Featured Publications

5 APR

Body Mass Index and Risk of Second Cancer among Women with Breast Cancer

J Natl Cancer Inst, 2021 April 5:djab053, PMID: 33823007 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33823007/ Published: April 5, 2021

Feigelson HS, Bodelon C, Powers JD, Curtis RE, Buist DSM, Veiga LHS, Aiello Bowles EJ, Berrington de González A, Gierach GL. Body Mass Index and Risk of Second Cancer among Women with Breast Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2021 Apr 5:djab053. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djab053. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33823007.

Conclusion:

We found a small but statistically significant increased risk for second cancers associated with increasing BMI (7% per 5 kg/m2). The association was more pronounced when the analysis was limited to cancers defined as “obesity-related”, or for second breast cancers. Obesity is associated with poor prognosis, inadequate response to cancer treatment and poor quality of life in patients with cancer. Moreover, weight loss has many proven benefits, not only for cancer but also for other diseases such as heart disease for which breast cancer survivors are at increased risk. BMI is a modifiable risk factor, and weight loss to reach a healthy body weight among breast cancer survivors may result in significant health and quality of life benefits.

28 MAY

Characteristics of Patients and Proxy Caregivers Using Patient Portals in the Setting of Serious Illness and End of Life.

J Palliat Med, 2021 May 28. PMID: 34061675 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34061675/ Published: May 28, 2021

Portz JD, Powers JD, Casillas A, Baldwin M, Bekelman DB, Palen TE, Bull S, Kutner JS, Bayliss E. Characteristics of Patients and Proxy Caregivers Using Patient Portals in the Setting of Serious Illness and End of Life. J Palliat Med. 2021 May 28. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0667. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34061675.

Conclusion:

In comparison with overall Kaiser Permanente Colorado portal use and recent patient portal studies examining use patterns, patient portal use was high among patients flagged with serious illness and nearing the end of life. However, because use was associated with age, gender, and race, addressing barriers to portal adoption among underserved populations and caregiver proxies is key to better leveraging patient portal systems for palliative and end-of-life care.

14 JULY

Cannabis Use is Associated with Patient and Clinical Factors in a Population-Based Sample of Colorectal Cancer Survivors.

Cancer Causes Control, 2021 Jul 14. PMID: 34263391 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34263391/ Published: July 14, 2021

Newcomb PA, Ton M, Malen RC, Heffner JL, Labadie J, Phipps AI, Burnett-Hartman AN. Cannabis Use is Associated with Patient and Clinical Factors in a Population-Based Sample of Colorectal Cancer Survivors. Cancer Causes Control. 2021 Jul 14. doi: 10.1007/s10552-021-01468-4. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34263391.

Conclusion:

Cannabis use among colorectal cancer patients was common. Patients with more advanced disease were more likely to report cannabis use. Use also varied by some personal factors, consistent with patterns in the general population. Given the high prevalence of cannabis use among colorectal cancer patients, research is needed to determine the benefits and harms of cannabis use for symptom management in cancer patients.