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Mogensen H, Erdmann F, Mader L, Vrelits Sørensen G, Talbäck M, Tjørnelund Nielsen T, Hasle H, Heyman M, Winther JF, Feychting M, Tettamanti G, Kenborg L. Early mortality in children with cancer in Denmark and Sweden: The role of social background in a setting with universal healthcare. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:1719-1730. [PMID: 38259167 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Socioeconomic differences in overall survival from childhood cancer have been shown previously, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to investigate if social inequalities were seen already for early mortality in settings with universal healthcare. From national registers, all children diagnosed with cancer at ages 0-19 years, during 1991-2014, in Sweden and Denmark, were identified, and information on parental social characteristics was collected. We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of early mortality (death within 90 days after cancer diagnosis) by parental education, income, employment, cohabitation, and country of birth using logistic regression. For children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), clinical characteristics were obtained. Among 13,926 included children, 355 (2.5%) died within 90 days after diagnosis. Indications of higher early mortality were seen among the disadvantaged groups, with the most pronounced associations observed for maternal education (ORadj_Low_vs_High 1.65 [95% CI 1.22-2.23]) and income (ORadj_Q1(lowest)_vs_Q4(highest) 1.77 [1.25-2.49]). We found attenuated or null associations between social characteristics and later mortality (deaths occurring 1-5 years after cancer diagnosis). In children with ALL, the associations between social factors and early mortality remained unchanged when adjusting for potential mediation by clinical characteristics. In conclusion, this population-based cohort study indicated differences in early mortality after childhood cancer by social background, also in countries with universal healthcare. Social differences occurring this early in the disease course requires further investigation, also regarding the timing of diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Mogensen
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Friederike Erdmann
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology-BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Luzius Mader
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Cancer Registry Bern-Solothurn, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gitte Vrelits Sørensen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mats Talbäck
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Henrik Hasle
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mats Heyman
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jeanette Falck Winther
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Maria Feychting
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giorgio Tettamanti
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Line Kenborg
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
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2
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White B, Renzi C, Rafiq M, Abel GA, Jensen H, Lyratzopoulos G. Does changing healthcare use signal opportunities for earlier detection of cancer? A review of studies using information from electronic patient records. Cancer Epidemiol 2022; 76:102072. [PMID: 34876377 PMCID: PMC8785122 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.102072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been proposed that changes in healthcare use before cancer diagnosis could signal opportunities for quicker detection, but systematic appreciation of such evidence is lacking. We reviewed studies examining pre-diagnostic changes in healthcare utilisation (e.g. rates of GP or hospital consultations, prescriptions or diagnostic tests) among patients subsequently diagnosed with cancer. METHODS We identified studies through Pubmed searches complemented by expert elicitation. We extracted information on the earliest time point when diagnosis could have been possible for at least some cancers, together with variation in the length of such 'diagnostic windows' by tumour and patient characteristics. RESULTS Across twenty-eight studies, changes in healthcare use were observable at least six months pre-diagnosis for many common cancers, and potentially even earlier for colorectal cancer, multiple myeloma and brain tumours. Early changes were also identified for brain and colon cancer sub-sites. CONCLUSION Changing healthcare utilisation patterns before diagnosis indicate that future improvements in diagnostic technologies or services could help to shorten diagnostic intervals for cancer. There is greatest potential for quicker diagnosis for certain cancer types and patient groups, which can inform priorities for the development of decision support tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becky White
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC)), University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Cristina Renzi
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC)), University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Meena Rafiq
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC)), University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Gary A Abel
- University of Exeter Medical School, St Luke's Campus, Magdalen Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC)), University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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Pedersen LH, Erdmann F, Aalborg GL, Hjalgrim LL, Larsen HB, Schmiegelow K, Winther JF, Dalton SO. Socioeconomic position and prediagnostic health care contacts in children with cancer in Denmark: a nationwide register study. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:1104. [PMID: 34649500 PMCID: PMC8518314 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08837-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While underlying mechanisms and pathways of social inequalities in cancer survival have been extensively examined in adults, this is less so for children with cancer. Hypothesized mechanisms include prediagnostic utilization of and navigation through the health care system, which may differ by socioeconomic resources of the families. In this nationwide register-based study we investigated the association between measures of family socioeconomic position in relation to prediagnostic health care contacts and stage of disease at diagnosis in children with cancer in Denmark. Methods We identified all children diagnosed with a cancer at ages 0–15 years in 1998–2016 (N = 3043) from the Danish Childhood Cancer Registry. We obtained comprehensive information on measures of socioeconomic position, parental health and prediagnostic contacts to both general practitioners and hospitals 24 months prior to diagnosis from various national registries. We fitted multivariable conditional logistic regression models for the association of family socioeconomic and health-related variables with firstly, frequent health care contacts and secondly, advanced stage. Results We found higher odds ratios (OR) of frequent both overall and emergency health care contacts in the last 3 months before diagnosis in children from households with short parental education and mixed affiliation to work market, when compared to children with high family socioeconomic position. Further, children of parents with depression or of non-Western origin, respectively, had higher OR for frequent overall and emergency contacts. We found no association between socioeconomic position, parental health and stage of disease. Conclusion Families with socioeconomic disadvantage, non-Western origin or depression more frequently utilize prediagnostic health care services, both generally and in the acute setting, indicating that some disadvantaged families may struggle to navigate the health care system when their child is sick. Reassuringly, this was not reflected in disparities in stage at diagnosis. In order to improve the diagnostic process and potentially reduce health care contacts, attention and support should be given to families with a high number of health care contacts over a short period of time. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08837-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Hjøllund Pedersen
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Survivorship and Inequality in Cancer, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Friederike Erdmann
- Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute for Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gitte Lerche Aalborg
- Statistics and Data Analysis, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lisa Lyngsie Hjalgrim
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Bækgaard Larsen
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kjeld Schmiegelow
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Susanne Oksbjerg Dalton
- Survivorship and Inequality in Cancer, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Oncology & Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Naestved, Denmark
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Woods LM, Rachet B, Morris M, Bhaskaran K, Coleman MP. Are socio-economic inequalities in breast cancer survival explained by peri-diagnostic factors? BMC Cancer 2021; 21:485. [PMID: 33933034 PMCID: PMC8088027 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08087-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients living in more deprived localities have lower cancer survival in England, but the role of individual health status at diagnosis and the utilisation of primary health care in explaining these differentials has not been widely considered. We set out to evaluate whether pre-existing individual health status at diagnosis and primary care consultation history (peri-diagnostic factors) could explain socio-economic differentials in survival amongst women diagnosed with breast cancer. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women aged 15-99 years diagnosed in England using linked routine data. Ecologically-derived measures of income deprivation were combined with individually-linked data from the English National Cancer Registry, Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) databases. Smoking status, alcohol consumption, BMI, comorbidity, and consultation histories were derived for all patients. Time to breast surgery was derived for women diagnosed after 2005. We estimated net survival and modelled the excess hazard ratio of breast cancer death using flexible parametric models. We accounted for missing data using multiple imputation. RESULTS Net survival was lower amongst more deprived women, with a single unit increase in deprivation quintile inferring a 4.4% (95% CI 1.4-8.8) increase in excess mortality. Peri-diagnostic co-variables varied by deprivation but did not explain the differentials in multivariable analyses. CONCLUSIONS These data show that socio-economic inequalities in survival cannot be explained by consultation history or by pre-existing individual health status, as measured in primary care. Differentials in the effectiveness of treatment, beyond those measuring the inclusion of breast surgery and the timing of surgery, should be considered as part of the wider effort to reduce inequalities in premature mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Woods
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | - Bernard Rachet
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Melanie Morris
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Krishnan Bhaskaran
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Michel P Coleman
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
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Pedersen LH, Wahlberg A, Cordt M, Schmiegelow K, Dalton SO, Larsen HB. Parent's perspectives of the pathway to diagnosis of childhood cancer: a matter of diagnostic triage. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:969. [PMID: 33092610 PMCID: PMC7584100 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05821-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early diagnosis is crucial for the treatment of childhood cancer as it in some cases can prevent progression of disease and improve prognoses. However, childhood cancer can be difficult to diagnose and barriers to early diagnosis are multifactorial. New knowledge about factors influencing the pathway to diagnosis contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that influence this time span. Qualitative research in the field is sparse but can be expected to lead to additional useful insights that could contribute to efforts shorten time to diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to explore parents' experiences of the pathway to diagnosis in the time between their noticing bodily or behavioural changes and their child's diagnosis. METHODS The study is a qualitative interview study carried out in large Danish hospital. Thirty-two interviews with a total of 46 parents of children with cancer were included for analysis. The children were diagnosed with haematological cancers (n = 17), solid tumours (n = 9) or brain tumours (n = 6). Data were analysed applying the theoretical model of pathways to treatment and an inductive-deductive approach. A revised 'diagnostic triage' model was developed and validated by member checking. RESULTS The pathway to diagnosis was influenced by various factors which we present as consistent parts of a new diagnostic triage model. Each factor impacts the level of urgency assigned to bodily and behavioural changes by parents, general practitioners and specialists. The model of diagnostic triage was developed and validated to understand mechanisms influencing time from the point parents notice changes in their child to diagnosis. The model identifies dynamic movement between parental triage in everyday life and professional triage in a healthcare system, both affecting appraisal and case escalation according to: 1) the nature of bodily and behavioural changes, 2) parental intuition, 3) social relations, 4) professional-child-parent interaction, and 5) specialist-child-parent interaction. CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic triage is a model which explains mechanisms that shape the pathway to diagnosis. It is a contribution aimed at supporting the clinical diagnostic process, that ultimately could ensure more timely testing, referral and diagnosis, and also a novel theoretical framework for future research on diagnostic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ayo Wahlberg
- Department of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marie Cordt
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kjeld Schmiegelow
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne Oksbjerg Dalton
- Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, Survivorship and Inequality in Cancer, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Oncology & Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Naestved, Denmark
| | - Hanne Bækgaard Larsen
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Mussie KM, Gradmann C, Manyazewal T. Bridging the gap between policy and practice: a qualitative analysis of providers' field experiences tinkering with directly observed therapy in patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035272. [PMID: 32554739 PMCID: PMC7304814 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is one of the major public health threats in low-income countries such as Ethiopia. It is intertwined with larger socioeconomic and political factors that complicate its management and control. Whether directly observed therapy (DOT) is serving its purpose-better patient adherence and treatment outcome-still remains a debatable issue. To contribute to this discussion, this study explored health workers' field experiences tinkering with DOT in patients with DR-TB in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. DESIGN A qualitative study using in-depth interviews and focus group discussion. SETTING Ten public healthcare facilities: eight health centres at Addis Ababa Health Bureau level and two TB-specialised hospitals at the Federal Health Bureau level in Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS 18 healthcare providers working with DR-TB patients. RESULTS Three findings emerged from the analysis. First, the purpose of DOT is to ensure that patients go to healthcare facilities and swallow pills under the observation of a healthcare provider. Thus, its rigid application could lead to the emergence of more DR-TB. Second, DOT should be tinkered with and its practice improved by incorporating more counselling and health education, with more flexibility towards, and attentiveness of, patient context. Third, there exists a family-like patient-provider relationship, and providers do understand their patients and empathise with them to provide better healthcare services. CONCLUSION If rigidly implemented, DOT could lead to more DR-TB-a problem DOT was invented to resolve. Front-line healthcare providers are sensitive to the tragic experiences of DR-TB patients and empathise with them. Thus, they do not strictly implement DOT and are willing to take any blame resulting from tinkering with it. It is high time to shape the practice of DOT for DR-TB patients, with meaningful contributions from front-line healthcare providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirubel Manyazewal Mussie
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Gradmann
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tsegahun Manyazewal
- Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Oksbjerg Dalton S, Halgren Olsen M, Moustsen IR, Wedell Andersen C, Vibe-Petersen J, Johansen C. Socioeconomic position, referral and attendance to rehabilitation after a cancer diagnosis: A population-based study in Copenhagen, Denmark 2010-2015. Acta Oncol 2019; 58:730-736. [PMID: 30905247 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2019.1582800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background: Implementation of new cancer services may lead to socioeconomic differences in uptake and despite reports of more unmet needs among patients with low socioeconomic position studies have found that these patients receive less rehabilitation. We aimed to investigate associations between indicators for socioeconomic position and referral as well as attendance to rehabilitation for cancer. Methods: Through the Danish Cancer Registry, we identified all persons diagnosed with cancer in Copenhagen municipality 2010-2015 and obtained information on referral to and visits at the municipal rehabilitation center from municipal records. We linked the population with information on socioeconomic information and vital status through national registries. Associations were analyzed using multivariate Cox regression models. Results: Among 13,059 persons diagnosed with cancer a total of 2523 were referred for rehabilitation within 2.5 years from diagnosis. Compared to persons with short education, men and women with long education and men with medium education had higher adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for being referred to rehabilitation (Long: HR-men, 1.30 (95% CI: 1.06-1.59) and HR-women, 1.33 (95% CI: 1.15-1.53; Medium: HR-men, 1.23 (95% CI: 1.02-1.49)). Both men and women with children living at home had higher HR of referral (HR-men, 1.23 (95% CI: 1.00-1.52) and HR-women, 1.28 (95% CI: 1.11-1.48)). Among patients referred to rehabilitation, 81% attended a visitation consultation. Long education was associated with attendance in both genders while in men, medium education and in women high income, respectively was associated with attendance. Conclusion: Clear socioeconomic differences in referral and attendance to rehabilitation services indicate that socioeconomic inequality exists in patients' transition from cancer treatment into post-treatment care. Systematic needs assessment and clarification of wish for rehabilitation should be a requisite for all cancer patients independent of their socioeconomic position.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Oksbjerg Dalton
- Survivorship, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Oncology & Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Naestved, Denmark
| | - Maja Halgren Olsen
- Survivorship, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Rask Moustsen
- Survivorship, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Christoffer Johansen
- Survivorship, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Castle late effects unit, Oncology Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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