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Menon U, Weller D, Falborg AZ, Jensen H, Butler J, Barisic A, Knudsen AK, Bergin RJ, Brewster DH, Cairnduff V, Fourkala EO, Gavin AT, Grunfeld E, Harland E, Kalsi J, Law RJ, Lin Y, Turner D, Neal RD, White V, Harrison S, Reguilon I, Lynch C, Vedsted P. Diagnostic routes and time intervals for ovarian cancer in nine international jurisdictions; findings from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP). Br J Cancer 2022; 127:844-854. [PMID: 35618787 PMCID: PMC9427750 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01844-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership Module 4 reports the first international comparison of ovarian cancer (OC) diagnosis routes and intervals (symptom onset to treatment start), which may inform previously reported variations in survival and stage. METHODS Data were collated from 1110 newly diagnosed OC patients aged >40 surveyed between 2013 and 2015 across five countries (51-272 per jurisdiction), their primary-care physicians (PCPs) and cancer treatment specialists, supplement by treatment records or clinical databases. Diagnosis routes and time interval differences using quantile regression with reference to Denmark (largest survey response) were calculated. RESULTS There were no significant jurisdictional differences in the proportion diagnosed with symptoms on the Goff Symptom Index (53%; P = 0.179) or National Institute for Health and Care Excellence NG12 guidelines (62%; P = 0.946). Though the main diagnosis route consistently involved primary-care presentation (63-86%; P = 0.068), onward urgent referral rates varied significantly (29-79%; P < 0.001). In most jurisdictions, diagnostic intervals were generally shorter and other intervals, in particular, treatment longer compared to Denmark. CONCLUSION This study highlights key intervals in the diagnostic pathway where improvements could be made. It provides the opportunity to consider the systems and approaches across different jurisdictions that might allow for more timely ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha Menon
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials & Methodology, University College London, London, UK.
| | - David Weller
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - John Butler
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Anne Kari Knudsen
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo, Norway
- University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rebecca J Bergin
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David H Brewster
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Cancer Registry, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Victoria Cairnduff
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Evangelia Ourania Fourkala
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Women's Cancer, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anna T Gavin
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Eva Grunfeld
- Health Services Research Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Harland
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jatinderpal Kalsi
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Women's Cancer, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca-Jane Law
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Wrexham, UK
| | - Yulan Lin
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo, Norway
| | - Donna Turner
- Population Oncology, Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Richard D Neal
- Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Victoria White
- School of Psychology Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Behavioral Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Samantha Harrison
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, Cancer Research UK, Stratford, UK
| | - Irene Reguilon
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, Cancer Research UK, Stratford, UK
| | - Charlotte Lynch
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, Cancer Research UK, Stratford, UK
| | - Peter Vedsted
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, Cancer Research UK, Stratford, UK
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2
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Lynch C, Reguilon I, Langer DL, Lane D, De P, Wong WL, Mckiddie F, Ross A, Shack L, Win T, Marshall C, Revheim ME, Danckert B, Butler J, Dizdarevic S, Louzado C, Mcgivern C, Hazlett A, Chew C, O'connell M, Harrison S. A comparative analysis: international variation in PET-CT service provision in oncology-an International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership study. Int J Qual Health Care 2021; 33:6030987. [PMID: 33306102 PMCID: PMC7896108 DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzaa166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore differences in position emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) service provision internationally to further understand the impact variation may have upon cancer services. To identify areas of further exploration for researchers and policymakers to optimize PET-CT services and improve the quality of cancer services. Design Comparative analysis using data based on pre-defined PET-CT service metrics from PET-CT stakeholders across seven countries. This was further informed via document analysis of clinical indication guidance and expert consensus through round-table discussions of relevant PET-CT stakeholders. Descriptive comparative analyses were produced on use, capacity and indication guidance for PET-CT services between jurisdictions. Setting PET-CT services across 21 jurisdictions in seven countries (Australia, Denmark, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and the UK). Participants None. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) None. Results PET-CT service provision has grown over the period 2006–2017, but scale of increase in capacity and demand is variable. Clinical indication guidance varied across countries, particularly for small-cell lung cancer staging and the specific acknowledgement of gastric cancer within oesophagogastric cancers. There is limited and inconsistent data capture, coding, accessibility and availability of PET-CT activity across countries studied. Conclusions Variation in PET-CT scanner quantity, acquisition over time and guidance upon use exists internationally. There is a lack of routinely captured and accessible PET-CT data across the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership countries due to inconsistent data definitions, data linkage issues, uncertain coverage of data and lack of specific coding. This is a barrier in improving the quality of PET-CT services globally. There needs to be greater, richer data capture of diagnostic and staging tools to facilitate learning of best practice and optimize cancer services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Lynch
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP), Policy & Information, Cancer Research UK, 2 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ, UK
| | - Irene Reguilon
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP), Policy & Information, Cancer Research UK, 2 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ, UK.,Brand & Strategy, eConsult Health Ltd, 46-48 East Street, Surrey, KT17 1HQ, UK
| | - Deanna L Langer
- Cancer Imaging, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), 620 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2L7, Canada
| | - Damon Lane
- Radiology, Pacific Radiology, 123 Victoria Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
| | - Prithwish De
- Surveillance and Cancer Registry, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), 620 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2L7, Canada
| | - Wai-Lup Wong
- Nuclear Medicine, Mount Vernon Hospital, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, HA6 2RN, UK
| | - Fergus Mckiddie
- Nuclear Medicine and PET Department, NHS Grampian, 2 Eday Road, Aberdeen AB15 6RE, UK
| | - Andrew Ross
- Dalhousie Medical School, Dalhousie University, 6299 South Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Lorraine Shack
- Surveillance and Reporting, Alberta Health Services (Cancer Control Alberta), 10030-107 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 3E4, Canada
| | - Thida Win
- General and Respiratory Medicine, Lister Hospital, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, SG1 4AB, UK
| | - Christopher Marshall
- Wales Research and Diagnostic PET Imaging Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff University School of Medicine Health Park, Cardiff, CF14, 4XN, UK
| | - Mona-Eliszabeth Revheim
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Pb 4950 Nydalen, Oslo, 0424, Norway
| | - Bolette Danckert
- Research Centre, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100 Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - John Butler
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP), Policy & Information, Cancer Research UK, 2 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ, UK.,Gynaecology Department, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, 203 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Sabina Dizdarevic
- Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital Trust, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1ES, United Kingdom and Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex and Brighton, London Road, Brighton, BN1 4GE, UK
| | - Cheryl Louzado
- Strategy Implementation Planning & Partner Relations, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, 145 King St, Toronto, ON M5H 1J8, Canada
| | - Canice Mcgivern
- Department of Regional Medical Physics, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, 83 Shankill Road, Belfast, BT13 1FD, UK
| | - Anne Hazlett
- Department of Regional Medical Physics, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, 83 Shankill Road, Belfast, BT13 1FD, UK
| | - Cindy Chew
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Martin O'connell
- Radiology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin, DO7 R2WY, Ireland
| | - Samantha Harrison
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP), Policy & Information, Cancer Research UK, 2 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ, UK
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3
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Menon U, Vedsted P, Zalounina Falborg A, Jensen H, Harrison S, Reguilon I, Barisic A, Bergin RJ, Brewster DH, Butler J, Brustugun OT, Bucher O, Cairnduff V, Gavin A, Grunfeld E, Harland E, Kalsi J, Knudsen AK, Lambe M, Law RJ, Lin Y, Malmberg M, Turner D, Neal RD, White V, Weller D. Time intervals and routes to diagnosis for lung cancer in 10 jurisdictions: cross-sectional study findings from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP). BMJ Open 2019; 9:e025895. [PMID: 31776134 PMCID: PMC6886977 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Differences in time intervals to diagnosis and treatment between jurisdictions may contribute to previously reported differences in stage at diagnosis and survival. The International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership Module 4 reports the first international comparison of routes to diagnosis and time intervals from symptom onset until treatment start for patients with lung cancer. DESIGN Newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer, their primary care physicians (PCPs) and cancer treatment specialists (CTSs) were surveyed in Victoria (Australia), Manitoba and Ontario (Canada), Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales (UK), Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Using Wales as the reference jurisdiction, the 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles for intervals were compared using quantile regression adjusted for age, gender and comorbidity. PARTICIPANTS Consecutive newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer, aged ≥40 years, diagnosed between October 2012 and March 2015 were identified through cancer registries. Of 10 203 eligible symptomatic patients contacted, 2631 (27.5%) responded and 2143 (21.0%) were included in the analysis. Data were also available from 1211 (56.6%) of their PCPs and 643 (37.0%) of their CTS. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Interval lengths (days; primary), routes to diagnosis and symptoms (secondary). RESULTS With the exception of Denmark (-49 days), in all other jurisdictions, the median adjusted total interval from symptom onset to treatment, for respondents diagnosed in 2012-2015, was similar to that of Wales (116 days). Denmark had shorter median adjusted primary care interval (-11 days) than Wales (20 days); Sweden had shorter (-20) and Manitoba longer (+40) median adjusted diagnostic intervals compared with Wales (45 days). Denmark (-13), Manitoba (-11), England (-9) and Northern Ireland (-4) had shorter median adjusted treatment intervals than Wales (43 days). The differences were greater for the 10% of patients who waited the longest. Based on overall trends, jurisdictions could be grouped into those with trends of reduced, longer and similar intervals to Wales. The proportion of patients diagnosed following presentation to the PCP ranged from 35% to 75%. CONCLUSION There are differences between jurisdictions in interval to treatment, which are magnified in patients with lung cancer who wait the longest. The data could help jurisdictions develop more focused lung cancer policy and targeted clinical initiatives. Future analysis will explore if these differences in intervals impact on stage or survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha Menon
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Andriana Barisic
- Department of Prevention and Cancer Control, Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rebecca J Bergin
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David H Brewster
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Cancer Registry, Information Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Oliver Bucher
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Victoria Cairnduff
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Anna Gavin
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Eva Grunfeld
- Health Services Research Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Harland
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Anne Kari Knudsen
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Olso University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mats Lambe
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Regional Oncologic Center, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rebecca-Jane Law
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Wrexham, UK
| | - Yulan Lin
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Olso University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Martin Malmberg
- Department of Oncology, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Donna Turner
- Population Oncology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Richard D Neal
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Wrexham, UK
- Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Victoria White
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Weller
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
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4
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Tørring ML, Falborg AZ, Jensen H, Neal RD, Weller D, Reguilon I, Menon U, Vedsted P, Almberg SS, Anandan C, Barisic A, Boylan J, Cairnduff V, Donnelly C, Fourkala EO, Gavin A, Grunfeld E, Hammersley V, Hawryluk B, Kearney T, Kelly J, Knudsen AK, Lambe M, Law R, Lin Y, Malmberg M, Moore K, Turner D, White V. Advanced‐stage cancer and time to diagnosis: An International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) cross‐sectional study. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2019; 28:e13100. [DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie L. Tørring
- Department of Anthropology, School of Culture and Society Aarhus University Højbjerg Denmark
| | - Alina Z. Falborg
- Research Unit for General Practice Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Richard D. Neal
- Academic Unit of Primary Care, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences University of Leeds Leeds UK
| | - David Weller
- Centre for Population Health Sciences University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| | | | - Usha Menon
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Women's Health University College London London UK
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care Aarhus C Denmark
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5
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Weller D, Menon U, Zalounina Falborg A, Jensen H, Barisic A, Knudsen AK, Bergin RJ, Brewster DH, Cairnduff V, Gavin AT, Grunfeld E, Harland E, Lambe M, Law RJ, Lin Y, Malmberg M, Turner D, Neal RD, White V, Harrison S, Reguilon I, Vedsted P. Diagnostic routes and time intervals for patients with colorectal cancer in 10 international jurisdictions; findings from a cross-sectional study from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP). BMJ Open 2018; 8:e023870. [PMID: 30482749 PMCID: PMC6278806 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE International differences in colorectal cancer (CRC) survival and stage at diagnosis have been reported previously. They may be linked to differences in time intervals and routes to diagnosis. The International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership Module 4 (ICBP M4) reports the first international comparison of routes to diagnosis for patients with CRC and the time intervals from symptom onset until the start of treatment. Data came from patients in 10 jurisdictions across six countries (Canada, the UK, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Australia). DESIGN Patients with CRC were identified via cancer registries. Data on symptomatic and screened patients were collected; questionnaire data from patients' primary care physicians and specialists, as well as information from treatment records or databases, supplemented patient data from the questionnaires. Routes to diagnosis and the key time intervals were described, as were between-jurisdiction differences in time intervals, using quantile regression. PARTICIPANTS A total of 14 664 eligible patients with CRC diagnosed between 2013 and 2015 were identified, of which 2866 were included in the analyses. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Interval lengths in days (primary), reported patient symptoms (secondary). RESULTS The main route to diagnosis for patients was symptomatic presentation and the most commonly reported symptom was 'bleeding/blood in stool'. The median intervals between jurisdictions ranged from: 21 to 49 days (patient); 0 to 12 days (primary care); 27 to 76 days (diagnostic); and 77 to 168 days (total, from first symptom to treatment start). Including screen-detected cases did not significantly alter the overall results. CONCLUSION ICBP M4 demonstrates important differences in time intervals between 10 jurisdictions internationally. The differences may justify efforts to reduce intervals in some jurisdictions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Usha Menon
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit and Instittue of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andriana Barisic
- Prevention and Cancer Control, Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne Kari Knudsen
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rebecca J Bergin
- Centre for Behavioral Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David H Brewster
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Cancer Registry, Information Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Victoria Cairnduff
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Anna T Gavin
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Eva Grunfeld
- Health Services Research Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Harland
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Mats Lambe
- Regional Cancer Center Uppsala and Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rebecca-Jane Law
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor Institute for Health and Medical Research, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Yulan Lin
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Martin Malmberg
- Department of Oncology, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Donna Turner
- Population Oncology, Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Richard D Neal
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor Institute for Health and Medical Research, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
- Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Victoria White
- Centre for Behavioral Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Psychology, Deakin University School of Psychology, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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6
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Reguilon I, Robinson D, Butler J, Harrison S. Understanding International Variation in Cancer-Specific 'Access to Diagnostics' Data and Steps Toward Cohesive Cancer Intelligence Frameworks: An International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) Study. J Glob Oncol 2018. [DOI: 10.1200/jgo.18.55200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Robust and accurate data underpins cancer research, planning, control and comparisons; it shapes the policies and structures of health systems internationally. Access to diagnostics is crucial for timely cancer diagnosis and treatment planning as previous evidence has shown that delays in diagnosis can impact cancer outcomes. It is possible that differences in cancer outcomes internationally are a consequence of differing levels of access to diagnostic tests. By better understanding variation in this access, this relationship can be further explored. However, diagnostic data availability is not currently well documented. Aim: The primary goal of this exercise was to identify already existing routine or national datasets exploring 'access' variables relating to diagnostics for imaging and endoscopy tests. These access variables included capacity, use, workforce, location and financial factors, and where possible specific to the cancer population. Secondly, to address what high-income countries need to improve to fulfill the existing criteria for 'cancer intelligence frameworks', such as those set out by the National Health Service in England. Methods: Mixed methods including online searches and discussion with local contacts were used to explore key diagnostic data variables across the seven participating countries of ICBP phase 2 (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and the UK). Results: Gaps and inconsistencies in diagnostics data were identified in each country. These key issues make comparisons within and between countries challenging: inconsistent definitions, collection at different levels within a health system, and queries about the coverage, reliability, and linkage of data (especially for cancer) were raised. The usage and allocation of workforce is also poorly documented, and a lack of appropriate infrastructure raised as a key barrier to better collection of data. Currently, most countries do not have a centralised data collection organization, and there are no international or standardized definitions for the diagnostic data that should be collected and could be compared. Conclusion: Health data are disparately collected internationally, with little diagnostics data that can be linked to cancer populations. The data sources and gaps identified add weight to existing efforts to improve data collections and health service planning. International agreement on the key performance indicators, their definitions and how best to organize collected data are required to address gaps and enable robust comparisons. These definitions and an understanding of best practice will be useful for middle- and low-income countries who want to develop or start collecting cancer-specific data. Existing 'cancer intelligence' frameworks could be adapted for international use, but rely on the agreement and adoption of standardized definitions and metrics for the cancer population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - J. Butler
- Cancer Research UK, London, United Kingdom
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