News
Low risk prostate cancer: real-world data reveals high rates of switching from surveillance to treatment
Over half of men initially managed with active surveillance (AS) for ‘low risk’ prostate cancer switch within four years to definitive treatments (e.g., surgery or radiation therapy). The Canadian study, published in Urology, (20 August) provides real-world data on uptake…
Careers of women in oncology hit by Covid-19 pandemic
The pandemic has seen the careers of female physicians working in oncology suffer as they have taken on more domestic responsibilities during lockdowns. Recent studies have indicated the trend may be global and long lasting. A new paper published in…
Blood pressure drugs improve survival in colorectal cancer
Common Blood pressure drugs may improve survival in colorectal cancer (CRC). The study, published in Cancer Medicine, (August issue), showed use of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta blockers and thiazide diuretics were all associated with decreased cancer specific mortality.…
Cancer community fights back against Covid-19 related delays
The European Cancer Organisation is making materials available to download in 30 different languages to help advocates across Europe lobby national governments to tackle the Covid-19 threat to cancer services in their own countries. The European Time to Act campaign,…
The right to health in Latin America: feeling worthy of cancer treatment
Inequalities influence not only access to cancer care but also patients’ perceptions of their right to choose between treatment options and their expectations of receiving quality care. Researchers evaluating how countries in the Americas design their cancer control policies have…
Addressing social needs may help cancer outcomes
Identifying social needs of cancer patients and developing interventions to mitigate them could improve health outcomes. The survey-based study, published in Cancer (12 July), found unmet social needs in gynaecological cancers were associated with emergency room visits, hospital admissions and…
Aspirin cuts risk of death from a wide range of cancers
Taking aspirin together with cancer treatment results in reductions in death from cancer and all-cause mortality, both by around one fifth. The meta-analysis, published in ecancermedicalscience, (online 2 July), demonstrates benefits for aspirin across a range of cancers and shows…
Heart failure may be oncogenic, statins could reduce cancer risk
Two studies highlight the relationship between heart failure and cancer, showing people with heart failure are more likely to develop cancer, and that statins may reduce that risk. The first study, published in ESC Heart Failure (28 June 2021), found heart failure…
Cancer trials interruption in Latin America halts treatment for many
The interruption of cancer clinical trials across Latin America due to the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the treatment of thousands of patients in the public health system. A JCO Global Oncology study, conducted by the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group…
ACE inhibitor protects against cardiotoxicity
In HER2 breast cancer, concurrent use of the ACE inhibitor lisinopril with trastuzumab-anthracyclines benefits left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The study, abstract 509, presented in a poster session at the ASCO meeting, June 4-8, found breast cancer patients treated with…