Today is World Cancer Research Day: A call to action by ASCO- Don’t Stand Still. We Won’t

September 24th is  World Cancer Research Day. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)calls upon to continue and heighten research in areas of cancer prevention and treatment, along with discovering new drugs. World Cancer Research Day is a global initiative that aims to raise awareness about the critical importance of cancer research.

It is estimated that by 2030 cancer will be the leading cause of death worldwide with new cases expected to increase to 21.6 million each year. According to the GLOBOCAN report, in 2012 there were 14 million new cases diagnosed and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths worldwide.

Life years and productivity loss, together with disabilities resulting from cancer account for the largest economic cost on a global scale, compared to other causes of death including infectious diseases.

One of the most important areas is to support and promote research on the causes, prevention and early detection of cancer as a key element in controlling the disease. This will lead us towards the discovery of a cure for cancer or transforming the disease into a chronic illness, both approaches translating into higher survival rates.

Some of the important research paper on Obstetrics and Gynecological cancer published recently are:

USPSTF simplifies cervical cancer screening recommendations: Dual testing no longer advised

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued new draft recommendations for cervical cancer screening with a major change that it recommends either cervical cytology (CC) or high-risk HPV (hrHPV) test as a screening procedure every 3 years for women aged 30-65 years, and not both ( Grade A)  

https://obgynupdated.blogspot.com/2017/09/uspstf-simplifies-cervical-cancer.html

Magseed, a minimally invasive breast marker for cancer localization during surgery receives clearance in Europe

Endomag, a surgical guidance company received CE clearance for Sentimag+Magseed breast cancer diagnostic system, that guides surgeon for precise location of impalpable tumor during breast lumpectomy. It improves outcome and reduces the amount of radioactive exposure for patients.

https://obgynupdated.blogspot.com/2017/09/magseed-minimally-invasive-breast.html

FDA clears first 2D digital mammography system that allows patients to control the compression

GE Healthcare announced today FDA 510(k) clearance of an industry-first, patient-assisted mammography system, Senographe Pristina Duetathat makes mammography experience more comfortable by putting the control in patients’ own hands.

https://obgynupdated.blogspot.com/2017/09/fda-clears-first-2d-digital-mammography.html

FDA approves world’s first pioneering gene therapy for cancer

The U.S.Food and Drug Administration in its landmark and historic action today approved the world’s first gene therapy, Novartis' Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) for certain pediatric and young adult patients with a form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

This opens a new frontier in treatment of cancer and other serious and life-threatening diseases.

https://obgynupdated.blogspot.com/2017/09/fda-approves-worlds-first-pioneering.html

Are you dense? What every woman and her healthcare provider needs to know.

Nearly 20 plus years of research have provided sufficient evidence to link dense breast tissue and increased risk of missing cancer diagnosis by screening mammography. As the breast density increases, the reliability of mammogram as a screening tool for picking up breast malignancy decreases.

What is meant by “being dense”? Breast density does not correlate with physically palpated firmness of breast, it is a radiologic finding and cannot be predicted without obtaining a mammogram. 

https://obgynupdated.blogspot.com/2017/08/are-you-dense-what-every-woman-and-her.html

Now Ovarian Tissue paper to support normal hormonal production: Breakthrough in Regenerative Medicine

An accidental Spill has sparked a breakthrough in the field of regenerative medidicne. Scientists and engineers at the Northwestern Medicine have invented a range of bioactive “tissue papers” made from organs combined with a polymer to make them so pliable.

These new “tissue papers” are so thin and pliable that they can be folded into an origami bird. Their clinical application is for wound healing and aid in natural hormone production in young cancer patients.

https://obgynupdated.blogspot.com/2017/08/now-ovarian-tissue-paper-to-support.html

Adjunct Metformin helps reversal of atypical endometrial hyperplasia

Adjunct metformin treatment help reversal of atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) and improves overall survival in endometrial cancer reports the result of a systematic review and meta-analysis published ahead of print in Journal of Gynecologic Oncology.

https://obgynupdated.blogspot.com/2017/08/adjunct-metformin-helps-reversal-of.html

FDA Approves PARP inhibitor Zejula for treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer.

The U.S.Food and Drug Administration today approved Zejula (niraparib) for the maintenance treatment of epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer in adult patients who have already responded well to platinum-based chemotherapy.

https://obgynupdated.blogspot.com/2017/03/fda-approves-parp-inhibitor-zejula-for.html

Here is an interesting video about importance of research on World Cancer Research Day 2017