What: A meta-analysis of 42 randomized clinical trials found that patient navigation services significantly boost rates of breast and cervical cancer screening and follow-up. Researchers found a nearly 14% increase in breast cancer screening rates and a 16% increase in cervical cancer screening rates with the help of patient navigation services.

Key Line: “Although patient navigation services are commonly provided for cancer treatment and management in the US, patient navigation for cancer screening and follow-up has not been previously considered as a clinical preventive service recommendation by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) or other guideline groups for patient care. However, an increasing number of clinical trials have applied patient navigation services to cancer screening and show higher screening rates compared with usual care.”

Source: JAMA Internal Medicine