Update on HPV vaccination and HPV screening
COMMUNITY ONCOLOGY, JUNE 2009, p 249
About half a million women worldwide will be diagnosed with cancer of the cervix this year. It is the leading or second leading cause of mortality in many developing countries. Discovery of the human papilloma virus (HPV), coupled with the pursuit of vaccination for cancer prevention, is one of the most impressive stories in modern medicine. The 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was given to Prof. Harald zur Hausen of Germany for his part in establishing the role of HPV in the etiology of cervical cancer. As experts in the treatment of cancer, community oncologists should be knowledgeable about the recommendations regarding HPV vaccination and the controversies surrounding it. The American Cancer Society currently recommends HPV vaccination for girls 11–12 years old and teenage girls 13–18 years old to catch up on missed vaccines or to complete the series. Pap smears and high-risk HPV (HRHPV) testing remain important parts of cervical cancer screening of women, and many other tests are evolving. more»
Use of Tablet Computers for Sensitive Patient-Reported Information
THE JOURNAL OF SUPPORTIVE ONCOLOGY, MAY/JUNE 2009, p 91
Notebook-style tablet computers (e/Tablets) are increasingly replacing paper methods for collecting patient-reported information. Discrepancies in data between these methods have been found in oncology for sexuality-related questions. A study was performed to formulate hypotheses regarding causes for discrepant responses and to analyze whether electronic data collection adds value over paper-based methods when collecting data on sensitive topics. A total of 56 breast cancer patients visiting the Breast Clinic at Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham, North Carolina, participated by responding to 12 subscales of five survey instruments in electronic (e/Tablet) format and to a paper version of 1 of these surveys, at each visit. Twenty-one participants (38%) provided dissimilar responses on paper and electronic surveys to one item of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT–G) Social Well-Being scale, which asked patients to rate their satisfaction with their current sex life. The e/Tablet electronic system may provide a "safer" environment than paper questionnaires for cancer patients to answer private or highly personal questions on sensitive topics such as sexuality. more»
What’s Ahead for Oncology Practices on Capitol Hill?
THE ONCOLOGY REPORT, SUMMER 2009, p 7
With health reform prominently featured in President Barack Obama's budget blueprint and congressional leaders vowing to have a plan in place to vote on by early summer, there are both opportunities and pitfalls in the year ahead for oncology practitioners. The Association of Community Cancer Centers has been working with the American Society of Clinical Oncology and other oncology groups to present a united front to Congress, said Matthew Farber, manager of provider economics and public policy, at the organization's annual meeting in National Harbor, Maryland. And being on the front lines of cancer care gives oncologists credibility with staffers and congressmen. "They know we have the membership behind us and have a real-world understanding of how their policies affect patients," he said. more»