Meta-analysis of social inequality and the risk of cervical cancer

Random forests for the analysis of matched case-control studies

BACKGROUND

Conditional logistic regression trees have been proposed as a flexible alternative to the standard method of conditional logistic regression for the analysis of matched case-control studies. While they allow to avoid the strict assumption of linearity and automatically incorporate interactions, conditional logistic regression trees may suffer from a relatively high variability. Further machine learning methods for the analysis of matched case-control studies are missing because conventional machine learning methods cannot handle the matched structure of the data.

RESULTS

A random forest method for the analysis of matched case-control studies based on conditional logistic regression trees is proposed, which overcomes the issue of high variability. It provides an accurate estimation of exposure effects while being more flexible in the functional form of covariate effects. The efficacy of the method is illustrated in a simulation study and within an application to real-world data from a matched case-control study on the effect of regular participation in cervical cancer screening on the development of cervical cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed random forest method is a promising add-on to the toolbox for the analysis of matched case-control studies and addresses the need for machine-learning methods in this field. It provides a more flexible approach compared to the standard method of conditional logistic regression, but also compared to conditional logistic regression trees. It allows for non-linearity and the automatic inclusion of interaction effects and is suitable both for exploratory and explanatory analyses.

A systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of interventions to increase cervical cancer screening among underserved women in Europe

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the cost-effectiveness studies of interventions to increase cervical cancer screening uptake rates in underserved women in Europe.

METHODS

A search of Embase, Medline, Global Health, PsychINFO, and NHS Economic Evaluation Database was conducted for studies published between January 2000 and September 2022. Studies were eligible if they analysed the cost-effectiveness of any interventions to improve participation in cervical cancer screening among underserved women of any age eligible to participate in cervical cancer screening in European countries, in any language. Study characteristics and cost-effectiveness results were summarised. Study quality was assessed using the Drummond Checklist, and methodological choices were further compared.

RESULTS

The searches yielded 962 unique studies, with 17 of these (from twelve European countries) meeting the eligibility criteria for data extraction. All studies focused on underscreened women as an overarching group, with no identified studies focusing on specific subgroups of underserved women. Generally, self-HPV testing and reminder interventions were shown to be cost-effective to increase the uptake rates. There was also research showing that addressing access issues and adopting different screening modalities could be economically attractive in some settings, but the current evidence is insufficient due to the limited number of studies.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review has revealed a gap in the literature on the cost-effectiveness of interventions to improve uptake rates of cervical cancer screening through tailored provision for specific groups of underserved women.

Unmet financial needs among patients crowdfunding to support gynecologic cancer care

BACKGROUND

Patients may use crowdfunding to solicit donations, typically from multiple small donors using internet-based means, to offset the financial toxicity of cancer care.

OBJECTIVE

To describe crowdfunding campaigns by gynecologic cancer patients and to compare campaign characteristics and needs expressed between patients with cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

We queried the public crowdfunding forum GoFundMe.com for "cervical cancer," "uterine cancer," and "ovarian cancer." The first 200 consecutive posts for each cancer type fundraising within the United States were analyzed. Data on campaign goals and needs expressed were manually extracted. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Among the 600 fundraising pages, the median campaign goal was $10,000 [IQR $5000-$23,000]. Campaigns raised a median of 28.6% of their goal with only 8.7% of campaigns reaching their goal after a median of 54 days online. On average, ovarian cancer campaigns had higher monetary goals, more donors, and larger donation amounts than cervical cancer campaigns and raised more money than both cervical and uterine cancer campaigns. Campaigns were fundraising to support medical costs (80-85%) followed by lost wages (36-56%) or living expenses (27-41%). Cervical cancer campaigns reported need for non-medical costs more frequently than uterine or ovarian cancer campaigns. States without Medicaid expansions (31% of the national population) were over-represented among cervical cancer and uterine cancer, but not ovarian cancer campaigns.

CONCLUSIONS

Crowdfunding pages reveal patients fundraising for out-of-pocket costs in the thousands of dollars and a wide range of unmet financial needs based on cancer type.

Cervical human papillomavirus prevalence according to socioeconomic and demographic characteristics in a large Danish screening population

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) prevalence according to socioeconomic and demographic characteristics in a Danish screening population.

METHODS

We used data from HPV SCREEN DENMARK, which was an implementation study embedded into the routine cervical cancer screening programme. During 2017-2020, women aged 30-59 years screened in the Region of Southern Denmark were offered HPV testing or cytology. In the HPV group, liquid-based cytology samples were tested for 14 hrHPV types. We obtained registry information on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and used log-binomial regression to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR) of hrHPV in three age groups (30-39, 40-49, 50-59 years), adjusting for age and marital status.

RESULTS

We included 31,124 HPV unvaccinated women. In all age groups, the age-adjusted hrHPV prevalence was higher in women with basic versus higher education (e.g. age 30-39: 11.9% vs. 9.5%; PRage-adjusted=1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.50); women who were unemployed vs. employed (e.g. age 30-39: 11.6% vs. 10.4%; PRage-adjusted=1.11; 95% CI: 0.95-1.28); and in women with highest vs. lowest income (e.g. age 30-39: 11.6% vs. 9.5%, PRage-adjusted=1.18, 95% CI: 0.98-1.44). In models adjusted for marital status, these associations largely disappeared.

CONCLUSIONS

We found slightly higher hrHPV prevalences in women with basic education, low income and unemployment. The differences largely disappeared when taking into account marital status as a potential proxy for sexual behaviour. Our findings support a need for targeted information on safe sexual practices and promoting socioeconomic equality in HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening participation.

Cervical cancer: Challenges and prevention strategies: A narrative review

Background and Aims

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections that continue to exist are the main cause of cervical cancer (CC), two-thirds of CC occurrences worldwide are caused by HPV 16 and HPV 18, and 99.7% of CC tumors are linked to oncogenic HPV infection. To identify challenges of CC and its prevention and treatment modalities.

Methods

This review examined the epidemiology, predisposing factors, genetic factors, clinical assessment methods, current treatment options, and prevention approaches for CC. We had perform a narrative data synthesis rather than a pooled analysis. A thorough literature search in pertinent databases related to CC was done with the inclusion of data that were published in the English language.

Results

Early detection of CC is of utmost importance to detect precancerous lesions at an early stage. Therefore, all responsible agencies concerned with health should make all women aware of the benefits of CC screening and educate the general public. HPV vaccination coverage is very low in resource-limited settings.

Conclusion

To achieve the goal of eliminating CC as a public health problem in 2030, the World Health Organization will pay special attention to increasing HPV vaccination coverage throughout the world. To further improve HPV vaccine acceptability among parents and their children, safety-related aspects of the HPV vaccine should be further investigated through post-marketing surveillance and multicentre randomized clinical trials.

Risk factors for the development of cervical cancer: analysis of the evidence

Introduction

Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most prevalent female cancer globally. Understanding its epidemiology is crucial for devising practical strategies suited to geographic and social contexts to attain the global eradication of CC. Hence, this study examined the latest evidence of risk factors contributing to CC development.

Methods

An independent literature search was conducted on PubMed using MESH terms. The primary sources were meta-analyses published from 2010 to 2023, which detail updated evidence on risk factors associated with CC. Additionally, the quality of the evidence was evaluated using the GRADE system and recommendations were made accordingly.

Results

The main risk factors related to the cause of CC include co-infections with other sexually transmitted infections, genetic markers, cervicovaginal microbiota, nutritional factors, comorbidities that affect the immune response, smoking, and the use of hormonal contraceptives with a quality evidence based on the GRADE scale moderate.

Conclusions

Since the necessary cause for CC is persistent cervicovaginal HPV, all the risk factors implicated in the causality of CC act as non-independent cofactors that increase the risk of CC. Thus, changes in public policies aimed at addressing these risk factors are highly recommended and can substantially decrease the risk of CC.

Individual and Geospatial Determinants of Health Associated With School-Based Human Papillomavirus Immunization in Alberta: Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection causes nearly all cervical cancer cases and is a cause of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. The incidence of HPV-associated cancers is inequitable, with an increased burden on marginalized groups in high-income countries. Understanding how immunization status varies by material and social deprivation, health system, and geospatial factors is valuable for prioritizing and planning HPV immunization interventions.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to describe school-based HPV immunization rates by individual and geospatial determinants of health in Alberta, Canada.

METHODS

Health administrative data for male and female individuals born in 2004 in Alberta were used to determine HPV immunization status based on age and the number of doses administered in schools during the 2014/2015-2018/2019 school years. Immunization status and its relationship with material and social deprivation and health system factors were assessed by a logistic regression model. Geospatial clustering was assessed using Getis-Ord Gi* hot spot analysis. Mean scores of material and social deprivation and health system factors were compared between hot and cold spots without full HPV immunization using independent samples t tests. A multidisciplinary team comprising researchers and knowledge users formed a co-design team to design the study protocol and review the study results.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 45,207 youths. In the adjusted model, the odds of those who did not see their general practitioner (GP) within 3 years before turning 10 years old and not being fully immunized were 1.965 times higher (95% CI 1.855-2.080) than those who did see their GP. The odds of health system users with health conditions and health system nonusers not being fully immunized were 1.092 (95% CI 1.006-1.185) and 1.831 (95% CI 1.678-1.998) times higher, respectively, than health system users without health conditions. The odds of those who lived in areas with the most material and social deprivation not being fully immunized were 1.287 (95% CI 1.200-1.381) and 1.099 (95% CI 1.029-1.174) times higher, respectively, than those who lived in areas with the least deprivation. The odds of those who lived in rural areas not being fully immunized were 1.428 times higher (95% CI 1.359-1.501) than those who lived in urban areas. Significant hot spot clusters of individuals without full HPV immunization exist in rural locations on the northern and eastern regions of Alberta. Hot spots had significantly worse mean material deprivation scores (P=.008) and fewer GP visits (P=.001) than cold spots.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that material and social deprivation, health system access, and rural residency impact HPV immunization. Such factors should be considered by public health professionals in other jurisdictions and will be used by the Alberta co-design team when tailoring programs to increase HPV vaccine uptake in priority populations and regions.

Risk of Cervical Abnormalities for Women With Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Moderate-Efficacy and High-Efficacy Disease-Modifying Therapies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The impact of immunomodulatory therapies on the risk of cervical pre-cancer and invasive cancer development is important for the health and safety of women with multiple sclerosis (wwMS). We investigate the risk of cervical abnormalities in wwMS treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).

METHODS

This is a multicenter cohort study with data collected from 1998 to 2019 in Victoria, Australia. Data linkage was performed using matching records from the MSBase Registry, the National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program Register, and the Victorian Cervical Cytology Register. The primary outcome was the detection of any type of cervical abnormality as determined by cytology or histology. Survival methods were used to assess the time to cervical abnormality detection on cervical screening tests (CSTs). Crude and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine time to and magnitude of association of DMTs with the risk of cervical abnormality. In a sensitivity analysis, we constructed standardized survival curves averaged over the same set of covariates to determine the commensurate population-average (marginal) causal effects.

RESULTS

We included 248 wwMS. The incidence of abnormal CSTs was lower (p < 0.001) for women not exposed to moderate-high-efficacy therapy (10.2 per 1,000 patient-years [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.5-14.9]), compared with those exposed (36.6 per 1,000 patient-years [95% CI 21.7-51.6]). Exposure to higher efficacy treatment was associated with a 3.79-fold increased hazard (95% CI 2.02-7.08, p < 0.001) of developing a cervical abnormality relative to those not exposed. When adjusted for vaccination status, smoking, hormonal contraceptive use, and socioeconomic status, the risk remained elevated at 3.79 (95% CI 1.99-7.21, p < 0.001). Marginal hazard ratios declined over time, ranging from 3.90 (95% CI 2.09-7.27) at 20 years of age to 2.06 (95% CI 1.14-3.73) at 70 years of age.

DISCUSSION

A greater than three-and-a-half-fold increased risk of cervical abnormalities was found after exposure to moderate-high-efficacy DMTs. This risk persisted despite adjusting for HPV vaccination status, hormonal contraception use, smoking, and socioeconomic status. If confirmed in future studies, we would advocate for wwMS exposed to moderate-high-efficacy DMTs to be treated in line with immune-deficient paradigm in cervical screening and HPV vaccination programs.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This study provides Class III evidence that highly active MS therapy compared with less active therapy increases the risk of developing cervical abnormalities among women with MS.

Overadjustment bias in systematic reviews and meta-analyses of socio-economic inequalities in health: a meta-research scoping review

BACKGROUND

Overadjustment bias occurs when researchers adjust for an explanatory variable on the causal pathway from exposure to outcome, which leads to biased estimates of the causal effect of the exposure. This meta-research review aimed to examine how previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses of socio-economic inequalities in health have managed overadjustment bias.

METHODS

We searched Medline and Embase until 16 April 2021 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies on associations between individual-level socio-economic position and health outcomes in any population. A set of criteria were developed to examine methodological approaches to overadjustment bias adopted by included reviews (rated Yes/No/Somewhat/Unclear).

RESULTS

Eighty-four reviews were eligible (47 systematic reviews, 37 meta-analyses). Regarding approaches to overadjustment, whereas 73% of the 84 reviews were rated as Yes for clearly defining exposures and outcomes, all other approaches were rated as Yes for <55% of reviews; for instance, 5% clearly defined confounders and mediators, 2% constructed causal diagrams and 35% reported adjusted variables for included studies. Whereas only 2% included overadjustment in risk of bias assessment, 54% included confounding. Of the 37 meta-analyses, 16% conducted sensitivity analyses related to overadjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that overadjustment bias has received insufficient consideration in systematic reviews and meta-analyses of socio-economic inequalities in health. This is a critical issue given that overadjustment bias is likely to result in biased estimates of health inequalities and accurate estimates are needed to inform public health interventions. There is a need to highlight overadjustment bias in review guidelines.

Socioeconomic inequalities in cervical cancer mortality in Canada, 1990 and 2019: a trend analysis

OBJECTIVE

It is increasingly recognized that those of lower socioeconomic status (SES) are disproportionately affected by cancer mortality. The association between cervical cancer mortality and SES have been reported; however, it remains poorly understood in the Canadian population. Thus, this study investigates trends in income and education inequalities in cervical cancer mortality in Canada over the last three decades.

STUDY DESIGN

Trend analysis.

METHODS

A dataset constructed at the census division level (n = 280), comprising the Canadian Vital Statistics Death Database, the Canadian Census of Population, and the National Household Survey was used to measure cervical cancer mortality in Canada. Income and education inequalities in cervical cancer mortality were measured using age-standardized Concentration index (C).

RESULTS

Crude cervical cancer mortality rates decreased significantly during the study period. Age-standardized C values were negative for the majority of years for income and education inequalities, reaching significance in some years. Trend analyses indicated an increasing concentration of cervical cancer mortality amongst those with lower education levels.

CONCLUSION

Despite recent decreases in cervical cancer mortality rates, socioeconomic inequalities in cervical cancer mortality in Canada are persistent. Notably, those of lower income and education levels are disproportionately affected, underscoring an opportunity to improve clinical outcomes by addressing these inequalities.

Disparities in Cancer Incidence across Income Levels in South Korea

BACKGROUND

Recent nationwide studies of disparities in cancer incidence by income are scarce in Korea. This study investigated such disparities in cancer incidence and the stage at cancer diagnosis across income groups in Korea.

METHODS

This study utilized data from a national cancer database, specifically focusing on cases recorded in the year 2018. Income levels were categorized into quintiles according to the insurance premium paid in addition to the Medicaid benefit. The slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) were used to measure absolute and relative differences in cancer incidence by income. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to estimate the risk of a distant stage at cancer diagnosis.

RESULTS

The total number of cases of incident cancer was 223,371 (men: 116,320, women: 107,051) with shares of the total of 29.5% (5Q), 20.4% (4Q), 16.0% (3Q), 13.5% (2Q), 15.6% (1Q), and 5% (Medicaid). The most common cancer type was thyroid cancer, followed by gastric and colorectal cancers. The age-standardized incidence rate for all cancers was lowest in the highest income group, but the SII was not statistically significant (SII: -35.7), and the RII was -0.07. Colorectal and cervical cancers had lower incidence rates for higher income groups, while thyroid and prostate cancers had higher incidence rates for higher income groups. The odds ratio for a distant stage at diagnosis for all cancers increased for lower income groups relative to 5Q.

CONCLUSIONS

Disparities in cancer incidence in a Korean population differed by cancer type, and lower income was a significant predictor of a distant stage at diagnosis for cancers overall. These results emphasize the need for further study of the underlying causes of disparities in cancer incidence and the stage at diagnosis, as well as the need for interventions to mitigate these disparities.

Social determinants influencing cervical cancer diagnosis: an ecological study

BACKGROUND

Barriers to accessing health care result in advanced cervical cancer. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Index of Social Responsibility (ISR) synthesizes the situation of each town concerning wealth, education, and longevity. This study aimed to evaluate in 645 municipalities the relation of the ISR with stage, age, and morphology in cervical cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

An ecological study that used data from Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 2010 to 2017. The ISR was identified through government platforms and data on cancer through the Hospital Cancer Registry. The subjects were the 9,095 women aged 30 years or older. The ISR summarizes municipalities into five levels: dynamic (ISR5), unequal (ISR4), equitable (ISR3), in transition (ISR2), and vulnerable (ISR1). It was used the chi² tests and logistic regression.

RESULTS

The proportion of stage 1 increased significantly with ISR level, ranging from 24.9% in ISR1 to 30.0% in ISR5 (p = 0.040). To every increase in ISR level, the chance of a woman being diagnosed in stage I was at least 30% higher. Woman living where ISR2 had a 1.4 times higher chance of being diagnosed in stage 1 than those living in ISR1 (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.07-1.84). Squamous tumors frequency decreased when ISR level increased (p = 0.117). A higher proportion of women under 50 years were observed when they lived in wealthier cities (ISR4 and ISR5) (42.2% vs. 44.6%, p = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

The ISR was a good health indicator for understanding and predicting the social determinants in cervical cancer diagnosis. The proportion of stage I increased significantly in more favorable social conditions.

Diabetes Mellitus as Cancer Risk: A 14-year, Cross-Sectional Analysis

Diabetes mellitus is widely thought to be a risk factors of cancers, but evidence of the association remains inconclusive, especially in Asian countries where few relevant studies have been conducted. Our study aimed to estimate overall and specific types of cancer risks among diabetes patients in Southern Thailand. Patients diagnosed with diabetes who visited the outpatient clinic of Songklanagarind Hospital during 2004 to 2018 were included. Newly diagnosed cancer patients were identified using the hospital-based cancer registry. Age-standardized incidence ratios (ASRs) and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were used to estimate and compare the cancer risks among diabetes patients and the general population in Southern Thailand. Of 29,314 diabetes patients identified during the study period, 1,113 patients had developed cancer. An increased risk for overall cancer was observed in both genders, with SIRs [95% CI] of 2.99 [2.65, 3.39] in men and 3.51 [3.12, 3.96] in women. Increases in the risk of several site-specific cancers including liver cancer, non-melanoma skin cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer in both sexes; prostate cancer, lymphoid leukemia, and multiple myeloma in men; and endometrial, breast, and thyroid cancer in women were observed. Our study found that diabetes generally increased the risk of both overall and site-specific cancers.

Reviewing the Prospective Pharmacological Potential of Isothiocyanates in Fight against Female-Specific Cancers

Gynecological cancers are the most commonly diagnosed malignancies in females worldwide. Despite the advancement of diagnostic tools as well as the availability of various therapeutic interventions, the incidence and mortality of female-specific cancers is still a life-threatening issue, prevailing as one of the major health problems worldwide. Lately, alternative medicines have garnered immense attention as a therapeutic intervention against various types of cancers, seemingly because of their safety profiles and enhanced effectiveness. Isothiocyanates (ITCs), specifically sulforaphane, benzyl isothiocyanate, and phenethyl isothiocyanate, have shown an intriguing potential to actively contribute to cancer cell growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, epigenetic alterations, and modulation of autophagy and cancer stem cells in female-specific cancers. Additionally, it has been shown that ITCs plausibly enhance the chemo-sensitization of many chemotherapeutic drugs. To this end, evidence has shown enhanced efficacy in combinatorial regimens with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs and/or other phytochemicals. Reckoning with these, herein, we discuss the advances in the knowledge regarding the aspects highlighting the molecular intricacies of ITCs in female-specific cancers. In addition, we have also argued regarding the potential of ITCs either as solitary treatment or in a combinatorial therapeutic regimen for the prevention and/or treatment of female-specific cancers. Hopefully, this review will open new horizons for consideration of ITCs in therapeutic interventions that would undoubtedly improve the prognosis of the female-specific cancer clientele. Considering all these, it is reasonable to state that a better understanding of these molecular intricacies will plausibly provide a facile opportunity for treating these female-specific cancers.

The Impact of Psychological Distress on Cervical Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Psychological distress is considered a factor for cancer development. However, the impact of mood disorders (depression and bipolar) on the development of cervical cancer remains uncertain. We conducted a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study to investigate the association between mood disorders and the subsequent risk of developing cervical cancer.

METHODS

A total of 138,130 participants' profiles between 2000 and 2012 were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database and subdivided into a mood-disorder cohort (27,626 participants) and a non-mood-disorder cohort (110,504 participants). Cohorts were propensity-matched for a 1:4 ratio according to age and index year. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was utilized for assessing cervical cancer risk between cohorts.

RESULTS

Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the mood-disorder cohort had a higher cumulative incidence of cervical cancer. The mood-disorder cohort was also associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer after adjustments for potential confounders. Subgroup analysis revealed a negative impact of mood disorders on cervical cancer, especially in the 30-50 years and white-collar groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrated that mood disorders were associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer development, which provide helpful information for clinical strategies to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in this vulnerable population.

A story-telling cloth approach to motivating cervical cancer screening in Mali

Ninety percent of deaths from Cervical cancer (CC) caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) occur in low- and middle-income countries. CC is the 2nd most common cause of cancer in women in West Africa, where 12,000 women develop cervical cancer and more than 6,000 die from the disease, annually. While HPV vaccination and CC screening have dramatically reduced the incidence of CC and mortality from CC in developed countries, prevention of CC in West Africa is often limited to visual inspection of the cervix and surgical intervention. In previous studies of CC in Mali, we demonstrated that knowledge about the link between HPV and CC is limited, and that screening for CC is often delayed until women are symptomatic. For this intervention, a story-telling cloth (West African-style printed pagne) was designed for use as a starting point for educational sessions run by community health workers. Community outreach using the cloth during 6 months of 2015 resulted in a 5-fold higher uptake of cervical cancer screening and increased awareness of the potential to vaccinate adolescents against CC. 3,271 women were motivated to visit one of five participating clinics for CC screening, where a mere 600 women had been screened during the previous year. This study shows that a comprehensive, visual, community-centered education campaign coupled with coordinated support for local clinics improves uptake of CC screening.

Income-based disparities in the risk of distant-stage cervical cancer and 5-year mortality after the introduction of a National Cancer Screening Program in Korea

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the socioeconomic gradient in the risk of distant-stage cervical cancer (CC) at presentation and 5-year mortality for new CC patients after the introduction of a national Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in Korea.

METHODS

All new CC cases from 2007 to 2017 were retrieved from the Korea Central Cancer Registry database linked with the National Health Information Database of the National Health Insurance Service. The age-standardized cumulative incidence of CC, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of distant metastasis at presentation, and adjusted all-cause mortality hazard ratios (HRs) within 5 years post-diagnosis were assessed according to the income gradient.

RESULTS

The 11-year age-standardized cumulative incidence of CC ranged from 48.9 to 381.5 per 100,000 women, with the richest quintile having the highest incidence. Of 31,391 new cases, 8.6% had distant metastasis on presentation, which was most frequent among Medical Aid beneficiaries (9.9%). Distant-stage CC was more likely when the income level was lower (OR, 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]), 1.28 to 1.67 for the lowest compared to the richest) and among Medical Aid beneficiaries (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.82). The 5-year mortality was greater in the lower-income quintiles and Medical Aid beneficiaries than in the richest quintile.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of CC was higher in the richest quintile than in the lower income quintiles, while the risk of distant-stage CC and mortality was higher for women in lower income quintiles in the context of the NCSP. A more focused approach is needed to further alleviate disparities in the timely diagnosis and treatment of CC.

Level of Awareness Regarding Cervical Cancer Among Female Syrian Refugees in Greece

Nowadays, prevention, control and treatment of cervical cancer are a worldwide public health priority. Primary objective of this study was to evaluate the level of awareness of female Syrian refugees who have recently settled in Greece regarding the warning signs and the risk factors of cervical cancer. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study that was conducted in two facilities of the Hellenic Red Cross. The Cervical Cancer Awareness Measure questionnaire was addressed to 176 female Syrian refugees, aged between 18 and 50. Syrian women presented low awareness both for risk factors and warning signs. The most frequently identified warning signs were vaginal bleeding after menopause (44.3%), vaginal bleeding between menstruation (34.1%) and unexplained weight loss (32.4%). Regarding the risk factors' recognition rates, 74.5% considered the existence of many sexual partners as a risk factor and 61.3% the existence of a sexual partner with many previous sexual partners. Older age, a higher level of education and confidence that any potential symptom would be identified were associated with increased awareness. Our findings confirm former published reports that indicate poor awareness regarding cervical cancer among refugee populations. Full compliance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization for a national cervical cancer screening programme is highly advised in Greece and should address the needs of both native and refugee populations. This research is the first one that underlines the need for raising awareness of cervical cancer among female Syrian refugees in Greece by developing health promotion strategies adjusted to their unique cultural needs.

The Bethesda System for reporting cervical cytology

The seminal observations of Dr. George Papanicolaou have grown, through the untiring efforts of many authors, into a universally accepted format of cytology reporting. This has helped immensely to improve the understanding of pathogenesis of cervical cancer. The insights into the complexity of interaction of the etiological and the host factors have further helped in reframing of the reporting system. The Bethesda System (TBS) stands out as a model of standardized reporting in cervicovaginal cytology. Apart from its reproducibility, it reflects the most current understanding of cervical cancer. The most important feature is its clinical relevance. Each category of this classification has clear clinical implications, which are based on solid evidence and worldwide consensus. Moreover, the authors have tried to keep it updated through continuous revisions, incorporating the technological and scientific advances. The component of specimen adequacy reflects the importance it has given to the quality assurance of the laboratory preparation. The minimization of categories, simple terminology, and the supporting image atlas - both in the print form and the web-based form, have made TBS an exemplary teaching-learning resource. The wide accessibility of TBS has been the most important factor in being adopted by a majority of pathology community all over the world.

A review of the risk factors associated with juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: genetic, immune and clinical aspects

BACKGROUND

Juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JoRRP) is one of the most common benign lesions of hyperplastic respiratory epithelial tissue in children and is predominantly caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) 6 and 11. The clinical course of the disease is variable, and some patients even develop a malignancy. The purpose of this review was to summarize the related factors affecting the disease course in patients with JoRRP.

DATA SOURCES

We used databases, including PubMed and Google Scholar, to search for publications on factors associated with the genetic, immune, and clinical aspects of JoRRP. The most relevant articles to the scope of this review were chosen for analysis.

RESULTS

Mother-to-child transmission is the most important mode of disease transmission; other factors, such as immune condition or genetic susceptibility, may be important determinants of JoRRP occurrence. Genetically, the presence of DRB1*0301 and HPV 6/11 E6/E7 is associated with a more severe disease. Immunewise, patients have an enhanced T helper 2-like response. In addition, regulatory T cells are enriched in tumors and may become one of the effective prognostic indicators. For clinical characteristics, patients infected with HPV-11 have more aggressive disease. However, compared with HPV type, age at first onset is a more important factor related to the aggressiveness of JoRRP. Furthermore, socioeconomic status may also affect the course.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic, immune, and some clinical factors have been noted to play an important role in the course of JoRRP. Exploring definite influencing factors will be an important direction of research in the future.

A community-based cervical cancer screening program in Alappuzha district of Kerala using camp approach

Background:

Cervical cancer is a major cause of preventable cancer related death in women, particularly in middle-income developing countries. Screening of cervical pre-cancer by cytology remains an effective strategy for prevention of mortality. However, there is paucity of community-based studies in Kerala. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cervical precancerous lesions and to study the associated epidemiological factors through camp approach.

Materials and Methods:

A cross–sectional study was carried out among women in Alappuzha district, Kerala, by conducting community-based screening camps covering all the panchayaths from February 2017 to January 2019.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Descriptive statistics including mean for continuous variables and frequency along with their percentage for categorical variables were determined. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to determine the strength of the association between variables. Statistical significance was set at P value less than 0.05.

Results:

Out of 5241 women screened, majority (62.9%) were in the reproductive age group (31–50 years) with mean age of 47.1 ± 10.3 years. The prevalence of precancerous lesions of cervix was 6.37%, which consisted of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) in 2.2%, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) in 0.5% and Carcinoma-in-situ in 0.2%. Risk factors that had significant association with cervical precancerous lesions were lower education status, genital infections, early marriage age and high parity.

Conclusion:

Well planned community-based screening programs can help to identify the exact prevalence of cervical pre-cancer in a region and the associated epidemiological factors leading to formulation of effective elimination strategies.

Better late than never: Brachytherapy is more important than timing in treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the utilization of brachytherapy and duration of treatment on overall survival for locally advanced cervical cancer.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried to identify stage II-IVA cervical cancer patients diagnosed in the United States between 2004 and 2015 who were treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy. We defined standard of care (SOC) treatment as receiving external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and concurrent chemotherapy, brachytherapy (BT), and completing treatment within 8 weeks, and compared SOC treatment to non-SOC. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). We also evaluated the effect of sociodemographic and clinical variables on receiving SOC.

RESULTS

We identified 10,172 women with locally advanced cervical cancer primarily treated with chemotherapy and concurrent EBRT of which 6047 (59.4%) patients received brachytherapy, and only 2978 (29.3%) completed treatment within 8 weeks (SOC). Receipt of SOC was associated with significantly improved overall survival (median OS 131.0 mos vs 95.5 mos, 78.1 mos, 49.2 mos; p < 0.0001). Furthemore, in patients whose treatment extended beyond 8 weeks, brachytherapy was still associated with an improved survival (median OS 95.5 vs 49.2 mos, p < 0.0001). More advanced stage, Non-Hispanic Black race, lower income, lack of insurance or government insurance, less education, and rural residence were associated with decreased likelihood of receiving SOC.

CONCLUSIONS

Completing standard of care concurrent chemoradiation therapy and brachytherapy in the recommended 8 weeks was associated with a superior overall survival. Patients who received brachytherapy boost show superior survival to patients receiving EBRT alone, regardless of treatment duration. Disparities in care for vulnerable populations highlight the challenges and importance of care coordination for patients with cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer guidelines, prevention and screening strategies: experiences from Brazil and Chile

This article analyzes cervical cancer control policies and actions in Brazil and Chile, focusing on prevention and screening. We adopted a comparative approach to identify similarities and differences in guidelines and cervical cancer prevention and screening strategies between the two countries. We used the following data collection techniques: analysis of official documents and secondary data, consultations with experts, government officials and program coordinators, and literature review. The findings show that Chile has a well-structured program with centralized decision-making and a system that permits monitoring of actions. Brazil on the other hand faces ongoing issues with lack of coordination and shortcomings in the follow-up of women with abnormal test results. The following challenges to consolidating cervical cancer screening stand out in Brazil: lack of active tracking of the target population; absence of a test quality assurance system; and inadequate follow-up of women with abnormal test results. Both countries need to increase coverage and implement organized screening.

Quantifying the Effects of Medical Examination and Possible Risk Factors against the Incidence of Cervical Cancer in a Low Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Coverage: An Ecological Study in Japan

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies in females, mainly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). In countries with lower HPV vaccine coverage, such as Japan, medical examination may play a key role in decreasing CC incidence. This study aimed to quantify the effect of medical examination on cervical cancer (CC) incidence in Japan, considering the effects of possible risk factors. By collecting Japan's Prefectural data on CC incidence (2013-2017), incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs; Chlamydia, Herpes, Condyloma, and Gonorrhea; 1993-2012), screening and detailed examination rate against CC (2013-2016), smoking rate (2001-2013), economic status (disposable income and economic surplus; 2014-2015), and education status (2015), we analyzed associations among them using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Additionally, assuming that the incidence of STDs reflects the frequency of risky sexual behavior at the co-infection point with HPV, we constructed generalized linear models to predict CC incidence, taking a 5-20-year time-lag between incidences of STDs and the CC incidence. Against CC incidence, Chlamydia in females and Gonorrhea in males with a 15-year time-lag showed positive associations, while Condyloma in both genders with a 15-year time-lag, screening rate, economic status, and smoking rate showed negative associations. An increase in screening test rate by 10% was estimated to decrease CC incidence by 9.6%. This means that screening tests decrease CC incidence effectively, but not drastically, suggesting the need for additional countermeasures for CC prevention.

Risk factors for precancerous cervical lesion among women screened for cervical cancer in south Ethiopia: Unmatched case-control study

BACKGROUND

Nearly 90% of deaths from cervical cancer occur in a low resource setting. In Ethiopia, the magnitude of precancerous cervical lesions ranges from 7% to 28%. Precancerous cervical lesions may progress to cervical cancer. Early screening and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions is a cost-effective way to avert the growth of cervical cancer. However, there has been limited research on risk factors for precancerous cervical lesions in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify risk factors for precancerous cervical lesions among women screened for cervical cancer in south Ethiopia.

METHOD

A facility-based unmatched case-control study was carried out in five health facilities in south Ethiopia between 8 May to 28 September 2018. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 98 cases and 197 controls. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify determinants of precancerous cervical lesions.

RESULTS

Women aged 30-39 years (AOR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.03-6.08), monthly income ≤66 (AOR = 3.51, 95% CI: 1.77-6.97), initiation of first sexual intercourse at age less than or equal to 20 (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.14-5.47), having more than one lifetime sexual partner (AOR = 4.70, 95% CI: 2.02-10.95), having a partner/ husband with more than one lifetime sexual partner (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.35-6.65) had higher odds of precancerous cervical lesions.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Strategies to prevent precancerous cervical lesions should focus on modification of lifestyle and sexual behaviour. The findings of this study highlight several implications for policymakers: targeting older women for cervical cancer screening, addressing inequalities and education relating to risky sexual behaviour may reduce precancerous cervical lesions. Furthermore, future longitudinal studies are needed to assess the awareness of women about cervical cancer screening.

Social inequality in incidence and mortality of malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx: Is Costa Rica an international paradox?

OBJECTIVES

Low socioeconomic position (SEP) has been associated with higher incidences and mortality of lip, oral cavity and pharynx (LOP) cancers in the vast majority of countries with available data. The origins of health inequalities in cancer are socioeconomic, although they vary by time and country. Evidence from Low-and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) remains scarce. This study aims to identify and describe socioeconomic inequalities in LOP cancers incidence and mortality in Costa Rica. The hypothesis tested is that people leaving in low-SEP districts in Costa Rica have greater incidence and mortality rates of lip, oral cavity and pharynx cancers.

METHODS

The 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) was used to define cancer sites. Data come from a national population-based Cancer Registry with 100% completeness to study incidence. Incidence rate included all new cases of LOP cancer diagnosed from January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015, for a total of 2 798 517 individuals, 13 832 524 years of follow-up and 601 LOP cases. Mortality rate was extracted from the National Death Index, including 2 739 733 individuals, 23 950 240 person-years of follow-up and 586 LOP cancer deaths, from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018. The 2011 Census (with 94% of Costa Rican inhabitants) was used to characterize the urbanicity and wealth of 477 districts. Survival models were performed for both incidence and mortality, allowing to consider existing competitive risks. Cox models were used for incidence, and parametric survival models based on a Gompertz distribution for mortality.

RESULTS

The study found that people who lived in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas had lower probabilities of developing LOP cancers than people in the richest districts. The same pattern for mortality, however, was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The hypothesis that incidence and mortality of LOP cancers will show a positive social gradient was not confirmed in this study, contradicting the existing literature. This could be explained by the social distribution of risky health behaviours, more frequent in socially advantaged populations.

Income-based inequality in nationwide general health checkup participation in Japan

OBJECTIVE

In Japan, it is mandatory for employers to provide general health checkup opportunities to employees. Although many companies have subsidized checkups for employees' dependent family members, their participation is low. We assessed income-based inequality in the participation of employees' dependents in the general health checkup.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Annual participation rate in general health checkup and various factors including income, age, and sex were collected and analyzed to examine the income-based inequality of participation rate in general health checkup.

METHODS

The data for the present study were sourced from the Fukuoka Branch of the Japan Health Insurance Association, a large medical insurer in Japan. We extracted data of 196,057 dependents aged 40-74 years. We conducted a multiple logistic regression analysis using participation from April 2015 to March 2016 as dependent variable and income category ranging from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest) between April and June 2015 as independent variable (adjusted for sex and age). We computed slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) based on income category.

RESULTS

Higher the income, the more likely were dependents to participate in the general health checkup. SII for the participation rate of general health checkup ranged between -0.02 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.07 to 0.03) and 0.06 (0.03-0.09) for men; 0.03 (0.01-0.06) and 0.10 (0.09-0.11) for women. RII for the participation rate of general health checkup ranged between -0.19 (95% CI: -0.66 to 0.29) and 0.88 (0.15-1.61) for men; 0.22 (0.05-0.39) and 0.68 (0.60-0.76) for women. The highest inequality existed for men in their 50s and 60s and women in their 50s; the lowest inequality was among men and women aged 70-74 years.

CONCLUSION

There was income-based inequality in participation in the general health checkup among dependents (family members) of the insured persons. The degree of inequality differed with age group. It cannot be explained solely by financial barrier among low-income group, rather it may reflect Japanese unique context in medical insurance system.

Fertility treatment and cancers-the eternal conundrum: a systematic review and meta-analysis

STUDY QUESTION

Does fertility treatment (FT) significantly increase the incidence of breast, ovarian, endometrial or cervical cancer?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Overall, FT does not significantly increase the incidence of breast, ovarian or endometrial cancer and may even reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Infertility affects more than 14% of couples. Infertility and nulliparity are established risk factors for endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer, yet the association with FT is more contentious.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A literature search was carried out using Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline and Google Scholar up to December 2019. Peer-reviewed studies stating cancer incidence (breast, ovarian, endometrial or cervical) in FT and no-FT groups were identified. Out of 128 studies identified, 29 retrospective studies fulfilled the criteria and were included (n = 21 070 337).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

In the final meta-analysis, 29 studies were included: breast (n = 19), ovarian (n = 19), endometrial (n = 15) and cervical (n = 13), 17 studies involved multiple cancer types and so were included in each individual cancer meta-analysis. Primary outcome of interest was cancer incidence (breast, ovarian, endometrial and cervical) in FT and no-FT groups. Secondary outcome was cancer incidence according to specific fertility drug exposure. Odds ratio (OR) and random effects model were used to demonstrate treatment effect and calculate pooled treatment effect, respectively. A meta-regression and eight sub-group analyses were performed to assess the impact of the following variables, maternal age, infertility, study size, outliers and specific FT sub-types, on cancer incidence.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Cervical cancer incidence was significantly lower in the FT group compared with the no-FT group: OR 0.68 (95% CI 0.46-0.99). The incidences of breast (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.73-1.01) and endometrial (OR 1.28; 95% CI 0.92-1.79) cancers were not found to be significantly different between the FT and no-FT groups. Whilst overall ovarian cancer incidence was not significantly different between the FT and no-FT groups (OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.98-1.46), separate analysis of borderline ovarian tumours (BOT) revealed a significant association (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.27-2.25). In further sub-group analyses, ovarian cancer incidence was shown to be significantly higher in the IVF (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.03-1.69) and clomiphene citrate (CC) treatment group (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.10-1.77), respectively when compared with the no-FT group. Conversely, the incidences of breast (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.61-0.92) and cervical cancer (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.38-0.89) were significantly lower in the IVF treatment sub-group compared to the no-FT group.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The large, varied dataset spanning a wide study period introduced significant clinical heterogeneity. Thus, results have to be interpreted with an element of caution. Exclusion of non-English citations, unpublished work and abstracts, in order to ensure data accuracy and reliability was maintained, may have introduced a degree of selection bias.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The results for breast, ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer are reassuring, in line with previously published meta-analyses for individual cancers but the association between IVF and CC treatment and an increase in ovarian cancer incidence requires additional work to understand the potential mechanism driving this association. In particular, focusing on (i) discriminating specific treatments effects from an inherent risk of malignancy; (ii) differential risk profiles among specific patient sub-groups (refractory treatment and obesity); and (iii) understanding the impact of FT outcomes on cancer incidence.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This study did not receive any funding. The authors have no financial, personal, intellectual and professional conflicts of interest to declare.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019153404.

Burden of Cervical Cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean Region During the Years 2000 and 2017: Retrospective Data Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is a growing health concern, especially in resource-limited settings.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the burden of cervical cancer mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) and globally between the years 2000 and 2017 by using a pooled data analysis approach.

METHODS

We used an ecological approach at the country level. This included extracting data from publicly available databases and linking them together in the following 3 steps: (1) extraction of data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study in the years 2000 and 2017, (2) categorization of EMR countries according to the World Bank gross domestic product per capita, and (3) linking age-specific population data from the Population Statistics Division of the United Nations (20-29 years, 30-49 years, and >50 years) and GBD's data with gross national income per capita and globally extracted data, including cervical cancer mortality and DALY numbers and rates per country. The cervical cancer mortality rate was provided by the GBD study using the following formula: number of cervical cancer deaths × 100,000/female population in the respective age group.

RESULTS

The absolute number of deaths due to cervical cancer increased from the year 2000 (n=6326) to the year 2017 (n=8537) in the EMR; however, the mortality rate due to this disease decreased from the year 2000 (2.7 per 100,000) to the year 2017 (2.5 per 100,000). According to age-specific data, the age group ≥50 years showed the highest mortality rate in both EMR countries and globally, and the age group of 20-29 years showed the lowest mortality rate both globally and in the EMR countries. Further, the rates of cervical cancer DALYs in the EMR were lower compared to the global rates (2.7 vs 6.8 in 2000 and 2.5 vs 6.8 in 2017 for mortality rate per 100,000; 95.8 vs 222.2 in 2000 and 86.3 vs 211.8 in 2017 for DALY rate per 100,000; respectively). However, the relative difference in the number of DALYs due to cervical cancer between the year 2000 and year 2017 in the EMR was higher than that reported globally (34.9 vs 24.0 for the number of deaths and 23.5 vs 18.1 for the number of DALYs, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

We found an increase in the burden of cervical cancer in the EMR as per the data on the absolute number of deaths and DALYs. Further, we found that the health care system has an increased number of cases to deal with, despite the decrease in the absolute number of deaths and DALYs. Cervical cancer is preventable if human papilloma vaccination is taken and early screening is performed. Therefore, we recommend identifying effective vaccination programs and interventions to reduce the burden of this disease.

Cervical cancer risk and screening among women seeking assistance with basic needs

BACKGROUND

In the United States, more than half of cervical cancers occur in women who are inadequately screened. Interventions to improve access to cervical cancer preventive care is critical to reduce health inequities.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the need for cervical cancer screening among women seeking assistance with basic needs and to assess best approaches to facilitate Papanicolaou test referral.

STUDY DESIGN

This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of low-income female callers to 2-1-1 Missouri, a helpline for local health and social services. The need for cervical cancer screening was assessed. Callers were randomized to 1 of 3 arms, each providing a Papanicolaou test referral: verbal referral only, verbal referral and tailored print reminder, or verbal referral and navigator. The primary outcome was contacting a Papanicolaou test referral 1 month following intervention. Student t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze significant differences in continuous variables, whereas Fisher exact or χ² tests were used for categorical variables. We stratified by number of unmet basic needs (0-1 vs ≥2) and compared success of contacting a Papanicolaou test referral among study groups (verbal referral vs tailored reminder vs navigator) using the Fisher exact test and χ² test, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for nonadherence for Papanicolaou test at baseline and at 1 month follow-up, adjusting for race and ethnicity, age, insurance status, self-rated health, smoking, and study group.

RESULTS

Among 932 female callers, 250 (26.8%) needed cervical cancer screening. The frequency of unmet basic needs was high, the most common being lack of money for unexpected expenses (91.2%) and necessities, such as food, shelter, and clothing (73.2%). Among those needing a Papanicolaou test, 211 women received screening referrals. Women in the navigator group (21 of 71, 29.6%) reported higher rates of contacting a Papanicolaou test referral than those exposed to verbal referral only (11/73, 15.1%) or verbal referral and tailored print reminder (9/67, 13.4%) (P=.03). Among 176 women with ≥2 unmet needs who received a Papanicolaou test referral, the provision of a navigator remained associated with contacting the referral (navigator [33.9%] vs verbal referral [17.2%] vs tailored reminder [10.2%]; P=.005). Assignment to the navigator group (adjusted odds ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-8.5) and nonwhite race (adjusted odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-2.8) were independent predictors of contacting a Papanicolaou test referral.

CONCLUSION

Low-income women seeking assistance with basic needs often lack cervical cancer screening. Health navigators triple the likelihood that women will make contact with Papanicolaou test services, but most 2-1-1 callers still fail to schedule Papanicolaou testing despite assistance from navigators. Interventions beyond health navigators are needed to reduce cervical cancer disparities.

Aerobic Vaginitis-Underestimated Risk Factor for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

The aim of this study is to analyse the association between vaginal microbiota and the histological finding of CIN. From July 2016 until June 2017, we included 110 consecutive patients with abnormal cervical cytology results referred for colposcopy to Riga East Clinical University Hospital Outpatient department in the study group. 118 women without cervical pathology were chosen as controls. Certified colposcopists performed interviews, gynaecological examinations and colposcopies for all participants. Material from the upper vaginal fornix was taken for pH measurement and wet-mount microscopy. Cervical biopsy samples were taken from all subjects in the study group and in case of a visual suspicion for CIN in the control group. Cervical pathology was more often associated with smoking (34.6% vs. 11.0%, p < 0.0001), low education level (47.2% vs. 25.5%, p = 0.001), increased vaginal pH (48.2% vs. 25.4%, p < 0.0001), abnormal vaginal microbiota (50% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.004) and moderate to severe aerobic vaginitis (msAV) (13.6% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.049) compared to controls. The most important independent risk factors associated with CIN2+ were smoking (OR 3.04 (95% CI 1.37–6.76), p = 0.006) and msAV (OR 3.18 (95% CI 1.13–8.93), p = 0.028). Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was found more often in CIN1 patients (8/31, 25.8%, p = 0.009) compared with healthy controls (8/118, 6.8%), or CIN2+ cases (8/79, 10.1%). In the current study msAV and smoking were the most significant factors in the development of CIN in HPV-infected women, especially high grade CIN. We suggest that AV changes are probably more important than the presence of BV in the pathogenesis of CIN and progression to cervix cancer and should not be ignored during the evaluation of the vaginal microbiota.

Stronger responders-uptake and decline of HPV-vaccination in Denmark

Background

The purpose of this study was to identify the stronger responders behind the fluctuating coverage with the HPV-vaccine in Denmark in order to facilitate information campaigns targeted at specific subgroups.

Methods

Newspaper articles published from 2006 to 2009 with information about coverage with the HPV-vaccine in Denmark were identified from the database Infomedia.dk. Vaccination coverage of recent years was retrieved from the publically accessible statistics from the State’s Serum Institute. Data on average disposable income nationally and for each municipality was retrieved from Statistics Denmark.

Results

According to numbers published in newspapers, girls residing in municipalities with a high disposable income were the first ones to secure the HPV-vaccine in Denmark. Years later, at the start of the debate about possible side effects of the HPV-vaccine, the decline in vaccination coverage was slightly steeper for girls from high income municipalities than for girls from low income municipalities.

Conclusions

Girls from municipalities with a high disposable income seem to be the stronger responders of the fluctuating coverage with the HPV-vaccine in Denmark. This was the case both during the initial surge in coverage after the vaccine’s introduction on the market, and during the later decline following the debate on possible side effects. Identification of this dispersion pattern enables health authorities to initiate targeted information campaigns.

Differences in cervical test coverage by age, socioeconomic status, ethnic origin and municipality type - A nationwide register-based study

An invitational organized cervical cancer screening together with widely spread opportunistic testing has coexisted for decades in Finland. The aim of this study was to examine the coverage of cervical tests by age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity and municipality type within and outside the organized screening program. We had a cohort of women of whom 1,2 million were in the target age range of screening and residing in Finland in 2010-2014. Data on Pap and/or HPV -tests within and outside the screening program were collected from the Mass Screening Registry, the pathology laboratories and the health insurance reimbursement registry and five-year population coverages of tests were reported. The total test coverage was 86.0%; 95% CI, (85.8-86.1), and was notably lower for those with an unknown socioeconomic status and pensioners (68.8%; 95% CI, (67.9-69.6) and 77.1%; 95% CI, (76.5-77.6), respectively) compared to upper-level employers (89.8%; 95% CI, (89.5-90.2)). Coverage was also lower for non-native speaking women (72.4%; 95% CI, (71.8-73.0)) compared to native speakers (86.9%; 95% CI, (86.7-87.0)) and for women living in urban municipalities (85.5%; 95% CI, (85.3-85.7)) compared to semi-urban (87.4%; 95% CI, (87.0-87.8)). Although overall coverage was high, tests within and outside the program seemed to concentrate on women with presumably good access to health services. Tests outside the program were especially common among young women who are at a low risk of invasive cervical cancer. Efforts should be made to reduce excessive opportunistic testing and to increase attendance at the program among hard-to-reach populations.

Risk factors for aggressive recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in Chinese juvenile patients

Background: Aggressive juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP) threatens patient lives if not receives immediate surgical intervene. Even with surgical intervene, complete remission of this disease is not approachable. Therefore, understanding the factors relevant to disease severity and prognosis will do help to the treatment strategy and health management of this disease.Objective: This study aimed to explore the clinic, laboratory and socioeconomic characteristics of patients and evaluate the risk factors for aggressive JORRP.Methods: The information of clinical and socioeconomic status of the patients was reviewed and its association with disease severity was analyzed. Papilloma from JORRP patients undergone surgeries was used to determine HPV subtypes by real-time PCR. The profiles of mRNA expression in the papilloma were assessed using microarray.Results: Age at diagnosis and socioeconomic status were shown to associate with the severity of JORRP. There was no differential severity considering different HPV subtype. The mRNA expression of nucleotide binding oligomerization domain receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and Gasdermin B (GSDMB) was reduced in papillomas.Conclusions: A younger age at diagnosis and low socioeconomic status were associated with the severity of JORRP. mRNA expression of NLRP3 and GSDMB in the papillomas of JORRP patients was significantly reduced.Abbreviation: JORRP: Juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis; RRP: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis; OSAS: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; NLRP3: Nucleotide binding oligomerization domain receptor protein 3; GSDMB: Gasdermin B.

Income and education inequalities in cervical cancer incidence in Canada, 1992-2010

BACKGROUND

There is evidence of socioeconomic inequalities in cancer incidence in Canada and other countries globally, yet there is no study investigating socioeconomic inequalities in national cervical cancer incidence in Canada. Thus, the current study investigated income and education inequalities in the incidence of cervical cancer in Canada from 1992 to 2010.

METHODS

Data were derived from a linked dataset that combined cervical cancer incidence from the Canadian Cancer Registry and demographic and socioeconomic information from the Canadian Census of Population and the National Household Survey. The Concentration index approach was used to measure income and education inequalities in the incidence of cervical cancer over time.

RESULTS

National incidence of cervical cancer decreased significantly from 1992 to 2010. The age-standardized C was negative for the majority of years for both income and education inequalities, but the preponderance were not significant. Trend analyses of socioeconomic inequalities suggested an increasing concentration of cervical cancer incidence among less-educated females over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Over almost two decades, there were no pervasive socioeconomic inequalities in the incidence of cervical cancer in Canada. As such, policies aimed at reducing the incidence of cervical cancer should focus on the general population, irrespective of socioeconomic status.

Universal cervical cancer control through a right to health lens: refocusing national policy and programmes on underserved women

Background

Cervical cancer claims 311,000 lives annually, and 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Cervical cancer is a highly preventable and treatable disease, if detected through screening at an early stage. Governments have a responsibility to screen women for precancerous cervical lesions. Yet, national screening programmes overlook many poor women and those marginalised in society. Under-screened women (called hard-to-reach) experience a higher incidence of cervical cancer and elevated mortality rates compared to regularly-screened women. Such inequalities deprive hard-to-reach women of the full enjoyment of their right to sexual and reproductive health, as laid out in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and General Comment No. 22.

Discussion

This article argues first for tailored and innovative national cervical cancer screening programmes (NCSP) grounded in human rights law, to close the disparity between women who are afforded screening and those who are not. Second, acknowledging socioeconomic disparities requires governments to adopt and refine universal cancer control through NCSPs aligned with human rights duties, including to reach all eligible women. Commonly reported- and chronically under-addressed- screening disparities relate to the availability of sufficient health facilities and human resources (example from Kenya), the physical accessibility of health services for rural and remote populations (example from Brazil), and the accessibility of information sensitive to cultural, ethnic, and linguistic barriers (example from Ecuador). Third, governments can adopt new technologies to overcome individual and structural barriers to cervical cancer screening. National cervical cancer screening programmes should tailor screening methods to under-screened women, bearing in mind that eliminating systemic discrimination may require committing greater resources to traditionally neglected groups.

Conclusion

Governments have human rights obligations to refocus screening policies and programmes on women who are disproportionately affected by discrimination that impairs their full enjoyment of the right to sexual and reproductive health. National cervical cancer screening programmes that keep the right to health principles (above) central will be able to expand screening among low-income, isolated and other marginalised populations, but also women in general, who, for a variety of reasons, do not visit healthcare providers for regular screenings.

Self-reported breast and cervical cancer screening practices among women in Ghana: predictive factors and reproductive health policy implications from the WHO study on global AGEing and adult health

BACKGROUND

Breast and cervical cancers constitute the two leading causes of cancer deaths among women in Ghana. This study examined breast and cervical screening practices among adult and older women in Ghana.

METHODS

Data from a population-based cross-sectional study with a sample of 2749 women were analyzed from the study on global AGEing and adult health conducted in Ghana between 2007 and 2008. Binary and multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between socio-demographic factors, breast and cervical screening practices.

RESULTS

We found that 12.0 and 3.4% of adult women had ever had pelvic screening and mammography respectively. Also, 12.0% of adult women had either one of the screenings while only 1.8% had both screening practices. Age, ever schooled, ethnicity, income quantile, father's education, mother's employment and chronic disease status were associated with the uptake of both screening practices.

CONCLUSION

Nationwide cancer awareness campaigns and education should target women to improve health seeking behaviours regarding cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment. Incorporating cancer screening as a benefit package under the National Health Insurance Scheme can reduce financial barriers for breast and cervical screening.

'Well that's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! No excuse'. A discourse analysis of social media users' othering of non-attenders for cervical screening

Objective: For women cervical cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, incidences of which have increased by 20% in the UK in two decades. A growing number of people access health information online and as such health promotion campaigns are utilising social media to reach wider audiences.Design: This study adopts a discourse analysis approach to analysing online interactions in relation to cervical cancer screening campaigns. Data were collected from Facebook and Twitter between August 2017 and August 2018.Results: Three approaches in the discursive strategy of othering were identified: (1) Cervical cancer screening presented as an easy, and obvious choice; (2) Footing and the use of statistics to add credibility to posts; (3) Morality positioning and shaming of non-attenders. The findings suggest that in response to such campaigns there is an element of online 'othering' in terms of shaming non-attenders and attempting to delegitimise reasons for non-attendance.Conclusion: Whilst health promotion campaigns should be designed to empower individuals to make informed choices, at times they can lead to stigmatisation of those who do not conform. Future campaigns should focus more on understanding the reasons why women do not attend without dismissing them.

The association between cervical cancer screening participation and the deprivation index of the location of the family doctor's office

Background

Cervical cancer screening rates are known to be strongly associated with socioeconomic status. Our objective was to assess whether the rate is also associated with an aggregated deprivation marker, defined by the location of family doctors’ offices.

Methods

To access this association, we 1) collected data from the claim database of the French Health Insurance Fund about the registered family doctors and their enlisted female patients eligible for cervical screening; 2) carried out a telephone survey with all registered doctors to establish if they were carrying out Pap-smears in their practices; 3) geotracked all the doctors’ offices in the smallest existing blocks of socioeconomic homogenous populations (IRIS census units) that were assigned a census derived marker of deprivation, the European Deprivation Index (EDI), and a binary variable of urbanization; and 4) we used a multivariable linear mixed model with IRIS as a random effect.

Results

Of 348 eligible doctors, 343 responded to the telephone survey (98.6%) and were included in the analysis, encompassing 88,152 female enlisted patients aged 25–65 years old. In the multivariable analysis (adjusted by the gender of the family doctor, the practice of Pap-smears by the doctor and the urbanization of the office location), the EDI of the doctor’s office was strongly associated with the cervical cancer screening participation rate of eligible patients (p<0.001).

Conclusion

The EDI linked to the location of the family doctor’s office seems to be a robust marker to predict female patients’ participation in cervical cancer screening.

Do multiple environmental factors impact four cancers in women in the contiguous United States?

BACKGROUND

Though there has been an increasing concern about the effects that environmental exposures have on cancer, limited knowledge exists regarding multiple environmental factors on cancers in women.

METHODS

We performed a spatial autoregressive model to examine the association between the Environmental Quality Index (EQI) and mortalities of four cancers in women (breast, cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer) based on county-level data, and explored these associations by urbanicity. The EQI, which included five domains (air, water, land, built environment and sociodemographic domain) estimated from 2000 to 2005 data, was obtained from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The mortality rates for 3107 counties in the US in 2014 were obtained from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

RESULTS

We found that each unit increase in the overall EQI was positively associated with the increased mortality of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer (2.5%, 3.6% and 3.1% respectively), but was negatively associated with cervical cancer mortality. Among the environmental domains, the air and sociodemographic EQIs were positively associated with increased risks of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers. Additionally, built environment EQI was associated with breast and ovarian cancers; land EQI was associated with uterine and ovarian cancers. The sociodemographic EQI was negatively associated with cervical cancer mortality. Furthermore, we have developed a novel Environmental Quality Health Index (EQHI) in identifying environment-health risk of cancers in women at county level.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer mortalities are positively associated with multiple environmental factors, while cervical cancer mortality is mainly negatively associated with sociodemographic factors. The novel EQHI might help identify spatially-based environment-cancer risk.

Effects of malaria/helminthic coinfections on cervical cancer progression among sub Saharan African women on highly active antiretroviral therapy: A scoping review

In Africa, the HIV prevalence in rural areas has begun to reach levels estimated within urban settings, where women are also more at risk for both malaria and intestinal parasitic infections. The objective of this review is to assess whether concomitant infections with malaria and/or helminthic diseases have an impact on cervical disease progression in women on HAART. This scoping review was conducted in August 2018. To conduct this scoping review, we searched the relevant studies in electronic databases such as PUBMED, Global Health, EMBASE, CINAHL and SCOPUS published in the year between 1960 and 2018 using the following search terms HAART AND malaria OR Helminth and Female OR women. Eight studies qualified for this review. The literature underscores the need for women on HAART with multiple co-infections to use adjuncts to retain immune recovery and undetectable HIV viral load, to reduce risk of cervical disease progression. A trend for higher risk of CIN3+ in HIV+ women reporting recent malarial infection was observed in one study. Given the public health impact of synergistic interactions between malaria and helminthic infections in HIV/HPV co-infected women on HAART, it is urgent that these interactions are elucidated.

Treat-and-Release Emergency Department Utilization by Patients With Gynecologic Cancers

PURPOSE:

Seventeen percent of patients with cancer visit the emergency department (ED) annually, often with nonemergent complaints. We sought to describe the burden of treat-and-release ED utilization by patients with gynecologic cancers and to identify opportunities for improved triage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Patients with gynecologic cancer diagnoses who were treated and released were identified within the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, a stratified sample of US hospital-based ED visits, from 2009 to 2013. Sample weights were applied to generate national estimates. Associations with visit charges were assessed with weighted multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS:

Between 2009 and 2013, there were an estimated 174,092 annual treat-and-release ED visits by patients with gynecologic cancer (95% CI, 163,480 to 184,703 visits), which corresponded to $736 million in annual charges with an average visit charge of $4,232 (95% CI, $4,099 to $4,366). Annual visits and total charges increased significantly over the 5 years under study. Visits were more frequent for patients with cervical cancer (44.1%) versus ovarian (27.8%) and uterine (24.6%) cancer. These patients were younger and more likely to be from low socioeconomic status areas. The most common primary diagnoses were similar across cancers, including abdominal pain (10.5%), chest pain (6.1%), and urinary tract infection (5.2%). The most frequent diagnostics were culture/smear, computed tomography scan, and x-ray, and the most frequent therapeutic procedures included wound care, transfusion, and paracentesis.

CONCLUSION:

Patients with gynecologic cancers, and cervical cancer in particular, are frequently seen in the ED with issues that could be less expensively managed in an outpatient clinic or urgent care setting. Visit frequency, but not per-visit cost, is increasing over time.

Knowledge, attitudes and factors associated with acceptability of human papillomavirus vaccination among undergraduate medical, dental and nursing students in South India

Purpose: To evaluate knowledge, attitudes and factors associated with acceptability of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among undergraduate medical, dental, and nursing students in South India. Methods: Using a post-test study design, a convenience sample of 988 students (age 18-26 years) were surveyed. The primary outcome was vaccine acceptability (likely to intend to receive the vaccine). Bivariate analysis using Chi-Square test of independence and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with vaccine acceptability. Results: Out of 988 students surveyed, majority had heard about cervical cancer (95%), HPV (89.3) or genital warts(77.5). Only 59.7% had heard of HPV vaccine prior to the survey; 65.2% intended to receive the vaccine and 68.3% were willing to recommend the vaccine to others. Participants aged <22 years were less likely to accept the vaccine (OR:0.85, CI:0.76-0.96) compared with participants aged older than 22 years. Medical students (OR:1.12, CI:1.03-1.23), students who reported alcohol use (OR:1.15, CI:1.03-1.29) and those with moderate knowledge scores were more likely to intend to receive the vaccine (OR:1.14, CI:1.04-1.24), compared to others. On multivariate analysis, only course (OR 1.366, CI 1.016-1.835) and attitude score (OR 4.17; CI 2.12-8.2) were statistically associated with intention to receive the HPV vaccine. Conclusion: Two-thirds of students intended to receive the HPV vaccine. Although the overall awareness of the HPV-related disease and prevention is good, considerable knowledge gaps exists in many areas suggesting that that more education about HPV disease and benefits of vaccination should be included in the undergraduate medical school curriculum.

Inequality in the Incidence of Cervical Cancer: Costa Rica 1980-2010

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the third most incident and the fourth most lethal cancer among Costa Rican women. The purpose of this study was to quantify incidence inequality along three decades and to explore its determinants. Materials and Methods: This is a population-based study. Main data sources were the National Tumor Registry (1980-2010), CRELES (Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study) longitudinal survey (2013), and published indices of economic condition (2007) and access to healthcare (2000). Cartography was made with QGIS software. Inequality was quantified using the Theil-T index. With the purpose of detecting differences by tumor's behavior, inequality was estimated for "in situ" and invasive incidence. In Situ/Invasive Ratios were estimated as an additional marker of inequality. Poisson and spatial regression analyses were conducted with Stata and ArcMap software, respectively, to assess the association between incidence and social determinants such as economic condition, access to healthcare and sub-utilization of Papanicolaou screening. Results: As measured by Theil-T index, incidence inequality has reached high (83 to 87%) levels during the last three decades. For invasive cervical cancer, inequality has been rising especially in women aged 50-59; increasing from 58% in the 1980's to 66% in 2000's. Poisson regression models showed that sub-utilization of Papanicolaou smear was associated with a significant decrease in the probability of early diagnosis. Costa Rican guidelines establish a Pap smear every 2 years; having a Pap smear every 3 years or longer was associated with a 36% decrease in the probability of early "in situ" diagnosis (IRR = 0.64, p = 0.003) in the last decade. Spatial regression models allowed for the detection of specific areas where incidence of invasive cervical cancer was higher than expected. Conclusion: Results from this study provide evidence of inequality in the incidence of cervical cancer, which has been high over three decades, and may be explained by sub-utilization of Papanicolaou smear screening in certain regions. The reasons why women do not adequately use screening must be addressed in future research. Interventions should be developed to stimulate the utilization of screening especially among women aged 50 to 59 where inequality has been rising.

HPV self-sampling in cervical cancer screening: the effect of different invitation strategies in various socioeconomic groups - a randomized controlled trial

Background

Participation in cervical cancer screening varies by socioeconomic status. The aims were to assess if offering human papilloma virus (HPV) self-sampling kits has an effect on screening participation among various socioeconomic groups and to determine if two invitation strategies for offering self-sampling influence the participation rate equally.

Methods

The study was based on registry data that were applied to data from a randomized controlled trial (n=9,791) measuring how offering HPV self-sampling affected screening participation. The women received either 1) a self-sampling kit mailed directly to their homes (directly mailed group); 2) an invitation to order the kit (opt-in group); or 3) a standard second reminder to attend regular cytology screening (control group). The participation data were linked to registries containing socioeconomic information.

Results

Women in the directly mailed group participated significantly more than women in the control group, regardless of their socioeconomic status, but the largest effects were observed in Western immigrants (participation difference [PD]=18.1%, 95% CI=10.2%–26.0%) and social welfare recipients (PD=15.2%, 95% CI=9.7%–20.6%). Compared with the control group, opt-in self-sampling only had an insignificant effect on participation among women who were immigrants, retired, or less educated. Western immigrants had a significantly higher increase in participation than native Danish women when kits were mailed directly compared with the opt-in strategy (PD=18.1%, 95% CI=10.2%–26.2% and PD=5.5%, 95% CI=2.9%–8.1%, respectively, P=0.01).

Conclusion

All socioeconomic groups benefited from the directly mailed strategy in terms of higher screening participation, but Western immigrants and lower socioeconomic groups seemed to benefit the most. Immigrants and some lower socioeconomic groups only had insignificant benefits of opt-in self-sampling. The directly mailed strategy might be preferable to opt-in self-sampling because it ensures that ethnic minority groups obtain benefits of introducing HPV self-sampling in an organized cervical cancer screening program.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials NCT02680262. Registered February 10, 2016.