Weekly Dose Podcast: Cervical Cancer Disparities, HPV Awareness Gaps, Depression Risk After Diagnosis, PharmFIT Preferences, and Semaglutide for MASH

September 17, 2025

This week’s podcast episode covers cervical cancer disparities, HPV awareness, depression risk, pharmacy CRC screening, and semaglutide approval for MASH.

The newest episode of the Weekly Dose Podcast from Patient Care® is live, offering a concise roundup of 5 leading clinical updates for primary care physicians. Above, we start with a nationwide analysis linking persistently low cervical cancer screening coverage to nearly double the incidence and mortality compared with high-coverage counties. Next, we review survey data showing that large gaps in HPV and HPV vaccine awareness remain among US adults, with many unaware of the virus’s link to oral and cervical cancers.

We then discuss findings from a population-based cohort study showing that the risk of major depressive disorder more than doubles after the diagnosis of a chronic medical condition, with the highest risk in the first month following diagnosis.

Also featured are new insights into patient preferences for pharmacy-based colorectal cancer screening, where digital communication works for negative results but personal outreach is preferred for positive findings. Finally, we cover the US FDA’s approval of semaglutide for metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis, a significant step forward in liver disease treatment.

Episode Breakdown

EPISODE BREAKDOWN

Editor's note: Episode timestamps produced using AI tools.

Cervical Cancer Screening Disparities (00:00:23)
Analysis of county-level disparities in cervical cancer screening, incidence, and mortality, especially in rural and low-income areas.

HPV Awareness Gaps (00:01:00)
Study on lack of HPV and HPV vaccine awareness among adults, with regional differences and knowledge gaps about cancer risks.

Mental Health Risks After Medical Diagnoses (00:01:36)
Research showing increased risk of major depressive disorder after chronic medical diagnoses, especially soon after diagnosis.

Patient Preferences in Pharmacy-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening (00:02:20)
Survey on patient communication preferences and barriers in pharmacy-based colorectal cancer screening programs.

FDA Approval of Semaglutide for Liver Disease (00:02:59)
The US FDA’s accelerated approval of semaglutide for NASH with liver fibrosis, based on phase 3 trial results.

The stories featured in this week's Weekly Dose podcast are further detailed here:

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