J Natl Med Assoc
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INTRODUCTION: Cancer causes significant morbidity and mortality in the United States. It is the second most common cause of death in the United States, after heart disease. African Americans are disproportionately affected by malignancy, with overall higher death rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Screening tests can identify early stage malignancy allowing for timely intervention. However, African Americans less frequently undergo cancer screening. Advancement in genomic technology has led to the identification of signals for cancer in the blood. This has resulted in the development of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests which evaluate for circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA). This study evaluated physicians' perception of the use of a multi-cancer early detection test (MCED). ⋯ This is one of the largest surveys to assess physicians' perceptions about MCED testing and is the first study to evaluate the perspectives of African American physicians. It offers insight about physician acceptance and potential incorporation of MCED into clinical practice. It is important that a multifaceted approach is employed to improve cancer outcomes and reduce disparities in survival. MCED tests, a relatively new advancement in genomic technology, have the potential to be an important component in cancer screening strategies.
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Research has shown chronic diseases can be associated with suicide but there is limited data on suicide in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Given the substantial psychosocial, financial, quality of life, and health impact of CVD, we aimed to study suicide-related mortality in CVD. ⋯ PSrM in CVD peaked in the early 2010s, with varying differences across sex, racial/ethnic, and age groups. Further research is needed to understand disparities and develop preventive strategies.
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This study examines and explores the definition of resilience in adults living with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the United States (U.S.). ⋯ This study suggests that current definitions of resilience used in validated survey measures do not match how adults living with SCD define resilience. Our results expand the understanding of resilience as a dynamic process, more about the process of "not giving up." These findings suggest that providers may find it productive to facilitate conversations with adults living with SCD around "how" they approach challenges. This study is also the first of its kind to examine resilience in a community living with SCD.
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Scedosporium spp. is a fungal species documented as the cause of infections involving the lungs, brain, and other organ systems in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Many cases of this type of fungal infection occurring in immunocompetent patients are subsequent to traumatic injury or drowning events in or near waters containing the fungi. Infection commonly involves the lungs. ⋯ DNA sequencing revealed the fungal organisms to be Scedosporium boydii. This case reinforces the importance of autopsies in the clinical setting. It not only established the definitive diagnosis of an unexpected fungal infection, but it also helped to recognize new clinical and pathologic features of this particular fungal organism.