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Showing results for tags 'Medicine - Oncology'.
Found 77 results
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News Article
Cancer patients to pay heavy price for checks lost to lockdown
Clive Flashman posted a news article in News
Five-year survival rates are expected to fall due to delays in getting urgent referrals or treatment at the height of the pandemic. Thousands of lives may be lost to cancer because 250,000 patients were not referred to hospital for urgent checks, says a report to be published this week. Family doctors made 339,242 urgent cancer referrals in England between April and June, down from 594,060 in the same period last year — a drop of 43%. The fall in the number of people seeing their GP with symptoms, and in referrals for scans, is resulting in cancers being spotted too late, according to the research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and Carnall Farrar, a healthcare management consultancy. Full article on The Times website here (paywalled). -
News Article
Ian Paterson: Surgeon wounded hundreds amid 'culture of denial'
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A culture of "avoidance and denial" allowed a breast surgeon to perform botched and unnecessary operations on hundreds of women, an independent inquiry has found. The independent inquiry into Ian Paterson's malpractice has recommended the recall of his 11,000 patients for their surgery to be assessed. Paterson is serving a 20-year jail term for 17 counts of wounding with intent. One of Paterson's colleagues has been referred to police and five more to health watchdogs by the inquiry. The disgraced breast surgeon worked with cancer patients at NHS and private hospitals in the West Midlands over 14 years. His unregulated "cleavage-sparing" mastectomies, in which breast tissue was left behind, meant the disease returned in many of his patients. Others had surgery they did not need - some even finding out years later they did not have cancer. Patients were let down by the healthcare system "at every level" said the inquiry chair, Bishop of Norwich the Rt Revd Graham James, who identified "multiple individual and organisational failures". One of the key recommendations from the report is that the Government should make patient safety a the top priority, given the ineffectiveness of the system identified in this Inquiry. Read full story Source: BBC News, 4 February 2020 -
News Article
‘Critical decision-making’ at major cancer centre left to trainees
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Trainee oncologists at a major cancer centre covered clinics and made “critical” decisions without senior supervision, including for cancers they were not trained for, HSJ has revealed. A Health Education England (HEE) reviews aid: “The review team was concerned to hear that trainees were still expected to cover clinics where no consultant was present, including clinics relating to tumour sites that they were unfamiliar with.” Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust’s trainee clinical oncologists felt “they could only approach 50–75% of the consultants for critical decision-making”, the document said. The HEE “urgent concern review” report said: “The trainees also reported that there was a continued lack of clear consultant supervision for inpatient areas in clinical oncology, which meant that they were not able to access senior support for decision-making.” A trust spokesman said: “We recognise that senior support to the clinical team is a vital part of keeping our patients safe.” Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 16 January 2020 -
News Article
AI 'outperforms' doctors diagnosing breast cancer
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Artificial intelligence is more accurate than doctors in diagnosing breast cancer from mammograms, a study in the journal Nature suggests. An international team, including researchers from Google Health and Imperial College London, designed and trained a computer model on X-ray images from nearly 29,000 women. The algorithm outperformed six radiologists in reading mammograms. AI was still as good as two doctors working together. Unlike humans, AI is tireless. Experts say it could improve detection. Sara Hiom, director of cancer intelligence and early diagnosis at Cancer Research UK, told the BBC: "This is promising early research which suggests that in future it may be possible to make screening more accurate and efficient, which means less waiting and worrying for patients, and better outcomes." Read full story Source: BBC News, 2 January 2020 -
News ArticleCancer patients are being pushed to “breaking point” because of a lack of support from overstretched nurses and carers, a leading charity has warned. Almost half of specialist cancer nurses have told the Macmillan Cancer Support charity that their high workload was having a negative impact on patient care, while one in five people diagnosed with the disease say the staff responsible for their care have unmanageable demands. Now the charity says this is affecting patients, with thousands calling its specialist support helpline in distress and worried because they feel they can’t get answers from their health workers. Read full story Source: The Independent, 31 December 2019
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News Article
Health strike: Action could delay cancer diagnoses
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Patients are facing a week of disruption, with more than 10,000 outpatient appointments and surgeries cancelled in Belfast. Some people referred by their GPs on suspicion of cancer could have their diagnosis delayed, the head of the Belfast Trust has said. The trust apologised, blaming industrial action on pay and staffing. Martin Dillon said outpatient cancellations "could potentially lead to a delay in treatment" for cancer. The Department of Health said the serious disruption to services was "extremely distressing". Read full story Source: BBC News, 2 Decmeber 2019 -
News Article
Breast cancer: Patient creates app to help with treatment
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A mobile app designed by a patient is helping people with breast cancer prepare for the start of radiotherapy. The treatment requires them to raise their arm above their head, but patients often find that difficult or painful after breast surgery. Exercises are important but Karen Bonham said leaflets giving details did not help her enough. So she helped create the app to offer exercise videos and medics say it is helping more women be ready on time. Staff at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff say they have noticed fewer patients needing urgent referral for physiotherapy ahead of the treatment since the "Breast Axilla Postoperative Support app", or BAPS App, was launched in February. Kate Baker, clinical lead physiotherapist at Velindre, who helped devise the app, said: "Previously, we've always handed out information on exercises in a leaflet, that patients would be given by a physiotherapist and taken home. But often these pieces of paper get lost and they're not followed through. "What we wanted to do was provide exercises, physical activity advice and further information in an app format, which would allow individuals to have it with them at all times." Donna Egbeare, breast surgeon at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, who was also involved in developing the bilingual app, said the impact of being able to start radiotherapy on schedule was significant. Read full story Source: BBC News, 27 November 2019 -
Content ArticleThis report by the Health and Social Care Commons Select Committee examines why cancer outcomes in England remain behind other comparable countries. For example, 58.9% of people in England diagnosed with colon cancer will live for five years or more, compared to 66.8% in Canada and 70.8% in Australia. The report identifies key issues in early diagnosis, access to treatment, variation in services and research and innovation, and makes recommendations aimed at improving cancer survival rates in England.
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Content ArticleThe objective of this study from Carey et al. was to explore medical oncology outpatients' perceived experiences of errors in their cancer care. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. English-speaking medical oncology outpatients aged 18 years or older were recruited from 9 Australian cancer treatment centres. One hundred forty-eight participants perceived that an error had been made in their care, of which one third reported that the error was associated with severe harm. Of those who perceived an error had been made, less than half reported that they had received an explanation for the error and only one third reported receiving an apology or being told that steps had been taken to prevent the error from reoccurring. Patients with university or vocational level education and those who received radiotherapy or “other” treatments were significantly more likely to report an error in care. The authors concluded that here is significant scope to improve communication with patients and appropriate responses by the healthcare system after a perceived error in cancer care.
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Content ArticleDr S. Vincent Rajkumar is a Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In this account, originally published via a Twitter thread, Dr Rajkumar remembers how the insight of Mike Katz, a patient with myeloma, left an incredible legacy for patient safety.
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Content Article
The breast cancer surgeon who got breast cancer
Patient-Safety-Learning posted an article in Cancers
Liz O'Riordan, a breast cancer surgeon of 20 years, describes her experience of developing breast cancer, having to give up her job and how now she has been able to help hundreds of thousands of women through her book, blogging and being an ambassador. -
Content ArticleIn this article, Victoria Lavin discusses her experience of having breast cancer, chemotherapy and a new understanding from a patients point of view.
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Content Article
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In this opinion piece, Becky Tatum discusses how genetic profiling of patient's tumours can lead to more personalised cancer therapy/treatment options with better outcomes. -
EventuntilEarly diagnosis and treatment are critical in extending the lives of those living with cancer and improving their quality of life. However, a number of national performance standards around diagnosis and waiting times for cancer care have not been met for several years. The Covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted the need to ensure that cancer programmes are not disrupted in the future, as the system seeks to recover from the impact of the pandemic. The government is planning to publish a new Major Conditions Strategy, which encompasses elements of the previously planned dedicated cancer plan, aimed at developing aimed at developing a co-ordinated approach across major conditions and diseases, including cancer. Against this backdrop, this panel discussion will bring together senior leaders from the cancer community to discuss: putting patients’ experiences of cancer treatment at the centre of pathway design and priority areas for improvement strategies to ensure that the system – already dealing with pressures on workforce, capacity and an intimidating backlog – is equipped to deliver high quality cancer care going forward how to improve the link between early diagnosis and early treatment, and address inequalities in provision and access. Register
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EventThis Westminster Health Forum policy conference will examine the key priorities for the future of cancer prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment as the Government develops a 10-year Cancer Plan for England. Delegates will discuss priorities for the next stage of the elective care backlog delivery plan, including meeting demand as waiting times for new referrals increase, and what can be learned from success in clearing the longest waiting times for patients. With questions about the future of the National Insurance increase and social care funding, it will be an opportunity to discuss priorities for the Government under a new prime minister. Overall, areas for discussion include: the pandemic - assessing its impact on cancer services and patient care - the future for personalised care in England reducing cancer waiting times - options for increasing capacity - priorities for diagnostics, infrastructure and the use of digital technology - building workforce resilience and retention the 10-year Cancer Plan for England - stakeholder perspectives on next steps in its development screening programmes - progress in recovering services and options for future delivery - developing public awareness health outcomes - improving early diagnosis and access to innovation - use of data and developing prevention programmes to meet local need - addressing accessibility and health inequalities personalised care - the future for patient engagement and involvement in their own care plans - how this should look within cancer care in England. Agenda Register
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Content ArticleThe U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently changed its recommendations for all women to get screened for breast cancer every other year starting at age 40 instead of 50. Wanda Nicholson, USPSTF Vice Chair and professor at George Washington University said the updated recommendations “will save more lives among all women.” However, time and time again, the evidence shows that screening healthy women using mammograms in fact, does not save lives. Dr Maryanne Demasi discusses the evidence.
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News ArticleA UK oncologist with a world reputation is facing allegations by the General Medical Council that he provided medication inappropriately in an attempt to keep terminally ill patients alive. Justin Stebbing, professor of cancer medicine and oncology at Imperial College London, who has a private practice in Harley Street, faces allegations at a medical practitioners tribunal of failing to provide good clinical care to 11 patients between March 2014 and March 2017. Read full story (paywalled) Source: BMJ, 15 September 2020
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News Article
Early CT scans deliver huge fall in lung cancer deaths, study shows
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Screening smokers and ex-smokers could dramatically reduce deaths from lung cancer – Britain’s biggest cancer killer – a major new study has found. Low-dose computerised tomography (CT) scans can detect tumours in people’s lungs early and cut deaths by 16%, according to the UK Lung Cancer Screening Trial (UKLS). The findings have prompted renewed calls from lung cancer experts for the government to bring in routine screening across the UK of all those who are at risk because of their smoking history. They say that early detection means patients can have potentially curative surgery or radiotherapy. “Lung cancer early detection and surgical intervention saves lives,” said Professor John Field of Liverpool University, an author of the trial. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 12 September 2021 -
Content ArticleThis study from Pickles et al. explores experiences of women who identified themselves as having a possible breast cancer overdiagnosis.
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Content ArticleAn estimated 1 in every 182 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Providing them safe care has inherent challenges, such as reaching an accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible, differentiating between disease progression and treatment side effects, and addressing broader systemic risks. Caitlyn Allen, sat down with medical oncologist and former chief quality officer of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Joseph O. Jacobson, to discuss the evolution of oncology care and what the future may hold.
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Content ArticlePicker, an international charity working across health and social care, have published the results of their National Cancer Patient Experience Survey. Almost 60,000 people responded to the survey, which was coordinated by Picker on behalf of NHS England and conducted between October 2021 and February 2022. The survey included people aged 16 years and over with a confirmed primary diagnosis of cancer and who had been treated in hospital between April and June 2021.
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Content Article
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer (Pancreatic Cancer UK)
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Cancers
Pancreatic Cancer UK has produced this infographic on recognising the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. -
Content ArticlePatients and providers often don't recognise skin cancer on darker skin. Medical school faculty and students are trying to change that.
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Content ArticleConcerns for patient safety persist in clinical oncology. Within several nonmedical areas (eg, aviation, nuclear power), concepts from Normal Accident Theory (NAT), a framework for analysing failure potential within and between systems, have been successfully applied to better understand system performance and improve system safety. Clinical oncology practice is interprofessional and interdisciplinary, and the therapies often have narrow therapeutic windows. Thus, many of the processes are, in NAT terms, interactively complex and tightly coupled within and across systems and are therefore prone to unexpected behaviours that can result in substantial patient harm. To improve safety at the University of North Carolina, Chera et al. have applied the concepts of NAT to their practice to better understand their systems’ behaviour and adopted strategies to reduce complexity and coupling. Furthermore, recognising that you cannot eliminate all risks, they have stressed safety mindfulness among their staff to further promote safety. Many specific examples are provided herein. The lessons from NAT are translatable to clinical oncology and may help to promote safety.
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Content ArticleCancer research is a crucial pillar for countries to deliver more affordable, higher quality, and more equitable cancer care. Patients treated in research-active hospitals have better outcomes than patients who are not treated in these settings. However, cancer in Europe is at a crossroads. Cancer was already a leading cause of premature death before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the disastrous effects of the pandemic on early diagnosis and treatment will probably set back cancer outcomes in Europe by almost a decade. Recognising the pivotal importance of research not just to mitigate the pandemic today, but to build better European cancer services and systems for patients tomorrow, the Lancet Oncology European Groundshot Commission on cancer research brings together a wide range of experts, together with detailed new data on cancer research activity across Europe during the past 12 years.
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