Health

Cancer detection revolution

Research is moving ahead on many fronts, and a new report is drawing attention to cancer survivors' needs.

By Susan J. Landers — Posted July 12, 2004

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Washington -- Intriguing new technologies that allow researchers to peer into the core of cells and detect cancer at its earliest stages hold great promise for personalizing treatment.

For example, cancer biomarkers, molecular profiles and molecular imaging could one day revolutionize breast cancer detection, says a report released June 10 by the Institute of Medicine. But instead of competing with mammography to detect cancer, the new techniques will need to be linked with imaging information to define tumor size and location, according to the report "Saving Women's Lives: Strategies for Improving Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis."

"Improving and increasing the use of current mammography technology is the most effective strategy we have right now for further reducing the toll of breast cancer," said Panel Chair Edward Penhoet, PhD, director of science and higher education programs at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation in San Francisco.

While the new technologies could provide more personalized screenings and identify women at greatest risk for breast cancer, it is yet to be seen if these technologies will yield results that can replace mammograms.

Meanwhile, there is a need to increase the numbers of medical personnel who can interpret mammograms, the report noted. More than 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year, and more than 40,000 women will die from it.

But there aren't enough breast imaging specialists to keep up with the demand. Heavy regulation, fear of lawsuits and low reimbursement are driving radiologists away.

Complexities

With the advance of technology comes a new appreciation for cancer's complexity, said Steven Goodman, MD, PhD, a biostatistician at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore.

Dr. Goodman spoke at a June 9 Capitol Hill briefing, "Predicting the Outcome of Cancer: New Approaches and New Complications." One of a series of briefings by the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, it was hosted by the Joint Steering Committee on Public Policy, a coalition of three biomedical research societies.

The very early detection of cancer raises a host of new issues, Dr. Goodman said. "As we see cancer earlier and earlier, we jump to treat it." But how to treat it remains a mystery, and whether this very early stage of the disease will progress to a life-threatening tumor is by no means certain.

"We've got ourselves into a bit of a box," he said. "You can be hurt by learning about an illness too early."

Prostate cancer early detection presents just such a conundrum and sparks complex discussions between physicians and patients. While the prostate specific antigen, or PSA, and digital rectal examination can effectively detect prostate cancer early, there is little evidence that available treatments reduce mortality.

The problem of a test being too sensitive and detecting cancer before it can be physically located with current imaging technology also could be traumatic. "Fulfilling the potential of molecular medicine for breast and other cancers will require collaboration between molecular biologists and scientists from a broad spectrum of disciplines," the IOM report said.

Meanwhile, biotechnology companies are developing targeted cancer drugs to follow in the wake of the success of Gleevec (imatinib mesylate), which has been effective for some patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. The newest drugs are also highly specific, virtually nontoxic and can be taken by mouth, Dr. Goodman said. "For those in whom they work, they are something of a miracle."

These treatment successes, along with early detection and prevention efforts, have produced a continuing and overall decline in the risk of getting and dying from cancer, says the "Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer from 1975 to 2001," released June 3. This good news translates into a population of 10 million cancer survivors of all ages in the United States and prompted a look by a presidential advisory panel on their continuing health status.

"Our ability to detect cancers early and treat them successfully has improved dramatically over the past 30 years," said panel Chair LaSalle Leffall Jr., MD, a professor of surgery at Howard University in Washington, D.C. "Now we're recognizing that [survivors'] challenges often continue long after their treatment concludes, and some of these challenges vary depending on the survivor's age at diagnosis."

The panel recommends that doctors provide patients with detailed records of disease and treatment. Patients also should be given a plan for follow-up care that includes periodic cancer screenings and examinations for known late effects of the therapy.

The panel also wants the federal government to implement comprehensive health care reform that includes coverage for psychosocial services during and after treatment and reimbursement for follow-up care.

Back to top


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Reason to screen

Millions of older women who should receive annual mammograms do not get them, according to the Institute of Medicine report "Saving Women's Lives: Strategies for Improving Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis." Consider the following:

  • In 2002, approximately 60.5% of women ages 40 to 64 received mammograms in the United States. There were 27.7 million women who received mammograms and 18.1 million who did not.
    An estimated 15,300 women ages 40 to 64 died of breast cancer in 2003.
  • In 2002 approximately 63.8% of women older than age 65 received mammograms. There were 13.3 million women older than 65 who received mammograms and 7.5 million who did not.
    An estimated 23,000 women older than age 65 died of breast cancer in 2003.

Back to top


Cancer survivors

A presidential advisory panel has released a report aimed at improving the health of cancer survivors. The panel made specific recommendations by age groups that include:

For children: The National Cancer Institute and the Dept. of Education should explore collaborative opportunities to improve the classroom re-entry and reintegration of young people with cancer or other chronic or catastrophic illnesses, for example, through remote learning or teacher training.

For adolescents and young adults: Improved surveillance research of this vastly understudied population is needed to enhance the knowledge base and inform the design of treatment, prevention and quality-of-life interventions developed for their benefit as they approach adulthood.

For adults: More complete recommendations are needed to guide post-treatment care. Recommendations should be updated regularly to ensure that survivors, patient educators, providers and insurers have access. A lack of research evidence in this population limits reimbursement for follow-up care.

For older adults: The Institute of Medicine or other independent body should do a periodic assessment of the impact of Medicare law changes on older cancer patients' access to care and follow-up services. The panel said that as baby boomers reach their 60s, there will be a significant increase in the number of older people with cancer, making treatment, follow-up care and support increasingly important.

Back to top


External links

Information on the President's Cancer Panel from the National Cancer Institute (link)

"Saving Women's Lives: Strategies for Improving Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis," Institute of Medicine report, June 10 (link)

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn