scholarly journals The impact of episodic screening interruption: COVID-19 and population-based cancer screening in Canada

2020 ◽  
pp. 096914132097471
Author(s):  
Jean HE Yong ◽  
James G Mainprize ◽  
Martin J Yaffe ◽  
Yibing Ruan ◽  
Abbey E Poirier ◽  
...  

Background Population-based cancer screening can reduce cancer burden but was interrupted temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated the long-term clinical impact of breast and colorectal cancer screening interruptions in Canada using a validated mathematical model. Methods We used the OncoSim breast and colorectal cancers microsimulation models to explore scenarios of primary screening stops for 3, 6, and 12 months followed by 6–24-month transition periods of reduced screening volumes. For breast cancer, we estimated changes in cancer incidence over time, additional advanced-stage cases diagnosed, and excess cancer deaths in 2020–2029. For colorectal cancer, we estimated changes in cancer incidence over time, undiagnosed advanced adenomas and colorectal cancers in 2020, and lifetime excess cancer incidence and deaths. Results Our simulations projected a surge of cancer cases when screening resumes. For breast cancer screening, a three-month interruption could increase cases diagnosed at advanced stages (310 more) and cancer deaths (110 more) in 2020–2029. A six-month interruption could lead to 670 extra advanced cancers and 250 additional cancer deaths. For colorectal cancers, a six-month suspension of primary screening could increase cancer incidence by 2200 cases with 960 more cancer deaths over the lifetime. Longer interruptions, and reduced volumes when screening resumes, would further increase excess cancer deaths. Conclusions Interruptions in cancer screening will lead to additional cancer deaths, additional advanced cancers diagnosed, and a surge in demand for downstream resources when screening resumes. An effective strategy is needed to minimize potential harm to people who missed their screening.

Author(s):  
Raziye ÖZDEMIR ◽  
Fatma TÜRKMEN ÇEVIK ◽  
Duygu KES ◽  
Merve KARACALI ◽  
Simge ÖZGÜNER

Background: Cervix, breast and colorectal cancers are included in the national population-based screening (PBS) program in Turkey. This study aimed to assess participation in PBSs for these cancers and to identify factors associated with participation in screenings in Safranbolu district of Karabuk, Turkey in 2016-2017. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, separate studying groups for cervix, breast and colorectal cancers were identified, taking into account the target age range specified in the national screening standards. The sample size was determined to be 374 for cervical cancer, 371 for breast cancer and 373 for colorectal cancer in the Epi-Info StatCalc program with a prevalence of 50%, a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and a 5% error margin. The results of the data collected through face-to-face interview using questionnaires were evaluated with Chisquare tests (P<0.05) and included in the binary logistic regression model. Results: Participation in PBS at least once between 2011 and 2016 years was 26.2% for cervical cancer, 27.6% for breast cancer and 31.6% for colorectal cancer, whereas the level of PBS or opportunistic screening at least once was 51.1%, 42.7% and 32.2%, respectively. A 2.9-fold increase in participation for the cervical cancer screening was associated with informing women about cervical cancer by the family physicians. Being married and living in the district center showed associations with a higher rate of participation for colorectal cancer screening. Conclusion: Participation in PBS was low for the 5.5-year period. More effort is needed to increase the effectiveness of the program.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6501-6501
Author(s):  
Jade Zhou ◽  
Shelly Kane ◽  
Celia Ramsey ◽  
Melody Ann Akhondzadeh ◽  
Ananya Banerjee ◽  
...  

6501 Background: Effective cancer screening leads to a substantial increase in the detection of earlier stages of cancer, while decreasing the incidence of later stage cancer diagnoses. Timely screening programs are critical in reducing cancer-related mortality in both breast and colorectal cancer by detecting tumors at an early, curable stage. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the postponement or cancellation of many screening procedures, due to both patient fears of exposures within the healthcare system as well as the cancellation of some elective procedures. We sought to identify how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the incidence of early and late stage breast and colorectal cancer diagnoses at our institution. Methods: We examined staging for all patients presenting to UCSD at first presentation for a new diagnosis of malignancy or second opinion in 2019 and 2020. Treating clinicians determined the stage at presentation for all patients using an AJCC staging module (8th edition) in the electronic medical record (Epic). We compared stage distribution at presentation in 2019 vs 2020, both for cancers overall and for colorectal and breast cancer, because these cancers are frequently detected by screening. Results: Total numbers of new patient visits for malignancy were similar in 2019 and 2020 (1894 vs 1915 pts), and stage distribution for all cancer patients was similar (stage I 32% in 2019 vs 29% in 2020; stage IV 26% in both 2019 and 2020). For patients with breast cancer, we saw a lower number of patients presenting with stage I disease (64% in 2019 vs 51% in 2020) and a higher number presenting with stage IV (2% vs 6%). Similar findings were seen in colorectal cancer (stage I: 22% vs 16%; stage IV: 6% vs 18%). Conclusions: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in incidence of late stage presentation of colorectal and breast cancer, corresponding with a decrease in early stage presentation of these cancers at our institution. Cancer screening is integral to cancer prevention and control, specifically in colorectal and breast cancers which are often detected by screening, and the disruption of screening services has had a significant impact on our patients. We plan to continue following these numbers closely, and will present data from the first half of 2021 as it becomes available.


2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (6) ◽  
pp. 2182-2188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakob Dal ◽  
Michelle Z Leisner ◽  
Kasper Hermansen ◽  
Dóra Körmendiné Farkas ◽  
Mads Bengtsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Acromegaly has been associated with increased risk of cancer morbidity and mortality, but research findings remain conflicting and population-based data are scarce. We therefore examined whether patients with acromegaly are at higher risk of cancer. Design A nationwide cohort study (1978 to 2010) including 529 acromegaly cases was performed. Incident cancer diagnoses and mortality were compared with national rates estimating standardized incidence ratios (SIRs). A meta-analysis of cancer SIRs from 23 studies (including the present one) was performed. Results The cohort study identified 81 cases of cancer after exclusion of cases diagnosed within the first year [SIR 1.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.9 to 1.4]. SIRs were 1.4 (95% CI, 0.7 to 2.6) for colorectal cancer, 1.1 (95% CI, 0.5 to 2.1) for breast cancer, and 1.4 (95% CI, 0.6 to 2.6) for prostate cancer. Whereas overall mortality was elevated in acromegaly (SIR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.6), cancer-specific mortality was not. The meta-analysis yielded an SIR of overall cancer of 1.5 (95% CI, 1.2 to 1.8). SIRs were elevated for colorectal cancer, 2.6 (95% CI, 1.7 to 4.0); thyroid cancer, 9.2 (95% CI, 4.2 to 19.9); breast cancer, 1.6 (1.1 to 2.3); gastric cancer, 2.0 (95% CI, 1.4 to 2.9); and urinary tract cancer, 1.5 (95% CI, 1.0 to 2.3). In general, cancer SIR was higher in single-center studies and in studies with &lt;10 cancer cases. Conclusions Cancer incidence rates were slightly elevated in patients with acromegaly in our study, and this finding was supported by the meta-analysis of 23 studies, although it also suggested the presence of selection bias in some earlier studies.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3599-3599
Author(s):  
David Mansouri ◽  
Donald C. Mcmillan ◽  
Emilia M Crighton ◽  
Paul G Horgan

3599 Background: Population-based FOBt colorectal cancer screening has been shown to reduce cancer specific mortality and is used across the UK. Despite evidence that socioeconomic deprivation is associated with increased incidence of colorectal cancer, uptake of screening may be lower in those who are more deprived. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of deprivation on the screening process. Methods: A prospectively maintained database, encompassing the first screening round in a single geographical area, was analysed with deprivation categories calculated from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2009. Results: Overall, 395,698 individuals were invited to screening, 204,812(52%) participated and 6,094(3%) tested positive. 32% of screened individuals were in the most deprived quintile. Of the positive tests, 5,457(95%) agreed to be pre-assessed for colonoscopy. 839(16%) did not proceed to colonoscopy following pre-assessment. Of the 4,618 that attended for colonoscopy, cancer was detected in 7%. Colonoscopy results were not recorded in 1,035(22%) cases. Lower uptake of screening was seen in males, those that were younger and those who were more deprived (p<0.001). Higher levels of deprivation were also associated with not proceeding to colonoscopy following pre-assessment (p<0.001). Higher positivity rates were seen in males, those that were older and more deprived (p<0.001). Despite higher positivity rates in the more deprived individuals (4% most deprived vs 2% least deprived, p<0.001), the positive predictive value of detecting cancer in those attending for colonoscopy was lower in those who were more deprived (6% most deprived vs 8% least deprived, p=0.040). Conclusions: Socioeconomic deprivation has a significant effect throughout the FOBt screening process. Individuals who are more deprived are less likely to participate in screening, less likely to complete the screening process and less likely to have cancer identified as a result of a positive test. This study adds further weight to existing evidence that individuals who are more deprived are less likely to engage in population-based FOBt colorectal cancer screening. Novel strategies to improve this are required.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1566-1566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lola Rahib ◽  
Mackenzie Wehner ◽  
Lynn McCormick Matrisian ◽  
Kevin Thomas Nead

1566 Background: Coping with the current and future burden of cancer requires an in-depth understanding of cancer incidence and death trends. As of 2020, breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer are the most incident cancers, while lung, colorectal, pancreas, and breast cancer result in the most deaths. Here we integrate observed cancer statistics and trends with observed and estimated US demographic data to project cancer incidences and deaths to the year 2040. Methods: Demographic cancer-specific delay-adjusted incidence and death rates from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (2014-2016) were combined with US Census Bureau population growth projections (2016) and average annual percentage changes in incidence (2011-2015) and death (2012-2016) rates to project cancer incidences and deaths through the year 2040. We examined the 10 most incident and deadly cancers as of 2020. We utilized Joinpoint analysis to examine changes in incidence and death rates over time relative to changes in screening guidelines. Results: We predict the most incident cancers in 2040 in the US will be breast (322,000 diagnoses in 2040) and lung (182,000 diagnoses in 2040) cancer. Continuing decades long observed incident rate trends we predict that melanoma (173,000 diagnoses in 2040) will become the 3rd most common cancer while prostate cancer (63,000 diagnoses in 2040) will become the 5th most common cancer after colorectal cancer (139,000 diagnoses in 2040). Lung cancer (61,000 deaths in 2040) is predicted to continue to be the leading cause of cancer related death, with pancreas (45,000 deaths in 2040) and liver & intrahepatic bile duct (38,000 deaths in 2040) cancer surpassing colorectal cancer (34,000 deaths in 2040) to become the second and third most common causes of cancer related death, respectively. Breast cancer deaths (29,000 in 2040) are predicted to continue to decrease and become the fifth most common cause of cancer death. Joinpoint analysis of incidence and death rates supports a significant past, present, and future impact of cancer screening programs on the number of cancer diagnoses and deaths, particularly for prostate, thyroid, melanoma incidences, and lung cancer deaths. Conclusions: We demonstrate marked changes in the predicted landscape of cancer incidence and deaths by 2040. Our analysis reveals an influence of cancer screening programs on the number of cancer diagnoses and deaths in future years. These projections are important to guide future research funding allocations, healthcare planning, and health policy efforts.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srikanth Kadiyala ◽  
Erin Strumpf

Abstract We estimate the marginal benefits of population-based cancer screening by comparing cancer test and detection rates on either side of US guideline-recommended initiation ages (age 40 for breast cancer and age 50 for colorectal cancer during the study period). Using a regression discontinuity design and self-reported test data from national health surveys, we find test rates for breast and colorectal cancer increase at the guideline age thresholds by 109% and 78%, respectively. Data from cancer registries in twelve US states indicate that cancer detection rates increase at the same thresholds by 50% and 49%, respectively. We estimate significant effects of screening on earlier breast cancer detection (1.2 cases/1000 screened) at age 40 and colorectal cancer detection (1.1 cases/1000 individuals screened) at age 50. Forty-eight and 73% of the increases in breast and colorectal case detection occur among middle-stage cancers (localized and regional) with most of the remainder among early-stage (in-situ). Our analysis suggests that the cost of detecting an asymptomatic case of breast cancer at age 40 via population-based screening is $107,000–134,000 and that the cost of detecting an asymptomatic case of colorectal cancer at age 50 is $473,000–485,000.


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