Aunt Minnie (6/29) reports that the ability of FDG-PET/CT “to find a significant number of distant metastases in patients with newly diagnosed clinical stage IIB triple-negative breast cancer suggests that current guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for the modality’s use may need to be revised.” Investigators “used FDG-PET/CT to find unsuspected distant metastases in 15% of patients with initial stage IIB triple-negative breast cancer.” Aunt Minnie points out that “the NCCN recommends that FDG-PET/CT be used to stage patients with newly diagnosed stage III triple-negative breast cancer.” The research was presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging annual meeting. 

In advance of Wednesday’s National Cancer Research “Moonshot” Summit, convened by Vice President Joe Biden and the National Cancer Institute, the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) applauds the effort to rapidly push for the medical progress needed to prevent, treat and cure all types of cancer. 

The Wall Street Journal (6/27, Subscription Publication) reports New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a bill into law Monday that aims to expand access to breast cancer screening in the state by requiring hospitals to extender their hours for mammograms and prohibiting insurance companies from charging deductibles or copays for the procedure. The AP (6/27) also reports the story. 

A Cancer expert, Dr. Brian Bolwell of the Cleveland Clinic, says the National Cancer Moonshot, President Barack Obama's plan to eliminate cancer, needs to focus more on the importance of the early detection of cancer. 

Aunt Minnie (6/27) reports that in a study published in The Breast Journal, investigators “found that in response to breast density notification legislation, 33% of facilities have put new breast cancer screening programs in place, primarily with whole-breast ultrasound (WBUS) or digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), while 40% have begun performing formal risk assessment using tools such as the Gail or Tyrer-Cusick models.” The percentages are not higher “because key questions such as which modality is most effective, which patients would benefit most from supplemental screening, and which studies would be covered by insurance remain unresolved, lead author Dr. Lina Nayak...told AuntMinnie.com.”