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News

• Blood Fats May Raise Prostate Cancer Risk
  Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, and high cholesterol may promote its growth. Even post-surgery, men with elevated blood fats may face an increased risk of recurrence.
• Most Breast Cancer Patients Happy with Choice to Remove Non-Cancerous Breast
  Many women choose to remove the second, non-cancerous breast after a diagnosis. This preventive decision, though difficult, can offer peace of mind and potentially reduce future risk.
• Mental Health Issues in Cancer Patients Differ by Cancer Type
  The struggle with cancer can extend beyond the physical. Some cancer types impose a more substantial mental burden on patients, affecting their emotional well-being during treatment.

Features

• Black Men With Prostate Cancer May Need Different Approach
  Some men with prostate cancer are closely monitored without immediate treatment. However, this method may not be the most effective for Black men, who may benefit from alternative strategies.
• ‘Angelina Effect’ May Have Boosted Screening for Breast Cancer
  A surge in genetic screenings in the UK has been observed, potentially influenced by celebrity endorsements, underscoring the impact of public figures on health decisions.
• Fashion Changes May Explain Increase in Serious Skin Cancer
  Evolving beauty standards, from porcelain skin in the early 1900s to today’s tan trends, may partly explain the rising cases of serious skin cancers, highlighting the long-term impact of fashion on health.

FDA Alerts

• FDA Approves New Rx to Control Chemo Side Effects
  The FDA has approved Akynzeo, a new oral medication designed to alleviate side effects associated with chemotherapy, offering patients better comfort during their cancer treatments.

Releases

• Standard Medication for HER-2 Breast Cancer Remains Top Treatment
  While new treatments continue to emerge, the established standard therapy remains the primary choice for managing HER-2 positive breast cancer, due to its proven effectiveness.

Videos

• E-Cigarettes May Not Help Cancer Patients Quit
  Many cancer patients turn to e-cigarettes to quit smoking, but a new study suggests these devices may not be as effective in curbing the habit as hoped.

All

• Knowing Cancer Risk May Not Increase Screening Adherence
  Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer death in the US. Even among high-risk individuals, adherence to routine screenings is often lower than recommended, despite awareness.

Roadmap to Reduce the Costs of Cancer Care in the State of Texas by $100 Million per Year

What’s the plan?

To empower oncologists with the resources to deliver more effective patient care using multi-content, multi-channel digital patient education.Digital Education improves practice productivity and patient outcomes:Consistent delivery of messaging to patientsMore efficient communication means less time spent in doctor/patient visitsWell-informed patients can actively manage their own healthTogether, these changes in process and behavior, made possible with digital patient education, can reduce provider costs by 5%.Here’s the math:The Cost Today - The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has determined that the total cost of cancer care in the state of Texas for 2007 was approximately $21.9 billion.1The Opportunity - Roughly 1,000 oncologists practice in the state of Texas.  If 100 of these oncologists (only 10%) reduced the cost of cancer care delivery by 5%, Texans could save $105M annually. If all Texas oncologists embraced digital patient education, the cost savings could reach as high as $1.05B per year.Authored by: Donald Hackett and Alexander Cavalli, PhDCitations:1 Philips, B.U., et al. (2009, March). The cost of cancer in Texas 2007. Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health. University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.References:“HHS Releases National Plan to Improve Health Literacy,” U.S. Department of Health & Human Services“Readmissions drop when pharmacists visit patients' homes,” FierceHealthPayer“NCHC Should Keep the Focus on Adherence to Medicines,” Phrma“Eliminating Waste in US Health Care,” JAMACenters for Disease Control and Prevention