Latest news with #QuestDiagnostics
Irish Times
8 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Leona Macken on cancer in Ireland: ‘Mammies, daughters, sisters are being ripped from their families'
Leona Macken says she is fighting to stay alive for her daughters. The 38-year-old woman with incurable cervical cancer received an apology on Tuesday from the HSE over 'failings' that occurred in two smear tests before her diagnosis in 2023. Leona, from Cork, and her husband, Alan, from Dublin, have two young daughters – Quin is eight and Drew is about to turn six. In an interview with The Irish Times at their home in Artane, Leona says: 'That's what keeps me going. I want them to look back and see how much I wanted to stay here, and how much I fought to stay here. READ MORE 'All I've ever wanted to do is give my kids a nice childhood that they don't have to recover from when they're adults. And I just feel like it's a bit out of my hands now. I mean, they're going to be affected, no matter what.' Leona sued the HSE over two cervical smear tests, one in 2016 and one in 2020, claiming they were incorrectly reported as negative. Medical expert evidence given in her case indicated that the test by US company Quest Diagnostics, which analyses smear tests for the HSE, should not have been reported as negative and concluded that the delay in identifying precancerous abnormalities directly resulted in her developing cervical cancer. Despite the clear smears, she knew something was wrong. She thought she might be experiencing polycystic ovaries, endometriosis or perimenopause, but didn't think 'for one second' that it was cancer. [ CervicalCheck patients have improved healthcare with their advocacy, study finds Opens in new window ] However, the hairdresser was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer in June 2023. She had a hysterectomy followed by chemoradiotherapy. Despite intensive treatment, a recurrence of her cancer was diagnosed in early 2025. The mother of two now has stage 4 cancer meaning that it is treatable, to an extent, but not curable. She has asked doctors about her prognosis but hasn't been given an exact answer. 'They said: 'Years, but short years.' I know statistically it's kind of five years' time from when you were diagnosed. There are some women who got six, seven, eight years. I'm just determined to get longer again. There's nothing I won't try, there's nowhere I won't go,' she says. She has been looking into clinical trials in the US. For now she is still receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy in Dublin. She said her pain and symptoms have improved, so she is hopeful for good news at her next scan. She says she is open with her daughters about her illness but tries to protect them as much as possible. Her oldest daughter, Quin, will often ask: 'Will this medicine work?' to which she will reply: 'Hopefully, I'm really, really trying.' 'I'll never say: 'Yeah, I'll be okay,' because I don't know if I'll be okay.' I wasn't dragged through a trial, thank God ... but these court cases shouldn't be happening in the first place — Leona Macken Her daughters cried when they found out she was going to lose her hair, so she tried to make the experience positive for them. 'I let them cut it and I let them shave it. I was just thinking, if they come home from school some day and I'm sitting here with no hair, it would be such a shock to them. 'So, we tried to make it fun. We were crying, they were crying, we were hugging, we were laughing, but we tried to make it as fun as possible. 'They each did a plait and cut the plait out, and they kept a plait.' Her family and the wider community have been a big support since her diagnosis and 'keep me going'. Leona would 'love to sit down with the Minister for Health, woman to woman'. Her solicitor Cian O'Carroll has contacted the office of the Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill , in a bid to set up a meeting. 'I would love to just sit down with her and just speak to her, woman to woman, let her see that I'm not a statistic, I'm a person, and there's so many more of me,' says Leona. 'It's people's lives – mammies, daughters, sisters are being ripped from their families, and the devastation that is left is massive. 'The way I look at it is: I feel like I won't know any different, I'll be gone. My kids and my husband and my family will never be the same again. I'm not the only one, and I really want to stress that, because even though I'm talking about my story, it's not just my story.' Leona Macken. Photograph: Alan Betson Speaking to RTÉ radio during the week, the Minister apologised to Leona and said women should not have to fight for access to their medical history. Leona says she is aware of a number of other women who are in a similar position to her but not doing as well, so she feels compelled to speak out. She wants to 'stop another family from going through this' but fears she won't be the last person affected by misreading of smears. [ Woman who received HSE apology over cancer diagnosis failings encourages women to get a smear test Opens in new window ] Despite her faith being shaken in the system, she believes women should be offered smears on a more regular basis. 'It doesn't hurt. It takes minutes. It could prolong your life,' she says. She says her two daughters will '100 per cent' get the vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), viruses that can cause cancer, and smear tests when they are older. She says questions remain as to how her smear tests were incorrectly read, but she has 'let go' of the initial anger she felt. 'I was angry at the start, but I had to let go of the anger because it was not doing any good, and it was kind of ruining the happiness of now,' she says. 'I'm not angry any more, I'm more worried. I'm just worried about my kids now, and other women going through this. 'I just want something positive to come from this. I don't want this to be a negative thing. I know it's a horror story, and I know people are horrified. They're only hearing about it now; we've been dealing with this for two years. 'So, for me now, I've let go of the anger and think: These the cards I've been dealt with, what can I do with it? What good can come of this?' That's where I'm at now.' On Tuesday, an apology was read in the High Court as she settled her action against the HSE. She told The Irish Times that while the apology cannot change what happened to her, it was still 'a big deal for me'. 'I felt like it just validated everything I'm saying,' she says. 'I know that changes nothing, but hopefully, going forward, it'll change something. 'I mean, there's baby steps being taken. I wasn't dragged through a trial, thank God ... but these court cases shouldn't be happening in the first place.' The letter of apology from the chief executive of the National Screening Service, Fiona Murphy, stated, on behalf of the service and the HSE, that it wished to apologise to Leona and her family 'for the failings that have occurred and led to your diagnosis'. 'I wish to express our deep regret to you and your family and acknowledge the many challenges that you have faced as a result of your diagnosis.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More Americans Know Their Streaming Platform Passwords by Heart Than Their Cholesterol Score, New Survey Reveals
Quest's second "Know Your Health" survey explores Americans' perceptions and priorities on their well-being in 2025 Nearly one-third of Americans say their doctors/HCPs do not take the time to discuss preventive care and wellness with them; More than half of millennials, Gen Z cite barriers to accessing medical care SECAUCUS, N.J., May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- the consumer-initiated testing platform from Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), one of the nation's leading providers of diagnostic information services, today revealed the results of its second "Know Your Health" survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll among nearly 2,100 U.S. adults. Findings revealed that most Americans are eager to take an active role in their healthcare journey, with 92% actively preparing for their future health and healthcare needs, but many experience barriers to receiving care, feel their doctors do not focus enough on preventive care and wellness discussions, and have gaps in knowledge on important personal health information. "For too long, Americans have been passive recipients of their healthcare and health information," says Richard Adams, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer at Quest Diagnostics. "As the survey shows, many Americans are motivated to take charge of their health, but they may be experiencing barriers to accessing care through traditional channels and are unsure of where to go for support. At Quest, we're turning that traditional model on its head by giving people access to physician-guided diagnostic lab testing so they can proactively manage their health and feel empowered on their wellness journey." Prioritizing Personal Health in a World Dominated by Digital In today's world of constant connectivity, it's surprising how often our own health stats fall by the wayside. In fact, the survey revealed that 2 in 5 Americans (40%) know their streaming platform passwords by heart, while only 19% know their cholesterol score. Cholesterol levels can be tested with a blood test, helping identify whether someone may be at risk of developing heart disease—insights that might not otherwise be known, as someone with high cholesterol does not always exhibit symptoms. Family medical history, which can help identify increased risk of certain hereditary conditions, seemed to be lower on the priority list for younger generations, with more than half of Gen Z ages 18-28 (56%) knowing their streaming platform passwords by heart compared to their family medical history (31%). "Family medical history and insights from laboratory testing help serve as a blueprint for one's health — it gives individuals and medical professionals clues to assess the likelihood of developing certain conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers, in the future," said Mark Kruzel, MD, Medical Director for "As a physician, it concerns me that many individuals surveyed want to be healthy, but aren't aware of basic health risks, which can often be lowered with preemptive behaviors." Social media has also continued to be a driving force for Americans' health habits, with 1 in 4 Americans (24%) admitting they get advice about health topics from social media influencers. Furthermore, one-third (33%) of Americans have acknowledged seeking medical care or testing after seeing someone's personal health stories shared on social media, and that jumps to more than half for Gen Z (52%) and Millennials ages 29-44 (51%). The Power of Healthy Habits After navigating the unique challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented, Americans seem to be back on track with their personal health. In fact, 7 in 10 Americans (70%) rate their current health as good (54%) or excellent (16%). In comparison, 3 in 10 Americans (30%) describe their current overall health as fair (26%) or poor (5%). Among Americans who describe their overall health as fair or poor, more than half believe stress (60%), poor sleep (55%), and lack of exercise (51%) are contributing to their current health, while 3 in 10 say loneliness/isolation (30%) is a contributing factor. When it comes to healthy habits that Americans view as a priority, sleep is king. In fact, 71% of Americans say that good sleep tops this list, followed by proper hydration (65%) and regular exercise (62%). More than half of Americans say they prioritize taking vitamins and supplements (59%), eating a well-balanced diet (54%), and going for an annual physical (53%). In regard to annual appointments and lab testing, nearly half of Americans say getting bloodwork done each year (47%) and keeping up with preventive screenings (45%) are a priority to them. Planning for a Healthier Future "Planning for a healthy future is about making daily informed decisions that invest in your overall well-being. Diagnostic testing can help provide valuable insights to help guide us, together with our healthcare providers, on steps to manage our overall health. Our health is the foundation of everything we do, and the best time to start investing in it is today," said Dr. Kruzel. A compelling majority of Americans (92%) are actively preparing for their future health and healthcare needs. About 3 in 5 Americans are doing so by trying to stay physically active (60%) and attempting to maintain a healthy diet (57%). More specifically, Boomers ages 61-79 (67%) are more likely than Gen Z (45%) or Millennials (58%) to say they try to stay physically active to prepare for their future health/health care needs. Preventive care also plays a key role, with about half of Americans focusing on regular checkups and screenings (51%) and relying on advice from doctors and healthcare professionals (49%) to help them identify their potential health risks early on. More than a quarter (27%) also use health apps or wearables to track vital signs, activity levels, and/or sleep patterns to stay on top of their well-being and make lifestyle adjustments based on the data. Navigating the Healthcare LandscapeWhile Americans say they are prioritizing healthy behaviors—and 31% are trying to stay informed about changes in healthcare policies that could impact them—they also cite challenges to accessing care. More than 1 in 3 Americans (37%) say they experienced barriers to receiving medical care in the past 12 months, ranging from long waits for scheduling appointments (10%) and being unsure about insurance coverage (9%) to potential cost considerations of lab work (8%). Barriers increased significantly with each generation: 12% of Boomers, 30% of Gen X ages 45-60, 53% of Millennials, and 62% of Gen Z. Additionally, 30% of Americans agree their doctor/health care professional does not take the time to talk to them about prevention and wellness. The survey also explored Americans' understanding of alternative modes of accessing healthcare. As it stands, nearly 2 in 3 Americans (63%) do not know it is possible to purchase their own lab tests without a doctor's visit. As Americans continue to focus on their health, building awareness of this pathway can help broaden testing accessibility and help people gain a better understanding of insights that can impact their overall health. provides access to consumer-initiated lab testing ranging from comprehensive health panels and STD tests to hormone health panels and tests to help identify or monitor chronic disease. While individuals can purchase tests online without a prior doctor's visit, a third-party physician reviews all test requests and is available to review results and, for some conditions, provide a prescription for treatment. "Consumer-initiated lab testing through Quest makes the process simple for consumers by providing access to the same quality lab tests that doctors use and recommend by way of with the benefit of physician-guided care," said Dr. Kruzel. For more information, please visit Survey Methodology This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Quest Diagnostics from March 11-13, 2025, among 2,087 adults ages 18+. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact questhealth@ About empowers individuals with affordable, high-quality, trusted healthcare. The consumer-initiated test platform, gives consumers more control over their own healthcare journeys, providing access to the same quality lab tests that doctors use and recommend, offering valuable information and insights about their health. offers more than 100 Quest Diagnostics lab tests in categories ranging from heart health and sexual health to allergies, fitness, and so much more. Tests available on also include physician oversight from an independent, third-party physician network, including test ordering and availability of a licensed physician to discuss test results. Consumers must be 18+ to purchase, and orders are not permitted in AK, AZ, or HI. For more information, please visit About Quest DiagnosticsQuest Diagnostics works across the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from one of the world's largest databases of de-identifiable clinical lab results, Quest's diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our more than 55,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives and create a healthier world. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Quest Diagnostics
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Quest Diagnostics to Speak at the William Blair 45th Annual Growth Stock Conference
SECAUCUS, N.J., May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), a leader in diagnostic information services, announced that Jim Davis, Chairman, CEO and President, will speak on the company's strategy, performance and the latest market developments and trends during a presentation at the William Blair 45th Annual Growth Stock Conference in Chicago on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The presentation session will be webcast live during the conference on the company's investor relations page, which can be accessed at In addition, the archived webcast will be available within 24 hours after the conclusion of the live event and will remain available until July 3, 2025. About Quest DiagnosticsQuest Diagnostics works across the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from one of the world's largest databases of de-identifiable clinical lab results, Quest's diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our more than 55,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives and create a healthier world. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Quest Diagnostics Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
SECAUCUS, N.J., May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), a leader in diagnostic information services, today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.80 per share, payable on July 21, 2025 to shareholders of record of Quest Diagnostics common stock on July 7, 2025. About Quest DiagnosticsQuest Diagnostics works across the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from one of the world's largest databases of de-identifiable clinical lab results, Quest's diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our more than 55,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives and create a healthier world. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oncologists Report Seeing More Advanced Cancers and Say Current Tests Are Not Catching Cancer Recurrence Early Enough, New Quest Diagnostics Report Finds
More than 3 in 4 oncologists (76%) feel they are seeing more advanced cancers, and of these, 75% believe that screening barriers are the leading cause, although nearly one-third (32%) cite "factors that we don't understand yet" Missed/delayed follow-up care or monitoring appointments by patients (68%) and imaging tests not detecting recurrence early enough (50%) are among the primary reasons cancer recurrence is typically missed, according to oncologists whose patients' cancer recurrence was missed in an earlier stage 94% of oncologists say circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) minimal residual disease (MRD) testing could reduce diagnosis delays in cancer recurrence but cite hurdles to wide adoption SECAUCUS, N.J., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncologists feel they are seeing more and more patients with advanced cancers, say screening barriers are the leading reason why, and worry that current tests may not catch cancer recurrence early enough, according to a new report, "The Cancer Paradox: Oncologists' Perspectives on Barriers to Advanced Cancer Care and Recurrence Monitoring." To access the full report, click here. Based on a survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services, the new report highlights perspectives of medical and surgical oncologists about the prevalence of advanced-stage cancers, the anxieties and barriers they believe patients face in accessing care, and the need for better post-treatment tools. It also provides novel insights into the perceptions of oncologists of an emerging area of clinical testing: ctDNA minimal residual disease (MRD) blood tests to aid in monitoring for residual or recurring cancer in patients treated for solid tumors. Quest Diagnostics launched its first ctDNA MRD test, Haystack MRD™, earlier this year. "We call it the cancer paradox: As medical advances improve longevity, more patients than ever face the looming risk of cancer recurrence — and the anxieties and challenges that go with it," said board-certified oncologist Yuri A. Fesko, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, Quest Diagnostics. "Our new survey reveals the unique challenges oncologists face at a time when an unprecedented number of Americans are alive following cancer treatment but for whom the specter of recurrence remains a real concern for both the patient and the provider." Despite new treatments, new cancer cases in the U.S. are expected to cross the 2 million mark in 2025 for the second year in a row and the number of survivors is expected to rise from 18.1 million in 2020 to 26 million by 2040.i, ii Cancer recurrence varies by type and stage, but as many as 20-40% of the four most common solid tumor cancers — breast, colorectal, lung and prostate — recur after Key survey findings: 76% of oncologists feel they are seeing more advanced-stage cancers, and of these, 75% believe that screening barriers are the leading cause, followed by rise in aging population (48%) and lifestyle factors (43%). Roughly one in three (32%) cite "factors that we don't understand yet" behind the perceived increase. While 89% of oncologists believe identifying cancer recurrence at the earliest possible stage can improve outcomes, roughly 8 in 10 oncologists (79%) report seeing patients whose cancer recurrence was missed in an earlier stage. Of these oncologists, 68% claim missing, skipping and/or delaying follow-up care and monitoring appointments is the most common reason cancer recurrence is typically missed. 87% of oncologists claim anxiety/worry is among the most challenging aspects of cancer care for patients, versus 53% who cite treatment side effects as among the most challenging. Nine in 10 oncologists (89%) express frustration that insurance reimbursement models are unable to keep up with the latest tech innovations in cancer care, screening, and diagnostics. Oncologists Value ctDNA MRD Tests but Cite Barriers to Adoption Oncologists have traditionally monitored for residual or recurring cancer using a range of expensive or invasive technologies, including positron emission tomography (PET) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and tissue biopsies, as well as more accessible but typically nonspecific lab tests. Yet, oncologists expressed concerns about these traditional methods. Among oncologists whose patients' recurrence was missed in an earlier stage, half (50%) said imaging tests not detecting recurrence early enough was among the primary reasons for why cancer recurrence is typically missed. By comparison, nearly all oncologists (96%) said MRD testing has the potential to identify cancer recurrence earlier than other current methods, with 89% saying test sensitivity to accurately detect residual disease/recurrence as early as possible is one of the most important features of MRD tests. "We were struck by how many oncologists cited the limitations of imaging in detecting cancer recurrence early," said Dan Edelstein, vice president, general manager and co-founder of Haystack Oncology, a Quest Diagnostics company. "There's a clear desire for more sensitive tools, and oncologists increasingly see high-performance ctDNA blood tests as a promising solution for earlier detection of residual or recurrent cancer." Nearly nine in 10 oncologists (88%) agree that MRD testing should be incorporated into the standard of care for cancer-recurrence follow-up monitoring. However, over half say they would be more likely to start, continue, or restart recommending MRD tests if they had more clinical evidence to support effectiveness (61%), were in clinical guidelines (64%), and have expanded insurance or reimbursement coverage (56%). A study by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) in April 2025 found that the Haystack MRD test was a "reliable liquid biopsy surrogate" for tissue biopsy results in assessing efficacy of an immunotherapy that successfully treated 80% of patients with several types of solid tumors without surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. The median time for the Haystack MRD test to identify complete response to the immunotherapy was 1.4 months, faster than PET imaging or endoscopy (both 6.1 months). The survey also polled oncologists on their preferences for accessing laboratory tests: 71% said they prefer to work with a single laboratory with a broad selection of cancer tests spanning the care continuum versus several labs that each focus on one portion of the patient's journey. Study MethodologyOn behalf of Quest, The Harris Poll surveyed oncologists (174 medical oncologists and 76 surgical oncologists) between August 6 and September 4, 2024, to gather insights into how they perceived and manage the challenges of cancer recurrence. Read the study here for complete methodology. About Haystack MRD™Finding the needle of cancer with a simple blood draw: That's Haystack MRD, a highly sensitive and specific liquid biopsy test designed by cancer genomic pioneers and liquid biopsy experts to uncover the lowest level of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)—tiny bits of DNA in the bloodstream that originate from tumor cancer cells that can signify residual, recurrent, or resistant disease. Used in multiple clinical trials and research studies with top institutions in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and by oncologists at over 75 top cancer and academic centers and health systems, Haystack MRD is now available for clinical use as part of the leading oncology testing portfolio of Quest Diagnostics. For more information, visit About Quest Diagnostics Quest Diagnostics works across the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from one of the world's largest databases of de-identifiable clinical lab results, Quest's diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our more than 55,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives and create a healthier world. i Siegel RL, Kratzer TB, Giaquinto AN, Sung H, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2025. CA Cancer J Clin. 2025;75(1):7–33. doi:10.3322/ Tonorezos E, Devasia T, Mariotto AB, Mollica MA, Gallicchio L, Green P, Doose M, Brick R, Streck B, Reed C, de Moor JS, Prevalence of Cancer Survivors in the United States, JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2024; Aliperti LA, Predina JD, Vachani A, Singhal S. Local and systemic recurrence is the Achilles heel of cancer surgery. Ann Surg Oncol. 2011 Mar;18(3):603-7. doi: 10.1245/s10434-010-1442-0. PMID: 21161729; PMCID: PMC11156256. Local and Systemic Recurrence is the Achilles Heel of Cancer Surgery - PMC View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Sign in to access your portfolio
