scholarly journals Internet Interest in Colon Cancer following Chadwick Boseman’s Death (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiten Naik ◽  
Maximilian Desmond Dimitri Johnson ◽  
Michael Roger Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
The United States ◽  
Colon Cancer Screening ◽  
Black American ◽  
Online Activity ◽  
The Public ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Compared to White Americans, Black Americans have greater incidence and mortality rates from colon cancer, but lower up-to-date screening rates. Chadwick Boseman was a prominent Black American actor who died of colon cancer on August 28, 2020. As announcements of celebrity diagnoses often result in an increased awareness of particular conditions, Boseman’s death may have resulted in greater online interest in colon cancer. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to quantify the impact Chadwick Boseman’s death on online search interest in colon cancer, and thereby identify an opportunity for healthcare providers to educate the public and advocate for higher risk groups. METHODS We used Google Trends (GT) and Wikipedia pageview analysis to assess the change in online activity related to colon cancer in the United States from two years prior to Chadwick’s death to three months following the announcement of his death. We used two of GT search topics (“colorectal cancer” and “colon cancer screening”) and fifteen search terms related to colon cancer screening, symptoms, diagnosis and risk factors. We forecasted what RSVs and number of pageviews would be expected if his death had not occurred, and compared this to what was observed. The forecasts were generated with 95% bootstrapped confidence intervals (CIs) using the ARIMA algorithm in R software. RESULTS GT’s observed RSVs for the topics “colorectal cancer” and “colon cancer screening” increased by as much as 598% and 707%, respectively, and were on average 121% (95% CI, 72%-193%) and 256% (95% CI, 35%-814%) greater than expected during the first three months following Boseman’s death. Ten out of fifteen search terms had mean observed RSVs significantly higher than expected within the first and second month following Boseman’s death. Three of the fifteen search terms (“colon cancer signs”, “colon cancer survival” and “colon cancer symptoms”) remained significantly greater than expected within the third month following August 28, 2020. Daily Wikipedia pageview volume during the two months following Boseman’s death was on average 1,979% (95% CI, 1,375%-2,894%) greater than expected. Altogether, it is estimated that this represented 547,354 (95% CI, 497,708-585,167) excess Wikipedia pageviews beyond what would be expected if Boseman’s death had not occurred. CONCLUSIONS There has been a significant increase in online activity related to colon cancer following Chadwick Boseman’s death. This reflects a heightened public awareness that can be leveraged to further educate the public, including the high-risk Black American subgroup. The magnitude and duration of increased Google searches and Wikipedia pageviews following Boseman’s death is unprecedented in the literature and future research will reveal if this translates to improved screening and detection rates for colon cancer.

scholarly journals Increasing uptake of colon cancer screening in a medically underserved population with the addition of blood-based testing

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Ioannou ◽  
Kyle Sutherland ◽  
Daniel A. Sussman ◽  
Amar R. Deshpande
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
United States ◽  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Colon Cancer Screening ◽  
Medically Underserved ◽  
Medically Underserved Populations

Abstract Background Adherence to colorectal cancer screening in the United States is suboptimal, particularly in medically underserved populations due to significant barriers to care. Unique accessible, low-cost, and non-invasive screening tests for this population could greatly benefit current rates. In this article, we assess patient preference and the impact of offering a blood-based test on screening rates in a cost-free health fair setting from April 2017 to April 2019. Methods Participants who met colorectal cancer screening eligibility criteria set forth by the United States Preventive Services Task Force were recommended to attend the colon cancer screening station. Those participants who elected to attend were offered various, accepted screening methods, and if they declined, were offered alternative blood-based testing. Screening rates, test outcomes, and the rate of follow up completion of colonoscopy were measured and compared with historic screening outcomes. Results Of 1401 participants who were recommended to attend, 640 (45.7%) participants were evaluated at the colon cancer screening station, of whom 460 were eligible for testing. Amongst these, none selected colonoscopy, 30 (6.5%) selected fecal immunochemical testing, and 430 (93.5%) selected blood-based testing. Only 2 participants returned the fecal immunochemical tests. In the blood test cohort, 88 were positive and 20 received a follow up colonoscopy. Conclusions Based on this assessment, blood-based testing is an effective method to increase screening rates in medically underserved populations, though efforts to further improve access to follow up colonoscopy are necessary.

scholarly journals Increasing uptake of colon cancer screening in a medically underserved population with the addition of blood-based testing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Ioannou ◽  
Kyle Sutherland ◽  
Daniel A. Sussman ◽  
Amar R. Deshpande
Keyword(s):  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Colon Cancer Screening ◽  
Medically Underserved ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Medically Underserved Populations ◽  
Medically Underserved Population ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Adherence to colorectal cancer screening is suboptimal, particularly in medically underserved populations. We report here on our assessment of the impact of offering a blood-based screening test on screening rates in a health fair setting. Patients attending student-run health fairs who met colon cancer screening guideline eligibility criteria received a recommendation to attend that screening station. Patients were offered recommended accepted screening methods, and if they declined they were offered blood-based testing. Screening rates, test outcomes, and the rate of follow up completion of colonoscopy were measured and compared with historic screening outcomes. Of 1401 screening eligible patients, 640 (45.7%) attended the colon cancer screening station, of whom 460 were eligible for assessment. Amongst these, none selected colonoscopy, 30 (6.5%) selected FIT, and 430 (93.5%) selected blood-based testing. Only 2 patients returned the FIT. For the blood test, 88 were positive, and 20 of these received a follow up colonoscopy. Based on this assessment, blood-based testing is an effective method to increase screening rates in medically underserved populations, though efforts to further improve access to follow up colonoscopy are necessary.

The Impact of Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Veteran Hospital Population

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Trombold ◽  
Russellw Farmer ◽  
Michael McCafferty
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Screening ◽  
Operative Mortality ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
The United States ◽  
Curative Intent ◽  
Colon And Rectal Cancer ◽  
The Impact

Colon and rectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Screening effectively decreases colorectal cancer mortality. This study aims to evaluate the impact of colorectal cancer screening within a Veterans Affairs Medical Center and treatment outcomes. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for a retrospective analysis of all colorectal cancer cases that were identified through the Tumor Registry of the Robley Rex VA Medical Center from 2000 to 2009. Data collected included age at diagnosis, race, risk factors, diagnosis by screening versus symptomatic evaluation, screening test, tumor location and stage, operation performed, operative mortality, and survival. A value of P < 0.05 on Fisher's exact, χ2, analysis of variance, or Cox regression analyses was considered significant. Three hundred fifty-four patients with colorectal cancer (255 colon, 99 rectal) were identified. One hundred twenty-one patients (34%) were diagnosed by screening. In comparison with those diagnosed by symptom evaluation (n = 233), these patients had earlier stage cancers, were more likely to have a curative intent procedure, and had improved 5-year survival rates. Older patients (older than 75 years old) were more likely to present with symptoms. High-risk patients were more likely to have colonoscopic screening than fecal occult blood testing. More blacks had Stage IV disease than nonblacks. Curative intent 30-day operative mortality was 2.1 per cent for colectomy and 0 per cent for rectal resection. Screening for colorectal cancer in the veteran population allows for better survival, detection at an earlier stage, and higher likelihood of resection.

scholarly journals A Retrospective Analysis of Gender-Based Difference in Adherence to Initial Colon Cancer Screening Recommendations

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215013272093132
Author(s):  
Jose Raul Valery ◽  
Andres Applewhite ◽  
Alyssa Manaois ◽  
John Dimuna ◽  
Taimur Sher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Physical Examination ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
The United States ◽  
Colon Cancer Screening ◽  
Crc Screening ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Gender Based

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, despite being largely preventable and treatable. Improving overall screening rates among both men and women is considered an important and effective strategy toward reducing morbidity and mortality from CRC. In order to optimize screening strategies, factors associated with decreased compliance need to be understood. This study aimed to compare initial CRC screening rates between males and females in a population of patients who presented for an annual physical examination. Methods: A retrospective chart review study of 380 patients designed to compare rates of initial CRC screening between males and females was conducted. Patients who were seen at our institution for an annual physical examination and were between 51 and 60 years of age were included. Results: There was no evidence of a difference in the rate of initial colon cancer screening between females (83.0%) and males (80.9%) in either unadjusted analysis (odds ratio = 1.16, P = .59) or in multivariable analysis adjusting for potential confounding variables (odds ratio = 1.16, P = .61). Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the rate of initial CRC screening between males and females who presented for an annual physical examination. This suggests that designing interventions to improve screening specific to gender may not be needed in a population of patients who attend routine preventive health examinations. Further study is needed in the general population to examine for gender-based differences in initial CRC screening among patients who do not regularly follow up for preventive examinations.

Colon Cancer Survival Is Associated With Decreasing Ratio of Metastatic to Examined Lymph Nodes

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (34) ◽  
pp. 8706-8712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam C. Berger ◽  
Elin R. Sigurdson ◽  
Thomas LeVoyer ◽  
Alexandra Hanlon ◽  
Robert J. Mayer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survival ◽  
Regional Lymph Node ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Tumor Stage ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cancer Specific Survival ◽  
End Points ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, with poor survival predicted by regional lymph node (LN) metastasis. The impact of LN ratio (LNR) on survival is unknown in this disease. Patients and Methods We analyzed data from Intergroup trial 0089 of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II and III patients with colon cancer, in which all patients received fluorouracil-based therapy. Survival was similar for all arms of the study, allowing us to evaluate all patients together. End points included overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Multivariate analyses were performed on all patients and on groups according to LNR quartiles (LNR: < 0.05, 0.05 to 0.19, 0.2 to 0.39, and 0.4 to 1.0). Covariates included in the models were age, sex, tumor stage, grade, histology, number of positive LNs, number of LNs removed, and LNR. Results The median age was 63.7 years, and the median number of LNs removed was 11. In the multivariate analysis, LNR was a significant factor for OS, DFS, and CSS in patients with 10 to 15 LN and more than 15 LN removed but not for patients with less than 10 LN removed. Using quartiles, LNR maintained its significance for all three end points when patients were grouped by node status. Conclusion After curative resection for colorectal cancer, the LNR is an important prognostic factor and should be used in stratification schemes for future clinical trials investigating adjuvant treatments.

The impact of cultural characteristics on colorectal cancer screening adherence among Filipinos in the United States: a pilot study

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 862-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rizaldy R. Ferrer ◽  
Marizen Ramirez ◽  
Linda J. Beckman ◽  
Leda L. Danao ◽  
Kimlin T. Ashing-Giwa
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
United States ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Screening ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cultural Characteristics ◽  
Screening Adherence ◽  
The Impact
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