The FDA approved the cobas HPV DNA test for primary cervical cancer screening in women ages 25 and older. Manufactured by Roche Molecular Systems, the test can also provide information about a patient's risk for developing cervical cancer in the future. The agency first approved the test in 2011 for use in conjunction with or as a follow-up to Pap testing.
An in-depth analysis of data from one of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy Trials has found that the investment in the WHI by the NIH resulted in a return of $140 for each dollar spent on the trial. In addition, they found that guidance provided by the trial's results led to 76,000 fewer cases of cardiovascular disease; 126,000 fewer cases of breast cancer; 145,000 more quality-adjusted life years; and savings of $35.2 billion on direct medical expenses.
According to a survey of more than 1,000 women by the American Lung Association, women are largely unaware of their risk of lung cancer. Despite being the leading cause of cancer mortality among women, lung cancer was cited by just 1% of women as their primary cancer concern.
The FDA granted “Priority Review” designation to Merck's investigational anti–PD-1 antibody MK-3475 for the treatment of advanced melanoma. A decision is anticipated by October 28.
Researchers found that nearly 70% of women who undergo prophylactic contralateral mastectomy have no clinically significant risk factors for developing cancer in the unaffected breast (JAMA Surg 2014 May 21 [Epub ahead of print]). About 80% of those women said they opted for surgery to prevent disease recurrence even though the procedure has not been shown to do so.
NIH Director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, told members of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee that the country is losing its position as the world's leader in science and innovation due to flat federal research funding, irregular budget processes, sequestration, and inflation. “What we desperately need is a new bipartisan plan to secure a steady funding trajectory for biomedical research and ensure long-term stability for NIH's mission.”
For more news on cancer research, visit Cancer Discovery online at http://CDnews.aacrjournals.org.
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