CA current issue

Difficulty Accepting a Terminal Prognosis Linked with Depression, Anxiety, and Suffering [News and Views]

Dreyfuss, J. H. — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:13:53 PST

New Joint Outpatient Chemotherapy Administration Standards [News and Views]

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:13:53 PST

Introducing the 2010 American Cancer Society Prostate Cancer Screening Guideline [Editorials]

Brawley, O. W., Gansler, T. — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:13:53 PST

American Cancer Society Guideline for the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer: Update 2010 [Articles]

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:13:53 PST

In 2009, the American Cancer Society (ACS) Prostate Cancer Advisory Committee began the process of a complete update of recommendations for early prostate cancer detection. A series of systematic evidence reviews was conducted focusing on evidence related to the early detection of prostate cancer, test performance, harms of therapy for localized prostate cancer, and shared and informed decision making in prostate cancer screening. The results of the systematic reviews were evaluated by the ACS Prostate Cancer Advisory Committee, and deliberations about the evidence occurred at committee meetings and during conference calls. On the basis of the evidence and a consensus process, the Prostate Cancer Advisory Committee developed the guideline, and a writing committee drafted a guideline document that was circulated to the entire committee for review and revision. The document was then circulated to peer reviewers for feedback, and finally to the ACS Mission Outcomes Committee and the ACS Board of Directors for approval. The ACS recommends that asymptomatic men who have at least a 10-year life expectancy have an opportunity to make an informed decision with their health care provider about screening for prostate cancer after they receive information about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits associated with prostate cancer screening. Prostate cancer screening should not occur without an informed decision-making process. Men at average risk should receive this information beginning at age 50 years. Men in higher risk groups should receive this information before age 50 years. Men should either receive this information directly from their health care providers or be referred to reliable and culturally appropriate sources. Patient decision aids are helpful in preparing men to make a decision whether to be tested. CA Cancer J Clin 2010;60:70–98. © 2010 American Cancer Society, Inc.

Cancer Screening in the United States, 2010: A Review of Current American Cancer Society Guidelines and Issues in Cancer Screening [Articles]

Smith, R. A., Cokkinides, V., Brooks, D., Saslow, D., Brawley, O. W. — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:13:53 PST

Each year the American Cancer Society (ACS) publishes a summary of its recommendations for early cancer detection, a report on data and trends in cancer screening rates, and select issues related to cancer screening. In 2010, the ACS updated its guidelines for testing for early prostate cancer detection, and during 2009 there were several newsworthy updates in the cancer screening guidelines from other organizations. In this article, the current ACS guidelines and recent issues are summarized, updates of guidelines for testing for early breast cancer detection by the US Preventive Services Task Force and for prevention and early detection of cervical cancer from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are addressed, and the most recent data from the National Health Interview Survey pertaining to participation rates in cancer screening are described. CA Cancer J Clin 2010;60:99–119. © 2010 American Cancer Society, Inc.

Evaluating the Older Patient with Cancer: Understanding Frailty and the Geriatric Assessment [Articles]

Kumar Pal, S., Katheria, V., Hurria, A. — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:13:53 PST

The majority of cancer incidence and mortality occurs in individuals aged older than 65 years, and the number of older adults with cancer is projected to significantly increase secondary to the aging of the US population. As such, understanding the changes accompanying age in the context of the cancer patient is of critical importance. Age-related changes can impact tolerance of anticancer therapy and can shift the overall risk-benefit ratio of such treatment. A challenge in implementing evidence-based approaches in older adults is the under–representation of this group in oncology clinical trials. In addition, although older adults are particularly vulnerable to the side effects of cancer therapy, few oncology studies to date have incorporated a measure of health status other than the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group or Karnofsky performance scales. Novel metrics such as frailty indices or the geriatric assessment recognize heterogeneity among older adults, and may allow for risk-adapted approaches to therapy. It is increasingly recognized that several laboratory markers may predict morbidity and mortality in older adults; these biologic variables may further aid in stratifying this group of patients based on risk. This review describes key studies from the geriatric literature that provide principles for assessing health status in the older patient, and ways that these principles can be applied to oncology care in an older population are proposed. CA Cancer J Clin 2010;60:120–132. © 2010 American Cancer Society, Inc.

Should I Be Tested for Prostate Cancer? [Patient Pages]

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:13:53 PST

Online Continuing Education Program [CME/CNE Quizzes]

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:13:53 PST