Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Many Cancer Patients With Reconstructed Breasts Not Warned That They'll Lose Sensation
The New York Times: After Mastectomies, An Unexpected Blow: Numb New Breasts
After learning she had a high genetic risk for breast cancer, Dane’e McCree, like a growing number of women, decided to have her breasts removed. Her doctor assured her that reconstructive surgery would spare her nipples and leave her with natural-looking breasts. It did. But while Ms. McCree’s rebuilt chest may resemble natural breasts, it is now completely numb. Her nipples lack any feeling. She cannot sense the slightest touch of her breasts, perceive warmth or cold, feel an itch if she has a rash or pain if she bangs into a door. And no one warned her. (Rabin, 1/29)
The New York Times: Depression And Anxiety Tied To Cancer Deaths
Psychological distress may increase your chances of dying from cancer. Researchers interviewed 163,363 adults in England and Scotland using well-validated questionnaires on general and mental health. They followed the population in 16 studies conducted between 1994 and 2008. (Bakalar, 1/27)
WBUR: ‘It’s Not An Even Playing Field’: How Financial Instability Takes A Toll On Cancer Patients
In research published in 2016, [Kira] Bona looked at data from 575 kids treated for leukemia at leading U.S. cancer centers. She found that even though the kids received the same standard of medical care, the children living in high-poverty areas were more likely to suffer an early relapse compared to kids in low-poverty areas. Specifically, among kids who relapsed, 92 percent of the relapses in high-poverty areas were early relapse — defined as less than 36 months in complete remission — compared to 48 percent in low-poverty areas. (Zimmerman, 1/30)
WBUR: What If We Really Knew Where To Get The Best Cancer Care: The Prostate As Case Study
[Neil] Martin describes the pros and cons of two treatment options: surgery to remove the prostate, or radiation to kill cancer cells in the gland. ... [Ron] Dombrowski is not told, for example, that some doctors do a better job of preserving bladder control for their patients. He doesn't know how much difference there is between doctors. And he doesn't know if the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center delivers better care, overall, than other cancer centers across the country. (Bebinger, 1/30)
California Healthline: Preserving Fertility When It Is Threatened By Life-Saving Medicine
Angela Thomas thought her breast cancer diagnosis and the double mastectomy that followed were the most traumatic things she would ever experience. Then, when the 32-year-old actress sought fertility treatment so she could have a baby after the cancer care was finished, her insurance company refused to pay. (Gorman, 1/30)
