Thursday, December 11, 2008
National Invitational Workshop: Towards an agenda for Cancer Survivorship
slide set eg: LiveStrong, Canada vs U.S. etc
Survivorship_Linda E. Carlson.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Oral Sodium Phosphate (OSP) Products for Bowel Cleansing Information U.S. FDA warning
Oral Sodium Phosphate (OSP) Products for Bowel Cleansing Information
FDA ALERT [12/11/2008]
FDA has become aware of reports of acute phosphate nephropathy, a type of acute kidney injury, associated with the use of oral sodium phosphate products (OSP) for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy or other procedures. These products include the prescription products, Visicol and OsmoPrep, and OSPs available over-the-counter without a prescription as laxatives (e.g., Fleet Phospho-soda). In some cases when used for bowel cleansing, these serious adverse events have occurred in patients without identifiable factors that would put them at risk for developing acute kidney injury. We cannot rule out, however, that some of these patients were dehydrated prior to ingestion of OSPs or they did not drink sufficient fluids after ingesting OSP.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
JAMA -- Randomized Trials of Antioxidant Supplementation for Cancer Prevention: First Bias, Now Chance--Next, Cause
although this Editorial and related research is specific to Prostate Cancer there are lessons to be learned:
JAMA -- Randomized Trials of Antioxidant Supplementation for Cancer Prevention: First Bias, Now Chance--Next, Cause, December 9, 2008, Gann 0 (2008): 2008.863
Intraepithelial T cells and prognosis in ovarian c...[Mod Pathol. 2008] - PubMed Result
Intraepithelial T cells and prognosis in ovarian c...[Mod Pathol. 2008] - PubMed Result
"The presence of intraepithelial CD8(+) T cells was not associated with improved survival in endometrioid or clear cell carcinomas."
Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) in combination with carboplatin in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer - a phase 11 study
Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) in combination with ...[Gynecol Oncol. 2008] - PubMed Result
"....There is no evidence yet, that whole-body hyperthermia contributes to any clinical improvement beyond chemotherapy alone. This question can only be addressed in a randomized phase III trial."
The effect of obesity on survival in patients with ovarian cancer
The effect of obesity on survival in patients with...[Gynecol Oncol. 2008] - PubMed Result
"CONCLUSION: Although obesity has been reported as an independent prognostic factor for survival, this data demonstrates that survival rates are similar between obese and non-obese patients when optimal debulking statuses are the same. Therefore, maximal effort should be directed towards optimal debulking obese patients with EOC."
UICC's Reel Lives: Bringing truths about cancer to new audiences
getStaticModFile.aspx (application/pdf Object)
"Jan knew little about cancer but a lot about friendship."
Physicians' Experiences With BRCA1/2 Testing in Community Settings
Physicians' Experiences With BRCA1/2 Testing in Community Settings -- Keating et al. 26 (35): 5789 -- Journal of Clinical Oncology
"Conclusion: Community-based physicians seem to be successfully incorporating BRCA1/2 testing into their practices. Physicians’ recommendations for surveillance of mutation carriers are generally consistent with practice guidelines, yet recommendations for preference-based procedures such as prophylactic mastectomy vary by physician characteristics such as specialty and geographic region. The providers whom patients see for testing may contribute to variations in prophylactic treatments."
Feasibility of Screening for Lynch Syndrome Among Patients With Colorectal Cancer
Feasibility of Screening for Lynch Syndrome Among Patients With Colorectal Cancer -- Hampel et al. 26 (35): 5783 -- Journal of Clinical Oncology
Conclusion:
One of every 35 patients with CRC has LS, and each has at least three relatives with LS; all of whom can benefit from increased cancer surveillance. For screening, IHC is almost equally sensitive as MSI, but IHC is more readily available and helps to direct gene testing. Limiting tumor analysis to patients who fulfill Bethesda criteria would fail to identify 28% (or one in four) cases of LS.
"Patient First" Review Launched - First of its Kind in Canada
Without patient input, the benefits to the patients, organization, clinician and the healthcare system as a whole may never be fully realized. Decision-makers must begin to enact this commitment to collaborative patient-centred care by engaging patients in discussions....
JCO Editorial: Palliative Care and Oncology: Growing Better Together
JCO.2008.20.2671v1.pdf (application/pdf Object)
"....Caution is warranted amid our enthusiasm, lest
those of us seeking to advance and expand palliative care inadvertently
propagate a provider-centric orientation, rather than the patient- and
family-centered approach we desire. Palliative care programs and
clinics are instrumental, but are not ends in themselves. Simply stated:
it is not about us, and never was. Specialist clinicians and teams
represent structures and related processes of health care. Although
worthy foci for health service research, the structures and processes of
care must not divert attention from the outcomes that matter most to
people living with cancer and their families......Naturally, people do not always fit neatly into one of these
categories— being treated for cure, living with, dying from, or surviving
cancer—and the clinicians who serve them must resist being
constrained within arbitrary silos of services....." cont'd
Monday, December 08, 2008
news item - HPV vaccinations ‘not safe’ says former Health Canada employee
The Bracebridge Examiner and Gravenhurst Banner - HPV vaccinations ‘not safe’ says former Health Canada employee
"One of Canada’s leading experts in vaccines and antibiotics is calling the federally funded human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization campaign for Grade 8 girls a giant public health experiment.
“People are the guinea pigs for this vaccine,” says Shiv Chopra, a former Health Canada microbiologist.
His advice to the public: “Do not take it (the HPV vaccination). We don’t know anything about it. It’s nothing but a money-making device.”"
The Bracebridge Examiner and Gravenhurst Banner - HPV vaccinations ‘not safe’ says former Health Canada employee
The Bracebridge Examiner and Gravenhurst Banner - HPV vaccinations ‘not safe’ says former Health Canada employee
"One of Canada’s leading experts in vaccines and antibiotics is calling the federally funded human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization campaign for Grade 8 girls a giant public health experiment.
“People are the guinea pigs for this vaccine,” says Shiv Chopra, a former Health Canada microbiologist.
His advice to the public: “Do not take it (the HPV vaccination). We don’t know anything about it. It’s nothing but a money-making device.”"
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance - Regulatory - FDA HE4
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance - Regulatory - FDA HE4
"Our survey showed that most women are unaware of ovarian cancer symptoms......Survey results show that 50 percent of the respondents did not know about the specialty of gynecologic oncologists. Furthermore, 48 percent of the respondents reported that the doctors they contacted to evaluate symptoms did not refer them to gynecologic oncologists...."
Time to stop ovarian cancer screening in BRCA 1/2 mutation carriers?
HighWire Press -- Medline Abstract
"Annual gynecological screening of women with a BRCA1/2 mutation to prevent advanced stage ovarian cancer is not effective."
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Social Media: ABC News: Bloggers are People of the Year
Social Media: ABC News: Bloggers are People of the Year
"ABC News has declared bloggers to be their People of the Year. A nice job of grasping the long-term import of citizens media, something not often seen in the mainstream media."
Friday, December 05, 2008
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Uptake of clinical genetic testing for ovarian cancer in Ontario: A population-based study
Kelly A. Metcalfe
Received 7 August 2008.
Available online 3 December 2008.
Abstract
Background
Approximately 13% of ovarian cancers in Canada are attributable to a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2. In 2001, genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 became freely available to all women in Ontario with a diagnosis of invasive ovarian cancer. It is unknown what proportion of women with ovarian cancer receive genetic testing as a result of this recommendation.
Methods
Patients in Ontario who had been diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer from 2002 to 2004 were identified using the Ontario Cancer Registry. Information was collected on demographic and risk factors, including information on previous testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2. Women were asked to provide a blood sample for genetic testing or to provide a genetic test result if clinical testing had been done. Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations was conducted on all blood samples.
Results
Of the 416 women, 80 women (19%) had undergone previous clinical genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2. Of these 80 women, 30% had a positive genetic test result, compared to 5% of 336 women who had not had clinical genetic testing (p <>
Conclusions
Genetic testing is available in Ontario to all women with invasive ovarian cancer. However, only a small proportion of women are being referred for testing. This study suggests that increased public awareness directed at physicians and at women with cancer may expand the use of genetic testing.
Keywords: BRCA1; BRCA2; Ovarian cancer; Genetic testing
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
The Canadian Press: Ovarian cancer subtypes distinct diseases, should be treated as such: study
The Canadian Press: Ovarian cancer subtypes distinct diseases, should be treated as such: study
.....He said for several years his research group has believed the habit of
treating ovarian cancer subtypes as one disease for research purposes was
"the single greatest obstacle towards finding new biomarkers for ovarian
carcinoma and also eventually new treatments."....
PLoS Medicine - Ovarian Carcinoma Subtypes Are Different Diseases: Implications for Biomarker Studies
PLoS Medicine - Ovarian Carcinoma Subtypes Are Different Diseases: Implications for Biomarker Studies
Background
Although it has long been appreciated that ovarian carcinoma subtypes (serous, clear cell, endometrioid, and mucinous) are associated with different natural histories, most ovarian carcinoma biomarker studies and current treatment protocols for women with this disease are not subtype specific. With the emergence of high-throughput molecular techniques, distinct pathogenetic pathways have been identified in these subtypes. We examined variation in biomarker expression rates between subtypes, and how this influences correlations between biomarker expression and stage at diagnosis or prognosis.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Correspondence: Cultural Challenges in Caring for Our Patients in Advanced Stages of Cancer
JCO.2008.19.9455v1.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Stern adherence to scientific methods cannot fully encompass the depth and breadth of our tasks in supportive, palliative, and end-of-life care.
Does Age Really Matter? Recall of Information Presented to Newly Referred Patients With Cancer -- Jansen et al. 26 (33): 5450 -- Journal of Clinical Oncology
Does Age Really Matter? Recall of Information Presented to Newly Referred Patients With Cancer -- Jansen et al. 26 (33): 5450 -- Journal of Clinical Oncology
"Conclusion: Recall is not simply a function of patient age. Age only predicts recall when controlling for amount of information presented. Both prognosis and information about prognosis are better predictors of recall than age. These results provide important insights into intervention strategies to improve information recall in patients with cancer"
GenomeWeb News: International Cancer Genome Consortium Announces Eight New Projects
GenomeWeb News: International Cancer Genome Consortium Announces Eight New Projects
International Cancer Genome Consortium Announces Eight New Projects
November 19, 2008By a GenomeWeb staff reporter
NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – The International Cancer Genome Consortium announced today that eight countries and 11 funding agencies have signed on to participate in comprehensive analyses of the genomic changes underlying eight types of cancer.
The new projects are designed to complement the Cancer Genome Atlas pilot projects on brain, lung, and ovarian cancers. The goal is to map the genetic and genomic changes occurring in different types and stages of cancer in an effort to understand disease biology and develop new preventive strategies, diagnostics, and therapies.
Each participating organization will tackle one or more types of cancer using samples collected from about 500 individuals. Data collection and analysis will be standardized and is to follow ICGC guidelines released in April. Participating countries and agencies will also use common informed consent and ethical oversight standards. The estimated cost of each project is $20 million.
The ICGC anticipates additional countries and groups joining the effort through other projects in the next decade and eventually plans to study 50 types of cancer. Overall, the ICGC expects to generate some 25,000 times more data than the Human Genome Project.
ICGC data will be made available to the research community freely and rapidly, and participants are expected to agree that they will not file patents or make intellectual property claims on ICGC project primary data.
The new ICGC projects include:
- An Australian study funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (the tumor type to has not yet been announced)
- A Canadian study funded by the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research on pancreatic cancer
- A Chinese study funded by the Chinese Cancer Genome Consortium on stomach cancer
- French studies on alcohol-related liver cancer and HER2-positive breast cancers funded by the Institut National du Cancer
- An Indian study on oral cavity cancer funded by the Department of Biotechnology Ministry of Science and Technology
- A study of virus-related liver cancer in Japan, funded by RIKEN, the National Cancer Center, and the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation
- A Spanish study of chronic lymphocytic leukemia funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation
- A study of several breast-cancer subtypes in the UK, funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
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