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Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Social Needs May Be Linked to Low Health-Related Quality of Life Among Black Cancer Survivors

Social needs—such as food and economic insecurity, poor housing and neighborhood conditions, and lack of access to transportation—were common in a group of Black cancer survivors in Detroit. These factors were associated with lower health-related quality of life, according to findings published by...

Breast Cancer
Survivorship
Issues in Oncology

Effect of Fertility Preservation on Reproductive Outcomes in Patients After Breast Cancer

In a Swedish nationwide cohort study reported in JAMA Oncology, Marklund et al found that women who had undergone fertility preservation had a higher live birth rate, were more likely to use assisted reproductive technology, and had better overall survival after breast cancer than women who had not ...

Survivorship

Sexual Health Often Overlooked in Cancer Survivorship Care

A new study points to a need for oncologists to ask their patients about sexual health after chemotherapy, radiation, and other cancer treatments. In a survey of nearly 400 cancer survivors, 87% said they experienced sexual side effects, but most also said their oncologist had not formally asked...

Survivorship

Impact of Prior Insurance Coverage Disruptions on Health-Care Access and Affordability for Currently Insured Cancer Survivors

A new study from the American Cancer Society has found health insurance coverage disruptions in the prior year led to issues with health-care access and affordability for currently insured cancer survivors. The study was published by Zhao et al in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention....

Cost of Care
Survivorship

Cost-Effectiveness of Screening Guidelines to Prevent Heart Failure in Survivors of Childhood Cancer

In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Ehrhardt et al identified intervals of screening for heart failure that were cost-effective among survivors of childhood cancer, according to heart failure risk defined by International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization ...

Breast Cancer
Survivorship

Breast Cancer Survival Is Significantly Decreased Among Premenopausal Women Previously Treated With Radiation for Childhood or AYA Cancer

Although radiotherapy is integral to the multidisciplinary therapy used in the treatment of common childhood and adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancers, including Hodgkin lymphomas, sarcomas, and breast cancer, the treatment is a strong risk factor for a secondary breast malignancy, especially...

Survivorship

Study Finds Radiotherapy May Be Associated With Long-Term Impact on the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health of Childhood Cancer Survivors

A study by Wilson et al investigating the impact of radiation therapy on adult survivors of pediatric abdominal and pelvic tumors has found that these survivors were significantly more likely to have insulin resistance, high levels of triglycerides, and low levels of high-density lipoproteins...

Survivorship

Severe Hearing Impairment Associated With Neurocognitive Deficits in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Findings from a report published by Bass et al in JAMA Oncology show that childhood cancer survivors with severe hearing loss are at a significant increased risk for neurocognitive deficits, independent of what type of therapy they receive. This study is the first to objectively measure hearing and ...

Leukemia
Survivorship

Late Morbidity and Mortality in Survivors of Childhood ALL Receiving Contemporary Risk-Stratified Therapy

In an analysis from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Dixon et al found that 5-year survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) diagnosed and treated with risk-stratified therapy in the 1990s had reduced morbidity and health-related late ...

Breast Cancer
Genomics/Genetics
Survivorship

Impact of Pregnancy After Breast Cancer in Women With Deleterious Germline BRCA Mutations

In a retrospective cohort study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Matteo Lambertini, MD, PhD, and colleagues found that pregnancy after breast cancer in women harboring deleterious germline BRCA mutations did not appear to be associated with worsened maternal prognosis or fetal...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Risk of Chronic Comorbidities Among Survivors of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer

In a retrospective cohort study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Chao et al found that survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer were at increased risk of numerous chronic comorbidities vs the general population.   Study Details The study involved data from 6,778 ≥ 2-year...

COVID-19
Survivorship

Cancer Survivors Are Adhering to COVID-19–Related Preventive Behaviors, but Continuity of Care May Be Impacted

People of any age with serious underlying health conditions are at greater risk for contracting the coronavirus, and cancer survivors are particularly vulnerable to becoming infected with COVID-19, since many cancer therapies can lead to immunosuppression. To reduce exposure to the virus, the...

survivorship

Eric Zhou, PhD, on Insomnia in Young Cancer Survivors: Online Program May Improve Quality of Life

Eric Zhou, PhD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses an existing online program called SHUTi (Sleep Healthy Using the Internet), that he and his team adapted to the needs of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. After six online cognitive behavior therapy sessions delivered over 8 weeks, the 22 patients in the study reported a significant reduction in insomnia severity, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue as well as an overall improvement in quality of life.

Survivorship

Effects of Exercise Intolerance on Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Hayek et al found that exercise intolerance was more common among adult survivors of childhood cancer than among matched controls and that it was associated with a greater likelihood of emotional distress, poorer attainment of social roles, and poorer...

Breast Cancer
Survivorship

Early Screening With MRI May Reduce Breast Cancer Mortality in Survivors of Childhood Cancer Treated With Chest Radiation

The early initiation—at age 25 to 30—of annual breast cancer screening with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with or without mammography may reduce breast cancer mortality by more than half in survivors of childhood cancer who had been previously exposed to chest radiation, according to a study by...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Patient Factors Associated With Lack of Provider Recommendation for HPV Vaccination in Young Cancer Survivors

In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, York et al found that perceived lack of insurance coverage for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, male sex, and decreased parent-survivor communication regarding HPV vaccination were among the factors associated with an increased likelihood...

Survivorship

Role of Genetic Mutations and Treatment Exposures in Increased Subsequent Malignancy Risk for Childhood Cancer Survivors

In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Qin et al identified combinations of pathogenic germline mutations in DNA repair genes and cancer treatment exposures that increased risk of subsequent neoplasms in long-term survivors of childhood cancer. Study Details The study involved...

Survivorship

Physical Activity and Neurocognitive Function in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancers

In a Childhood Cancer Survivor Study analysis reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Barlow-Krelina et al found that consistent physical activity vs consistent inactivity was associated with reduced neurocognitive problems and greater improvement in neurocognitive domains during long-term...

head and neck cancer
survivorship

Pam Baker DeGuzman, PhD, on Assessing Distress During Telemedicine Visits With Rural Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer

Pam Baker DeGuzman, PhD, of the University of Virginia School of Nursing, discusses her study findings on the use of the NCCN Distress Thermometer, which identified and addressed distress in patients treated for head and neck cancer who were then referred to speech pathologists, lymphedema specialists, and social workers (Abstract HSR20-082).

Head and Neck Cancer
Supportive Care
Survivorship

Better Mental Health Screening Needed for Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer

The threat posed by head and neck cancer extends well beyond the physical disease, according to research presented at the 2020 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium.1,2 The pair of studies underscored the high costs of survivorship, including elevated rates of chronic pain, substance...

Survivorship

Factors Associated With Small Adult Height in Childhood Cancer Survivors

In an analysis from the French Childhood Cancer Survivors (CCS) Study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Demoor-Goldschmidt et al found that receipt of pituitary irradiation, busulfan, and higher doses of lomustine were risk factors for small adult height in survivors of childhood...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

How Exercise Oncology Can Improve Cancer Outcome and Survivorship

Researchers from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently reviewed hundreds of epidemiologic studies on the link between physical activity and both cancer risk and cancer mortality. A subsequent analysis of the findings by a panel of experts representing 17 partner organizations,...

Survivorship

Surveillance for Second Malignant Neoplasms and Cardiac Dysfunction in Childhood Cancer Survivors

An analysis of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Yan et al found that adherence to Children’s Oncology Group (COG) recommended surveillance for second malignant neoplasms and cardiac dysfunction in high-risk childhood cancer survivors is ...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Cancer Incidence and Survivorship in Transgender Patients

The first-ever population-based study of cancer prevalence in transgender people was recently published by Boehmer et al in the journal Cancer. The authors of the report estimate that 62,530 of the nearly 17 million cancer survivors in the United States are transgender. Methods The researchers used ...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Are Younger Cancer Survivors More Susceptible to Financial and Food-Related Anxieties?

New research from the American Cancer Society published by Zheng et al in JNCCN–Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network found that younger cancer survivors are more likely to experience significant financial strain for daily living necessities—such as food, housing, and monthly...

Survivorship

Five-Year Survival for Cancers in Adolescents and Young Adults: 4-Decade Analysis

The 5-year survival rate for adolescents and young adults with cancer has significantly improved from 1975 to 2005 in the United States overall, but this was not the case for all types of cancer, according to a report published by Anderson et al in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. “We ...

Survivorship

Building Onco-Primary Care to Close the ‘Black Hole’ in Cancer Survivorship Care

When the landmark report from the Institute of Medicine, From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition, was published in 2006, there were 10 million cancer survivors in the United States.1 Meant to raise awareness of the medical, functional, and psychosocial consequences of a cancer...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Physical Activity and Quality of Life in African American Cancer Survivors

New research suggests that regular exercise may improve the well-being of African American cancer survivors, but most survivors do not meet current recommendations for physical activity. The findings were published by Jennifer Beebe-Dimmer, MPH, PhD, and colleagues in the journal Cancer. Because...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Models for Predicting Acute Ovarian Failure in Survivors of Childhood Cancer

As reported in The Lancet Oncology, Clark et al have developed radiation dosimetric models that can be used to predict the risk of acute ovarian failure in female survivors of childhood cancer. Study Details The cohort study involved 5,886 eligible 5-year survivors in the Childhood Cancer Survivor ...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Late Mortality and Chronic Health Conditions in Long-Term Survivors of AYA Cancers

A retrospective analysis from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, reported in The Lancet Oncology by Eugene Suh, MD, and colleagues, showed that as with survivors of childhood cancers, survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancers are at increased risk of earlier mortality and chronic...

Survivorship

Therapy-Associated Polyposis in Survivors of Childhood Cancer

A report published by Biller et al in Cancer Prevention Research provides new details about a recently discovered condition in which childhood cancer survivors develop numerous colorectal polyps, despite not having a hereditary susceptibility to the condition. The condition—known as...

Survivorship

AYA Cancer Survivors at Greater Risk of Inpatient Hospitalization

A population-based study investigating the risk of inpatient hospitalizations among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors compared with their siblings and those in the general population found that the AYA survivors had nearly double the risk of being hospitalized than the matched...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Emerging Fertoprotective Therapeutic Options for Female Fertility Preservation

The trend toward delayed childbearing has meant that many women who plan to have children may be childless at the time they are diagnosed with cancer. The number of these women is likely to further increase concurrently with the increase in cancer survivors, making “the focus on fertility...

Breast Cancer
Survivorship

Does Proton Pump Inhibitor Use Affect Cognition in Breast Cancer Survivors?

Proton pump inhibitors, which are sometimes recommended to ease stomach problems during cancer treatment, may have an unintended side effect: impairment of breast cancer survivors' memory and concentration. These findings were published by Madison et al in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship....

Survivorship

Comparing Options for Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation to Preserve Fertility in Pediatric Patients With Cancer

With the pediatric cancer survival rate exceeding 80%, “we can reasonably suspect that most of these children will survive more than 5 years from their diagnosis and then go on to puberty,” when they may have to deal with the consequences of cancer treatment, according to Rebecca Flyckt, MD,...

Issues in Oncology
Cost of Care
Survivorship

Cancer Survivors Face Substantial Medical Financial Hardship

Although advances in cancer treatments have led to huge increases in the number of survivors in the United States—more than 16.9 million in 2019—many of those survivors, particularly those aged 18 to 64, face substantial medical financial hardship due to their diagnosis and treatment, necessitating ...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Addressing the Obesity Epidemic and Barriers to Implementing Weight Management Programs for Cancer Survivors

Earlier this year, ASCO published the results of its new study on oncologists’ perceptions and practice behaviors regarding obesity, weight management, and related lifestyle factors in their patients both during and after cancer treatment.1 The findings from the online survey of 971 oncology...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

ASCO Provides Guidance on Managing Osteoporosis in Cancer Survivors

Cancer survivors are at an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures due to the accelerated loss of bone mineral density as a result of their treatment. Bone loss from cancer therapy is faster and more severe than bone less from aging; rates of bone loss are up to sevenfold higher when they occur...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Exercise Intolerance in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Ness et al found a high rate of exercise intolerance among adult survivors of childhood cancer, irrespective of exposure to cardiotoxic treatment. Exercise intolerance was associated with poorer overall survival. The study involved 1,041...

Survivorship

Risk of Subsequent Malignant Neoplasms in Childhood Cancer Survivors After Treatment With Chemotherapy Alone

As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Turcotte et al, analysis of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Cohort showed that childhood cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy alone—particularly higher cumulative doses of platinum and alkylating agents—are at an increased risk of...

Survivorship

The Role of Oncologists in Helping Cancer Survivors to Quit Smoking

Several oncology organizations have created guidelines for oncology specialists to help patients with cancer to quit smoking. ASCO has far-reaching goals aimed at tobacco reduction, including cessation tools and other resources. To shed light on the current work in this area, The ASCO Post spoke...

Survivorship
Pain Management
Symptom Management

First Survivor Views Survey Highlights Barriers to Addressing Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

Barriers to accessing appropriate therapies to address the physical and psychological side effects of cancer treatment continue to persist for patients and survivors, according to results of the Survivor Views survey conducted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)....

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

Leydig Cell Failure and Dysfunction and Associated Adverse Health Outcomes in Male Survivors of Childhood Cancer

In a retrospective analysis from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Chemaitilly et al identified the prevalence of and risk factors for failure and dysfunction of Leydig cells, which are responsible for testosterone secretion, and associated adverse...

Breast Cancer
Survivorship
Symptom Management

Home-Based Exercise and Weight Loss Programs for Lymphedema Management in Overweight Breast Cancer Survivors

As reported in JAMA Oncology by Schmitz et al, the WISER Survivor trial showed no benefit of home-based exercise and weight loss programs on lymphedema outcomes vs facility-based lymphedema care among overweight breast cancer survivors. Study Details In the trial, 351 overweight breast cancer...

Breast Cancer
Survivorship

Pregnancy Appears Safe After Treatment for Breast Cancer in Patients With BRCA Mutations

Pregnancy after breast cancer appears to be safe in patients with germline BRCA mutations—and particularly among those with BRCA1 mutations—according to new research. Limited data are available on the safety of pregnancy and reproductive outcomes in patients with breast cancer and BRCA mutations,...

Survivorship

Solid Organ Transplantation in Aging Survivors of Childhood Cancer

A retrospective analysis from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study reported in The Lancet Oncology by Dietz et al found that the need for solid organ transplantation was infrequent in aging survivors of childhood cancer, with greater organ-specific risk being associated with particular therapeutic...

Leukemia
Survivorship

Risk of Infections in Survivors of Childhood Leukemia

In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Pelland-Marcotte et al found that survivors of childhood leukemia remained at significantly increased risk of infection compared with matched controls during an extended period following completion of treatment.   Study Details The...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

What Role Do Physicians Play in Health Promotion Among Patients With Cancer?

A recent study published by Stump et al in Cancer indicated that certain physicians who care for patients with cancer do not often promote healthy lifestyle changes to cancer survivors, and they may fear that providing such advice would distress or overwhelm patients. The findings are noteworthy...

Issues in Oncology
Survivorship

High-Deductible Health Plans, Access to Care, and Emergency Department Use Among Cancer Survivors

In a study reported in the Journal of Oncology Practice, Zheng et al found that patients with cancer and high-deductible health plans had increases in delayed/forgone care, an effect that was attenuated for those with health savings accounts. Emergency department use was similar across insurance...

Survivorship
Issues in Oncology

Risks of Cardiovascular Diseases in Survivors of Adult Cancers

In a study reported in The Lancet, Strongman et al found that survivors of most site-specific cancers had an increased risk for one or more cardiovascular diseases during follow-up compared with a matched control group of patients without cancer. This population-based cohort study employed multiple ...

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