Top in hem/onc: Depression, obesity in patients with cancer
A survey revealed that depression has increased among U.S. adults with cancer during the pandemic. A review of treatment interventions and the potential benefits of pharmacogenetic testing was the top story in hematology/oncology last week.
Another top story focused on the impact of obesity in women with hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative, HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer.
Read these and more top stories in hematology/oncology below:
Pharmacogenetic testing may improve outcomes for patients with depression
COVID-19 has caused major physical and psychological harm for millions of Americans. For many individuals with cancer, the trauma associated with their diagnosis has been compounded by the emotional burden of the pandemic. Read more.
Obesity linked to shorter DFS, OS across breast cancer subtypes
Obesity appeared to be associated with modestly shorter disease-free survival and overall survival across breast cancer subtypes, according to a study published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Read more.
‘Harmful effect’ of pandemic emerges as clinics see patients with more advanced cancer
New patients arrived at cancer clinics with more advanced disease than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic as treatment postponements and deferrals subsided, according to results of a physician survey by American Society for Radiation Oncology. Read more.
Oncologist brings social justice-focused lab with her to new position
As she moves to an assistant professor position at Harvard Medical School and a new leadership role, Narjust Duma, MD, continues her work to improve equity for both patients with cancer and women in medicine. Healio spoke with Duma for the first installment in the Women in Oncology “On the Move” series. Read more.
Weight gain, obesity prevalent among childhood brain tumor survivors
Childhood brain tumor survivors have a high prevalence of significant weight gain, overweight and obesity, and changes in BMI may indicate hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, according to a study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology. Read more.