Oncology News

CHICAGO — Adding a dedicated patient navigator improved fecal immunochemical testing completion and return rates and resulted in significant savings to the health care system, according to data presented at Digestive Disease Week.

CHICAGO — Race, ethnicity and rurality have a significant impact on colorectal cancer screening disparities, highlighting the need for interventions to overcome these barriers, according to data presented at Digestive Disease Week.

CHICAGO — A multicomponent strategy, which included patient and provider outreach, increased colorectal cancer screening in individuals overdue for colonoscopy who have a family history of CRC, according to data at Digestive Disease Week.

CHICAGO — Among those who survived early-onset colorectal cancer, approximately 16% developed a second cancer, with higher risk reported among men, according to a population-based study presented at Digestive Disease Week.

Guidelines that recommend stool-based screening for colorectal cancer should emphasize strict adherence and offer screening colonoscopy as an alternative option, researchers reported in Gastroenterology.

UnitedHealthcare recently announced that beginning June 1, 2023, commercial plan members will be required to obtain prior authorization for gastroenterology endoscopy services.

For patients who undergo surgery for stage III colon cancer, physical activity appears to prevent — rather than merely delay — recurrence of the disease, according to a study published in British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Perichemotherapy antibiotics appeared associated with longer survival among patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treated with gemcitabine, according to retrospective study results.

Bariatric surgery may significantly lower the risk for obesity-related cancers, including breast, colon, liver, pancreatic, ovarian and thyroid, in patients with obesity.

April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month; to help raise awareness, the Esophageal Cancer Action Network has hosted various events throughout the month and is offering kits for individuals to host their own events to celebrate.