Top in hem/onc: Cannabidiol, LGBTQ patients with cancer

Some patients with cancer use cannabidiol products to manage pain and other adverse effects of treatment, but what are the risks associated with these products? A recent review of this was the top story in hematology/oncology last week.

Another top story was about a survey assessing cancer providers’ attitudes and knowledge of LGBTQ patients.

Read these and more top stories in hematology/oncology below:

Education, communication can reduce risks of cannabidiol use among patients with cancer

Pain and other common adverse effects of cancer treatment — such as nausea and vomiting, mucositis, depression or anxiety — can dramatically decrease quality of life. To alleviate these symptoms, many patients use complementary or alternative medicines, including cannabis products. Read more.

Cancer care providers show varying attitudes, knowledge of LGBTQ patients

Health care providers reported limited overall knowledge about the health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning patients with cancer, according to survey results. Read more.

Stereotype Threat, Gender Equity and Working on the Frontlines of COVID-19

In this podcast episode, Arghavan Salles, MD, PhD, explains the concept of stereotype threat, shares how she became interested in gender equity work and details her experience on the frontlines of COVID-19. Read more.

Mount Sinai appoints director of gastrointestinal oncology program

Deirdre J. Cohen, MD, MS, has been appointed director of the gastrointestinal oncology program at Mount Sinai Health System. Read more.

Neoadjuvant nivolumab regimen improves response in resectable NSCLC

The addition of nivolumab (Opdivo, Bristol Myers Squibb) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved the pathologic complete response rate among patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer, according to topline data released by the agent’s manufacturer. Read more.