American Cancer Society

About: American Cancer Society is a nonprofit organization based out in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cancer & Population. The organization has 1339 authors who have published 3700 publications receiving 688166 citations. The organization is also known as: American Cancer Society, ACS & American Society for the Control of Cancer.

Epidemiology of Hospitalizations Associated with Invasive Candidiasis, United States, 2002-20121.

Abstract: Invasive candidiasis is a major nosocomial fungal disease in the United States associated with high rates of illness and death. We analyzed inpatient hospitalization records from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project to estimate incidence of invasive candidiasis-associated hospitalizations in the United States. We extracted data for 33 states for 2002-2012 by using codes from the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification, for invasive candidiasis; we excluded neonatal cases. The overall age-adjusted average annual rate was 5.3 hospitalizations/100,000 population. Highest risk was for adults >65 years of age, particularly men. Median length of hospitalization was 21 days; 22% of patients died during hospitalization. Median unadjusted associated cost for inpatient care was $46,684. Age-adjusted annual rates decreased during 2005-2012 for men (annual change -3.9%) and women (annual change -4.5%) and across nearly all age groups. We report a high mortality rate and decreasing incidence of hospitalizations for this disease.

Understanding topics and sentiment in an online cancer survivor community.

Abstract: Online cancer communities help members support one another, provide new perspectives about living with cancer, normalize experiences, and reduce isolation. The American Cancer Society's 166000-member Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is the largest online peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Sentiment analysis and topic modeling were applied to CSN breast and colorectal cancer discussion posts from 2005 to 2010 to examine how sentiment change of thread initiators, a measure of social support, varies by discussion topic. The support provided in CSN is highest for medical, lifestyle, and treatment issues. Threads related to 1) treatments and side effects, surgery, mastectomy and reconstruction, and decision making for breast cancer, 2) lung scans, and 3) treatment drugs in colon cancer initiate with high negative sentiment and produce high average sentiment change. Using text mining tools to assess sentiment, sentiment change, and thread topics provides new insights that community managers can use to facilitate member interactions and enhance support outcomes.

The variability of estrogen receptors in metastatic breast cancer

Abstract: Estrogen receptor protein (ERP) concentrations were determined by the sucrose diffusion method in primary tumors and one or more metastases in twenty-nine patients with breast cancer. Concurrence of ERP concentrations between primaries and at least some metastases was found in 76 per cent of cases. Multiple metastases were assayed in ten cases, three of which demonstrated highly variable concentrations. It was concluded that clinically significant differences in ERP concentrations often exist between primary breast cancers and their metastases as well as between different metastases from the same tumor, accounting for the lack of responsiveness of some ERP-“positive” tumors and for mixed responses to hormonal or endocrine therapy. Assay of an isolated metastasis may be no more reliable in predicting overall patient benefit from therapy than assay of the primary itself.

Multiple primary bronchial carcinomas

Abstract: From 50 to 208 sections of the tracheobronchial tree of each of 255 patients who died of bronchial carcinoma were microscopically examined. Lesions histologically classified as primary invasive carcinoma (other than the main tumor mass) were found in 77 sections; lesions similar but of somewhat less certain character were found in 26 sections. Such lesions were found in 37 of the 255 subjects (22 subjects had just one; 15 had two or more). The locations of the lesions were studied in relation to the location of the main tumor mass. Using strict criteria, we concluded that at least nine (3.5%) of the patients had multiple primary bronchial carcinomas (two or more including the original tumor). Using less strict criteria (i.e., the inclusion of cases where varying degrees of uncertainty existed) the number might be as high as 37 (14.5%).

Screening for prostate cancer

Abstract: Prostate cancer screening is a fait acomplis in the United States at this time. Regardless of whether it is justifiable from a scientific standpoint, it is occurring. The evidence for this statement can be found in the incidence rates of prostate cancer before and after the advent of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. Figure 1 graphically demonstrates this phenomenon. PSA became widely available in 1987–1988, and screening for prostate cancer increased dramatically shortly thereafter.