The Radiology Business Journal (5/18, Pearson) reports that research suggests “lidocaine buffered with sodium bicarbonate is significantly more comfortable than plain lidocaine when administered for pain control to women undergoing ultrasound-guided core-needle breast biopsies.” Researchers also found that “the combination is...less painful than lidocaine alone for women experiencing preprocedural breast pain ahead of intradermal anesthesia injections as well as certain patients receiving anesthesia injections in parenchymal (function-essential) breast tissues.” The findings were published online in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. 

The Wall Street Journal (5/17, Loftus, Subscription Publication) reports a study conducted by researchers with the American Cancer Society found that detection of some cancers occurred earlier thanks to increased healthcare access under the Affordable Care Act. Data show modest improvement in early detection rates for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer.

Forbes (5/8): You may have heard that some breast cancers vanish without treatment. Last month, a group of radiologists published results of a survey in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. The findings from 42 experts who responded are striking.

Of 240 invasive breast cancers found by screening that went untreated, zero (0) went away. Of 239 noninvasive cases (DCIS), zero (0) regressed, as reported by the breast imaging specialists in a survey. In sum, 0 of 479 untreated breast tumors disappeared without treatment, according to the radiologists who participated.

DOT Med News (5/5, Mitchell) reported that “the American College of Radiology (ACR) has published evidence refuting the assertion that breast cancer regresses or disappears if left untreated.” The findings were published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. Dr. Debra Monticciolo, chair of the ACR Breast Imaging Commission, said, “The USPSTF states that a large part of the reason that they do not recommend screening in women under age 50, and recommend biennial rather than annual screening, is to decrease overdiagnosis. Several authors, notably Gilbert Welch, have stated that much overdiagnosis is due to cancers disappearing on their own.” Dr. Monticciolo added, “Our research shows that this is untrue.” Forbes (5/8, Schattner) provides additional coverage.