New guidelines lower age for colorectal cancer screening
The American Cancer Society this week released new guidelines that recommend that colorectal cancer screening start earlier at age 45.
For patients at average risk, the group now recommends screening start at age 45 rather than 50. The change is based in part on data that shows a rise in colorectal cancer among younger people. The new guidelines were published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guideline still recommends screening begin at age 45. (ACS guidelines)
LA police begin investigation of former USC gynecologist
The Los Angeles police have begun a criminal investigation into complaints of misconduct made against a former University of Southern California gynecologist.
The police department is investigating 52 complaints of misconduct filed by former patients who were treated by George Tyndall, M.D., who worked at USC’s student health center, and are urging other patients to come forward. Whether the doctor faces sexual abuse charges depends on whether the complaints are found to be criminal.
USC has received hundreds of complaints about Tyndall’s behavior during patient exams, prompting the resignation of the university’s president. (Associated Press report)
More than 1 in 5 Medicare patients receive care through Oncology Care Model
Some 21% of cancer patients in Medicare Part B fee-for-service were treated by an oncology practice participating in the Oncology Care Model in 2017, according to research from Avalere.
The model is a voluntary five-year bundled payment program developed by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation which began in 2016. The research found that more than 25% of patients with breast and lung cancer were treated by a doctor participating in the model, one of the first physician-led specialty care models. (Avalere announcement)
Doctors could face prison if Louisiana abortion law goes into effect
The governor of Louisiana signed into law a measure that would impose a prison sentence of up to two years on doctors who perform abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the law but a spokesman for the governor said the law would only go into effect if a federal court upholds a similar abortion ban in Mississippi. (Associated Press report)