Testing for cancer in blood; screening for speech and language delays; just how serious is COVID-19? - Morning Medical Update

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Finding cancer through bloodwork

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, yet methods to detect it can be invasive, costly and of limited accuracy in early stages. Researchers say measuring plasma proteins in the blood is a better way, and there is a new proteome screening test with potential to detect 18 different types of cancers.

More evidence needed

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force this month concluded current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for speech and language delay and disorders in children aged 5 years or younger. Read the full recommendation here.

Not breathing easy

An international survey of seven countries found people in six of them thought respiratory ailments caused by smoking or pollution were a greater public health threat than COVID-19. Residents of four African nations also listed another issue as a bigger threat, according to a new study and accompanying news release.