Moving ahead in diabetics' cancer screening; food for thought from the Hellenic experience

Adherence to Screening Tests for Gynaecological and Colorectal Cancer in Patients with Diabetes in Spain: A Population-Based Study (2014-2020)

Objectives: Both diabetes mellitus (DM) and gynaecological and colorectal cancers are highly prevalent diseases. Furthermore, the presence of DM constitutes a risk factor and poor prognostic indicator for these types of cancer. This study is based on the European Health Interview Surveys in Spain (EHISS) of 2014 and 2020. It aimed to determine the trends in adherence to screening tests for gynaecological cancers (breast and cervical) and colorectal cancer, compare adherence levels between populations with and without diabetes, and identify predictors of adherence in the population with diabetes. Methods: An epidemiological case-control study based on the EHISS data of 2014 and 2020 was conducted. The characteristics of participants who underwent screening tests were analysed based on the presence or absence of DM, and predictors of adherence to these preventive activities were identified. Results: A total of 1852 participants with reported DM and 1852 controls without DM, adjusted for age and sex, were included. A higher adherence to mammography was observed in women without diabetes compared to those with diabetes, although statistical significance was not reached (72.9% vs. 68.6%, p = 0.068). Similarly, higher Pap smear adherence was observed in the population without diabetes in the age group between 60 and 69 years compared to the population with diabetes (54.0% vs. 45.8%, p = 0.016). Pap smear adherence among women with diabetes was significantly higher in the EHISS of 2020 (52.0% in 2014 vs. 61.0% in 2020, p = 0.010), as was the case for faecal occult blood testing (13.8% in 2014 vs. 33.8% in 2020, p < 0.001), but it was not significant for mammography (70.4% in 2014 vs. 66.8% in 2020, p = 0.301). Overall, the predictors of adherence to screening tests were older age, history of cancer and higher education level. Conclusions: Adherence levels to cancer screening tests were lower in the population with diabetes compared to those without diabetes, although an improvement in Pap smear and faecal occult blood test adherence was observed in 2020 compared to 2014. Understanding predictors is important to improve adherence rates in the population with diabetes.

Assessment of the operation of a pilot program of preventive medicine for adults in three primary care centers of Athens and Piraeus: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the operation of the pilot Program of Preventive Medicine for Adults (PPMA) from the provision of healthcare services in three primary health care centers of Athens and Piraeus (Greece).

DESIGN

An observational, cross-sectional study was undertaken. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data.

SETTING

Three public primary health centers of Athens, Greece.

PARTICIPANTS

142 participants, 40-55 years of age, with no previously identified/diagnosed health issues (overall healthy) that should not have undergone any type of screening in the past 12 months.

MEASURES AND RESULTS

The majority of participants were female (75.4%), aged 40-45 years (43.7%), Greek nationals (88%), employed (62.7%) and high school graduates (52.8%). 68.3% of participants scheduled an appointment in the first two days and 58.9% waited up to 5 minutes in the waiting room. The paramedical personnel scored higher evaluation (4.94) than the doctor (4.61), but all health care centers received a very high general evaluation (4.87). Multiple linear regression showed significant association between the evaluation of the pilot PPMA, the evaluation of health visitor/nurse (B = .240) and the communication of results to participants (B = .245).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings show an extremely positive evaluation of the pilot PPMA, a result that can be used by healthcare managers for the expansion of the screening program to the general population.

Breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening in adults with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Individuals with diabetes are at increased risk of developing and dying from cancer. Evidence-based guidelines recommend universal screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer; however, evidence on the uptake of these tests in individuals with diabetes is mixed. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the association between diabetes and participation in breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched systematically for publications between 1 January 1997 and 18 July 2018. The search was supplemented by handsearching of reference lists of the included studies and known literature reviews. Abstracts and full texts were assessed in duplicate according to the following eligibility criteria: study conducted in the general population; diabetes included as a predictor vs a comparison group without diabetes; and breast (mammography), cervical (Papanicolaou smear) or colorectal (faecal and endoscopic tests) cancer screening uptake included as an outcome. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using the most-adjusted estimates for each cancer site.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven studies (25 cross-sectional, 12 cohorts) were included, with 27 studies on breast, 19 on cervical and 18 on colorectal cancer screening. Having diabetes was associated with significantly lower likelihood of breast (adjusted OR 0.83 [95% CI 0.77, 0.90]) and cervical (OR 0.76 [95% CI 0.71, 0.81]) cancer screening, relative to not having diabetes. Colorectal cancer screening was comparable across groups with and without diabetes (OR 0.95 [95% CI 0.86, 1.06]); however, women with diabetes were less likely to receive a colorectal cancer screening test than women without diabetes (OR 0.86 [95% CI 0.77, 0.97]).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Our findings suggest that women with diabetes have suboptimal breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening rates, compared with women without diabetes, although the absolute differences might be modest. Given the increased risk of cancer in this population, higher quality prospective evidence is necessary to evaluate the contribution of diabetes to cancer screening disparities in relation to other patient-, provider- and system-level factors.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration ID CRD42017073107.

Diabetes Status and Being Up-to-Date on Colorectal Cancer Screening, 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Introduction

Although screening rates for colorectal cancer are increasing, 22 million Americans are not up-to-date with recommendations. People with diabetes are an important and rapidly growing group at increased risk for colorectal cancer. Screening status and predictors of being up-to-date on screening are largely unknown in this population.

Methods

This study used logistic regression modeling and data from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to examine the association between diabetes and colorectal cancer screening predictors with being up-to-date on colorectal cancer screening according to criteria of the US Preventive Services Task Force for adults aged 50 or older. State prevalence rates of up-to-date colorectal cancer screening were also calculated and mapped.

Results

The prevalence of being up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening for all respondents aged 50 or older was 65.6%; for respondents with diabetes, the rate was 69.2%. Respondents with diabetes were 22% more likely to be up-to-date on colorectal cancer screening than those without diabetes. Among those with diabetes, having a routine checkup within the previous year significantly increased the odds of being up-to-date on colorectal cancer screening (odds ratio, 1.90). Other factors such as age, income, education, race/ethnicity, insurance status, and history of cancer were also associated with up-to-date status.

Conclusion

Regardless of diabetes status, people who had a routine checkup within the past year were more likely to be up-to-date than people who had not. Among people with diabetes, the duration between routine checkups may be of greater importance than the frequency of diabetes-related doctor visits. Continued efforts should be made to ensure that routine care visits occur regularly to address the preventive health needs of patients with and patients without diabetes.

Predictors of Adherence to Multiple Clinical Preventive Recommendations among Adults with Diabetes in Spain

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe adherence to seven clinical preventive services among Spanish adults with diabetes, to compare adherence with people without diabetes and to identify predictor of adherence to multiple practices among adults with diabetes.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study based on data obtained from the European Health Survey for Spain 2009 and the Spanish National Health Survey 2011. We analyzed those aged 40-69 years (n= 20,948). Diabetes status was self-reported. The study variables included adherence to blood pressure (BP) checkup, cholesterol measurement, influenza vaccination, dental examination, fecal occult blood test (FOBT), mammography and cytology. Independent variables included socio-demographic characteristics, variables related to health status and lifestyle factors.

RESULTS

The study sample included 1,647 subjects with diabetes and 19,301 without. Over 90% had measured their BP and cholesterol in the last year, 44.4% received influenza immunization, 36.4% had a dental checkup within the year and only 8.1% underwent a FOBT. Among diabetic women 75.4% had received a mammography and 52.4% a cytology in the recommended periods. The adherence to BP and cholesterol measurements and influenza vaccination was significantly higher among those suffering diabetes and cytology and dental checkup were lower. Only 63.4% of people with diabetes had fulfilled half or more of the recommended practices. Female sex, higher educational level, being married or cohabiting, higher number of chronic conditions and number of physician visits increased the adherence to multiple preventive practices. For each unhealthy lifestyle reported the probability of having a higher adherence level decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Acceptable adherence is found for BP and cholesterol checkups and mammography. Unacceptably low rates were found for influenza vaccine, dental care, cytology and FOBT. Moreover, preventive services are provided neither equitably nor efficiently so future research needs to identify individual and organizational factors that allow interventions to reach these subjects with diabetes.

The association of type and number of chronic diseases with breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between the number and types of patients' chronic diseases and being up to date for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening.

METHODS

Data were abstracted from medical charts at 4 primary care clinics located in 2 rural Oregon communities. Eligibility criteria included being at least 55 years old and having at least 1 clinic visit in the past 2 years.

RESULTS

Of 3433 patients included, 503 (15%) had no chronic illness, 646 (19%) had 1, 786 (23%) had 2, and 1498 (44%) had ≥3 chronic conditions. Women with asthma/chronic lung disease and with cardiovascular disease were less likely to be up o date for mammography screening (odds ratio [OR], 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.80), and those with chronic digestive disorders were more likely to be up to date for mammography (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.03-1.66) compared with those without chronic conditions. Women with arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were less likely to be up to date for cervical cancer screening (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.21-0.68) compared with those without chronic conditions. Men with cardiovascular disease were less likely to be up to date for colorectal cancer screening (adjusted OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44-0.80), and women with depression were less likely to be up to date (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.56-0.91) compared with men and women without chronic conditions.

CONCLUSION

Specific chronic conditions were found to be associated with up-to-date status for cancer screening. This finding may help practices to identify patients who need to receive cancer screening.

Management of colorectal cancer and diabetes

Colorectal cancer is associated with diabetes mellitus and both of these common conditions are often managed together by a surgeon. The surgical focus is usually upon cancer treatment rather than diabetes management. The relationship between colorectal cancer and diabetes is a complex one and can raise problems in both diagnosis and the management of patients with both conditions. This literature review explores the relationship between diabetes, diabetic treatment and colorectal cancer and addresses the issues that arise in diagnosing and treating this patient group. By highlighting these difficulties, this review aims to improve understanding and to provide clearer insight into both surgical and non-surgical management.

Diabetes and cancer I: risk, survival, and implications for screening

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and cancer are common diseases that are frequently diagnosed in the same individual. An association between the two conditions has long been postulated. Here, we review the epidemiological evidence for increased risk of cancer, decreased cancer survival, and decreased rates of cancer screening in diabetic patients. The risk for several cancers, including cancers of the pancreas, liver, colorectum, breast, urinary tract, and endometrium, is increased in patients with DM. In a pooled risk analysis weighting published meta-analytic relative risk (RR) for individual cancer by differences in their incidence rates, we found a population RR of 0.97 (95 % CI, 0.75-1.25) in men and 1.29 (95 % CI, 1.16-1.44) in women. All meta-analyses showed an increased relative risk for cancer in diabetic men, except studies of prostate cancer, in which a protective effect was observed. The relationship between diabetes and cancer appears to be complex, and at present, a clear temporal relationship between the two conditions cannot be defined. DM also impacts negatively on cancer-related survival outcomes and cancer screening rates. The overwhelming evidence for lower cancer screening rates, increased incidence of certain cancers, and poorer prognosis after cancer diagnosis in diabetic patients dictates a need for improved cancer care in diabetic individuals through improved screening measures, development of risk assessment tools, and consideration of cancer prevention strategies in diabetic patients. Part two of this review focuses on the biological and pharmacological mechanisms that may account for the association between DM and cancer.

Adherence to breast and cervical cancer screening in Spanish women with diabetes: associated factors and trend between 2006 and 2010

AIM

This study aimed to assess the adherence to breast and cervical cancer screening of women with diabetes mellitus (DM), and the associated factors and trend of use over time of these preventative services between 2006 and 2010 in Spain.

METHODS

The study used data from a population of women aged greater or equal to 18 years (n=11,957) who participated in the European Health Interview Survey in Spain (EHISS, 2009). Diabetes status was self-reported and included those with type 2 DM. Adherence to screening for cancer prevention was assessed by asking women aged greater or equel to 40 years whether they had undergone mammography and a Papanicolaou (Pap) cervical smear (in those aged 18-69 years) within the previous 2 and 3 years, respectively. Independent variables included sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. Also, the age-standardized prevalences of mammography and Pap smear uptake were compared in women with diabetes between 2006 and 2010.

RESULTS

Among the diabetic women, 37.9% underwent mammography and 49.1% had a Pap smear vs 53.8% and 64%, respectively, in women without diabetes, with corresponding adjusted odds ratios of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.68-0.97) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.60-0.91). Among diabetic women, attending more "physician visits" was a positive predictor of having both screening tests. Also, a higher monthly income level was associated with mammography uptake, and a higher educational level with Pap smear uptake. There was also a significant decrease in mammography screening uptake between 2006 and 2010 compared with a stable rate of uptake of cervical cancer screening.

CONCLUSION

Spanish women with diabetes consistently underuse breast and cervical cancer screening tests compared with non-diabetic women. The decline in mammography uptake rates needs to be carefully monitored and may even call for intervention.