Latest news with #earlyDetection
Globe and Mail
11 hours ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Nova Scotia emergency rooms report ‘enormous' improvement in sepsis detection
Nova Scotia's health system is improving its methods for early detection of sepsis, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the immune system reacts to infection by attacking the body's organs. Introduced in January, 2024, the new program offers front-line caregivers in emergency rooms new tools and training to help them determine when patients might be at risk. The reform comes after several high-profile deaths over the past five years, with families of deceased patients arguing their loved ones could have been saved had their infections been caught earlier. Data released by Nova Scotia Health says prior to January, 2024, about 55 per cent of patients at six health facilities who met criteria for sepsis were receiving antibiotic treatment within three hours after triage, for an average wait of 233 minutes. Now, it's about 82 per cent of patients receiving the vital treatment within three hours, with the average wait down to 124 minutes. Canadian team's sepsis-testing device shows promise in fight against one of the world's most common killers Dr. Vanessa Sweet, a medical lead in the program, said in a recent interview that quick response to sepsis is critical to saving lives. The reform is an 'enormous improvement,' she said. The program includes what she refers to as 'a package of approaches,' which include offering front-line workers a box of supplies needed for starting sepsis care. A new set of directives also allows nurses to administer a first dose of antibiotics without a prescriber's signature, in select cases where symptoms are clear. The new approaches are critical in cases where time is often of the essence, said Sweet. The anesthesiologist said by having nurses take the first step, 'we're not behind the eight ball' when the patient sees a doctor. In a recent email to The Canadian Press, Kim DeWolfe says she hopes her mother's case factored into the province's decision to improve its sepsis detection and care. In 2022, Diane Breen died from sepsis after spending eight hours waiting at the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, N.S., before being briefly seen by a doctor about a urinary tract infection. Breen – a runner without health conditions – had told medical staff about a week of chills and cold sweats, but she was nonetheless discharged to her home with an antibiotic prescription, according to family. Within hours, she was dead. 'For me, this initiative is an acknowledgment that there were things that could have been done differently which may have resulted in a different outcome for my mother,' DeWolfe said. 'From triage to discharge no one adequately screened my mother for sepsis.' 'I support these changes. Proper screening, along with these kits, will save lives.' Sweet, who has been practising in Nova Scotia since 2017, said that before the program was introduced, a review showed 'our sepsis care wasn't as good as it should be.' A key element of the new program are staff 'sepsis champions' in ERs, where a health worker on each shift is available for expert advice in recognizing the condition. From babysitting to six-figure signing bonuses, recruiters are pulling out all the stops to lure family doctors to their communities Kayla Dort, an emergency care nurse and program champion at the Cobequid Community Health Centre, said in an interview Friday that spotting the condition isn't easy. 'We see it all the time. It's a very prominent and difficult illness to capture sometimes,' she said. Nurses now have access to a small card that explains the criteria to investigate potential sepsis, including factors such as elevated temperature, abnormal heart rate and decreased blood pressure. Nurses are also asked to consider risk factors such as whether patients are suffering from other illnesses. Dort has pioneered a small slogan that is posted around ERs titled, 'Time is organ,' with an hourglass depicting the passage of time – a reference to how the condition can damage organs and tissue if untreated. The program will be expanded to one of the city's largest hospitals, the Halifax Infirmary, this fall, she said. Meanwhile, a team of Canadian researchers has created a device that can quickly test a patient's blood and predict whether they are going to develop sepsis. The device – called Powerblade – produced the results in less than three hours. Researchers, including with the National Research Council Canada, were hoping to begin a clinical trial with Powerblade this year. Dr. Claudia dos Santos at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, who is the senior author of a research paper about Powerblade published in May in the journal Nature Communications, says sepsis kills thousands of people in Canada and close to 50 million people worldwide every year.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Blood test can detect cancer 18 months before symptoms appear
A new blood test means it is now possible to detect cancer up to 18 months before symptoms even appear. Test for Cancer has launched the HrC Genomics blood test, a non-invasive screening tool designed to spot cancer before it becomes symptomatic, reducing the need for invasive procedures like tissue biopsies. With cancer among the world's leading causes of death, early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve outcomes. But many cancers are diagnosed too late, when treatment options are more limited and survival rates are lower. Test for Cancer says its new test can change that. By identifying specific stem cells that begin circulating when cancer is present, even before symptoms emerge, the HrC Genomics test offers a way to screen for cancer much earlier than standard approaches allow. READ MORE: Cardiologists name two foods that lower cholesterol 'just like statins' READ MORE: Neurologist says you can cut cholesterol, blood pressure and dementia risk in 20 minutes According to the organisation, these cells, known as pluripotent progenitor stem cells, can be detected in the blood as early as 12 to 18 months before any signs of illness. That early window gives patients and doctors more time to intervene and improves the chances of successful treatment. The test is available to adults of all ages and is not limited by gender or family history, making it a potentially powerful screening option for people who might not otherwise qualify for routine checks. Test for Cancer says its mission is to make early cancer detection more widely accessible, helping more people take control of their health and catch cancer before it advances.
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Warning as over-the-counter drug used by millions is linked to increase risk of bowel cancer
Tracking what over-the-counter medications patients are prescribed could help spot those with early signs of bowel cancer. Studies have previously suggested women often purchased more pain and indigestion drugs in the months prior to an ovarian cancer diagnosis. But a sudden rise in haemorrhoid treatment purchases—such as creams and laxatives—has also been linked to bowel cancer diagnoses. This change in shopping habits happens up to fifteen months before they are told they have the condition, studies show, suggesting people are treating symptoms at home before seeking advice from a GP. Now, in a first-of-its kind study, Cancer Research UK funded research, will identify more patients across the UK with early tell-tale signs of the disease, by looking at their medication history. It's hoped the project could help identify seven other cancers including pancreatic, stomach and lung, at an early stage when treatment is more likely to be effective. It comes amid a rise in bowel cancer striking people in their 20s, 30s and 40s —a phenomenon that has baffled doctors around the world. England has experienced one of the fastest rises in early-onset cases of the disease worldwide, with an average annual increase of 3.6 per cent between 2007 and 2017 among under-50s. Bowel cancer can cause you to have blood in your poo, a change in bowel habit, or a lump inside your bowel which can cause an obstruction. Some people also suffer from weight loss as a result of these symptoms Professor Chris Cardwell, an expert in cancer epidemiology at the University of Belfast, said: 'These changes in specific medications could act as an alert for doctors to consider earlier cancer investigation or point to unrecognised symptom patterns.' Diagnosing cancer early can be life-changing, with more than 90 per cent of bowel cancer patients surviving for five years or more, if diagnosed at the earliest stage. This rate sits at just 10 per cent if the disease is diagnosed at stage four, when the cancer has spread. 'Diagnosing cancer as early as possible is key to ensuring treatment is as effective as possible and give patients the best chance of recovery,' Professor Cardwell added. Previous Danish research has also suggested patients who had more GP appointments for haemorrhoids were more likely to then be diagnosed with bowel cancer roughly a year and a half later. The fresh Cancer Research UK study will focus on eight cancers including bowel, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian, lung, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Prescription data from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank at Swansea University, which works with the NHS, will be studied to identify common treatments given to people who are then diagnosed with the disease. Professor Peter Murchie, another oncologist involved in the study, said: 'We know symptoms of cancer can develop slowly so changes in our prescription data could become a very important early warning signal to prompt busy GPs'. Whilst haemorrhoids—swollen blood vessels in the rectum—is not always a sign of bowel cancer, rectal bleeding is not something to ignore, experts warn. Blood in the stool, can be a sign of bowel cancer, especially if it's dark red or black in colour, causing the stool to look like tar. Other common symptoms include a lump that can be felt in the rectum or abdomen, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, fatigue and breathlessness. This type of cancer can also block the bowel—known as a bowel obstruction—resulting in cramps, bloating, constipation and vomiting. Given that these symptoms may initially be dismissed for digestive issues or piles, many sufferers will seek over-the-counter treatment before seeing a GP, meaning that the cancer is not caught until it has progressed to the later stages. Around 32,000 cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK with another 142,000 in the US. The disease, the third most common cancer in the UK, is the same type that killed Dame Deborah James aged 40 in 2022. Scientists have suggested a host of factors are likely behind the phenomenon—from increased pollution to rising obesity and even invisible particles of plastic in drinking water.
CBS News
09-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
North Texas widow pushes for esophageal cancer screenings in firehouses after husband's missed diagnosis
A North Texas widow is turning heartbreak into action after losing her firefighter husband to cancer that went undetected until it was too late. Now, she's working to bring early detection screenings for esophageal cancer directly to firehouses. Sylvia Burleson says her husband, Erik, always dreamed of being a firefighter, a role they both knew came with risks. "You don't think about it when you marry into it," she said. "You just don't think about it. You try not to." According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, occupational cancer is the leading cause of death in the fire service. "All the chemicals they're around, the fires, the asbestos... there's just so much stuff involved," she said. Erik Burleson served with the Stephenville Fire Department for 28 years. In 2016, after experiencing what he thought was a heart attack, he went for testing. Doctors told him it was an esophageal hernia. "He was cleared," Sylvia Burleson said. But five years later, in 2021, came a devastating in his lungs, liver, lymph nodes, esophagus, and bones. "They did some tests... It was horrible. You're kind of numb. In shock," she said. "It was typical precancer, five years ago, and we didn't know. They didn't tell us that." Erik Burleson died less than a year later, in 2022. "Had we been told then, we could have done something," Sylvia Burleson said. Motivated by the belief that early detection could have saved her husband, Sylvia Burleson founded the Erik Burleson Firefighter Cancer Foundation. Her goal is to raise money to provide free early detection cancer screenings for esophageal cancer to firefighters across Texas, starting in Stephenville. In May, the foundation held its first screening event at the Stephenville Fire Department. "Anything we can do in the vein of preventing cancer or early detection, we're on board for," said Fire Chief Robert Isbell, who supported the event. A total of 21 firefighters were tested. "I encourage everyone in the fire service to get this test," Isbell said. For him, the importance of the screenings quickly became personal when he tested positive. "I had no outward signs. I didn't think I had any risk factors that were overt," he said. "But I tested positive. And I share that because I want everyone to know, they need to be tested." Isbell is now undergoing further testing and says Erik Burleson's story may be the reason he has a chance. "His legacy is in just early detection," he said. "It's a testament to Sylvia and Erik's life." "If we could just save one life, then it's worth it," Sylvia Burleson said. The Stephenville Fire Department plans to host a second screening event at the end of the month. More information can be found by clicking here.
Globe and Mail
04-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
DIAGNOS Welcomes Former White House Economic Adviser Dr. Tomas J. Philipson to its Advisory Board for the US Market
BROSSARD, Quebec, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diagnos Inc. ('DIAGNOS' or the 'Corporation') (TSX Venture: ADK, OTCQB: DGNOF, FWB: 4D4A), a pioneer in early detection of critical health issues using advanced technology based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), is thrilled to announce that Dr. Tomas J. Philipson has joined the Corporation's Advisory Board. Dr. Tomas J. Philipson is considered an expert in US economic policy, particularly health care policy and appears often on major media outlets, including Forbes, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNN, BBC, CBS, ABC, CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business, Newsmax, Yahoo Finance, American Voice, Bloomberg, and CSPAN. He currently serves as Managing Partner of the VC firm MEDA Ventures, serves on several corporate boards, and has co-founded several companies, including Precision Health Economics LLC, with an exit in 2015 (currently owned by Blackstone). His government service includes a full-time position as vice chairman and acting chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers 2017-20. He previously served as a senior economic adviser to the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a senior economic advisor to the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Dr. Philipson was appointed to the Key Indicator Commission by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2012. He was a scientific advisor to the House of Representatives initiative 21st Century Cures in 2015 and The Biden Cancer Initiative in 2017. He served as a healthcare advisor to Senator John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. He received numerous worldwide research awards while he was a chaired professor at the University of Chicago. He is a two-time winner of the Arrow Award of The International Health Economics Association, the highest honor in health economics. Other awards include the Garfield Award for Economic Research, the Prêmio Haralambos Simeonidis from the Brazilian Economic Association, and the Milken Institute's Distinguished Economic Research Award. He received a B.A. in mathematics from Uppsala University in Sweden, an MA in Mathematics from Claremont Graduate School, and an MA and Ph.D. in Economics from the Wharton School and the University of Pennsylvania. 'We are honored to welcome Dr. Philipson to our Advisor Board,' said André Larente, President and CEO of DIAGNOS. 'His extensive experience at the highest levels of government and business savvy brings a vital perspective to today's policy challenges, from healthcare innovation to long-term economic competitiveness.' Mr. Larente added, 'DIAGNOS has built an AI platform to analyze retina images, these images are taken by thousands of optometrists worldwide. According to the VisionWatch data, the US saw approximately 111 million routine eye exams and 60 million medical eye exams in 2020. DIAGNOS, along with its partners, can address this growing market.' DIAGNOS recently opened its US office in south Florida to support its prospects and clients. About DIAGNOS DIAGNOS is a publicly traded Canadian corporation dedicated to early detection of critical eye-related health problems. By leveraging Artificial Intelligence, DIAGNOS aims to provide more information to healthcare clinicians to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline workflows, and improve patient outcomes on a global scale. Additional information is available at and Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
