After surviving childhood cancer, patients who experience a subsequent neoplasm face a large increase in the risk of developing additional neoplasms, with more than one-quarter developing third or subsequent tumors, and particularly high rates found among those treated for nonmelanoma skin cancers, according to the authors of a large study published June 27 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Screening women with mammography provides a highly significant reduction in breast cancer-specific mortality, with the initial 30 percent mortality reduction among 40- to 74-year-old women invited to screening sustained over the long term, according to a study published in the July edition of Radiology. The researchers emphasized the need for long-term follow-up to accurately gauge the mortality benefits of screening. 

The Mayo Clinic will open a 13,000-square-foot radiation oncology treatment center in Northfield, Minn. on June 27.

Writing that there is no such thing as a simple diagnostic test, researchers reported that women waiting for breast biopsy, hepatic chemoembolization and uterine fibroid embolization procedures experienced high levels of stress in a study published in the July edition of Radiology. The breast biopsy cohort also experienced highly abnormal anxiety levels, the researchers continued, and both factors could impact departmental operations.

Legislation employing across-the-board budget cuts, such as the Commitment to American Prosperity (CAP) Act, which seeks to meet arbitrary federal spending caps, could have serious consequences for vulnerable U.S. citizens, such as the aged, disabled and impoverished, based on a Lewin Group report. The AARP, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association and American College of Cardiology supported the report.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center and UAB Medicine have developed the UAB Cancer Care Network to bring care to cancer patients who do not live near a major academic medical center, giving patients an opportunity to stay close to home while giving physicians and nurses access to leading cancer research.

While applauding the intent of Medicares Hospital Compare quality measurement program, radiology stakeholders questioned the medias interpretation of the data and the relevance of 2008 statistics.

Elekta has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Nucletron for EUR365 million ($524.39 million U.S.) in cash. After the aquisition is completed, Elekta said it will offer radiotherapy planning and delivery technologies with the addition of Nucletron's brachytherapy treatment planning and delivery systems.