AACR: Multiple Risk Factors Identified for Ovarian Cancer - in Meeting Coverage, AACR from MedPage Today

full free access: PLoS ONE: Antidepressants and Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk: A Review of the Literature and Researchers' Financial Associations with Industry

Background

Antidepressant (AD) use has been purported to increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, although both epidemiological and pre-clinical studies have reported mixed results [1]–[6]. Previous studies in a variety of biomedical fields have found that financial ties to drug companies are associated with favorable study conclusions [7].......

It is recommended that future research examine this body of literature and investigate the association between industry funding and qualitative conclusions regarding cancer risk.

OXiGENE, Inc. - OXiGENE Announces First Patient Enrolled in Phase 2 Study of ZYBRESTAT in Patients With Ovarian Cancer (comparing Avastin alone)

"SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 11, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OXiGENE, Inc. (Nasdaq:OXGN), a clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases, announced today that clinical investigators have enrolled the first patient in a randomized Phase 2 trial of ZYBRESTAT in combination with bevacizumab in patients with relapsed ovarian cancer. The study, which is being conducted by investigators from the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), is expected to enroll approximately 105 patients with a primary endpoint of progression-free survival. OXiGENE expects results of the study to become available in early 2013.

"We believe that the combination of an anti-angiogenic agent with a vascular disrupting agent in the treatment of ovarian cancer has the potential to represent an entirely new treatment paradigm for patients with relapsed disease," said Bradley Monk, M.D., FACS, Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at Creighton University Hospital and lead investigator of the study."Patients with recurrent ovarian cancer have few therapeutic options, and ZYBRESTAT could become a valuable addition to current treatment modalities."

The study is being conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for ZYBRESTAT and a CRADA with Genentech for the development of bevacizumab. The aim of the trial, sponsored by the NCI's Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, is to determine if the combination of ZYBRESTAT and bevacizumab will enhance anti-tumor effects and further delay tumor progression when compared to bevacizumab alone....."

Apr 12/2011 recruiting (contact information) Lynch Syndrome Survivorship Study - Cancerwise | Cancer blog from MD Anderson Cancer Center

"At MD Anderson, we are interested in finding out how colorectal cancer survivors live with having Lynch syndrome. We are currently recruiting for a new mailed survey study for people with Lynch syndrome who have had colorectal cancer.

Individuals who are over the age of 18 and English-speaking are eligible. The survey takes approximately 45 minutes and participants will receive a $10 gift card for their time.

If you are interested in participating or want more information, please contact Allison Burton, Ph.D., at 713-792-6280 or at aburton@mdanderson.org "

webcasts (3) prIME Oncology - after official ESMO: Evolving Strategies in the Management of Advanced Ovarian Cancer (Italy/US/Spain)

Topics
Topic 1 Defining the rationale and role for targeted therapy in ovarian cancer Nicoletta Colombo, MD Topic 2 Targeting angiogenesis: Where are we in 2010? Robert A. Burger, MD, FACOG, FACS Topic 3 Beyond antiangiogenesis: What are the options? Andres Poveda, MD

abstract: Rotating night shift work and risk of ovarian cancer

Conclusions: In this large prospective study, there was no association between duration of rotating night shift work and risk of ovarian cancer.
Impact: Although associated with other cancers, night shift work does not appear to be associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer. However, further exploration of the association between melatonin and risk of ovarian cancer is warranted.

abstract: Should we centralise care for the patient suspected of having ovarian malignancy?

CONCLUSION: In women with an adnexal mass, a diagnostic strategy prior to the decision for surgery by a general gynaecologist or a gynaecological oncologist provides the best balance between costs and effects.

Evidence Based Medicine: Making It Better - Economic & Political Weekly

COMMENTARY

"Newer definitions of EBM now acknowledge
that research evidence alone is not adequate
to guide action."

2011 Implementation Science - The effectiveness of strategies to change organisational culture to improve healthcare performance: a systematic review

Background

Organisational culture is an anthropological metaphor used to inform research and consultancy and to explain organisational environments. Increasing emphasis has been placed during recent years on the need to change organisational culture in order to improve healthcare performance. However, the precise function of organisational culture in healthcare policy often remains under specified and the desirability and feasibility of strategies to be adopted have been called into question. The objective of this review was to determine the effectiveness of strategies to change organisational culture in order to improve healthcare performance.

Results

The search strategy yielded 4239 records. After the full text assessment, two CBA ( controlled before and after studies) studies were included in the review. They both assessed the impact of interventions aimed at changing organisational culture, but one evaluated the impact on work-related and personal outcomes while the other measured clinical outcomes. Both were at high risk of bias. Both reported positive results.

Conclusions

Current available evidence does not identify any effective, generalisable strategies to change organisational culture. Healthcare organisations considering implementing interventions aimed at changing culture should seriously consider conducting an evaluation (using a robust design, e.g. ITS) to strengthen the evidence about this topic.

(U.S.) Health Care: Medical Errors and Patient Safety Subdirectory Page

Paying for Health Care in Canada 2010 (pdf) Medical Reform Group

Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 1
2. Health Care and the Challenge for Governments .................................................... 3
3. The Magnitude of Canadian Health Care Costs ....................................................... 4
4. Health Care Costs are Sustainable for our Society .................................................. 5
5. Canadian Government Health Spending .................................................................. 7
6. Options for Governments ......................................................................................... 8
7. What is Responsible for Increased Health Care Spending? .................................... 9
7.1 What can be done to Control Health Spending? ............................................. 11
7.2 Addressing Social Determinants ..................................................................... 13
8. Costs and Cost Reductions - Summary ................................................................. 14
9. Market-based solutions .......................................................................................... 15
9.1 User Fees ....................................................................................................... 15
9.2 Private Insurance - the Health Care Market .................................................... 16
9.3 Health as a Commodity ................................................................................... 18
10. Public versus Private Finance ............................................................................ 19
10.1 Equity .............................................................................................................. 19
10.2 Autonomy ........................................................................................................ 19
10.3 Efficiency......................................................................................................... 20
10.4 Cost Control .................................................................................................... 21
10.5 Effectiveness ................................................................................................... 21
10.6 Wait lists.......................................................................................................... 22
10.7 Overall Economic Impact ................................................................................ 23
10.8 Physicians’ Work ............................................................................................. 24
10.9 Public versus Private Finance: The Bottom Line ............................................. 25
11. Public Options for Increasing Revenues for Health Care ................................... 25
11.1 Increasing income tax rates ............................................................................ 27
11.2 Elimination of the private health insurance subsidy ........................................ 27
11.3 Taxes directed to health care .......................................................................... 27
11.4 "Sin" taxes ....................................................................................................... 28
11.5 Social Insurance ............................................................................................. 29
12. Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 30
13. References ......................................................................................................... 32

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship: Expense-Paid Training Opportunity on Oral Chemotherapy Adherence

Expense-Paid Training Opportunity on Oral Chemotherapy Adherence

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) are pleased to host a Train-the-Trainer conference on cancer oral medication adherence at the NASW National Office in Washington, DC on Wednesday June 15, 2011. This one-day conference will provide attendees with the knowledge and skills necessary to train their colleagues in promoting adherence to cancer oral medication among patients and their family members. 30 people will be selected to participate in this one-day training, which will be led by social work, nursing and pharmacy professionals. Preference will be given to team applications. Expenses related to the conference (travel, lodging and meals) will be covered by NASW. In the 12 months following the conference, each attendee will be required to train at least 20 of his/her professional peers. Applications Due: Monday, April 25th . Click here to download the application materials.