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Zhang R, Xu W, Yang S, Hu D, Bai L, Xiang R, Zhao X, Nie Y, Shi QL. Prevalence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection, Associated Risk Factors, and Relationship With Cervical Precancerous Lesions in Perimenopausal and Older Women in an Area With High Cervical Cancer Incidence in China. Cureus 2024; 16:e58081. [PMID: 38616979 PMCID: PMC11009475 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study delves into the epidemiology of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and its link to precancerous lesions among perimenopausal (40-59 years) and elderly (60-65 years) women in a Chinese county with a notably high incidence of cervical cancer. By uniquely focusing on these age groups in underdeveloped regions, the research aims to offer novel strategies for the management and prevention of cervical cancer. It seeks to inform targeted interventions and public health policies that could significantly benefit women at heightened risk for HPV, addressing a critical gap in current prevention efforts in economically disadvantaged communities. Methods This observational study was conducted at the Maternal and Child Health and Family Planning Service Centre in Lueyang County, from September 2021 to January 2022. It assessed 2008 women aged 40-65 for HPV screening, with 342 undergoing further cytological examination. The study evaluated the prevalence of HPV infection across different age groups and risk categories. It utilized a questionnaire to collect participants' basic information, health behaviors, and other relevant data to analyze factors influencing HR-HPV infection. Statistical analyses comprised chi-square tests, trend analysis, logistic regression, and multiple imputation techniques to address missing data. Results The prevalence of HR-HPV infection among women aged 40-65 years in Lueyang County was 18.43%. Older women exhibited a higher incidence of HPV infection, abnormal ThinPrep Cytology Test (TCT) results (Shaanxi Fu'an Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Baoji City, China), and low/high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL/HSIL) (P<0.05). The most prevalent HR-HPV genotypes in the overall, perimenopausal, and elderly groups were HPV-52, -53, and -58; HPV-52, -53, and -16; and HPV-58, -52, and -53, respectively. The prevalent HR-HPV genotypes in the abnormal The Bethesda System (TBS) results were HPV-16, -52, -33, -58; -16, -52, -58; and-16, -33, and -52. HPV-16, -18, -33 prevalence increased with increasing lesion severity (P<0.05). In this study, factors affecting HR-HPV in the three age groups were found to be mainly related to sexual behavior and education level, including history of lower genital tract diseases, multiple pregnancies, contraceptive methods without tubal ligation, age at first marriage greater than 18 years, never washing the vulva after sex, abstinence from sex, education level of junior high school or above, and spouse's education level of high school or above. Conclusions These findings suggest that the elevated rate of abnormal TBS in the older age group may be attributed to the higher prevalence of persistent infection-prone HR-HPV genotypes (HPV-58, -52, and-53), multiple infections, and potent oncogenic HR-HPV genotypes (HPV-16 and -33). Additionally, the higher HR-HPV prevalence in older patients may be related to lower education attainment, reduced screening rate, and limited condom usage. Therefore, strategies targeting perimenopausal and older women should prioritize enhancing health awareness, increasing screening rates, and encouraging condom utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyi Zhang
- Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, CHN
| | - Wei Xu
- Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, CHN
| | - Siyuan Yang
- Nursing, School of Nursing, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, CHN
| | - Dehua Hu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Lueyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaanxi, CHN
| | - Li Bai
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Lueyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaanxi, CHN
| | - Rumei Xiang
- Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, CHN
| | - Xiaowei Zhao
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Lueyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaanxi, CHN
| | - Yuxian Nie
- Biomedical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, CHN
| | - Qiu-Ling Shi
- Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, CHN
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Kultalahti H, Heinävaara S, Sarkeala T, Pankakoski M. Effect of Test History at Ages 50-64 on Later Cervical Cancer Risk: A Population-based Case-control Study. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1823-1829. [PMID: 37700796 PMCID: PMC10494786 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
As life expectancy increases, the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening programs needs to be reassessed for the older population. We addressed the effect of test history in and outside organized screening at age 50-64 years on later cervical cancer risk. A case-control study was conducted by deriving 229 cases of 65-79 years old women with invasive cervical cancer in 2010-2019 from the Finnish Cancer Registry. Ten controls were matched for each case by birth year and hospital district. The effect of test uptake and abnormal results in 50-64 year olds on cancer risk was investigated using conditional logistic regression and adjusted for self-selection. Test uptake within the 50-64 years age group showed 75% lower odds of cervical cancer [adjusted OR (aOR) = 0.25; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.18-0.35]. Untested women had 4.9 times higher odds than those tested with normal results (aOR = 4.86; 95% CI, 3.42-6.92). Having at least one abnormal test result increased the odds by 2.5 when compared with only normal results but showed lower odds when compared with untested women. The importance of testing is exhibited by the result showing a reduction of odds of cancer to one-fourth for those tested compared with untested. Similarly, receiving abnormal results was protective of cancer compared with having no tests highlighting the importance of proper follow-up. Therefore, screening history should be considered when further developing cervical cancer screening programs with special interest in non-attenders and those receiving abnormal results at older ages. Significance To our knowledge, this is the first study from Finnish data describing the effect of test history on later cervical cancer at older ages. Focusing on the cervical tests taken within the Finnish national screening program and outside it highlights the overall importance of having cervical tests and adds this study into the slowly increasing number of studies considering all cervical testing in Finland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henric Kultalahti
- Finnish Cancer Registry, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sirpa Heinävaara
- Finnish Cancer Registry, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Maiju Pankakoski
- Finnish Cancer Registry, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Raveinthiranathan N, Simkin J, Donken R, Ogilvie G, Smith L, Van Niekerk D, Lee M, Woods RR. Age-Specific Trends of Invasive Cervical Cancer Incidence in British Columbia, Canada, 1971-2017. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:7692-7705. [PMID: 37623038 PMCID: PMC10453046 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30080557] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examined invasive cervical cancer (ICC) incidence trends in British Columbia (BC) by age and stage-at-diagnosis relative to World Health Organization ICC elimination targets (4 per 100,000 persons). Incident ICC cases (1971-2017) were obtained from the BC Cancer Registry. Annual age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) per 100,000 persons were generated using the direct method. ASIRs were examined among all ages 15+ years and eight age groups using Joinpoint Regression with the Canadian 2011 standard population. Standardized rate ratios (SRRs) compared stage II-IV (late) versus stage I (early) ASIRs by age (2010-2017). ICC ASIRs did not reach the elimination target. ASIRs declined from 18.88 to 7.08 per 100,000 persons (1971-2017). Stronger declines were observed among ages 45+ years, with the largest decline among ages 70-79 years (AAPC = -3.2%, 95% CI = -3.9% to -2.6%). Among ages 25-69 years, varying levels of attenuation in declining trends and stabilization were observed since the 1980s. SRRs indicated higher rates of late-stage ICC among ages 55+ years (SRR-55-69 years = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.08-1.71). Overall, ICC incidence declined in BC since 1971 but did not reach the elimination target. The pace of decline varied across age groups and increased with age. Continued efforts are needed to progress cervical cancer elimination among all age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivedha Raveinthiranathan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
- Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Jonathan Simkin
- Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Robine Donken
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Service, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Gina Ogilvie
- Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Service, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Laurie Smith
- Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Service, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Dirk Van Niekerk
- Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Cervical Cancer Screening Program, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1G1, Canada
| | - Marette Lee
- Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Service, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Ryan R. Woods
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
- Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
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Tranberg M, Petersen LK, Hammer A, Elfström M, Blaakær J, Jørgensen SF, Bennetsen MH, Jensen JS, Andersen B. Value of a catch-up HPV test in women aged 65 and above: A Danish population-based nonrandomized intervention study. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004253. [PMID: 37410699 PMCID: PMC10325045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) test is replacing cytology as the primary cervical cancer screening test due to superior sensitivity, but in most countries women ≥65 years have never had an HPV test despite they account for around 50% of cervical cancer deaths. We explored the effect of a catch-up HPV test among 65- to 69-year-old women without previous record of HPV-based screening. METHODS AND FINDINGS This population-based nonrandomized intervention study (quasi-experimental design) included Danish women aged 65 to 69 with no record of cervical cancer screening in the last ≥5.5 years and no HPV-exit test at age 60 to 64 at the time of study inclusion. Eligible women residing in the Central Denmark Region were invited for HPV screening either by attending clinician-based sampling or requesting a vaginal self-sampling kit (intervention group, n = 11,192). Women residing in the remaining four Danish regions received standard care which was the opportunity to have a cervical cytology collected for whatever reason (reference group, n = 33,387). Main outcome measures were detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) per 1,000 women eligible for the screening offer and the benefit-harm ratio of the intervention and standard practice measured as the number of colposcopies needed to detect one CIN2+ case. The minimum follow-up time was 13 months for all tested women (range: 13 to 25 months). In the intervention group, 6,965 (62.2%) were screened within 12 months from the date of study inclusion and 743 (2.2%) women had a cervical cytology collected in the reference group. The CIN2+ detection was significantly higher in the intervention group (3.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): [2.9, 5.3]; p < 0.001; n = 44/11,192) as compared to the reference group (0.3, 95% CI: [0.2, 0.6]; n = 11/33,387). For the benefit-harm ratio, 11.6 (95% CI: [8.5, 15.8]; p = 0.69; n = 511/44) colposcopies were performed to detect one CIN2+ in the intervention group as compared to 10.1 (95% CI: [5.4, 18.8]; n = 111/11) colposcopies in the reference group. The study design entails a risk of confounding due to the lack of randomization. CONCLUSIONS The higher CIN2+ detection per 1,000 eligible women in the intervention group supports that a catch-up HPV test could potentially improve cervical cancer prevention in older women. This study informs the current scientific debate as to whether women aged 65 and above should be offered a catch-up HPV test if they never had an HPV test. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04114968.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Tranberg
- University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
| | - Lone Kjeld Petersen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- OPEN, Department of Clinical Medicine, Southern University of Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Anne Hammer
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | - Miriam Elfström
- Center for Cervical Cancer Prevention, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Regional Cancer Center of Stockholm-Gotland, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Blaakær
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Susanne Fogh Jørgensen
- University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
| | | | - Jørgen Skov Jensen
- Research Unit for Reproductive Microbiology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Berit Andersen
- University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Booth BB, Tranberg M, Gustafson LW, Christiansen AG, Lapirtis H, Krogh LM, Hjorth IMD, Hammer A. Risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse in women aged ≥ 69 referred to colposcopy due to an HPV-positive screening test. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:405. [PMID: 37142959 PMCID: PMC10161414 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10888-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates are high in older women in many developed countries, including Denmark. Therefore, Danish women aged 69 and older were invited for one additional human papilloma virus (HPV) based screening test in 2017. Here, we describe the clinical management and detection rate of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2 +) in screen-positive women referred for colposcopy. METHODS We conducted an observational study in public gynecology departments in Central Denmark Region, Denmark. Women were eligible for enrolment if they were aged 69 + in 2017, HPV positive on a screening test taken between April 20th, 2017, and December 31st, 2017, and had been referred for direct colposcopy. Data on participants' characteristics, colposcopic findings, and histological outcomes were collected from medical records and the Danish Pathology Databank. We estimated the proportion of women with CIN2 + at the first colposcopy visit and at end of follow up including 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS A total of 191 women were included with a median age of 74 years (IQR: 71-78). Most women (74.9%) did not have a fully visible transformation zone at colposcopy. At the first visit 170 women (89.0%) had a histological sample collected, 34 of whom (20.0%, 95% CI 14.3-26.8%) had CIN2 + diagnosed, 19 had CIN3 + , and two had cervical cancer). During follow-up additional CIN2 + were detected resulting in a total of 42 women (24.4%, 95% CI: 18.2-31.5%) being diagnosed with CIN2 + , 25 with CIN3 + , and three with cervical cancer. When restricting to women with paired histologic results (i.e., biopsies and a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) specimen), we found that CIN2 + was missed in 17.9% (95% CI 8.9-30.4%) of biopsies compared to the LEEP. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest a potential risk of underdiagnosis in older postmenopausal women referred to colposcopy. Future studies should explore potential risk-markers for discrimination of women at increased risk of CIN2 + from those at low risk, as this would reduce risk of underdiagnosis and overtreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit B Booth
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NIDO - Centre for Research and Education, Gødstrup Hospital, Hospitalsparken 15, Herning, 7400, Denmark.
| | - Mette Tranberg
- University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
| | - Line W Gustafson
- University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne G Christiansen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NIDO - Centre for Research and Education, Gødstrup Hospital, Hospitalsparken 15, Herning, 7400, Denmark
| | - Helle Lapirtis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
| | - Lisa M Krogh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark
| | - Ina Marie D Hjorth
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Horsens Regional Hospital, Horsens, Denmark
| | - Anne Hammer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NIDO - Centre for Research and Education, Gødstrup Hospital, Hospitalsparken 15, Herning, 7400, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Cooley JJP, Maguire FB, Morris CR, Parikh-Patel A, Abrahão R, Chen HA, Keegan THM. Cervical Cancer Stage at Diagnosis and Survival among Women ≥65 Years in California. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023; 32:91-97. [PMID: 36620897 PMCID: PMC9833840 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-22-0793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Through adequate screening and follow-up, cervical cancer can be prevented or detected at early-stage (stage I), which is related to excellent survival. Current guidelines recommend discontinuing screening for women ≥65 years with history of normal Pap and/or HPV tests, potentially leaving this age group vulnerable. This study examined late-stage disease in a population-based cohort. METHODS Using California Cancer Registry data, we identified 12,442 patients ages ≥21 years with a first primary cervical cancer diagnosed during 2009-2018. Proportions of late-stage disease (stages II-IV) and early- and late-stage 5-year relative survival are presented by the age group. Among patients ages ≥65 years, multivariable logistic regression estimated associations of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with late-stage cervical cancer. RESULTS Nearly one fifth of patients (n = 2,171, 17.4%) were ≥65 years. More women ages ≥65 years (71%) presented with late-stage disease than younger women (48% in patients ages <65). Late-stage 5-year relative survival was lower for women ≥65 years (23.2%-36.8%) compared with patients <65 (41.5%-51.5%). Characteristics associated with late-stage cervical cancer in women ≥65 years included older age [odds ratio (OR), 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.04; each year], non-adenocarcinoma histologic subtypes, and comorbidities (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.21-2.08). CONCLUSIONS There remains a significant burden of advanced cervical cancer in women ≥65. IMPACT Efforts should be made to better understand how the current screening paradigm is failing women of 65 years and older. Future work should focus on determining past screening history, lapses in follow-up care, and non-invasive testing approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne J. P. Cooley
- California Cancer Reporting and Epidemiologic Surveillance Program, University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, California
| | - Frances B. Maguire
- California Cancer Reporting and Epidemiologic Surveillance Program, University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, California
| | - Cyllene R. Morris
- California Cancer Reporting and Epidemiologic Surveillance Program, University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, California
| | - Arti Parikh-Patel
- California Cancer Reporting and Epidemiologic Surveillance Program, University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, California
| | - Renata Abrahão
- Center for Oncology Hematology Outcomes Research and Training (COHORT), University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA,Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
| | - Hui A. Chen
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Gynecology Oncology
| | - Theresa H. M. Keegan
- Center for Oncology Hematology Outcomes Research and Training (COHORT), University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA
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Understanding cervical cancer after the age of routine screening: Characteristics of cases, treatment, and survival in the United States. Gynecol Oncol 2022; 165:67-74. [PMID: 35115179 PMCID: PMC8969176 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2022.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Given that cervical cancer incidence rates do not decline in women >65, there is generally limited screening, and these women have a poor prognosis, it is imperative to better understand this population. We aim to describe the characteristics, treatment, and survival of women >65 diagnosed with cervical cancer. METHODS SEER-Medicare 2004-2013 data was used to describe 2274 patients >65 diagnosed with cervical cancer. Five-year cancer-specific survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable Poisson and Cox regression analyses identified characteristics associated with treatment and mortality. RESULTS The median age was 76.1 years, with nearly one-third of cases occurring in women >80 years. Most patients were non-Hispanic White (64.8%), had comorbidity scores ≥ 1 (53.9%) and squamous histology (66.3%). Most women were diagnosed at stage II or higher (62.7%), including nearly one-quarter at Stage IV (23.1%). Nearly 15% of patients were not treated (14.6%). Lack of treatment was associated with oldest age (>80), comorbidity scores ≥3, and stage IV disease. Five-year cancer-specific survival was 50%. Increasing age and stage at diagnosis were significantly associated with lower cancer-specific survival whereas treatment was strongly associated with increased survival. CONCLUSION Most women >65 with cervical cancer are diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease and many do not receive treatment. Survival is improved with early-stage diagnosis and treatment. These findings, coupled with the fact that women >65 constitute an increasing proportion of the population, highlight the need to re-evaluate screening and treatment practices in this population to detect cervical cancer at earlier stages and increase survival. NOVELTY AND IMPACT STATEMENT In SEER-Medicare linked data from 2004 to 2013, most women >65 with cervical cancer were diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease. Both receipt of treatment and survival decreased with increasing age. These findings, coupled with the fact that women aged >65 constitute an increasing proportion of the population, highlight the need to re-evaluate screening and treatment practices in older women to detect cervical cancer at earlier stages and increase survival.
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