simultaneously, FDA has made updates to federal mammography regulations, with a particular focus on reporting requirements related to breast density. These regulatory changes are motivated by studies indicating that approximately half of women over the age of 40 have dense breast tissue in concordance with the high prevalence of breast cancer in the population.

The video features an interview with Dr. Jason Mouabbi, a surgical oncologist, who discusses the management of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a type of breast cancer that is less common than other types. He explains that ILC is more challenging to diagnose than other breast cancers because it does not form a lump, but rather spreads in a linear fashion throughout the breast tissue. Dr. Mouabbi highlights the importance of early detection and screening for ILC. He then discusses the treatment options for ILC, which may include surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. He emphasizes the need for personalized treatment plans for each patient based on their specific case and individual needs. Dr. Mouabbi also talks about the potential role of neoadjuvant therapy in improving outcomes for patients with ILC. Overall, the video provides valuable insights into the management of ILC and highlights the importance of early detection and personalized treatment plans.

The Clinician’s Roundtable on ReachMD podcast, sponsored by GRAIL, featured Dr. Vershalee Shukla, who discussed the implementation of multi-cancer early detection screening (MCED). Dr. Shukla highlighted the limitations of currently available cancer detection tools, including mammography, colonoscopy, and skin exams, which have low sensitivity and compliance rates. In contrast, MCED screening is a simple blood test that looks for DNA methylation patterns in the blood to detect cancers and indicate their origin. Patients who are at high risk, such as those with family histories of cancer, genetic predispositions, and patients over 50 years old, should consider MCED screening. Utilizing MCED screening has enriched Dr. Shukla’s program and improved early detection rates of rare and aggressive cancers. Dr. Shukla emphasized that education is a critical aspect of implementing MCED screening in clinical practice. Patients must understand that MCED screening is not a replacement for routine cancer screenings but rather an additive tool to detect rare and aggressive cancers. Staff must also be educated to counsel patients correctly and understand that a negative MCED result does not necessarily mean that the patient is cancer-free. The physical implementation of MCED screening is straightforward, requiring a simple blood draw, and the results can be […]

A 56-year-old man with no significant medical history, who previously refused colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening, visited his primary care physician. Despite the physician’s recommendations, the patient declined colonoscopy and instead preferred a less invasive screening test. The patient had no symptoms of colorectal issues but had a family history of his father dying from colorectal cancer at age 80. The patient’s hemoglobin level was within the normal range at 13.7 g/dL.

The first version of the test, launched in November 2022, assesses chromosomal copy number changes in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and the aqueous humor of the eye to aid in the clinical diagnosis of patients with solid tumors, brain tumors, and retinoblastoma, respectively. The next version of the clinical assay, which will be available in about six months, will detect mutations and gene fusions.