News digest – screening switch, genetic testing, cigarette packaging and coronavirus updates

Targeting cancer’s waste disposal system

Researchers in South Korea are using nanoparticles to break cancer cells’ waste management system. It’s early days yet, but the team believe that targeting the tiny units that help process cellular waste  could be used to destroy tumours within the body with minimal damage to healthy cells. Read the full story in New Atlas.

Cervical screening switch to be rolled out in Scotland 

Scotland is rolling out a new way of testing samples obtained from cervical screening. The test will remain the same for the person attending screening, but the order in which samples are tested for human papillomavirus (HPV) and cell changes has switched, now looking for HPV first. The approach has been shown to be much effective at preventing cervical cancer and will ‘improve health outcomes for women and ultimately save more lives,’ says Scotland’s chief medical officer. England and Wales have already made the switch to HPV primary testing. BBC News has this one.  

The latest on coronavirus for people with cancer  

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop, the reporting on COVID-19 and how it will affect cancer patients increases. This week, The Guardian reported on preparations for cargo plane pilots to replace couriers in delivering vital stem cells to patients amidst global travel-bans. For a summary of the latest guidance for people living with and recovering from cancer, read our blog post.  

New graphic warnings coming to US tobacco products 

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ruled that 11 new graphic warnings must be placed on the top 50% of the front and back of cigarette packs sold in the US from 18 June 2021. This comes after years of legal battles in which tobacco companies fought to appeal the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act by the US Congress that gave the FDA regulatory authority over tobacco companies. New Atlas has more on the latest ruling.  

The questions raised by genetic testing  

Sarah Elizabeth Richards explores the currently “unanswerable” questions raised by genetic testing in this opinion piece in The Washington Post (£).  

And finally…

Researchers are developing a new therapy that combines chemotherapy and light therapy. And early signs look promising. The drug, known as Ru-Pt, killed more cancer cells than either of the treatments when used alone. But as New Atlas explains, there’s a long road ahead before the treatment is tested in people. 

Alex Lathbridge is a senior news and content officer at Cancer Research UK