scholarly journals Developing a Priority Scoring Index for Mobile Mammography Sites: Considerations for Screening Access in Rural and Remote Settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 107327481988327
Author(s):  
Emma McKim Mitchell ◽  
Fabian Camacho

Geographic location continues to be an important indicator in incidence of, access to treatment for, and mortality from breast cancer. Disparities in access to screening and early detection persist in Appalachian Virginia. We developed an index to identify sites which would most benefit from increased frequency of mobile mammography visits, based on geographically relevant population-level risk factors (late stage of tumor diagnosis) and accessibility risk factors (access to FDA [US Food and Drug Administration] mammography sites, access of women aged 50+ years to primary care physicians at existing mobile sites). These 4 components for the Priority Index were subsequently standardized and multiplied to importance weights. The percentage of mammograms performed in the target geographic region has increased each year, respectively. This article presents methodological considerations for developing a priority algorithm to increase access to breast cancer early screening and detection for vulnerable women.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Abdul Baker Chowdhury ◽  
Mirajul Islam ◽  
Jakia Rahman ◽  
Mohammed Taj Uddin ◽  
Md Rabiul Haque ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To examine the change in hypertension prevalence and risk factors among adults in Bangladesh. Methods Cross-sectional analysis was conducted using nationally representative two waves of the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) in 2011 and 2018. Survey participants were adults 18 years or older- which included detailed biomarker and anthropometric measurements of 23539 study participants. The change in prevalence of hypertension was estimated, and adjusted odds ratios were obtained using multivariable logistic regression models. Findings From 2011 to 2018, the hypertension prevalence among adults aged ≥35 years increased from 25.84% to 39.40% (p<0.001), with the largest relative increase (97%) among obese individuals. The prevalence of hypertension among women remained higher than men whereas the relative increase among men and women were 75% and 39%, respectively. Regression analysis identified age and BMI as the independent risk factors of hypertension. Other risk factors of hypertension were sex, marital status, education, geographic region, wealth index, and diabetes status in both survey years. Female adults experienced significantly higher hypertension risk in the overall analysis in both survey years, however, in the subgroup analysis gender difference in hypertension risk was not significant in rural 2011 and urban 2018 samples. Conclusion A substantial increase was observed in prevalence of hypertension among Bangladeshi adults and there is no subgroup in which it is decreasing. Population-level approaches directed at adults with hypertension are needed to improve risk factors to prevent hypertension.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 126 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Enright ◽  
T. Desai ◽  
R. Sutradhar ◽  
A. Gonzalez ◽  
M. Powis ◽  
...  

Background Overuse of surveillance imaging in patients after curative treatment for early breast cancer (ebc) was recently identified as one of the Choosing Wisely Canada initiatives to improve the quality of cancer care. We undertook a population-level examination of imaging practices in Ontario as they existed before the launch of that initiative.Methods Patients diagnosed with ebc between 2006 and 2010 in Ontario were identified from the Ontario Cancer Registry. Records were linked deterministically to provincial health care databases to obtain comprehensive follow up. We identified all advanced imaging exams [aies: computed tomography (ct), bone scan, positron-emission tomography] and basic imaging exams (bies: ultrasonography, chest radiography) occurring within the first 2 years after curative treatment. Poisson regression was used to assess associations between patient or provider characteristics and the rate of aies.Results Of 30,006 women with ebc, 58.6% received at least 1 bie, and 30.6% received at least 1 aie in year 1 after treatment. In year 2, 52.7% received at least 1 bie, and 25.7% received at least 1 aie. The most common aies were chest cts and bone scans. The rate of aies increased with older age, higher disease stage, comorbidity, chemotherapy exposure, and prior staging investigations (p < 0.001). Imaging was ordered mainly by medical oncologists (38%), followed by primary care physicians (23%), surgeons (13%), and emergency room physicians (7%).Conclusions Despite recommendations against its use, imaging is common in ebc survivors. Understanding the factors associated with aie use helps to identify areas for further research and is required to lower imaging rates and to improve survivorship care.


Breast Care ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 364-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva J. Kantelhardt ◽  
Gizaw Muluken ◽  
Getachew Sefonias ◽  
Ayele Wondimu ◽  
Hans Christoph Gebert ◽  
...  

Background: The global incidence of breast cancer (BC) is rising, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this review is to summarize existing publications on BC care in Africa. Patients and Methods: A systematic search in MEDLINE and smaller databases was carried out to identify African studies on BC treatment, and an additional PubMed search was performed for relevant topics on BC care. Results: A total of 219 publications, mainly from North and West Africa, were found by systematic search. We also selected articles on BC epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, and cancer control in Africa. Conclusions: Publications on BC treatment are mostly from hospital case series. Evidence on treatment from prospective randomized trials that address the specific characteristics of African patients is lacking. The epidemiologic data shows rising incidences in Africa. The prevalence of risk factors is changing by age group, geographic region, and over time. The clinical picture of BC differs from that of Western countries due to the high proportion of young patients (on account of the African population with a high proportion of young people) and late presentation. Global collaborative efforts are needed to address the rising need for improved BC care in Africa.


Author(s):  
Lauren C. Houghton ◽  
Noémie Elhadad

Abstract Houghton and Elhadad offer a new and needed perspective on approaches for measuring the menstrual cycle and identifying underlying hormonal profiles that can help determine risk factors for chronic diseases such as breast cancer and endometriosis. The authors discuss methods that have been applied historically and how those have shown vast variation in menstrual cycle characteristics around the globe. They then review and explore how innovation in technologies can be used to detect and disseminate new menstrual cycle knowledge. Additionally, the authors show how interdisciplinary efforts across anthropology, public health, and data science can leverage the advances in mobile menstrual tracking and hormone measurement to better characterize the menstrual cycle at the population level. This analysis concludes with a breakdown of how personalized menstrual norms and predictions can help individuals to be better stewards of their own menstrual health.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Sharmeen Amin ◽  
Zafeer Ahmed Yazdani ◽  
Ankush Jha ◽  
Deepika Sriram ◽  
Hinozia Merchant ◽  
...  

Background: Breast cancer is a major health burden mainly in the developed countries but its rates are also increasing in the developing countries. With such increasing rates of breast cancer it is imperative that the general population is aware of its risk factors, early screening methods and the preventive measures that can be undertaken before its development.Objective: To assess the awareness of breast-self-examination (BSE) & screening among the mothers belonging to different socioeconomic groups in Karachi, Pakistan. To assess the awareness of breast lump & its relation with breast cancer in mothers.Methods: This is a cross sectional research study constituting on a sample size of 284 people. The data was collected using a self administered questionnaire which was designed after detailed literature review. The date was collected from all 5 districts of Karachi, Pakistan. The duration of data collection was from April 2013 to November 2013. The data was analyzed using spss 19 with a 95% confidence interval and a 5% margin of error. A p-value of .05 or less was considered significant.Results: The results showed that most of the women (81%) have sufficient general knowledge about breast cancer and its outcomes but the awareness regarding the risk factors was limited. Only 38% were aware that old age is a risk factor, 34.9% knew that null parity is a risk factor while 57.7% believed that trauma to the breast, for example child hitting the breast, cause breast disease. The women were only partially aware of the screening methods available, only 53.2% of women knew how to self-examine their breast and 69% of them were not aware of the fact that mammography is the basic screening procedure. Results are similar for knowledge about signs and symptoms and only 46.8% were aware that bloody discharge and inward retraction of nipple may be due to breast cancer. Despite the limited current awareness about the breast diseases most women (82.4%) showed interest in learning more information about breast diseases and how might they be prevented.Conclusions: The study concluded that though the mothers were aware of breast cancer they still require sufficient knowledge regarding its risks, methods of screening and means to prevent it. In accordance with this need more initiatives should be undertaken to spread more awareness regarding this through media or other useful sources. But increasing awareness alone cannot deliver the desired results and there is a parallel need to increase the facilities and to make them accessible for all. Steps should also be undertaken to educate the women about their misconceptions regarding breast cancer and to make them free from unnecessary barriers as many women do not seek clinical advice due to these barriers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-183
Author(s):  
정지혜 ◽  
여미진 ◽  
박애령 ◽  
황보신이 ◽  
나현오 ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Beynon ◽  
Nora Pashyan ◽  
Elizabeth Fisher ◽  
Dougal Hargreaves ◽  
Linda Bailey ◽  
...  

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