1
|
Langås JR, Eskild A, Hofvind S, Bjelland EK. The dose-response relationship of pre-menopausal alcohol consumption with age at menopause: a population study of 280 497 women in Norway. Int J Epidemiol 2023; 52:1951-1958. [PMID: 37789587 PMCID: PMC10749754 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyad129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research suggests that alcohol consumption is associated with high age at menopause. Yet, knowledge about the dose-response relationship is inconsistent. Thus, we studied the pattern of the association of pre-menopausal alcohol consumption with age at natural menopause. METHODS We performed a retrospective population-based study using self-reported data from 280 497 women aged 50-69 years attending the Norwegian breast cancer screening programme (BreastScreen Norway) during 2006-15. Associations of weekly alcohol consumption between the age of 20 and 49 years with age at menopause were estimated as hazard ratios (HRs) using Cox proportional hazard models with restricted cubic splines to allow for non-linear associations. We adjusted for year and place of birth, number of childbirths, educational level, body mass index and smoking habits. RESULTS Mean age at natural menopause was 51.20 years (interquartile range: 49-54 years). The adjusted HR of reaching menopause was highest for women with no alcohol consumption (reference) and the HR decreased by alcohol consumption up to 50 grams per week (adjusted HR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.86-0.88). Above 50 grams, there was no further decrease in the HR of reaching menopause (P for non-linearity of <0.001). CONCLUSIONS Women who did not consume alcohol were youngest at menopause. The lack of a dose-response association among alcohol consumers implies virtually no relation of alcohol consumption with age at menopause. Our findings may suggest that characteristics of the women who did not consume alcohol, not accounted for in the data analyses, explain their younger age at menopause.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie R Langås
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Eskild
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, University of Oslo, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Solveig Hofvind
- Section of Mammographic Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Elisabeth K Bjelland
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hofvind S, Iqbal N, Thy JE, Mangerud G, Bhargava S, Zackrisson S, Berstad P. Effect of invitation letter in language of origin on screening attendance: randomised controlled trial in BreastScreen Norway. BMJ 2023; 382:e075465. [PMID: 37726122 PMCID: PMC10507477 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-075465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore attendance at organised mammographic screening among immigrant groups that received an invitation letter and information leaflet (invitation) in their language of origin and Norwegian compared with Norwegian only. DESIGN Randomised controlled trial. SETTING Population based screening programme for breast cancer in Norway (BreastScreen Norway), which invites women aged 50-69 to two-view mammographic screening biennially. PARTICIPANTS All women invited to BreastScreen Norway in the study period April 2021 to June 2022 whose language of origin was Arabic (women born in Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, or Morocco), English (women born in the Philippines), Polish (women born in Poland), Somali (women born in Somalia), or Urdu (women born in Pakistan) (n=11 347). INTERVENTION The study group received an invitation to screening in their language of origin and in Norwegian, whereas the control group received an invitation in Norwegian only during the study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Attendance at BreastScreen Norway during the study period. RESULTS Overall attendance was 46.5% (2642/5683) in the study group and 47.4% (2682/5664) in the control group. No statistical differences in attendance were observed after stratification by language of invitation, age at invitation, or years since immigration. CONCLUSIONS No difference in attendance was observed between immigrant women invited to BreastScreen Norway in their language of origin and in Norwegian compared with Norwegian only. Several barriers to cancer screening may exist among immigrants, and translating the invitation is probably only a part of a complex explanation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04672265. CLINICALTRIALS gov NCT04672265.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Solveig Hofvind
- The Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Health and Care Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway - the University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Nadia Iqbal
- The Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
- Cancer Registry of Norway and Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Sameer Bhargava
- The Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Sophia Zackrisson
- Department of Medical Imaging and Physiology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sterlingova T, Nylander E, Almqvist L, Møller Christensen B. Factors affecting women's participation in mammography screening in Nordic countries: A systematic review. Radiography (Lond) 2023; 29:878-885. [PMID: 37421878 DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2023.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mammography screening programs have been implemented in European countries as prevention tools aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality through early detection in asymptomatic women. Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland) demonstrated high participation rates; however, breast cancer mortality could be limited by further optimizing screening. This review aimed to explore factors that affect women's participation in mammography screening in Nordic countries. METHOD A systematic review of segregated mixed research synthesis using a deductive approach was conducted. The following databases and platforms were searched to identify relevant studies: CINAHL with Full Text (EBSCOHost), MEDLINE (EBSCOHost), PsycInfo (ProQuest), Scopus (Elsevier) and Web of Science Core Collection (SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI, A&HCI, CPCI-S, CPCI-SSH, and ESCI). The Critical Appraisal Skills Program was used for quality assessment. The Health Promotion Model was applied to integrate findings from qualitative and qualitative research. All methodological steps followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS The final selection (16 articles) included studies from three Nordic countries: Denmark (four quantitative studies), Norway (one qualitative and four quantitative studies), and Sweden (three qualitative and seven quantitative studies). Sixty-three factors were identified as barriers, facilitators, or factors with no influence. CONCLUSION A substantial number of obtained factors, spread across a wide spectrum, describe (non-)participation in mammography screening as a versatile phenomenon. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The findings of this review could benefit the mammography staff and providers regarding possible interventions aimed at improving screening participation rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Sterlingova
- Research School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, P.O. Box 1026, 551 11 Jönköping, Sweden.
| | - E Nylander
- Jönköping University Library, Jönköping University, P.O. Box 1026, 551 11 Jönköping, Sweden
| | - L Almqvist
- School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, P.O. Box 883, 721 23 Västerås, Sweden
| | - B Møller Christensen
- School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, P.O. Box 1026, 551 11 Jönköping, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Thy JE, Vigeland E, Larsen M, Hofvind S. Participation and cancer detection after reminders versus ordinary invitations in BreastScreen Norway. J Med Screen 2022; 29:178-184. [PMID: 35502849 DOI: 10.1177/09691413221098839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare attendance, recall and cancer detection as well as histopathological tumor characteristics among women attending BreastScreen Norway after a reminder versus an ordinary invitation. SETTING This study was conducted on data from a population-based screening program inviting women aged 50-69 to biennial two-view mammography. METHODS We used de-identified data from 883,020 women invited to BreastScreen Norway, 2004-2020, to analyze invitations, participation, recalls, biopsies, cancer detection, and histopathological tumor characteristics. All results were stratified by reminders and ordinary invitations. Early screening outcomes after reminders versus ordinary invitations were compared using bivariate tests and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Reminders increased overall participation rate by 5.0%. The recall rate was 4.3% for reminded women and 3.3% for the ordinary invited. For reminded women, the rate of screen-detected cancer was 7.3 per 1000 screening examinations compared to 5.8 per 1000 for ordinary attenders. The interval cancer rates were 1.9 and 1.7 per 1000 for reminded and ordinary invited women, respectively. Median tumor diameter was 14 mm (interquartile range (IQR): 10-16) for screen-detected cancers (SDC) among reminded women and 13 mm (IQR: 10-16) for ordinary invited. A higher percentage of histological grade III cancers was observed among the reminded: 25.2% versus 21.7% for the ordinary invited. We also found a higher proportion of lymph node positive cases in those reminded: 23.6% versus 20.9%. CONCLUSIONS Postponing screening examinations affects early screening outcomes, including cancer detection and histopathological tumor characteristics. Women should be encouraged to attend screening at regularly intervals to avoid delays in diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas E Thy
- 11315Section for Breast Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Einar Vigeland
- Department of Radiology, 60512Vestfold Hospital, Tønsberg, Norway
| | - Marthe Larsen
- 11315Section for Breast Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Solveig Hofvind
- 11315Section for Breast Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Health and Care Sciences, 8016The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Thy JE, Bhargava S, Larsen M, Akslen LA, Hofvind S. Early screening outcomes among non-immigrants and immigrants targeted by BreastScreen Norway, 2010-2019. Scand J Public Health 2022:14034948221078701. [PMID: 35361004 DOI: 10.1177/14034948221078701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to analyse results on early screening outcomes, including recall and cancer rates, and histopathological tumour characteristics among non-immigrants and immigrants invited to BreastScreen Norway. METHODS We included information about 2, 763,230 invitations and 2,087,222 screening examinations from 805,543 women aged 50-69 years who were invited to BreastScreen Norway between 2010 and 2019. Women were stratified into three groups based on their birth country: non-immigrants, immigrants born in Western countries and immigrants born in non-Western countries. Age-adjusted regression models were used to analyse early screening outcomes. A random intercept effect was included in models where women underwent several screening examinations. RESULTS The overall attendance was 77.5% for non-immigrants, 68% for immigrants from Western countries and 51.5% for immigrants from non-Western countries. The rate of screen-detected cancers was 5.9/1000 screening examinations for non-immigrants, 6.3/1000 for immigrants from Western countries and 5.1/1000 for immigrants from non-Western countries. Adjusted for age, the rate did not differ statistically between the groups (p=0.091). The interval cancer rate was 1.7/1000 screening examinations for non-immigrants, 2.4/1000 for immigrants from Western countries and 1.6/1000 for non-Western countries (p<0.001). Histological grade was less favourable for screen-detected cancers, and subtype was less favourable for interval cancers among immigrants from non-Western countries versus non-immigrants. CONCLUSIONS There were no differences in age-adjusted rate of screen-detected cancer among non-immigrants and immigrants from Western countries or non-Western countries among women attending BreastScreen Norway between 2010 and 2019. Small but clinically relevant differences in histopathological tumour characteristics were observed between the three groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sameer Bhargava
- Cancer Registry of Norway, Norway.,Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Norway
| | | | - Lars A Akslen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, Section for Pathology, University of Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
| | - Solveig Hofvind
- Cancer Registry of Norway, Norway.,Department of Health and Care Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ding L, Wang J, Greuter MJW, Goossens M, Van Hal G, de Bock GH. Determinants of Non-Participation in Population-Based Breast Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:817222. [PMID: 35311110 PMCID: PMC8924365 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.817222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer (BC) screening can be performed in a screening program (BCSP) or in opportunistic screening. The existing reviews on the determinants of non-participation depend on self-reported data which may be biased. Furthermore, no distinction was made between the probably different determinants of both screening strategies. Objective To find the determinants of non-participation in BCSP by means of a meta-analysis. Methods PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for observational studies which quantified factors associated with non-participation in BCSP in a general population. Studies on opportunistic screening and studies using self-reported data were excluded. A random-effect model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Potential sources of heterogeneity were explored by stratification of the results. Results Twenty-nine studies with in a total of 20,361,756 women were included. Low income (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.10–1.30), low education (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05–1.32), living far from an assigned screening unit (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07–1.24), being immigrant (OR: 2.64, 95% CI: 2.48–2.82), and having a male family doctor (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.20–1.61) was associated with higher non-participation in screening. Reminders sent to non-attenders and estimations of ORs (adjusted or not) partly explained substantial heterogeneity. Conclusion In this meta-analysis excluding studies on the non-participation in opportunistic screening, or with self-reported data on non-participation, the well-known determinants for non-participation are still significant, but less strong. This analysis only supports the relevance of meta-analysis of studies with registered non-participation in a BCSP. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO, CRD42020154016.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilu Ding
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - J Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - M J W Greuter
- Department of Radiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,Department of Robotics and Mechatronics, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - M Goossens
- Center for Cancer Detection, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Guido Van Hal
- Center for Cancer Detection, Flanders, Belgium.,Department of Social Epidemiology and Health Policy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Geertruida H de Bock
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Debesay J, Nortvedt L, Langhammer B. Social Inequalities and Health among Older Immigrant Women in the Nordic Countries: An Integrative Review. SAGE Open Nurs 2022; 8:23779608221084962. [PMID: 35647290 PMCID: PMC9133866 DOI: 10.1177/23779608221084962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Nordic countries have a surprisingly strong relative socioeconomic health
inequality. Immigrants seem to be disproportionately affected due to their
social economic position in the host countries. Healthcare professionals,
including nurses, have a professional obligation to adhere to fairness and
social equity in healthcare. The aim of this review was to identify and
synthesize research on health status and the impact of social inequalities
in older immigrant women in the Nordic countries. Methods We conducted an integrative review guided by the Whittemore and Knafl
integrative review method. We searched multiple research databases using the
keywords immigrant, older, women, socioeconomic inequality, health
inequality, and Nordic countries. The results were limited to research
published between 1990 and 2021. The retrieved articles were screened and
assessed by two independent reviewers. Results Based on the few studies on older immigrant women in the Nordic countries,
the review findings indicate that they fare worse in many health indicators
compared to immigrant men and the majority population. These differences are
related to various health issues, such as anxiety, depression, diabetes,
multimorbidity, sedentary lifestyle, and quality of life. Lower
participation in cancer screening programs is also a distinctive feature
among immigrant women, which could be related to the immigrant women's
help-seeking behavior. Transnational family obligations and responsibilities
locally leave little room for prioritizing self-care, but differing views of
health conditions might also contribute to avoidance of healthcare
services. Conclusion This integrative review shows that there is a paucity of studies on the
impact of social inequalities on the health status of older immigrant women
in the Nordic countries. There is a need for not only research focused on
the experiences of health status and inequality but also larger studies
mapping the connection between older immigrant women's economic and health
status and access to healthcare services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Debesay
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line Nortvedt
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Birgitta Langhammer
- Department of Physical Therapy, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mottram R, Knerr WL, Gallacher D, Fraser H, Al-Khudairy L, Ayorinde A, Williamson S, Nduka C, Uthman OA, Johnson S, Tsertsvadze A, Stinton C, Taylor-Phillips S, Clarke A. Factors associated with attendance at screening for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e046660. [PMID: 34848507 PMCID: PMC8634222 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Attendance at population-based breast cancer (mammographic) screening varies. This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis assesses all identified patient-level factors associated with routine population breast screening attendance. DESIGN CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, OVID, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched for studies of any design, published January 1987-June 2019, and reporting attendance in relation to at least one patient-level factor. DATA SYNTHESIS Independent reviewers performed screening, data extraction and quality appraisal. OR and 95% CIs were calculated for attendance for each factor and random-effects meta-analysis was undertaken where possible. RESULTS Of 19 776 studies, 335 were assessed at full text and 66 studies (n=22 150 922) were included. Risk of bias was generally low. In meta-analysis, increased attendance was associated with higher socioeconomic status (SES) (n=11 studies; OR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.75); higher income (n=5 studies; OR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.68 to 2.29); home ownership (n=3 studies; OR 2.16, 95% CI: 2.08 to 2.23); being non-immigrant (n=7 studies; OR 2.23, 95% CI: 2.00 to 2.48); being married/cohabiting (n=7 studies; OR 1.86, 95% CI: 1.58 to 2.19) and medium (vs low) level of education (n=6 studies; OR 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.41). Women with previous false-positive results were less likely to reattend (n=6 studies; OR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.88). There were no differences by age group or by rural versus urban residence. CONCLUSIONS Attendance was lower in women with lower SES, those who were immigrants, non-homeowners and those with previous false-positive results. Variations in service delivery, screening programmes and study populations may influence findings. Our findings are of univariable associations. Underlying causes of lower uptake such as practical, physical, psychological or financial barriers should be investigated. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42016051597.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Mottram
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Wendy Lynn Knerr
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Daniel Gallacher
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Hannah Fraser
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Lena Al-Khudairy
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Abimbola Ayorinde
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Sian Williamson
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Chidozie Nduka
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Olalekan A Uthman
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Samantha Johnson
- University of Warwick Library, University of Warwick, Coventry, West Midlands, UK
| | - Alexander Tsertsvadze
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher Stinton
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Sian Taylor-Phillips
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Aileen Clarke
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Norfjord van Zyl M, Tillgren P, Asp M. The politicians' perspectives on participation in mammographic screening: an interview-based study from a region in Sweden. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 79:52. [PMID: 33865449 PMCID: PMC8052730 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-021-00576-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer type among women globally. To facilitate early detection, all 40–74-year-old female residents of Sweden are invited to participate in a population-based mammographic screening programme. Approximately 20% of all invited women decline the offer, and if this is due to systematic differences that can be adjusted, it can indicate inequity in healthcare. Assessment of and being updated about the health and healthcare of the residents are largely the responsibilities of the self-governed regions in Sweden. The understanding of the residents’ health serves as a basis for decision making and priority setting. This study aims to describe how politicians representing a region in Sweden perceive women’s participation in mammographic screening and the politicians’ own possibility to promote such participation. Methods Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on the data obtained from individual semi-structured interviews held in 2019. The interviewees comprised ten politicians (six women and four men, 38–71 years old) representing a sub-committee focusing on public health and healthcare issues. Results Two main themes have been identified: 1) expected actions and 2) expected conditions for acting, including a total of four sub-themes. According to the politicians, the expected actions, such as obtaining information and being updated about matters regarding mammographic screening, concern both the women invited to the screening and the politicians themselves. Additionally, for both the individual and the healthcare organisation, here represented by the politicians, expected actions entail a shared commitment to maintain health. The expected conditions for acting refer to the politician’s awareness of the factors influencing the women’s decision to undergo or refuse the screening and having the resources to enable taking actions to facilitate participation. Conclusions Expected actions and expected conditions for acting are tightly connected and entail some form of prioritisation by the politicians. Setting the priorities can be based on information about the purpose of the screening and an understanding of social determinants’ impacts on women’s decision to refrain from mammographic screening, as well as available resources. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13690-021-00576-6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Norfjord van Zyl
- Division of Public Health Sciences, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Box 883, 721 23, Västerås, Sweden.
| | - Per Tillgren
- Division of Public Health Sciences, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Box 883, 721 23, Västerås, Sweden
| | - Margareta Asp
- Division of Caring Sciences and Health Care Pedagogics, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Box 883, 721 23, Västerås, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Bjelland EK, Gran JM, Hofvind S, Eskild A. The association of birthweight with age at natural menopause: a population study of women in Norway. Int J Epidemiol 2021; 49:528-536. [PMID: 31633179 PMCID: PMC7266529 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyz207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies suggest that birthweight may influence age at natural menopause, but the evidence remains inconclusive. Thus, we aimed to estimate the association of birthweight with age at natural menopause. Methods A retrospective population study of 164 608 women in Norway, aged 48–71 years. Data were obtained by two self-administered questionnaires among participants in BreastScreen Norway during 2006–2014. We used Cox proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratios and logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios of menopause according to birthweight. Restricted cubic splines were applied to allow for possible non-linear associations, and adjustments were made for year and country of birth. Results Women with birthweight <2500 g were median 51 years at menopause (interquartile range 49–54 years), whereas women with birthweight 3500–3999 g were median 52 years at menopause (interquartile range 49–54 years). The hazard ratio of menopause decreased with increasing birthweight up until 3500 g. At birthweights >3500 g, we estimated no further decrease (P for non-linearity = 0.007). Birthweight at 2500 g increased the odds ratios of menopause before the age of 45 [1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14–1.25] and the age of 40 (1.26; 95% CI: 1.15–1.38) compared with birthweight at 3500 g. At birthweights 4000 g and 4500 g, the odds ratio estimates were very similar to the reference group and the CIs overlapped 1.00. Conclusions We found a non-linear dose-relationship of birthweight with age at natural menopause, and low birthweight was associated with early natural menopause. Our findings suggest that growth restriction during fetal life may influence the timing of natural menopause.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth K Bjelland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Jon M Gran
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Solveig Hofvind
- Department of Mammography Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Science, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Eskild
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, University of Oslo, Lørenskog, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Larsen IK, Myklebust TÅ, Babigumira R, Vinberg E, Møller B, Ursin G. Education, income and risk of cancer: results from a Norwegian registry-based study. Acta Oncol 2020; 59:1300-1307. [PMID: 32924698 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2020.1817548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several studies have shown an association between socioeconomic status and incidence of cancer. In this study, we have examined the association between socioeconomic factors, using income and education as proxies, and cancer incidence in Norway, a country known to be egalitarian, with universal access to health care and scoring high on the human development index. METHODS We linked individual data for the total Norwegian population with information on all cancer patients registered in the Cancer Registry of Norway (CRN) with any cancer diagnosed between 2012 and 2016. Data on education, and individual income, were provided from Statistics Norway. We used Poisson regression to obtain incidence rate ratios (IRR) across education and income levels for 23 cancer sites. RESULTS A total of 9 cancers among men and 13 cancers among women were observed to have significantly higher incidence rates in cases with the lowest level of education. Melanoma for both sexes, testis and prostate cancer in men, and breast cancer in women were found to have a higher incidence rate among those with the highest level of education. The largest differences in IRR were found for lung cancer, where men and women with college or university education as their highest completed education had a two- to threefold decreased risk, compared to those with primary school (IRR men; 0.40 [0.37-0.43], women 0.34 [0.31-0.37]). The results for income mirrored the results for education among men, while for women we did not observe many differences in cancer risk across income groups. CONCLUSION Our findings were consistent with findings from other studies showing that the incidence rate of cancer differs across levels of socioeconomic status. We may need behavioral change campaigns focused on lifestyle changes that lower the risk of cancer and target perhaps to those with lower socioeconomic status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tor Åge Myklebust
- Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Research and Innovation, Møre and Romsdal Hospital Trust, Ålesund, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Giske Ursin
- Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bhargava S, Hofvind S, Moen K. Gender, letters, relatives, and God: mediating actors in mammographic screening among Pakistani women in Norway. Acta Radiol Open 2019; 8:2058460119875015. [PMID: 31548913 PMCID: PMC6743200 DOI: 10.1177/2058460119875015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pakistani immigrant women in Norway have lower attendance rates in the national breast cancer screening program (BreastScreen Norway) compared to non-immigrants and immigrants from most other countries. PURPOSE To identify and explore human and non-human actors that play a role for Pakistani immigrant women's attendance in the program. MATERIAL AND METHODS Qualitative interviews with 16 Norwegian-Pakistani women in 2017 and 2018. Inspired by Latour, we explored how human and non-human actors act and interact when Pakistani immigrant women consider attendance in BreastScreen Norway. RESULTS Among the actors found to play a significant role in the relationship between Pakistani immigrant women and the screening program were trust in the healthcare system and breast cancer screening, the gender of the screening radiographer, the written information received from the screening program, family life, daughters, general practitioners, non-governmental organizations, religious beliefs, private service providers, monetary expenses, accessibility, worries, and digital tools. CONCLUSION Many human and non-human actors work to shape and influence Pakistani immigrant women's screening attendance, or lack thereof, for instance by creating thoughts, promoting opportunities, raising doubts and generating worries, thus variously encouraging, enabling, facilitating, discouraging or preventing attendance in organized breast cancer screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Bhargava
- Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Solveig Hofvind
- Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kåre Moen
- Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|