ABSTRACT
On October 20, 2021, I had the privilege of testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health Hearing on Enhancing Public Health: Legislation to Protect Children and Families. This commentary is based on the written testimony I provided to the Subcommittee on issues related to cancer screening and early detection. It highlights the research progress, updated guidelines, and new challenges in this field, emphasizing the importance of screening asymptomatic, at-risk population to detect precancerous lesions or cancer at an early stage.
Subject(s)
Early Detection of Cancer , Neoplasms , Child , Humans , Mass Screening , Neoplasms/diagnosis , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Public HealthABSTRACT
We report the first use of a single 100-mm long custom-made version of the Optimus-CVS® balloon-expandable PTFE-covered XXL (15-Zig) stent (AndraTec, GmbH) to eliminate sinus venosus defect left-to-right shunt and redirect anomalous right pulmonary veins blood flow through a new walled channel to the left atrium. Anatomical feasibility and strategy decision were guided by ex-vivo procedure simulation on the patient-specific 3D printed heart model and in-vivo balloon interrogation. Modified procedural and implantation techniques are detailed. Immediate and one-month follow-up showed excellent outcomes.
Subject(s)
Heart Defects, Congenital , Heart Septal Defects, Atrial , Pulmonary Veins , Vascular Malformations , Drainage , Humans , Pulmonary Veins/abnormalities , Pulmonary Veins/diagnostic imaging , Pulmonary Veins/surgery , Stents , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, visited the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina on October 25, 2021. This Commentary remarks on the administration's goal of directing public attention to cancer screening and prevention as part of an overall effort to recover ground lost in the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in underserved communities.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/complications , Early Detection of Cancer/methods , Early Detection of Cancer/standards , Famous Persons , Neoplasms/diagnosis , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , COVID-19/virology , Humans , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Neoplasms/virology , United StatesABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on our society and healthcare delivery in the United States. Importantly, elective procedures and screening exams for cancer have been delayed or canceled over the past 4-5 months raising concerns over the future incidence and outcomes for those at risk or diagnosed with cancer. It is clear to everyone in the cancer field that the earlier we detect premalignant disease or cancer, the better the clinical outcome is for the patient. Most healthcare institutions have now put safety procedures and guidelines in place, which have dramatically reduced the risk of viral spread during encounters in their healthcare facilities. We must now encourage the public and those individuals at high risk for cancer to resume normal cancer screening.