This message was sent to ##Email## February 22, 2018     Home  |   About   Subscribe  |   Archive  |   Advertise    HEALTH CARE NEWS AND UPDATES A safety-net hospital reports it achieved better outcomes than a national cohort for esophagectomy after implementing a standardized protocol ACS Safety-net hospitals — often found in inner cities with a high share of uninsured and Medicaid patients — are often thought to be hospitals of last resort. However, a recent study at a safety-net hospital in northeast Florida has found that it could perform a highly complex operation with fewer complications and shorter hospital stays than the national average, according to a study published online as an “article in press” on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website ahead of print publication.  READ MORE Updated Cancer Trends Progress Report now available National Cancer Institute We are pleased to announce the release of the newly updated Cancer Trends Progress Report, a key source of national trend data across a spectrum of cancer control measures. From prevention to end of life, the site offers trends by sex, age, race, ethnicity and income and education level, and displays them in relation to Healthy People 2020 targets, where they are available. Visit the site to view measures and generate custom reports.  READ MORE    SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by Immunogen, Inc. Mirvetuximab soravtansine, a folate receptor alpha-targeting investigational agent being evaluated in ovarian cancer FORWARD I: A phase 3 study of mirvetuximab soravtansine in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer FORWARD II: Clinical trial evaluating mirvetuximab soravtansine combination therapies in ovarian cancer   Exercise benefits cancer patients even 4 years later Medscape Cancer patients who exercise regularly while undergoing adjuvant therapy appear to be more physically active years after their treatment ends. In addition, in cancer patients who participated in an exercise program during therapy, there was a tendency toward less fatigue over both the short and long term, according to new findings. "The take-home message is that offering exercise during cancer treatment is recommended and has beneficial short- and long-term health effects," said lead author Anne M. May, PhD, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University Medical Center in Utrecht, the Netherlands.  READ MORE Gas mixture improves efficacy of breakthrough cancer pain treatment Oncology Nurse Advisor Self-administration of a nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture may be more effective than oxygen alone as an adjunct analgesic treatment in reducing moderate to severe breakthrough cancer pain, according to results from a double-blind randomized clinical trial published in the European Journal of Pain.  READ MORE .  PRODUCT SHOWCASE Intraoperative 10min Rapid immunoassays for Oncology Surgeons Our ihcDirect® method yields a revolutionary technology that opens a spectrum of new clinical applications including intraoperative surgery. Using the Novodiax PolyHRP technology, Intraoperative IHC tests can now be completed in just 10 minutes using fresh frozen tissues. For more details, see our ihcDirect® product list. Guidelines equip patients to understand immunotherapy side effects Cure Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the way some cancers are now treated. However, it should be noted that these treatments don’t come without potential and unique side effects. To help educate patients and enable health care teams to effectively manage these side effects, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American Society of Clinical Oncology issued new guidelines on understanding and managing immunotherapy-related toxicities.  READ MORE New genetic risk score could help guide screening decisions for prostate cancer News-Medical.Net One of the biggest challenges in treating prostate cancer is distinguishing men who have aggressive and potentially lethal disease from men whose cancer is slow-growing and unlikely to metastasize. For years, prostate-specific antigen level, cancer grade and tumor stage have been used to sort prostate cancer patients into risk groups established by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. These risk groups help determine treatment course.  READ MORE .  PRODUCT SHOWCASE Help Doctors Without Borders Today Donate now to help Doctors Without Borders bring emergency medical care where it is needed most. Doctors Without Borders USA relies on unrestricted donations from private donors so when an emergency strikes we assess the needs and can act fast. Donate today. Researchers discover novel mechanism linking changes in mitochondria to cancer cell death Medical Xpress To stop the spread of cancer, cancer cells must die. Unfortunately, many types of cancer cells seem to use innate mechanisms that block cancer cell death, therefore allowing the cancer to metastasize. While seeking to further understand cancer cell death, researchers at the University of Notre Dame discovered that the activation of a specific enzyme may help suppress the spread of tumors.  READ MORE Research could change how doctors treat leukemia and other cancers fed by fat Medical Xpress Obesity and cancer risk have a mysterious relationship, with obesity increasing the risk for 13 types of cancer. For some cancers — including pediatric cancers — obesity affects survival rates, which are lower for people who are obese. With an increasing population of overweight and obese children in the United States, researchers and physicians are racing to understand this connection and what to do about it.  READ MORE     .  SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT      ACS CANCER PROGRAMS UPDATES NCDB PUF application period closes Friday NCDB The National Cancer Database (NCDB) is pleased to announce that the Participant User File (PUF) application closes Feb. 23. The NCDB will accept applications for site-specific files, which include cases diagnosed between 2004 and 2015. The NCDB PUF is a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant data file containing cases submitted to the Commission on Cancer's (CoC) NCDB and complies with the terms of the Business Associate Agreement between the American College of Surgeons and cancer programs accredited by the CoC; i.e., no patients or facilities can be identified. The PUF is designed to provide investigators at CoC-accredited cancer programs with a data resource they can use to review and advance the quality of care delivered to cancer patients through analyses of cases reported to the NCDB. For more information review the PUF Website. Questions regarding the NCDB PUFs or the RFA process for a PUF may be directed to NCDB technical staff at NCDB_PUF@facs.org.  READ MORE American College of Surgeons membership isn't just for surgeons and residents — cancer program administrators and cancer registrars can join too! ACS Realize the potential of your profession and become an Affiliate Member of the American College of Surgeons. Affiliate members receive a variety of member benefits, including: Free, online access to the Journal of the American College of Surgeons and the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons Access to practice management and patient education resources Discounted rates for ACS educational programs and products, including the annual Clinical Congress Participation in the ACS-sponsored insurance programs Access to an online Community of other Affiliate Members Access to the members-only side of the ACS website at facs.org Here’s what you’ll need to apply: Your current contact information Information about your current employment Details about your education and certification A reference from a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons The Affiliate Member application fee is $50, which covers your first year of membership. Annual dues are then $100 annually. Join the more than 80,000 members who are shaping the future of surgical care. Click here to join today. For questions, contact enroll@facs.org.  READ MORE ACS releases Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety American College of Surgeons The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is pleased to announce that Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety is now available for purchase. This manual is intended to serve as a trusted resource for surgical leaders seeking to improve patient care in their institutions, departments and practices. It introduces key concepts in quality, safety and reliability and explores the essential elements that all hospitals should have in place to ensure the delivery of patient-centered care. Specific topics covered include the following: the domains and phases of surgical care, peer and case review, responsibilities of the Surgical Quality Officer, institutional infrastructure, privileging and credentialing, high reliability, applications to the unique surgical disciplines, data analytics, clinical practice guidelines, quality collaboratives and education and training. The manual also includes a look at some of the “soft skills” that influence quality and safety in health care, as well as the individual surgeon’s responsibility to the patient, colleagues and the next generation of surgeons. Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety is available for $44.95 (includes shipping) for single copies (up to a quantity of nine) or $39.95 (includes shipping) for per copy for 10 copies or more on the ACS website. SRGS: Surgical Infection America College of Surgeons The latest issue of the American College of Surgeons Selected Readings in General Surgery (SRGS), Surgical Infection, explores the most critical surgical approaches to controlling infection, including surgeon participation in multidisciplinary infection management teams, an enhanced understanding of emerging pathogens and resistant bacteria, timely diagnosis and effective initial therapy.  READ MORE CoC launches Special Study ACS-CRP The Commission on Cancer (CoC) initiated a pilot study at 20 CoC accredited facilities in the fall of 2017 as a component of the Comparison of Operative to Monitoring and Endocrine Therapy (COMET) clinical trial (PIs: Drs. Shelley Hwang, Ann Partridge, Alastair Thompson). The study examines the risks and benefits of active surveillance compared to usual care for patients diagnosed with low risk Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS), commonly known as stage 0 breast cancer. The pilot study concluded Jan. 1, 2018. Following data analysis, a CoC Special Study will be launched in spring 2018 to investigate outcomes from DCIS treatment retrospectively.  READ MORE AJCC at HIMSS18 AJCC The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) will be exhibiting at HIMSS18 in Las Vegas, March 5-9, 2018. Make sure to visit Booth 10632 to meet the AJCC staff and learn about the API interface to access the Eighth Edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual.  READ MORE 2018 NAPBC Standards Manual now available NAPBC The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) has released the 2018 NAPBC Standards Manual. You can download a PDF of the manual from the NAPBC Standards web page. Click the 2018 NAPBC Standards Manual link at the top of the standards web page. If your browser is set to auto-download, check the downloads folder on your computer after clicking the link. The 2018 NAPBC Standards Manual will be available online and as a PDF. The NAPBC will not have printed copies of the manual for purchase. Please contact us at NAPBC@facs.org with any questions or comments.  READ MORE Applications for NAPRC accreditation now being accepted American College of Surgeons - NAPRC The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) is now accepting applications. The NAPRC was developed to ensure that rectal cancer patients receive appropriate care following a multidisciplinary approach. Programs will be evaluated on the standards and metrics outlined in The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer Standards Manual 2017 (revised October 2017).  READ MORE  IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES Date Event Location Feb. 23 PUF application submission closes June 1 Call for Data closes July 21-24 ACS Quality and Safety Conference Orlando, FL Oct. 21-25 ACS Clinical Congress Boston, MA    TRENDING ARTICLES Missed last week's issue? See which articles your colleagues read most. FDA approves test to identify women with increased risk for cervical cancer (Cure) Bristol-Myers to pay largest fee in biotech history for Nektar cancer drug (Forbes) Cancer-killing virus acts by alerting immune system (Medical Xpress) CoC launches Special Study (ACS-CRP) Susceptibility gene mutations common in those with pancreatic cancer and history of other cancers (Oncology Nurse Advisor) Don't be left behind. Click here to see what else you missed.   The Brief Connect with AJCC Connect with CoC Connect with NAPBC Recent Issues | Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Advertise | Web Version  Colby Horton, Vice President of Publishing, 469-420-2601 | Download media kit Ashley Harrington, Senior Content Editor, 469-420-2642 | Contribute news Disclaimer: The Brief is a digest of news selected for the Commission on Cancer (CoC) and the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), both quality programs of the American College of Surgeons, from thousands of sources by the editors of MultiBriefs, an independent organization that also manages and sells advertising. The Cancer Programs do not endorse any of the advertised products and services. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and not of the American College of Surgeons, and the Cancer Programs. 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