In the News
Included below are news items from the last six months.
CDC reports increased screening rates for colon cancer but not for breast cancer
September 1, 2010
In its first two Vital Signs reports, published July 9, 2010, the CDC called attention to colon cancer and breast cancer screening rates—two key public health indicators. These reports compared results from a 2008 survey of adults ages 50 to 75, who are routinely recommended for colon and breast cancer screening, with results from previous surveys. The CDC says more Americans need to understand how helpful colon and breast cancer screening is. This article outlines some of the resources available to make screening easier.
Home-collection Testing for Sexually-transmitted Infections
August 25, 2010
A recent study found that many women, when given the option, would prefer home sample collection for chlamydia and gonorrhea testing over sample collection at a clinic or doctor's office and that those who preferred home-based collection were more likely to get screened than those who preferred clinic-based testing.
Hepatitis B and C infections worldwide problems; rapid tests approved to help combat spread
August 12, 2010
Hepatitis B and C are serious global health concerns. Programs are in place in both the US and other areas of the world with goals to increase awareness of these potentially serious infections. While several different types of laboratory tests are currently available to detect these diseases, researchers continue to work to develop faster, simpler, and more cost-effective tests. In June, two new rapid tests were given regulatory approval. So as Hepatitis B and C continue to be major health threats throughout the world because so many people do not know they have the disease, the simple yet effective design of these and other rapid tests may prove to be helpful in overcoming the barriers that prevent people from getting tested.
Clostridium difficile Guidelines Address Testing Strategies
July 12, 2010
New guidelines from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Infectious Diseases Society of America suggest several improvements for preventing, recognizing, managing, and treating Clostridium difficile infections, including recommended changes in the types of laboratory tests used and the way that testing is performed in order to help detect C. difficile infections in a more timely manner.
Panel Suggests New Criteria for Gestational Diabetes
July 2, 2010
An international panel of experts has suggested new guidelines for diagnosing gestational diabetes that differ in their approach from the current ADA guidelines. The panel believes the benefit of the new guidelines is that it might reduce the number of babies who have problems related to high blood sugar in their mothers. These proposed guidelines have already provoked a number of professional organizations to consider whether or not to change their criteria for diagnosing diabetes.
Colorectal Cancer Screening Practices Need Improvement
June 13, 2010
Findings from a recent survey by the CDC indicate that many primary care doctors perform in-office fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) for colorectal cancer screening using a single stool sample instead of following the current guidelines that call for home collection using multiple samples collected over several days, which increases the chances of detecting cancers and precancerous lesions. The CDC researchers urge doctors to make more effort to use home collection kits and encourage patients to complete them.
Studies Look at Experimental Test for Milk Allergy
March 26, 2010
According to a presentation made at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), researchers are working to develop an experimental blood test that could potentially be used to identify children with milk allergies but who can tolerate milk that has been heated, such as is used in heated and baked products. While the results of these studies are promising for children on restricted milk-free diets, additional research is needed before the test could be applied in clinical practice.
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