Cancer Screening Practices (cancer + screening_practice)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Cancer screening practices of adult survivors of retinoblastoma at risk of second cancers

CANCER, Issue 2 2008
Victoria Sheen BA
Abstract BACKGROUND. The aim of the current study was to investigate the pattern of cancer screening behavior in adult retinoblastoma survivors, who are at high risk of developing second cancers. METHODS. Self-reported cancer screening practices were investigated in a cohort of retinoblastoma survivors to evaluate whether they were receiving adequate screening for specific cancers and compare these rates with those of other adult survivors of childhood cancer and the general population. The prevalence of breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, mammography, Papanicolaou (Pap) test, testicular self-examination, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scanning was determined from computer-aided telephone interviews with 836 retinoblastoma survivors aged >18 years. RESULTS. Among female survivors, 87% had a Pap test within the past 2 years, and 76% of females age >40 years reported having a mammogram within the past 2 years; 17.4% of male survivors had performed monthly testicular self-examinations. A significantly higher proportion of hereditary compared with nonhereditary survivors reported having undergone an MRI or CT scan in the past 5 years. Higher education, greater contact with the medical care system, and having a second cancer were found to be associated positively with most screening practices. Cancer screening practices reported by retinoblastoma survivors were similar to national screening rates for breast, cervical, and testicular cancer. CONCLUSIONS. To the authors' knowledge, the current study provides the first report of cancer screening practices of retinoblastoma survivors. Survivors of hereditary retinoblastoma should be encouraged to maintain, if not increase, their current screening practices to ensure early detection of second cancers in this high-risk population. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society. [source]


Relation of family history of prostate cancer to perceived vulnerability and screening behavior

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
Paul B. Jacobsen
Men with a positive family history of prostate cancer are known to be at increased risk for the disease; however, relatively little is known about their risk perceptions or screening behavior. To address these issues, the current study examined the relationship of family history of prostate cancer to perceived vulnerability of developing prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening practices. Participants were 83 men with a positive family history of prostate cancer and 83 men with a negative family history of prostate cancer. As predicted, men with a positive family history reported greater (p,0.05) perceived vulnerability of developing prostate cancer and stronger intentions to undergo screening (p,0.05). They also reported greater past performance of prostate-specific antigen screening and were more likely to request information about prostate cancer (p,0.05). Additional analyses indicated that perceived vulnerability mediated the relation between family history and intentions to undergo prostate cancer screening. Findings confirm the increased likelihood of men with a positive family history to undergo prostate cancer screening and suggest that heightened concerns about developing the disease are an important motivating factor. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Colon cancer screening practices and disclosure after receipt of positive or inconclusive genetic test results for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer,,§

CANCER, Issue 18 2009
Anne L. Ersig PhD
Abstract BACKGROUND: Patients who receive conclusive genetic test results for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) tend to adopt appropriate colorectal cancer screening behaviors and disclose their test results. However, little is known about the disclosure processes or screening behaviors of individuals who receive inconclusive genetic test results. This study compared endoscopy use and disclosure between individuals with positive and inconclusive genetic test results, within a year after results were received. METHODS: Individuals with a personal history of cancer and suspected of having HNPCC participated in genetics education and counseling, underwent HNPCC testing, and received genetic test results (GCT) within a prospective cohort study. Demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral data were obtained from questionnaires and interviews completed before and after GCT. RESULTS: Index cases with inconclusive genetic test results were less likely to screen within 12 months. Index cases who disclosed test results to children within 6 months were more likely to screen within 12 months, controlling for mutation status. Index cases with inconclusive genetic test results were less likely to share results with a healthcare provider within 6 months. Index cases who disclosed genetic test results to healthcare providers within 6 months were more likely to have endoscopy within 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic test results and disclosure significantly affected colon cancer screening at 12-month follow-up. Interventions to improve adherence to colorectal cancer screening should consider increased education of those receiving inconclusive results and encourage disclosure to healthcare providers and family members. Cancer 2009. Published 2009 by the American Cancer Society. [source]


Cancer screening practices of adult survivors of retinoblastoma at risk of second cancers

CANCER, Issue 2 2008
Victoria Sheen BA
Abstract BACKGROUND. The aim of the current study was to investigate the pattern of cancer screening behavior in adult retinoblastoma survivors, who are at high risk of developing second cancers. METHODS. Self-reported cancer screening practices were investigated in a cohort of retinoblastoma survivors to evaluate whether they were receiving adequate screening for specific cancers and compare these rates with those of other adult survivors of childhood cancer and the general population. The prevalence of breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, mammography, Papanicolaou (Pap) test, testicular self-examination, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scanning was determined from computer-aided telephone interviews with 836 retinoblastoma survivors aged >18 years. RESULTS. Among female survivors, 87% had a Pap test within the past 2 years, and 76% of females age >40 years reported having a mammogram within the past 2 years; 17.4% of male survivors had performed monthly testicular self-examinations. A significantly higher proportion of hereditary compared with nonhereditary survivors reported having undergone an MRI or CT scan in the past 5 years. Higher education, greater contact with the medical care system, and having a second cancer were found to be associated positively with most screening practices. Cancer screening practices reported by retinoblastoma survivors were similar to national screening rates for breast, cervical, and testicular cancer. CONCLUSIONS. To the authors' knowledge, the current study provides the first report of cancer screening practices of retinoblastoma survivors. Survivors of hereditary retinoblastoma should be encouraged to maintain, if not increase, their current screening practices to ensure early detection of second cancers in this high-risk population. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society. [source]


Prospective study of adiposity and weight change in relation to prostate cancer incidence and mortality,,

CANCER, Issue 4 2007
Margaret E. Wright PhD
Abstract BACKGROUND. Adiposity has been linked inconsistently with prostate cancer, and few studies have evaluated whether such associations vary by disease aggressiveness. METHODS. The authors prospectively examined body mass index (BMI) and adult weight change in relation to prostate cancer incidence and mortality in 287,760 men ages 50 years to 71 years at enrollment (1995,1996) in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. At baseline, participants completed questionnaires regarding height, weight, and cancer screening practices, including digital rectal examinations and prostate-specific antigen tests. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS. In total, 9986 incident prostate cancers were identified during 5 years of follow-up, and 173 prostate cancer deaths were ascertained during 6 years of follow-up. In multivariate models, higher baseline BMI was associated with significantly reduced total prostate cancer incidence, largely because of the relationship with localized tumors (for men in the highest BMI category [,40 kg/m2] vs men in the lowest BMI category [<25 kg/m2]: RR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50,0.89; P = .0006). Conversely, a significant elevation in prostate cancer mortality was observed at higher BMI levels (BMI <25 kg/m2: RR, 1.0 [referent group]; BMI 25,29.9 kg/m2: RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.87,1.80; BMI 30,34.9 kg/m2: RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 0.92,2.33; and BMI ,35 kg/m2: RR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.08,4.15; P = .02). Adult weight gain from age 18 years to baseline also was associated positively with fatal prostate cancer (P = .009), but not with incident disease. CONCLUSIONS. Although adiposity was not related positively to prostate cancer incidence, higher BMI and adult weight gain increased the risk of dying from prostate cancer. Cancer 2007. Published 2007 by the American Cancer Society. [source]


The cancer screening practices of adult survivors of childhood cancer,

CANCER, Issue 3 2004
A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Abstract BACKGROUND The current study characterized the self-reported cancer screening practices of adult survivors of childhood cancer. METHODS A cohort of 9434 long-term survivors of childhood cancer and a comparison group of 2667 siblings completed a 289-item survey that included items regarding cancer-screening practices. RESULTS Overall, 27.3% of female respondents reported performing breast self-examination (BSE) regularly, 78.2% reported undergoing a Papanicolaou smear within the previous 3 years, 62.4% underwent a clinical breast examination (CBE) within the last year, and 20.9% had gotten a mammogram at least once in their lifetime. Approximately 17.4% of male respondents reported performing regular testicular self-examination (TSE). Women age , 30 years who had been exposed to chest or mantle radiation therapy were more likely to report undergoing CBE (odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.32,1.92) and mammography (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.47,2.56). Compared with the sibling comparison group, survivors demonstrated an increased likelihood of performing TSE (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.22,1.85) or BSE (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.10,1.52), of having undergone a CBE within the last year (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02,1.35), and of ever having undergone a mammogram (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.52,2.17). CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study demonstrate that the cancer screening practices among survivors of childhood cancer are below optimal levels. Primary care physicians who include childhood cancer survivors among their patients could benefit these individuals by informing them about future cancer risks and recommending appropriate evidence-based screening. Cancer 2004. © 2003 American Cancer Society. [source]


Progress in cancer screening practices in the United States,

CANCER, Issue 6 2003
Results from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey
Abstract BACKGROUND Understanding differences in cancer screening among population groups in 2000 and successes or failures in reducing disparities over time among groups is important for planning a public health strategy to reduce or eliminate health disparities, a major goal of Healthy People 2010 national cancer screening objectives. In 2000, the new cancer control module added to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) collected more detailed information on cancer screening compared with previous surveys. METHODS Data from the 2000 NHIS and earlier surveys were analyzed to discern patterns and trends in cancer screening practices, including Pap tests, mammography, prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening, and colorectal screening. The data are reported for population subgroups that were defined by a number of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. RESULTS Women who were least likely to have had a mammogram within the last 2 years were those with no usual source of health care (61%), women with no health insurance (67%), and women who immigrated to the United States within the last 10 years (61%). Results for Pap tests within the last 3 years were similar. Among both men and women, those least likely to have had a fecal occult blood test or endoscopy within the recommended screening interval had no usual source of care (14% for men and 18% for women), no health insurance (20% for men and 18% for women), or were recent immigrants (20% for men and 18% for women). An analysis of changes in test use since the 1987 survey indicates that the disparities are widening among groups with no usual source of care. CONCLUSIONS No striking improvements have been observed for the groups with greatest need. Although screening use for most groups has increased since 1987, major disparities remain. Some groups, notably individuals with no usual source of care and the uninsured are falling further behind; and, according to the 2000 data, recent immigrants also experience a significant gap in screening utilization. More attention is needed to overcome screening barriers for these groups if the population benefits of cancer screening are to be achieved. Cancer 2003;97:1528,40. Published 2003 by the American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11208 [source]