Good intentions

Patient and Clinician Decision Support to Increase Genetic Counseling for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome in Primary Care

 

https://tinyurl.com/3rznxyer

 

         Much ovarian cancer occurs as a consequence of an inherited genetic mutation, with about 20% being associated with BRCA1/2 variants. Screening for this mutation has the potential to reduce the prevalence of ovarian cancer through risk reduction surgery. It is recommended in the US that asymptomatic women should be screened. Many women especially in minority ethnic and racial groups are not screened with resultant health disparity and poor clinical outcomes.

         This prospective Randomised Clinical Trial looked at the benefit or not of providing a Decision Aid to women and a Navigation Tool to clinicians regarding genetic screening as an attempt to increase the number of women receiving screening. 190 women were recruited to the trial with 100 being in the intervention group and the others receiving standard educational material.

         Results from the trial showed no significant difference in the number of women from each group who underwent genetic counseling or screening. More women in the intervention group did opt for counseling and screening and testing showed a greater understanding of cancer risk amongst those women who received decision support.

Gloomy facts

The global burden and associated factors of ovarian cancer in 1990–2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

 

https://tinyurl.com/4ceyypnr

 

         Starting in 1990, the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) aims to understand the epidemiology of health challenges to people across the world in the 21^st Century. This article looks at the data obtained about ovarian cancer during the most recent GBD 2019 with correlation to known risk factors.

         Findings from the GBD show ovarian cancer is increasing worldwide with the number of new cases and deaths from ovarian cancer increasing by more than 100% when compared to the first GBD in 1990.

         Age-standardised rates of disease however did not change suggesting the increase may be due to population growth and ageing. More ovarian cancer is seen in high Social Demographic Index countries. Most cases occur in the 50-69 age group. High fasting glucose, diabetes and obesity are factors causing increased numbers of new cases and mortality.

Aspirin protects

Modification of the Association Between Frequent Aspirin Use and Ovarian Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis Using Individual-Level Data From Two Ovarian Cancer Consortia

https://tinyurl.com/yc3ec597

 

         Previously it has been thought that regular aspirin use would reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer by reducing inflammation. Through the databases of the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium and the Ovarian Cancer Cohort association it has been possible to assess the aspirin usage for 8326 women with ovarian cancer and compare to normal women.

         Findings from the analysis showed frequent aspirin use (6 days or more each week) was protective. Those women had a 13% less risk of ovarian cancer.

         Protection with aspirin use was seen for all women with varying known risk factors except for endometriosis associated cancer, which was not affected.