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Cancer

Cancer

The Cancer page covers both primary and secondary care, including screening, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. 

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  • Intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy for locally advanced and locally recurrent colorectal cancerEvidence-based recommendations on intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy for locally advanced and locally recurrent colorectal cancer. This involves delivering electron beam radiation directly to the tumour during surgery. The aim is to stop the cancer from coming back and spreading further. 06/06/2023
  • Male sling is as good as more complex surgery for incontinence after prostate surgeryTwo surgical methods are similarly effective in reducing men's leakage of urine (incontinence) after prostate surgery, research found. The findings will help men make an informed choice about surgery. Incontinence after prostate surgery is often addressed by a further procedure to fit an inflatable cuff around the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder). This is called an artificial urinary sphincter; men control the cuff with a pump. A newer, simpler procedure, called a sling, fits a length of tape to support the bladder. Before this study, it was unclear how the two techniques compared. This study assessed the procedures in men who experienced incontinence for more than 12 months after prostate surgery. It found that both methods improved men's quality of life, and serious complications were rare. However, few men in either group achieved zero leakage. The results will allow surgeons to better explain the benefits, drawbacks, and likelihood of success of both procedures. This will help men make an informed choice. But the researchers caution that men need realistic expectations ahead of either procedure. 10/05/2023
  • Prioritising new diagnostic capacity for cancer servicesICBs with 'Faster Diagnosis Standard' performance <70% in Feb will have to present & deliver plan for using their additional funded diagnostic capacity (community diagnostic centres & acute) to deliver improvements in their most challenged cancer pathways & diagnostic modalities. 05/05/2023
  • Hospitals asked to work towards 10-day turnaround when delivering diagnostic test results to patients with an urgent referral for suspected cancerIn a letter sent to local health areas, NHS leaders are also asking teams to prioritise diagnostic tests like MRI scans for cancer in community diagnostic centres (CDCs) or to free up capacity for these cancer tests within hospitals by moving elective activity into the centres. 28/04/2023
  • How can cancer teams ensure that patients' preferences inform treatment decisions?Teams of professionals working together (multidisciplinary teams) have improved outcomes for people with many different conditions, including cancer. But a study found that this way of working may not support patient preferences. It calls for professionals to ensure that people with cancer take part in decisions about their treatment. Multidisciplinary teams bring together different specialists involved in a patient's care. In team meetings, professionals may discuss treatment options in a patient-centred way, but they rarely include patients themselves. Patients may, for example, choose treatments that allow them to do things they love, rather than to live longer. This study focused on head and neck cancer. Researchers observed multidisciplinary teams making treatment decisions and assessed patients' engagement with their recommendations. The study found that team meetings were frequently dominated by doctors' opinions on the best treatment. Patients tended to be presented with the team's preferred treatment option, rather than all treatment options; their preferences often did not inform treatment decisions. The researchers call for healthcare professionals to find ways to ensure that patient preferences inform decision-making. Training for professionals on shared decision-making could help; as could re-structuring team meetings. People could benefit from dedicated time or other support tools to help them fully explore their treatment options. 20/03/2023
  • SARS-CoV-2 omicron (B.1.1.529)-related COVID-19 sequelae in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients with cancer: results from the OnCovid registryStudy (n=1909) found overall, 16.6% of patients had at least one sequela from COVID-19 at the first oncological reassessment, with highest prevalence in pre-vaccination phase (191 of 1000 [19.1%]), confirming protective role of previous SARS-CoV-2 immunisation. 10/03/2023
  • Preparing for a successful spring 2023 COVID-19 booster campaignThe government has accepted interim JCVI advice which advises an extra booster dose in spring (17th April to 30 June 2023) in the following eligible groups: adults aged >75 years; residents in a care home for older adults and individuals aged >5 years who are immunosuppressed. 27/02/2023
  • Pandemic Phase-Adjusted Analysis of COVID-19 Outcomes Reveals Reduced Intrinsic Vulnerability and Substantial Vaccine Protection From Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Patients With Breast CancerRegistry study of 613 breast cancer patients with COVID-19 found a consistent reduction in disease severity during omicron phase of the pandemic. Vaccinated patients had lower 28 day mortality (OR 2.19, 95%CI 0.06-0.45) and hospitalisation rates (0.28, 0.11-0.69) vs unvaccinated 02/02/2023