Survey mode and asking about future intentions did not impact self-reported colorectal cancer screening accuracy

Googling on Colonoscopy: A Retrospective Analysis of Search Engine Statistics

PURPOSE

Colonoscopy is a gold standard for screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). The data from the search engine may reveal what information on coloscopy gains the attention of Internet users. We aimed to investigate Google searches trends and terms related to colonoscopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrieved statistics searches related to colonoscopy using Google Trends (GT) and Google Ads (GA) for the period from April 2016 to March 2020. The GT data was used for the analysis of time and regional search patterns worldwide. GA data for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand (NZ), Poland, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) were used to calculate the search volume of categories of queries related to colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Globally, the relative search volume on colonoscopy has increased until the COVID-19 outbreak and revealed seasonal variation: the highest interest was observed in March (CRC awareness month), and the lowest during December (Christmas holidays). The highest number of searches per 1000 Google users-years was done in Poland (59.62) and the lowest in the UK (19.46). Most commonly, Google users searched for details on colonoscopy techniques (Australia, Canada, Ireland, NZ), anesthesia during the procedure (Poland), facility performing colonoscopy (UK, US). In all seven countries, less than 2% of queries concerned with bowel preparation before the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the interest in colonoscopy has increased among Google users. Google users may underestimate the importance of proper bowel preparation.

Self-Reported And Objectively Recorded Colorectal Cancer Screening Participation In England

Objective

To compare self-reported with objectively recorded participation in Faecal Occult Blood testing (FOBt) colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in a national programme.

Methods

Survey respondents living in England who were eligible for screening were asked in face-to-face interviews if they had ever been invited to do a CRC screening test, how many times they had been invited, and how many times they had participated. National Health Service (NHS) Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) records were consulted for respondents who had consented to a record check. The outcome measures were ‘ever uptake’ (responded to ≥1 invitation), ‘repeat uptake’ (responded to ≥2 invitations), and ‘consistent uptake’ (responded to all invitations).

Results

In the verified group, self-reported ever uptake was highly consistent with recorded ever uptake (87.0% vs. 87.8%). Among those who indicated that they had been invited more than once, self-reported repeat uptake was 89.8% compared with 84.8% recorded repeat uptake. Among those with more than one recorded invitation, self-reported repeat uptake was 72.7% compared with 77.2% recorded repeat uptake, and self-reported consistent uptake was 81.6% compared with 65.6% recorded consistent uptake.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that people can accurately report whether they have ever taken part in CRC screening. The vast majority of those whose records were verified could also accurately report whether they had taken part in screening at least twice. They were somewhat less accurate in reporting whether they had responded to all screening invitations.

Intent to participate in future cervical cancer screenings is lower when satisfaction with the decision to be vaccinated is neutral

BACKGROUND

HPV vaccination programs have adversely affected participation in future cervical cancer screening. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of decision satisfaction with accepting/rejecting the HPV vaccine, as well as traditional clinical factors, on the intent to participate in future screening.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

From January 2011 through August 2012 women 18-26 years old presenting for health care in an urban college student health and wellness clinic in the US Midwest were asked to complete a descriptive and medical history survey including a six element decisional satisfaction survey scored on 5-point Likert scales, where the intent to participate in future cervical cancer screening was measured. Of the 568 women who completed the decisional satisfaction survey, 17% of those <21 years and 7% ≥ 21 years indicated no intent to participate in future cervical cancer screenings. Among women of current screening age, the univariate risk factors of race/ethnicity, contraceptive use, number of lifetime sexual partners, and receipt of HPV vaccine were not predictors of intent for future cervical cancer screening. Instead, only a history of a prior Pap test was a significant positive predictor and only a decisional satisfaction of 'neutral' (Likert score = 3) for any of the four decisional satisfaction elements was a significant negative predictor. For the decisional satisfaction element "best for me personally", there was a 78% decreased likelihood of intending to participate in future screening if the satisfaction was neutral rather than firm (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.05-0.91) and a 26 fold increased likelihood if she had had a prior Pap test (aOR = 26, 95% CI: 5-133).

CONCLUSIONS

HPV vaccination implementation programs must help women be the owner of their decision around HPV vaccination and understand the importance of future participation in cervical cancer screening.