Follow-up of women screened for cervical cancer in São Paulo, Brazil: An analysis of the times to diagnostic investigation and treatment

Cervical Cancer and Its Association With Pregnancy

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably, destroying tissues. A malignant tumor arises from cells in the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus (womb) that links the uterus to the vagina (birth canal), and is known as cervical cancer. One of the most significant global community health problems is cancer, which sees a daily increase in the number of sufferers. Therefore, it is crucial to expand our understanding of the molecular pathophysiology of cervical cancer and to suggest new therapeutic goals as well as new techniques for early detection of the illness. Since early diagnosis of pathologies can dramatically increase a patient's chance of survival, prognosis, and recurrence. This article aims to educate readers about some essential concepts surrounding cervical cancer, including the various types of cervical cancer, the stages of cancer, as well as their etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, management, and treatment, and its relationship with pregnancy. All of these concepts are essential for any individual studying medicine or working in the medical industry to understand. We intend to summarize the information that is currently available and the recommended courses of action for treating cervical cancer and its association with pregnancy in this review. Research priorities and controversies are also noted.

High Dose Chemotherapy With Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Patients With Advanced Germ Cell Tumors: Real-World Evidence From a Tertiary Cancer Center in Brazil

BACKGROUND

High-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplant (HDCT) is potentially curative for patients with refractory germ cell tumors (rGCT). There is scarce real-world data supporting its implementation in low- and middle-income countries. We described the experience of our tertiary cancer center in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS

We identified male patients ≥18 years-old with rGCT referred to HDCT after board discussion. Clinical data, including delays in HDCT protocol, were extracted from medical records, and survival outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard were used to determine effects on overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

From January 2013 to January 2023, 34 patients were referred and considered eligible to receive 2 cycles of HDCT. Most patients had primary testicular tumors (82%), nonseminomatous histology (88%), and poor International Germ Cell Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) (79%). Twenty-three patients received HDCT (1 cycle, n = 8; 2 cycles, n = 15). Main reasons for not receiving any HDCT were death due to progressive disease (n = 1), performance deterioration (n = 7), and failure of stem cell mobilization (n = 3). OS at 2 years was 36.7% for the eligible population, 56.1% for patients who underwent at least 1 HDCT, and 77.1% for those who had ≥2 cycles. The 2-year OS rate for patients not given HDCT was 0%. All patients had delays in protocol, and poor-risk patients had longer intervals from referral to protocol initiation (0.7 vs. 1.8 month, P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Outcomes of patients who received ≥1 HDCT were encouraging; however, only 15 from 34 eligible patients were able to receive the planned 2 cycles of HDCT. Further strategies to minimize treatment delays in low- and middle-income countries are needed.

Papanicolaou test in Brazil: analysis of the National Health Survey of 2013 and 2019

OBJECTIVES

To compare the coverage of cervical cancer screening in Brazil in 2013 and 2019, investigating the factors associated with having the test performed and the reasons given for not doing it. Additionally, a comparison is made concerning the time taken to receive the test result in SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde) and in the private health services.

METHODS

Using data from the National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde - PNS), prevalence rates and corresponding confidence intervals were calculated to determine the frequency of recent cervical cancer screenings among women aged between 25 and 64 years old in Brazil, for both 2013 and 2019. Poisson regression models were employed to compare the prevalence of the outcome according to sociodemographic characteristics. The reasons for not having the test and the time between performing and receiving the result were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The findings revealed an increase in the coverage of preventive cervical cancer exams in Brazil from 78.7% in 2013 to 81.3% in 2019. Additionally, there was a decline in the proportion of women who had never undergone the exam, from 9.7% to 6.1%. Prevalence of test uptake was higher among white women, those with higher levels of education and income, and those residing in the South and Southeast regions of the country. The most commonly cited reasons for not taking the test were the impression it was unnecessary (45% in both 2013 and 2019) and never having been asked to undergo the test (20.6% in 2013 and 14.8% in 2019).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the high coverage of screening achieved in the country, there is great inequality in access to the test, and a non-negligible number of women are at greater risk of dying from a preventable disease. Efforts must be made to structure an organized screening program that identifies and captures the most vulnerable women.

Recent changes in trends of mortality from cervical cancer in Southeastern Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the trends of cervical cancer mortality in Brazilian Southeastern states, and to compare them to Brazil and other regions between 1980 and 2020.

METHODS

Time series study based on data from the Sistema de Informações de Mortalidade (Brazilian Mortality Information System). Death data were corrected by proportional redistribution of deaths from ill-defined causes and cervical cancer of unspecified portion. Age-standardized and age-specific rates were calculated by screening target (25-39 years; 40-64 years) and non-target (65 years or older) age groups. Annual percentage changes (APC) were estimated by linear regression model with breakpoints. The coverage of Pap Smear exam in the Unified Health System (SUS) was evaluated between 2009 and 2020 according to age group and locality.

RESULTS

There were increases in corrected mortality rates both in 1980 and in 2020 in all regions, with most evident increments at the beginning of the series. There was a decrease in mortality nationwide between 1980-2020; however, the state of São Paulo showed a discrete upward trend in 2014-2020 (APC=1.237; 95%CI 0.046-2.443). Noteworthy is the trend increment in the 25-39 year-old group in all study localities, being sharper in the Southeast region in 2013-2020 (APC=5.072; 95%CI 3.971-6.185). Screening coverage rates were highest in São Paulo and lowest in Rio de Janeiro, with a consistent decline from 2012 onwards at all ages.

CONCLUSIONS

São Paulo is the first Brazilian state to show a reversal trend in mortality from cervical cancer. The changes in mortality patterns identified in this study point to the need for reorganization of the current screening program, which should be improved to ensure high coverage, quality, and adequate follow-up of all women with altered test results.

[Evaluation of cervical cancer control actions within Brazil and its regions based on data recorded in the Brazilian Unified National Health System]

This study analyzes the performance of screening and diagnosis tests for cervical cancer among women aged 25 to 64 years, as well as the delay for the initiation of treatment within Brazil and in its geographic regions, from 2013 to 2020. Information on populational procedures and estimates was obtained from the information systems of the Brazilian Unified National Health System and the Brazilian National Supplementary Health Agency. We calculated the coverage indicators of the Pap smear, the percentages of altered cytopathological and histopathological tests, and the percentage of women diagnosed with cervical cancer with over 60 days of treatment. There was great variation in the coverage of the Pap smear test among the Brazilian regions with a downward trend from 2013, which was aggravated from 2019 to 2020. The number of altered cytopathological tests was 40% lower than estimated, and the difference between the recorded number of cancer diagnoses and the estimated number of patients was below 50%. The percentage of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, who started treatment after 60 days, ranged from 50% in the South to 70% in the North Region with a decrease from 2018. In 2020, there was a decrease in the number of screening and follow-up tests, reducing the proportion of women delayed in starting treatment in the North, Southeast, and South regions. The decline in screening coverage and inadequate follow-up of women with altered results indicate the need to improve early detection strategies for the disease and establish mechanisms for constant evaluation and monitoring of actions.

Rethinking Cervical Cancer Screening in Brazil Post COVID-19: A Global Opportunity to Adopt Higher Impact Strategies

The World Health Organization global call to eliminate cervical cancer encourages countries to consider introducing or improving cervical cancer screening programs. Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS) is among the world's largest public health systems offering free cytology testing, follow-up colposcopy, and treatment. Yet, health care networks across the country have unequal infrastructure, human resources, equipment, and supplies resulting in uneven program performance and large disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality. An effective screening program needs multiple strategies feasible for each community's reality, facilitating coverage and follow-up adherence. Prioritizing those at highest risk with tests that better stratify risk will limit inefficiencies, improving program impact across different resource settings. Highly sensitive human papillomavirus (HPV)-DNA testing performs better than cytology and, with self-collection closer to homes and workplaces, improves access, even in remote regions. Molecular triage strategies like HPV genotyping can identify from the same self-collected sample, those at highest risk requiring follow-up. If proven acceptable, affordable, cost-effective, and efficient in the Brazilian context, these strategies would increase coverage while removing the need for speculum exams for routine screening and reducing follow-up visits. SUS could implement a nationwide organized program that accommodates heterogenous settings across Brazil, informing a variety of screening programs worldwide.