scholarly journals Cancer Screening Patterns and Concerns in Caregivers of Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. e405-e412
Author(s):  
Jolinta Y. Lin ◽  
Tejan P. Diwanji ◽  
James W. Snider ◽  
Nancy Knight ◽  
William F. Regine
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Radiation Oncology ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Cancer Society ◽  
Screening Guidelines ◽  
The Public ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
American Urological Association

Purpose: Evolving cancer screening guidelines can confuse the public. Caregivers of patients undergoing radiation oncology may represent a promising outreach target for disseminating and clarifying screening information. We aimed to: (1) determine the incidence of cancer screening in this cohort, and (2) identify barriers to and deficiencies in screening. Methods: We distributed a 21-item survey on cancer screening history and related concerns to caregivers ≥ 18 years old at one urban and two suburban radiation oncology centers. Reported screening habits were compared with American Cancer Society/American Urological Association guidelines for breast, cervical, colon, and prostate cancer. Statistical analysis included Pearson χ2 tests. Results: A total of 209 caregivers (median age, 55.5 years; 146 women) were surveyed. Although 92% had primary care physicians (PCPs), only 58% reported being informed about recommended screening intervals. Participants ≤ 49 years old were less likely to report PCP discussion of cancer screening than older participants (41% and 66%, respectively; P = .006). Ninety-eight respondents (47%) had one or more screening concern(s). Among screening-eligible caregivers, 23 (18%) reported not undergoing regular colonoscopies. Fourteen women (13%) did not have Papanicolaou smears at recommended intervals, and 21 (18%) did not have annual mammograms. Six men (21%) did not undergo annual prostate screening. Decreased recommended screening with colonoscopy and mammography correlated with younger age. Conclusion: This survey of relatively unexplored caregivers identified cancer screening deficiencies and concerns that might be addressed by targeted interventions. With approximately 60% of patients with cancer receiving radiation therapy, advice in the radiation oncology setting could positively affect cancer screening behaviors in caregivers.

scholarly journals Linking Reminders and Physician Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations: Results From a National Survey

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J. Siembida ◽  
Archana Radhakrishnan ◽  
Sarah A. Nowak ◽  
Andrew M. Parker ◽  
Craig Evan Pollack
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Breast Cancer Screening ◽  
Mammography Screening ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Average Risk ◽  
Screening Guidelines ◽  
Practice Characteristics

Purpose Physician reminders have successfully increased rates of mammography. However, considering recent changes to breast cancer screening guidelines that disagree on the optimal age to start and stop mammography screening, we sought to examine the extent to which reminders have been deployed for breast cancer screening targeting younger and older patients. Methods A mailed survey was sent to a national sample of 2,000 primary care physicians between May and September 2016. Physicians were asked whether they received reminders to screen women in various age groups (40 to 44, 45 to 49, and ≥ 75 years), the organizational screening guidelines they trusted most, and whether they recommended routine breast cancer screening to average-risk women in the different age groups. Using regression models, we assessed the association between reminders and physician screening recommendations, controlling for physician and practice characteristics, and evaluated whether the association varied by the guidelines they trusted. Results A total of 871 physicians responded (adjusted response rate, 52.3%). Overall, 28.9% of physicians reported receiving reminders for patient ages 40 to 44 years, 32.5% for patient ages 45 to 49 years, and 16.5% for patient ages ≥ 75 years. Receiving reminders significantly increased the likelihood of physicians recommending mammography screening. In adjusted analyses, 84% (95% CI, 77% to 90%) of physicians who received reminders recommended screening for women ages ≥ 75 versus 65% (95% CI, 62% to 69%) of those who did not receive reminders. The associations between reminders and screening recommendations remained consistent regardless of which guidelines physicians reported trusting. Conclusion Reminders were significantly associated with increases in physician screening recommendations for mammography, underscoring the need for careful implementation in scenarios where guidelines are discordant.

When to Stop Screening: A Review of Breast, Gynecologic, and Colorectal Cancer Screening in Women Over Age 65

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Bernstein ◽  
Daniel Dejoseph ◽  
Edward M. Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Task Force ◽  
The United States ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Women Patients ◽  
Cancer Society ◽  
Screening Guidelines ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
Current Screening

Because age alone is not an indicator of health, there is no clear consensus among the various cancer screening guidelines on when to stop cancer screening. For breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer, there are recommended screening tests, while, for other gynecologic cancers, there are not. When discussing with older women patients when to stop cancer screening, we encourage practitioners to review the goals of the screening test, assess the health and functional status of the patient, and discuss her values and health goals. To facilitate this discussion, we review proposed frameworks for determining when to screen older patients for cancer. We also review the concepts of “well” and “frail” older adults. Finally, we review the current screening recommendations for breast, gynecological, and colorectal cancers, and the reasoning behind them, from the United States Preventative Screening Task Force, the American Cancer Society, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Geriatric Society.

Breast cancer screening guidelines: Is it time to revisit? A survey.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e11089-e11089
Author(s):  
Archana C. Rao ◽  
Srivalli Gopaluni ◽  
Sheila M. Lemke
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Task Force ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cancer Society ◽  
Adherence To Guidelines ◽  
Screening Guidelines ◽  
Cancer Network

e11089 Background: Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among women in US. In a 2012 report by CDCbreast cancer screening rates are falling short of government targets. At least 10 different societies have laid out screening guidelines, making it difficult to follow. We conducted a survey to better understand adherence to guidelines among health care providers. Methods: A questionnaire comprising of 15 questions was distributed to 120 providers within the Department of Medicine at a University Hospital. Results: 68% returned completed questionnaires: Residents (53%), Attendings/Fellows (36%) and Nurse Practioners/Medical students (11%). Despite 60% respondents claiming that screening guidelines were easy to comprehend and follow; the table suggests otherwise. 49% of the respondents follow United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines (USPSTF) 28% of these commenced screening at age 40; against the recommendations to start at age 50 and to initiate discussions between the ages of 40-50. 16% of the respondents followed National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)/American Cancer Society guidelines. 46% of these commenced screening at age 50 or between ages 40-50 contrary to recommendations to begin screening at age 40. Similarly 42% of respondents chose to discontinue screening at the age of 75 in concordance to USPSTF guidelines. 5% chose to screen indefinitely and 1% said they would individualize. 52% did not conform to any guidelines. 69% advocated self breast examinations despite most societies not encouraging the same. Conclusions: While majority of providers follow USPSTF guidelines, there is a considerable discordance between guidelines respondents claim to follow and their practices. This could be attributed to the lack of uniformity in the guidelines across various societies making it harder to comprehend and recall. A unifying consensus would make it easier for providers to improve effective screening. [Table: see text]

New American Cancer Society Process for Creating Trustworthy Cancer Screening Guidelines

JAMA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 306 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Otis Brawley ◽  
Tim Byers ◽  
Amy Chen ◽  
Michael Pignone ◽  
David Ransohoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Screening ◽  
American Cancer Society ◽  
Cancer Society ◽  
Screening Guidelines

scholarly journals State of the Science: Screening, Surveillance, and Epidemiology of HPV-Related Malignancies

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Rahel Ghebre ◽  
J. Michael Berry-Lawhorn ◽  
Gypsyamber D’Souza
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Hpv Vaccination ◽  
Cancer Society ◽  
Screening Guidelines ◽  
Cancer Precursors ◽  
The U.S

Oropharyngeal, cervical, vulvar, and anal cancers share a common risk factor of HPV infection. HPV vaccination is currently recommended at age 11 or 12 to prevent new HPV infections for all genders with catch-up vaccination recommened up to age 26. Despite the known effectiveness of HPV vaccination to prevent HPV-related cancer, there is continued low uptake in the United States; only 40% of eligible persons were vaccinated in 2018, though rates are 70% among teenagers. Current American Cancer Society cancer screening guidelines recommend cervical cancer screening, but do not have specific recommendations for screening for other HPV-related cancers. Oropharyngeal cancer precursors have yet to be identified, and there are currently no routine screening tests for oropharyngeal cancer recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and American Cancer Society recommend cervical cancer screening for women at average risk up to age 65, and screening guidelines do not currently differ by HPV vaccination status. Primary HPV DNA testing was first approved for cervical cancer screening in 2016 and was shown to be superior for cervical cancer prevention. Vulvar and anal cancer precursors have been identified, but optimal screening remains unclear. Examination of the anal canal and perianus is best performed by trained clinicians using high-resolution anoscopy, and effectiveness of using high-resolution anoscopy to detect and treat anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions to prevent cancer is actively being researched. Current multistep approaches to control HPV-related malignancies include HPV vaccination coupled with cervical cancer screening or surveillance for oropharyngeal, vulvar, and anal cancers.

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