In an effort to evaluate factors that could affect the likelihood of identifying a clinically actionable germline pathogenic variant (PV), a new study investigated a real-world multicenter cohort of patients with urinary tract cancer (UTC).
Novel Genetic Associations Identified in So-Called Macular Pucker
Symptoms of epiretinal member (MRM), sometimes called macular pucker, can be severe and require surgery. Patients often complain of loss of central vision and/or visual distortion (i.e. metamorphopsia or “wavy vision”).
Agent Orange Exposure Not Linked to Hepatocellular Carcinoma
U.S. veterans are much more likely to be diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, but at least one toxic exposure during military service doesn’t appear to have much to do with that.
GAO: Servicemembers in Need of Mental Health Services Are Falling Through the Cracks as They Transition to VA Care
Two recent investigations by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have highlighted how seemingly small procedural issues and technical errors can lead to servicemembers and veterans not receiving much-needed mental health services.
Mohs Surgery at NY Harbor VAMC Reduced Reexcision, Rerepair Needs
Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the standard of care for treating certain types of keratinocyte carcinoma (KCs), but it has not been uniformly accessible to veterans treated by the VHA, according to a recent research letter.
Study: High-Frequency Ultrasound Better as Supplementary Tool for Tumor ID
High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) can safely and efficiently visualize cutaneous tumor characteristics including depth, but how accurate is it?
Changing DoD Drug Policy Could Open Enlistment for Psoriasis, Eczema Patients
Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are disqualifying for entrance into the military. Both of the chronic, immune-mediated skin disorders can create difficulties wearing body armor and other protective equipment when poorly controlled, limiting a servicemember’s ability to train and deploy worldwide.
VA Projects $2.88 Billion Shortfall for This Fiscal Year; $12 Billion for Next Year
VA is projecting a $2.88 billion budget shortfall for the remainder of fiscal year 2024 and another $12 billion for FY2025. This comes after VA leaders spent this spring assuring Congress that its FY2025 budget request, while lean, would be sufficient to do the job.
Diagnostics, Treatment Options Improve for Non-Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
When the law, widely known as the PACT Act, was signed into law two years ago this month, kidney cancer became a presumptive condition for VA care for the first time.
Genetic Sequencing Study Is ‘Step in the Right Direction’ Toward Improving Equity in VA Prostate Cancer Trials and Treatment
Prostate cancer affects an estimated 1 in 8 men at some point during their lives, with black men affected at almost double the rate of whites.
Remote Consent, Testing Used to Identify and Treat Germline Pathogenic Alterations in VA Million Veteran Program Participants
About 10% of men with metastatic prostate cancer show germline pathogenic alterations which can inform precision therapy, surveillance, and cancer prevention for family members, according to a recent study.
Increase in Military Deployment Raised Chronic Pain Threat for Servicewomen
The prevalence of chronic pain is documented to be several times higher in U.S. veterans than the general population. Efforts to deal with that unrelenting issue have led to myriad problems, including elevated rates of substance abuse.
The Report Of My Death Was An Exaggeration
It has been a challenging week for me in my interactions with American institutions. I had a primary care appointment for my annual checkup and to manage my ongoing respiratory issues related to burn pit exposure. I fancy myself savvy in how the healthcare system works (and how it does not), so I used the Johns Hopkins MyChart system to request my routine blood work before my visit. This electronic medical record and communication system performed flawlessly, and my labs were ordered a week before my appointment. I was feeling rather smug concerning my patient prowess after reviewing my results and having the opportunity to inquire about some abnormal values via MyChart. The day arrived for my clinical visit, and I wanted to double-check the appointment time, so I logged on to my trusted electronic medical record. MyChart informed me that my account had been disabled.
Atrial Fibrillation Patients Less Likely to Receive Anticoagulant Therapy at VAMCs Serving More Minority Patients
VA patients receive different medical care for atrial fibrillation depending on whether they visit a VAMC serving more minority patients, according to a new study.
Revised Guidelines Give Recommendations Concerning Use of Newer Pharmacological Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes
The newest medications for Type 2 diabetes have benefits beyond controlling blood sugar. Evidence suggests they also reduce mortality and the risk of cardiac events.
Closing in on More Than a Half Century of Cancer Breakthroughs, VA Continues Pioneering Work in Oncology
The VA has been at the forefront of cancer research in the United States. Starting with the establishment of its first tumor research laboratory in 1932 and groundbreaking work in the 1950s on the association between smoking and respiratory tract cancers, the agency has repeatedly changed the course of oncology.
Military Study Finds That Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosis Has Detrimental Effect on NSCLC Survival
A study from the VA and U.S. military research organizations addresses the question of how a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) affect survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Highlights of the VA’s Contributions to Cancer Research
In the more than 90 years since the VA established its first tumor research laboratory at the Hines, Ill., VA hospital, the agency has published some of the most instrumental studies in cancer in the U.S.
In Advanced NSCLC, Frail Patients Receive Less Intensive Treatment Even If Performance Status Isn’t Poor
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy is often preferred over intensive ICI treatment for frail patients and those with poor performance status (PS) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
KRAS G12C in Veterans with NSCLC Has Favorable Outcomes Compared to Non-G12C Variants; Availability of Sotorasib Treatment Credited
KRAS mutations have historically carried a poor prognosis in NSCLC, and the most common variant, G12C, had similar suboptimal survival compared to non-G12C variants. That has changed with the approval of new KRAS G12C inhibitors.
Is VA Avoiding Reporting Requirements in Supply Chain Modernization?
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are upset at VA for delays in providing Congress with information about its ongoing Supply Chain Modernization (SCM) project.
Congress member Calls for McDonough Resignation Over Questionable Bonuses
VA Secretary Reminds Committee He Sought Investigation WASHINGTON, DC—A member of the House VA Committee has called on VA Secretary Denis McDonough to resign over the nearly $11 million in bonuses inappropriately paid to senior VA Central Office (VACO) officials....
Huge Financial Impact From Lapses in, Misuse of VA Prime Vendor Program
A recent audit of VA’s Medical Surgical Prime Vendor Program (MSPV) found that lack of oversight of the system, which is meant to save VA money by better leveraging the department’s buying power, is costing VA hundreds of millions a year.
COVID-19 Complications Continue to Arise Three Years After Infection
The long-term effects of COVID-19 might last longer and manifest themselves later than was previously thought, according to a new study that followed patients for three years after their initial illness.
New Research Finds Service Dogs Beneficial for Veterans With PTSD
The VA covers the veterinary care and the equipment costs of service dogs for veterans with physical disabilities such as blindness or vision impairment, but the use of service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues has remained controversial.
Recurrent Hyperkalemia Found to Be Higher in Black, Hispanic Veterans
In U.S. veterans with incident hyperkalemia, the risk of recurrent hyperkalemia within one year is higher in Black and Hispanic patients, according to a recent study.
Supplements Marketed to Military Contain Dangerous, Illegal Substances
Dietary supplements for weight loss are widely promoted online and through social media, with many claiming to have the added benefits of building lean muscle and enhancing energy and performance.
Fewer Deaths After Serious Illness in Veterans Treated With PARC Care Model
After a serious illness, veterans who received medical care via the Post-Acute Recovery Center (PARC) model experienced fewer deaths and more days outside of the hospital compared to those not treated with PARC, according to a recent study.
Real-World VA Study Shows Substantial Mortality Benefit From Lung Cancer Screening
Veterans who underwent VHA lung cancer screening were more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier stage and had higher cure rates than those who were not screened, according to a new observational study.
Prospective Memory Deficits Explained in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been found to have prospective memory (PM) deficits. A new study sought to better understand how and why that occurs.
