Media Information

ACSCCNews.org is the online home of the Clinical Congress News—with daily updates Sunday to Wednesday during the annual meeting. Visit the news site to read about sessions and resources available through the premier annual meeting for surgeons, surgery residents, medical students, and members of surgical teams.

Science and Research News

Virtual lung cancer screening is just as effective as in-person screening
Novel approach preserved access to lung cancer screening during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for one hospital’s largely African American patient population, and could be used to increase future access to screening

COVID-19 pandemic shifted patient attitudes about colorectal cancer screening
Survey of adults shows low colonoscopy rates, but more patients embraced at-home testing.

Hospitals sustained huge financial losses from lost revenues during COVID-19 pandemic as patients lost timely access to surgical services
Researchers provide lessons learned after nationwide pause of most elective operations during 2020

Patients with stroke symptoms are evaluated safely for both stroke and trauma with new “STRAUMA activation”
Study shows that a fundamental change in how patients with possible stroke are assessed does not delay start to critical treatment

Surgery has survival benefits for male Stage IV breast cancer patients who are receptive to systemic therapy
With increasingly effective treatments available, best practices for male breast cancer patients need to evolve as they have for female breast cancer patients in recent years, according to new study findings

COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns sharply increased bicycle-related injuries; gun-related injuries rose too
Study results from trauma centers in four different regions may provide a roadmap for allocating trauma resources in the next pandemic

Region, race, and age linked with likelihood of cancer patients using telehealth services
Two studies characterize the use of telehealth services at accredited cancer centers across the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic and could shape efforts to increase access in vulnerable patients

Perceptions of treatment risk vary based on how surgeons communicate risk information to patients
Using numbers rather than qualitative terms to describe risks associated with treatments for appendicitis is a more effective communication tactic according to new study

Chance of postoperative complications after hospital discharge increases with shorter hospitalization
Researchers say hospitals need a better system to identify and manage surgical patients' post-discharge complications; offer recommendations for improvement

American College of Surgeons Association News

American College of Surgeons honors five members with Surgical Volunteerism Awards

Lieutenant General Paul K. Carlton, Jr., to receive Distinguished Military Contribution Award

Trauma surgeon M. Margaret Knudson, MD, FACS, honored for inspiring women in surgery

Honorary Fellowship in the ACS awarded to 10 prominent surgeons from around the world

Winston-Salem vascular surgeon Dr. Julie A. Freischlag will become next President of the American College of Surgeons

Matthew D. Neal, MD, FACS will receive 2021 Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award from the American College of Surgeon

Illinois surgeon David P. Winchester, MD, FACS, will receive Distinguished Service Award from American College of Surgeons

Dr. L.D. Britt to receive the ACS Lifetime Achievement Award on October 24

"Improving Breast Cancer Outcomes in Black Women: Time for a Change"

American College of Surgeons Press Briefing October 26, 10 a.m. CDT (11 a.m. EDT)

African-American women have the highest mortality rate of all women with breast cancer. A significant number of African-American women present at an earlier age of diagnosis as well as with more advanced stage of the disease. Five physicians will discuss barriers in access to screening and treatment, current recommendations for screening including risk-assessment models, modalities, and frequencies recommended for African-American women, and the impact of and strategies to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment in this population.

WHAT: A live press briefing featuring a panel of nationally recognized experts will follow their presentation “Improving Breast Cancer Outcomes in Black Women: Time for a Change” at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) annual ACS Clinical Congress being held virtually (October 23–27).

WHEN: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 10 a.m. CDT (11 a.m. EDT)

WHERE: Newswise platform

DETAILS: This follow-up session for the press will include a summary and discussion of the panel presentation, along with a Q&A for reporters. Reporters are encouraged to view the panel session (click here) before attending this virtual live press briefing.

• To obtain press credentials for the panel session on Monday, Oct. 25, email: pressinquiry@facs.org
• Media register here for the press briefing, Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Expert Panel includes:

• Lisa Newman, MD, MPH, FACS, FASCO, director of the breast program for the Weill Cornell Medicine-NewYork Presbyterian Hospital Network
• Anita T. Johnson, MD, FACS, CTCA breast cancer program director
• Oluwadamilola Fayanju, MD, MA, MPHS, FACS, chief of breast surgery and surgical director of Rena Rowan Breast Center
• Tuya Pal, MD, associate director for cancer health disparities, Ingram Professor of Cancer Research, professor of medicine, professor of pediatrics at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
• Debra Monticciolo, MD, president of the American College of Radiology and vice chair of the department of radiology (for research) and section chief of breast imaging at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Temple in Texas