Study: Childhood Cancer Survivors Face Big Physical, Mental Health Risks Later
As if surviving cancer as a child isn't difficult enough, a new analysis shows how experiencing cancer or its treatment is also highly linked to serious physical and mental health challenges later in life — with a 95% chance of developing a problem by age 45. In more upbeat news, some U.S. cancer drug shortages are lessening.
The Washington Post:
Most Childhood Cancer Survivors Face Serious Health Problems As Adults
In a sobering analysis, researchers warn that those who’ve had childhood cancer are highly likely to face physical and mental health challenges later in life, with 95 percent developing a “significant health problem” related to their cancer or treatment by age 45. The researchers reviewed 73 studies, including 39 cohort studies that followed patients over time. Publishing their findings in JAMA, they said approximately 15,000 children and adolescents through age 19 are diagnosed with cancer every year and that 85 percent of children now live five years or more beyond their diagnosis. That’s compared with just 58 percent in the 1970s, according to the American Cancer Society. (Blakemore, 10/8)
In other cancer news —
Axios:
U.S. Cancer Centers Report Fewer Drug Shortages, But Crisis Continues
Fewer U.S. cancer centers are reporting shortages of critical drugs than at the beginning of the summer, but the shortfalls are far from resolved, a new survey of leading cancer centers found. The availability of life-saving platinum-based generic cancer drugs reached crisis levels earlier this year, leading doctors to delay patients' care or turn to less attractive alternatives and causing the FDA to OK importation of certain drugs from China. (Reed, 10/6)
Stat:
In $4.8 Billion Deal, Bristol Myers Squibb To Buy Cancer Player Mirati
Bristol Myers Squibb said that it would purchase Mirati Therapeutics, maker of the cancer drug Krazati, for $4.8 billion in cash in a deal that shows the continued interest of large pharmaceutical firms in relatively small “bolt-on” acquisitions. (Herper, 10/8)
Stat:
Colorectal Cancer Study Finds Potential In Overlooked Immune Cell
Within the linings of our guts, immune cells patrol like sentries on a castle wall. These cells, called intraepithelial T lymphocytes, are constantly probing the cells of the gut barrier for signs of disease, killing any cells that appear suspect due to infections or cancer mutations. A new paper published in Science Immunology on Friday suggests that a subtype of T cells called gamma-delta T cells may be key to that process — and that a protein known as TCF-1 is central to controlling their actions. (Chen, 10/6)
WMFE:
Younger Women Are Getting Breast Cancer. An Oncologist Says Poor Nutrition Plays A Role
Vanessa De La Rosa Martinez was 29 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. She had no family history. She didn't smoke or drink excessively. “It was surprising because I'm not out there. I was living basically the average life of an American person,” she said. Martinez is one example of a trend doctors are seeing: cancer diagnoses in younger demographics of women. A study released this year by the JAMA Network found that between 2010 and 2019 about 63% of cancer patients were women with early onset cancer — breast cancer being the most common diagnosis. (Pedersen, 10/9)
