This message was sent to ##Email## March 8, 2018     Home  |   About   Subscribe  |   Archive  |   Advertise    HEALTH CARE NEWS AND UPDATES Commission on Cancer advocates on Capitol Hill ACS On Feb. 26 and 27, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) Advocacy Committee held its annual planning meeting followed by a day on Capitol Hill. Members of the Advocacy Committee met with representatives, senators and congressional staff from their respective districts to discuss issues that affect cancer patients and survivors.  READ MORE Investigators examine link between epithelial ovarian cancer risk, antidepressant treatment Oncology Nurse Advisor Duration and intensity of antidepressant treatment does not have an impact on epithelial ovarian cancer risk, according to research published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of eight studies published between 1984 and 2017 that examined the link between antidepressant use and epithelial ovarian cancer risk. Study data included 7,878 cases of epithelial ovarian cancer and 73,913 controls.  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   All cancer patients should have access to genomic testing Forbes Days after Thanksgiving, the FDA approved Foundation Medicine’s comprehensive genetic test for evaluating cancer. The idea — and practice — of testing tumors for specific DNA or protein abnormalities is not new. Previously, the agency listed several dozen approved companion diagnostic tests; these earlier tools check one or a few molecules to inform the cancer subtype, prognosis and likelihood of response to treatments. The novelty of Foundation’s approach — like that of a few other companies leading the field of cancer diagnostics — is the scope of testing.  READ MORE Study: Multiple-treatment approach improves survival rates in aggressive prostate cancer Medical Xpress UCLA researchers have discovered that a combination of high doses of radiotherapy and hormonal therapy provides the best chance of decreasing the mortality rate of men with aggressive prostate cancer. The findings also suggest that such a multimodal treatment approach has the best chance of preventing metastatic disease and improving overall long-term survival.  READ MORE .  PRODUCT SHOWCASE Intraoperative 10-min 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. Nursing model of flexibility, collaboration enhanced overall care, outcomes, practices Oncology Nurse Advisor A model in which the clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are ambulatory enhanced patient care, improved outcomes and led to the development of innovative care systems throughout the continuum of cancer care, according to a health system study presented at the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) 2018 Annual Conference. Clinical nurse specialists in the ambulatory program historically focused on one clinical area/patient care location. However, CNSs are able to mirror the movement of patients across sites and providers within our health care system.  READ MORE Maximizing nutrition during cancer care Medical Xpress The physical and emotional tolls chemotherapy can have on a patient undergoing cancer treatment are well known, but there are many myths when it comes to managing fitness and nutrition during treatment. "I think one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding chemotherapy is that patients will lose weight," said Rachel Dudley, nutritionist in the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine. "While it is true that some people, such as head and neck cancer patients, will lose weight, treatment for many other cancer types, including breast cancer, are actually more likely to cause weight gain." .  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. FDA approves first direct-to-consumer test for breast cancer risk Scientific American Federal regulators approved the first direct-to-consumer test for the BRCA genes, which increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, the agency announced on Tuesday. The test for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, from 23andMe, uses a saliva sample. But it assesses only three of the more than 1,000 known BRCA1/2 mutations, raising concerns that women who are told they do not have any of those variants will be lulled into believing that, as a result, they do not have an elevated risk for breast and ovarian cancer.  READ MORE     .  SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT      ACS CANCER PROGRAMS UPDATES AJCC needs your feedback on the implementation of the 8th edition manual AJCC The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) wants to hear your feedback on the implementation of the 8th edition manual. Please complete our quick 8-10 minute survey. The survey closes at 12 p.m. CST, Monday, March 19.  READ MORE 2017 CQIP released ACS The National Cancer Database (NCDB) has released the CQIP 2017 report. CoC-accredited programs are able to access this report through CoC Datalinks. This annual report is unique in providing not only short-term quality and outcome data but also long-term outcome data, including five-year survival rates for commonly treated malignancies stratified by stage. CQIP allows programs to assess their quality and outcomes based on the data submitted to the NCDB. If you have any questions, please contact NCDBCQIP@facs.org. 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 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 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.  IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES Date Event Location 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. American College of Surgeons applauds US House of Representatives for passing the Mission Zero Act (H.R. 880) (ACS) Recent advances in pancreatic cancer research (OncLive) CoC launches Special Study (ACS-CRP) Calcitriol may improve hormone-therapy induced osteoporosis in breast cancer survivors (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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