From symptom discovery to treatment - women's pathways to breast cancer care: a cross-sectional study

Background: Although immigrant health is an important issue in national health policy, there is a serious shortage of data in many countries. Most studies lack information on educational status, which is a major limitation. This prospective cross-sectional study analyzed a real-world breast cancer population on the influence of immigration background and educational status on participation in breast cancer early detection programs in the federal state of Lower Saxony, Germany. Methods: Data collection was conducted from 2012 to 2016 in six certified breast cancer centers using a standardized questionnaire for patients’ interview and tumor-specific data from the patients’ medical records. Results: 2,145/3,047 primary breast cancer cases were analyzed. 17.5% of our patients had a history of immigration, including n = 202 first-generation immigrants and n = 168 second-generation immigrants. Most of them were citizens of EU27 member states. No significant difference was seen in age, tumor stage, histology, grading, Ki-67, Her2/neu-status, and hormone receptor status compared to the native cohort. 100% participation rate in the breast cancer early detection programs were seen in patients with no school graduation. With regards to the national mammography screening program, participation decreased significantly with educational status (p = 0.0003). Conclusions: No tumor biological differences were seen between immigrants and German natives. In first-generation immigrants, early detection programs were well accepted despite sociocultural and language differences. Participation rate decreased significantly with higher education levels irrespective of country of origin. Immigration background does not have a negative effect on the participation in breast cancer screening. This mainly relates to immigrants from EU27 member states.

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Correlation between ER, PR, HER-2, and Ki-67 with the risk of bone metastases detected by bone scintigraphy in breast cancer patients: A cross sectional study

Annals of Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102532 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102532

Author(s):

Hanif Afkari ◽

Firdian Makrufardi ◽

Basuki Hidayat ◽

Hendra Budiawan ◽

Achmad Hussein Sundawa Kartamihardja

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Bone Metastases ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Bone Scintigraphy ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Ki 67 ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Her 2

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

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040352 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e040352

Author(s):

Avinash Sharma ◽

Olusegun Isaac Alatise ◽

Kelli O'Connell ◽

Samson Gbenga Ogunleye ◽

Adewale Abdulwasiu Aderounmu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Screening ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Healthcare Utilisation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Personal Income ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Potential Barriers ◽

South West

Background/aimsCancer 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.MethodsIn 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.ResultsWe 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.ConclusionsDespite 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.

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Knowledge of breast cancer among medical students in Syrian Private University, Syria: a cross-sectional study

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-021-02673-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hlma Ismail ◽

Mosa Shibani ◽

Hanaa Wael Zahrawi ◽

Ali Fouad Slitin ◽

Mhd Amin Alzabibi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Medical Students ◽

Clinical Features ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Private University ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

General Information ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer death globally. Since early diagnosis is crucial to reducing mortality, high levels of knowledge regarding general information, risk factors, and symptoms are required among healthcare professionals to deliver breast cancer care. This study aimed to determine Syrian medical students’ knowledge about breast cancer in the fields of general knowledge, common clinical features, and risk factors. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Syrian Private University in October 2019 (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), Damascus, during the Syrian war crisis. Data were collected through self-administered surveys and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 (SPSS Inc., United States). The chi-square test was applied to assess the relationship between the level of knowledge and gender. One way analysis of variance was performed to assess the overall differences in mean knowledge score by study year, GPA, mother’s education, and source of information. Unpaired Student’s T-test was used to analyze the differences in mean knowledge scores (continuous variable) based on smoking status and alcohol consumption. Results Of 320 students, 301 completed the questionnaire (response rate = 94.0%), of which 179(59.5%) were males. The study revealed above-average knowledge scores (total mean = 68.4%) regarding breast cancer, general information (71.9%), common clinical features (71.6%), and risk factors (71.6%). Clinical students (4th, 5th, and 6th years) scored higher compared with pre-clinical students (1st, 2nd, and 3rd years). Conclusion This study showed above-average knowledge scores regarding breast cancer. More efforts to correct misinformation, through reassessing the university curriculum and promoting awareness about breast cancer are required.

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