OncoLog, Volume 49, Number 11, November 2004 Page: 7
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PHYSICIANS: THIS PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET IS YOURS TO COPY AND PASS ON TO PATIENTS.
E.
a".r-by news reports stating that
E very day, we are bombarded
this food may prevent cancer
or that newly discovered gene
may contribute to a certain kind of
cancer. It is hard to know where all these
stories come from and whether they are
trustworthy, especially when several
reports seem to contradict each other.
In fact, most cancer-related news
stories in the mainstream media are
triggered by studies reported in scientific
journals. Journalists who report on cancer
frequently check these journals. Here are
some tips for getting the most out of
cancer studies reported in the news.
O The basics
First, look for the basics. Most cancer
news stories-even the very briefest
ones-answer the following three
questions:
What was the study's major
finding? For example, an article
might say, "Researchers have found
that among women with a high risk
of breast cancer, MRI is more
effective than standard mammogra-
phy in the detection of breast
tumors." However, a careful reading
of this article will show that the
findings apply only to women with
a specific genetic mutation rather
than to all women at high risk.
Who conducted the study, and
at what institution(s) do these
people work?
When and where was the study
report published?
0 Additional study details
Next, look for details about the study
design:
Did the study involve people?
Or was it a laboratory study-
for example, a study conducted
with tumor cells or mice? A
study showing that a drug cures
cancer in mice doesn't mean that the
drug will cure cancer in people-it
just means that the drug may
eventually be studied in humans. In
contrast, studies involving peoplemay lead to changes in the way
cancer is treated.
If the study involved people,
how many people were
included? In
general, the more
people included, the
stronger a study's
findings. If a study was
small, further studies
with more patients
will probably be needed
to confirm the findings.
* If the study involved
people, what kinds of
people were included?
Often, study findings apply to
only a small subgroup. For
example, a major study published
in 2001 showed that the drug
trastuzumab (Herceptin) was
effective against metastatic breast
cancer-but only in women who
had a modification in a specific
gene, the HER-2 gene.
Context and commentary
Many cancer news stories use interviews
with cancer experts to answer the ques-
tion: "What do these findings mean?"
Journalists may interview the study
authors as well as cancer specialists not
directly involved with the study. Among
the issues experts may address are:
Should clinical practice be
changed as a result of the
findings? In December 2003, a
major study reported in the New
England Journal of Medicine showed
that "virtual colonoscopy," which uses
x-rays, was just as effective as standard
colonoscopy for colon cancer screen-
ing. However, experts noted that even
though the study was large and well
designed, further research was needed
before virtual colonoscopy could be
considered a standard screening
option.
What questions remain to be
answered? Experts interviewed
about the virtual colonoscopy study
noted that physicians were still not
sure which patients with polypsdiscovered on virtual colonoscopy
should have them surgically removed.
For studies about new preven-
? tion, diagnosis, or treatment
strategies, does the new
strategy have any draw-
backs? Experts interviewed
about virtual colonoscopy
drew attention to the fact
that about a third of patients
in the study thought virtual
colonoscopy was more uncom-
fortable than standard colonoscopy.
Sometimes experts will disagree
about what findings mean, and further
studies may be needed to resolve
questions.
o Going beyond the story
Major new findings about cancer
are usually reported by multiple media
outlets. To get the most complete
picture of what new findings mean,
read, watch, and listen to as many
different news reports as possible.
Another excellent resource for help
with interpreting cancer news is
the Cancer Information Service
(1-800-4-CANCER). This National
Cancer Institute-sponsored service
connects callers with knowledgeable
staff who explain cancer-related infor-
mation in easy-to-understand terms.
Most important of all, talk with
your doctor. He or she can explain
new findings in context and help you
determine whether they are relevant
to you. 0For more information, contact
your physician or contact the
M. D. Anderson Information Line:
(800) 392-1611, Option 3,71
within the United States, or
(713) 792-3245 in Houston
and outside the United States.November 2004
2004 The L unersity of Texas
M. D. Anderson Cancer CenterGoing Beyond the Headlines
Tips to help you evaluate cancer stories in the news mediaI
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University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. OncoLog, Volume 49, Number 11, November 2004, periodical, November 2004; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth902761/m1/7/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.