New CDC Study Shows Increases in Uterine Cancer

One of the few cancers with increasing rates of incidence (new cancer cases) and deaths in the United States is uterine cancer. A new CDC study looks at uterine cancer incidence and death rates by race and ethnicity from 1999-2016. The most recent data available for cancer incidence are through 2015 and through 2016 for cancer deaths. This report shows, during 1999-2015, uterine cancer rates increased 12%, about 0.7% per year. In addition, during 1999-2016, uterine cancer death rates increased 21%, approximately 1.1% per year. In 2015, a total of 53,911 new uterine cancer cases were reported in the United States. Uterine cancer incidence was higher among black women and white women than among other racial/ethnic groups. In 2016, there were 10,733 uterine cancer deaths reported in the United States showing higher death rates among black women than among white women. Promoting awareness among women and health care providers, of the need to check uterine cancer symptoms in a timely manner, can increase the chance for finding uterine cancer early and treating it appropriately.

Improving Cancer Patient-Provider Conversations on Infection Risk

The first educational tool using virtual human technology to improve patient-provider conversations about a side effect of chemotherapy that may increase infection risk, known as neutropenia, is now available. Talking about Infection and Neutropenia Awareness (TINA) is an innovative new resource from CDC Foundation with support from DCPC’s Director Dr. Lisa Richardson, and is part of the Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients (PICP) program, led by the CDC and CDC Foundation with financial support from Amgen.

Each year, more than half a million patients with cancer are treated with chemotherapy, and according to CDC, infections that are linked to neutropenia can have some of the most serious side effects, such as hospitalization, disruption in treatment, or even death. Patient-provider communication plays an important role in improving health outcomes, especially in cancer settings due to the levels of stress, uncertainty, and complex information involved. Virtual humans, like those featured in the application, are ideally suited to creating safe, engaging and non-confrontational experiences that promote meaningful changes in behavior.

TINA, available as a free mobile app and online, features two separate role-play conversations in which providers and patients interact with and learn from fully articulated and emotionally responsive virtual humans:

TINA for Providers‒ Providers are introduced to TINA and can role-play a conversation with the virtual patient to practice how to have meaningful and appropriate conversations with their own cancer patients about neutropenia.
TINA for Patients‒ Patients can engage with TINA about how to prevent infections during chemotherapy.

“People dealing with a cancer diagnosis are incredibly overwhelmed with information, yet learning about the steps they can take to lower their risk of infection during chemotherapy is critical,” explained Dr. Richardson. “TINA is the first-ever tool developed to engage both patients and providers in an educational and informative way. Our hope is that TINA can help facilitate more effective communication about this serious side effect of chemotherapy.”

Alcohol and Cancer: Know the Risks

December brings the official start of winter, and for some, it also brings holiday parties and celebrations that include alcohol. Many people don’t know that drinking alcohol raises the risk of some cancers. Alcohol use is linked to at least six cancers: female breast, mouth and throat, voice box (larynx), esophagus, liver, and colon and rectum. Cancer risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk of cancer. The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that if you choose to drink alcohol, drink in moderation (up to 1 drink a day for women or 2 drinks a day for men). If alcohol is a part of your celebrations this holiday season, toast to your health and make responsible choices when consuming alcohol.

New Blog Post Shares How You Have Power in Your Hands

Check out the new blog post on DCPC’s The Topic is CancerBlog. “The Power is In Our Hands” brings awareness to the importance of handwashing to prevent cancer patients from getting sick during and after treatment. The blog includes a breast cancer survivor’s personal experiences of getting the right information from medical team members and DCPC’s resources, to help make the best decisions to prevent infection. It also highlights CDC’s recommendations for the right way to wash your hands.

2018 Year in Review: DCPC Resources Making a Difference

Throughout 2018, DCPC’s ongoing work to educate people about cancer prevention, screening, and treatment has included valuable partnerships, new approaches, quality resources, and data-driven strategies to improve cancer outcomes in the United States. Check out a few of DCPC’s resources supporting cancer prevention and control efforts this year.

Talk to Someone: Triple Negative Breast Cancer, an interactive educational tool featuring Linda, provides a virtual coach that you can speak with and ask questions about a specific type of breast cancer.
My Motivated Moment, a new podcast series from CDC's Bring Your Brave campaign features six personal experiences with breast cancer and encouraging stories about taking charge of your health.
"Should I Get Tested for Prostate Cancer?", a new motion graphic video, helps men understand their prostate cancer testing options.
Knowledge is Power from CDC's Inside Knowledge campaign, includes four animated videos sharing information about gynecologic cancer symptoms, and cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers.
Provider Education for Mental Health Care of Cancer Survivors (EMHCCS), a free web-based interactive training supports health care providers in improving mental health care for cancer survivors, and promotes recommended distress screening for cancer patients.
United States Cancer Statistics: Data Visualizations Tool provides the latest cancer data, including full-color charts, graphs, and maps that help monitor cancer burden, trends, and progress in cancer control and prevention efforts.

Look for DCPC to continue its work to improve cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection in 2019. Cancer Prevention Works will return January 10, 2019.

Did You Know?

In the United States, about 650,000 cancer patients receive chemotherapy in outpatient oncology clinics each year.
Each year in the United States, about 60,000 cancer patients are hospitalized because their low white blood cell count led to a serious infection.