Is Colorectal Cancer Screening Appropriate in Nigeria?

Application of fecal immunochemical test in colorectal cancer screening: A community-based, cross-sectional study in average-risk individuals in Hainan

BACKGROUND

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in China is steadily rising, with a high proportion of advanced-stage diagnoses. This highlights the significance of early detection and prevention measures to enhance survival rates. Fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is a globally recommended CRC screening method; however, limited research has been conducted on its application in Hainan.

AIM

To assess the efficacy and adherence of FIT screening among average-risk individuals in Hainan, while also examining the risk factors associated with positive FIT results.

METHODS

This population-based cross-sectional study implemented FIT screening for CRC in 2000 asymptomatic participants aged 40-75 years from five cities and 21 community health centers in Hainan Province. The study was conducted from August 2022 to April 2023, employing a stratified sampling method to select participants. Individuals with positive FIT results subsequently underwent colonoscopy. Positive predictive values for confirmed CRC and advanced adenoma were calculated, and the relationship between relevant variables and positive FIT results was analyzed using χ 2 tests and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 1788 participants completed the FIT screening, with a median age of 57 years (interquartile range: 40-75). Among them, 503 (28.1%) were males, and 1285 (71.9%) were females, resulting in an 89.4% compliance rate for FIT screening. The overall positivity rate of FIT was 4.4% [79 out of 1788; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3%-5%]. The specific positivity rates for Haikou, Sanya, Orient City, Qionghai City, and Wuzhishan City were 9.6% (45 of 468; 95%CI: 8%-11%), 1.3% (6 of 445; 95%CI: 0.1%-3.1%), 2.7% (8 of 293; 95%CI: 1.2%-4.3%), 3.3% (9 of 276; 95%CI: 1.0%-6.3%), and 4.2% (11 of 406; 95%CI: 1.2%-7.3%), respectively. Significant associations were found between age, dietary habits, and positive FIT results. Out of the 79 participants with positive FIT results, 55 underwent colonoscopy, demonstrating an 82.2% compliance rate. Among them, 10 had a clean gastrointestinal tract, 43 had polyps or adenomas, and 2 were confirmed to have CRC, yielding a positive predictive value of 3.6% (95%CI: 0.9%-4.2%). Among the 43 participants with polyps or adenomas, 8 were diagnosed with advanced adenomas, resulting in an advanced adenoma rate of 14.5% (95%CI: 10.1%-17.7%).

CONCLUSION

In the Hainan region, FIT screening for CRC among asymptomatic individuals at average risk is feasible and well-received.

High-burden Cancers in Middle-income Countries: A Review of Prevention and Early Detection Strategies Targeting At-risk Populations

Cancer incidence is rising in low- and especially middle-income countries (MIC), driven primarily by four high-burden cancers (breast, cervix, lung, colorectal). By 2030, more than two-thirds of all cancer deaths will occur in MICs. Prevention and early detection are required alongside efforts to improve access to cancer treatment. Successful strategies for decreasing cancer mortality in high-income countries are not always effective, feasible or affordable in other countries. In this review, we evaluate strategies for prevention and early detection of breast, cervix, lung, and colorectal cancers, focusing on modifiable risk factors and high-risk subpopulations. Tobacco taxation, human papilloma virus vaccination, cervical cancer screen-and-treat strategies, and efforts to reduce patient and health system-related delays in the early detection of breast and colorectal cancer represent the highest yield strategies for advancing cancer control in many MICs. An initial focus on high-risk populations is appropriate, with increasing population coverage as resources allow. These strategies can deliver significant cancer mortality gains, and serve as a foundation from which countries can develop comprehensive cancer control programs. Investment in national cancer surveillance infrastructure is needed; the absence of national cancer data to identify at-risk groups remains a barrier to the development of context-specific cancer control strategies.

Healthcare utilisation, cancer screening and potential barriers to accessing cancer care in rural South West Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Cancer burden is predicted to double by 2030 in sub-Saharan Africa; access to healthcare services for cancer management is a priority in the region. In Nigeria, National Cancer Control Plan aims to ensure >50% cancer screening of eligible populations by 2022 for all Nigerians. We describe healthcare utilisation, cancer screening activities and potential barriers to accessing cancer care within an understudied rural community-based adult population in South West Nigeria.

METHODS

In April 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional study of community-based adults (>18 years) ~130 km east of Ibadan, 250 km from Lagos in Osun State, South West Nigeria. Participants completed a face-to-face survey in local dialect. We used a questionnaire to assess demographics, health status, income, medical expenditures, doctor visits and cancer screening history.

RESULTS

We enrolled 346 individuals: with median age of 52 years and 75% women. Of the entire cohort, 4% had medical insurance. 46% reported a major medical cost in the last year. Cancer screening activities were infrequent in eligible participants: 1.5% reported having had cervical cancer screening, 3.3% mammogram and 5% colonoscopy screening. Cancer screening assessment was less frequent in those with less income and lower education levels. Using a multivariable logistic regression model including personal income, insurance status and education, higher personal income was associated with more cancer screening activity (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.7, p<0.01). Despite this, most individuals had contact with a primary healthcare doctor (52% in the last year), and over 70% access to radio and TV suggesting the opportunity to expand community-based screening interventions and awareness exists.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite national increases in cancer cases, we highlight a deficiency in cancer screening and universal healthcare coverage within a community-based adult Nigerian population. Subject to availability of governmental resources, increasing financial risk protection, awareness and targeted resource allocation may help expand access in Nigeria.

Demographic, clinical and pathological characterisation of patients with colorectal and anal cancer followed between 2013 and 2016 at Maputo Central Hospital, Mozambique

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate colorectal cancer (CRC) data and anal cancer data from Maputo Central Hospital (MCH), the largest hospital and a reference for oncological diseases in Mozambique, with the aim of characterising the disease profile in view to define an appropriate control programme.

Methods

MCH records from the Pathology and Surgery Services and MCH Cancer Registry database were assessed to obtain retrospective clinical and pathologic data of patients with CRC or anal cancer admitted to and treated between 13 December 2013 and 23 March 2016.

Results

The female gender was more prevalent (54.8%), even when anal cancers were excluded. Median age was 54 years (20–99). Most patients (51.6%) lived in the city of Maputo. The most common presenting symptom was found to be rectal bleeding. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histological type, and the most prevalent anatomical site was the rectum. Most of the cases were diagnosed at MCH in advanced stages. Colostomy was the most frequent surgical procedure and performed in 38.7% of the patients. Most cases of anal cancer occurred in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Most patients had a poor prognosis due to advanced stage at first diagnosis.

Conclusion

We observed an increase in cases of CRC and anal cancer in Mozambique and mostly diagnosed at advanced stages, which anticipates a dismal prognosis. Our data supports the urgent need of a comprehensive public health programme dedicated to solving this growing concern.

Patterns of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Among Nigerians and African Americans

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence rates are increasing among individuals < 50 years of age (early-onset CRC) globally with causes unknown. Racial/ethnic disparities in early-onset CRC have also grown more pronounced, because Black individuals have higher early-onset CRC incidence and poorer survival compared with White individuals. We describe the prevalence and burden of early-onset CRC among Africans in Nigeria and African Americans (AAs) in the United States.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified Black individuals diagnosed with a first primary CRC ages 18 to 49 years between 1989 and 2017 at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, Nigeria (Nigerians), and in the United States (AAs) using the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute's SEER program of cancer registries. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate clinical and demographic differences between Nigerians and AAs with early-onset CRC, adjusted for age, sex, tumor site, and histology.

RESULTS

A total of 5,019 Black individuals were diagnosed with early-onset CRC over the study period (379 Nigerians; 4,640 AAs). Overall, approximately one third of young Black patients were diagnosed with rectal tumors (35.8%). Nigerian individuals with early-onset CRC were eight-fold more likely to be diagnosed with rectal tumors (odds ratio [OR], 8.14; 95% CI, 6.23 to 10.62; P < .0001) and more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.89; P < .0001) compared with young African Americans in adjusted models.

CONCLUSION

Compared with AA individuals diagnosed with early-onset CRC, Nigerian individuals harbor distinct features of early-onset CRC. Additional investigation of the histopathologic and biologic heterogeneity of early-onset CRCs among Black individuals is critical for understanding racial disparities in susceptibility and outcomes, which may have implications for tailored early-onset CRC prevention, detection, and treatment strategies.