Cancer Diagnostic Practices Have Seen a Transformation in the Last Few Years- Explore the Scenario

Identifying cancer at the early stages does offer several chances for a cure. Cancer diagnostics can be defined as a process of detecting proteins, biomarkers, and certain marks that help in proper spotting of a malignant tumor in body. For quite a few malignant cases, studies and surveys reveal that screening tests have often proved to be highly beneficial for the detection. However, for other types, screening tests are suggested only for patients with bigger risk factors. There are several guidelines and procedures for cancer screening and they tend to vary from organization to organization. A doctor or a medical practitioner take recourse to different approaches to identify cancers and they take in biopsy, imaging tests (CT scans, colonoscopy, mammography etc.), lab tests, and physical exam. Lately, researchers have also come up with a more advanced procedure, namely molecular diagnostics that can spot explicit cancer-associated molecules that flow in bodily solutions such as urine and blood.

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Analyzing Awareness on Risk Factors, Barriers and Prevention of Cervical Cancer among Pairs of Nepali High School Students and Their Mothers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16224382 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (22) ◽

pp. 4382

Author(s):

Kritika Poudel ◽

Naomi Sumi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

High School ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

High School Students ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Cancer Education ◽

Screening Tests ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Screening Practice

Providing information on increased cancer risks associated with certain behaviors might encourage adolescents to initiate protective behaviors. This study firstly determined the knowledge of risk factors and prevention of cervical cancer. Secondly, it checked an association between mothers’ screening practice and student’s knowledge. A descriptive, cross sectional study was conducted among 253 pairs of high school students and their mothers. Knowledge on cervical cancer was significantly lower among students and mothers. While cancer screening tests, maintenance of hygiene were considered as major preventive measures for cervical cancer, human papilloma vaccine was the least considered preventive measure. Students who were female, attended discussions on cancer and had a healthy diet had better awareness of cancer. Mothers of female students had better knowledge about cervical cancer than mothers of male students. Less perceived susceptibility and lack of knowledge were major obstacles among mothers, limiting cervical cancer screening to 15%. Although association between knowledge of students and screening practice of mothers was not clear, it was observed that cancer communication increased awareness of cervical cancer in both groups. Our findings showed a strong need for school-based cancer education program to address the issues of human papillomavirus vaccinations, cervical cancer risk and screening.

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Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and screening practices about cancer risk factors among health care professionals

10.21203/rs.3.rs-21540/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zahra Sheikhalipour ◽

Akram Ghahramanian ◽

Zohreh Sanaat ◽

Leila Vahedi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Warning Signs ◽

Care Staff ◽

Screening Tests ◽

Cancer Risk Factors ◽

Cancer Screening Tests

Abstract Background: Given the importance of health care personnel’s awareness of cancer symptoms, this study aimed to investigate their knowledge regarding cancer warning symptoms, attitudes toward cancer risk factors, and performance on undertaking cancer screening tests.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which 145 health care staff working in the medical centers affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences prticipated in it. The study population included nurses, midwives, operating room technicians, laboratory staff, anesthesiologists and radiologists. Items assessing awareness of cancer warning signs, risk factors, incidence, screening programmes were extracted from the literature.Results: The mean knowledge score of health care staffs was 7.97±2.01. Regarding the staff’s attitude toward the role of risk factors in increasing the likelihood of cancer, the results showed an average attitude score of 35.41±4.69. Concerning the performance of the participants in cancer screening tests, the results showed that out of 125 women aged 25-57 years, only 44% performed monthly self-examinations, 22.1% referred to a specialist physician for breast cancer screening every three years and only 20.51% of the female participants aged over 40 years old performed mammography. In terms of cervical cancer screening in female participants, 27.2% had performed annual Pap smear tests, and 17.6% referred to a specialist for annual pelvic examinations. Regarding colorectal cancer screening in staff older than 45 years, our findings showed that from 24 participants (16.6% of the samples), only one had undertaken occult blood test and performed colonoscopy.Conclusions: Because the public health depends on the wellness of health care professionals and their awareness of cancer warning signs, as well as their knowledge of cancer risk factors and adherence to cancer screening tests, they should be encouraged to perform these examinations.

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Examining the Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Adults about Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors and Early Diagnosis Methods

Türkiye Aile Hekimliği Dergisi ◽

10.5222/tahd.2021.63825 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Esra Sancaktar ◽

Özge Tuncer

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Colorectal Cancer Screening ◽

Screening Test ◽

Screening Tests ◽

Attitudes And Behaviors ◽

Cancer Screening Test ◽

The Family ◽

Cancer Screening Tests

INTRODUCTION: In this study, ıt was aimed to determine the level of awareness by evaluating the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of people about the risk factors, symptoms and early diagnosis methods of colorectal cancer. METHODS: The study was conducted with a face-to-face interview with 300 patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study, who applied to the Family Medicine Clinic of İzmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital at the University of Health Sciences, between January 2019 and February 2019. Data obtained statistically were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) program. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 51,8±8,66 years and the age ranged was between 40 to 70 years. 68.3% (205) of the participants were female. When the educational status of the patients is examined, the highest rate is composed of primary school graduates with 33% (99), followed by university graduates with 28.7% (86). 66.3% (124) of those who have heard about colorectal cancer screening test reported that they heard it from health care workers, 25.7%(48) from their relatives and friends. 62.3% (187) of the participants heard about colorectal cancer screening tests. While 96.7% (290) of the participants believed that those tests were necessary, 85% (255) of the participants thought that the aim of the colorectal cancer screening test was to catch the disease at an early stage. Only 29% (87) of the participants were informed by the doctor about colorectal cancer screening tests. Only 25% (75) of the participants knew names of colorectal cancer screening tests correctly. 39.7% (60) of the participants over the age of 50 had a CRC screening test. While the participants considered changes in the habit of defecation as the most frequent sign of CRC, the most known risk factor was the family history of CRC. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In our study ıt was determined that individuals had a lock of knowledge about CRC and the rate of screening test recommended for those over the age of 50 was low. For this reason, Family Physicians, who are great importance in terms of ptotective medicine should inform and guide their patients more about the screening test.

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Malignant tumor is the greatest risk factor for pulmonary embolism in hospitalized patients: a single-center study

Thrombosis Journal ◽

10.1186/s12959-021-00334-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kaoru Fujieda ◽

Akiko Nozue ◽

Akie Watanabe ◽

Keiko Shi ◽

Hiroya Itagaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Pulmonary Embolism ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Malignant Tumor ◽

Bed Rest ◽

Ct Scans ◽

Antiphospholipid Antibody ◽

Single Center ◽

Contrast Enhanced

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the background of patients who presented with pulmonary embolism (PE) on contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) and to explore the risk factors for PE. Methods This study included a review of the medical records of all 50,621 patients who were admitted to one community hospital between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017. Data on sex, age, risk factors related to blood flow stagnation (obesity, long-term bed rest, cardiopulmonary disease, cast fixation, long-term sitting), risk factors related to vascular endothelial disorder (surgery, trauma/fracture, central venous catheterization, catheter tests/treatments, vasculitis, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, history of venous thromboembolism (VTE)), and risk factors related to hypercoagulability (malignant tumor, use of oral contraceptives/low-dose estrogen progestin/steroids, infection, inflammatory enteric disease, polycythemia, protein C or protein S deficiency, dehydration) were evaluated. Results Of all inpatients, 179(0.35%) out of 50,621 were diagnosed with PE after contrast-enhanced chest CT examination, in which 74 patients were symptomatic and 105 patients had no symptom. Among asymptomatic 105 patients, 71 patients got CT scans for other reasons including cancer screening and searching infection focus, and 34 patients got CT scans for searching PE due to either apparent or suspicious DVT. The rate of discovering PE was significantly greater in women (0.46%, 90/19,409) than men (0.29%, 89/31,212) (P = 0.008). Of the 179 patients with PE, 164 (92%) had some type of risk factor. For both men and women, the most frequent risk factor was a malignant tumor, followed by obesity, long-term bed rest and infection for men and long-term bed rest, obesity and infection for women. The most common malignant tumor was lung cancer. Although taking antipsychotic agent is not advocated as a risk factor, there is a possibility of involvement. Conclusions The risk factors for PE were identified in this single-center, retrospective study.

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RISK FACTORS FOR FALSE-POSITIVE AND FALSE-NEGATIVE FECAL IMMUNOCHEMICAL TEST RESULTS IN COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

10.1055/s-0038-1637308 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

CM de Klerk ◽

LM Vendrig ◽

PM Bossuyt ◽

E Dekker

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Colorectal Cancer Screening ◽

False Positive ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

False Negative ◽

Test Results ◽

Immunochemical Test

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Design Strategies for Electrochemical Aptasensors for Cancer Diagnostic Devices

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21030736 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 736

Author(s):

Kamila Malecka ◽

Edyta Mikuła ◽

Elena E. Ferapontova

Keyword(s):

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Quality Of Healthcare ◽

Cancer Diagnostics ◽

Screening Tests ◽

Design Strategies ◽

Excellent Thermal Stability ◽

Electrochemical Biosensing ◽

Equipment Size

Improved outcomes for many types of cancer achieved during recent years is due, among other factors, to the earlier detection of tumours and the greater availability of screening tests. With this, non-invasive, fast and accurate diagnostic devices for cancer diagnosis strongly improve the quality of healthcare by delivering screening results in the most cost-effective and safe way. Biosensors for cancer diagnostics exploiting aptamers offer several important advantages over traditional antibodies-based assays, such as the in-vitro aptamer production, their inexpensive and easy chemical synthesis and modification, and excellent thermal stability. On the other hand, electrochemical biosensing approaches allow sensitive, accurate and inexpensive way of sensing, due to the rapid detection with lower costs, smaller equipment size and lower power requirements. This review presents an up-to-date assessment of the recent design strategies and analytical performance of the electrochemical aptamer-based biosensors for cancer diagnosis and their future perspectives in cancer diagnostics.

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Attitudes about Testicular Self-Examination among Polish Males

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10030239 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 239

Author(s):

Tomasz Milecki ◽

Natalia Majchrzak ◽

Adam Balcerek ◽

Maciej Rembisz ◽

Michał Kasperczak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

General Practitioner ◽

Testicular Cancer ◽

Family Member ◽

Malignant Tumor ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Access To Information ◽

The Mean ◽

Original Survey ◽

Self Examination

Introduction: Epidemiological data indicate an increased incidence of testicular cancer (TC), making it the most common malignant tumor in men from aged 15–45. Oncological and urological associations recommend that men with specific TC risk factors should regularly perform a testicular self-exam (TSE). The aim of the study was to discover the attitudes among Polish males regarding TSE and factors (environmental, social, educational) that affect intention to perform TSE. Methods: An original survey containing 21 questions was used to conduct a study among the Polish branch of VW (Volkswagen Poland) employees. Results: A total of 522 fully completed questionnaires were collected. The mean age of the surveyed respondents was 32 years. Information about TC and how to perform TSE was obtained by 34.4% (n = 185) of the men. It was shown that the following factors increase men’s intention to perform TSE: TC in their family member (p < 0.05; HR = 5.9; 95% Cl: 1.5–23.0), GP’s(General Practitioner) recommendations (p < 0.001; HR = 6.8; 95% Cl: 3.2–14.3), concern expressed by their partner (p < 0.001; HR = 3.3; 95% Cl: 2.1–5.3), and social campaigns (p < 0.001; HR = 2.6; 95% Cl: 1.5–4.6). Conclusions: Approximately half of young polish males do not perform TSE. Access to information on TC prevention is limited. Further action is needed to improve men’s awareness of TC and TSE.

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Google search volume trends for cancer screening terms during the COVID-19 pandemic

Journal of Medical Screening ◽

10.1177/0969141321999426 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096914132199942

Author(s):

Austin Snyder ◽

Sean Jang ◽

Ilana S Nazari ◽

Avik Som ◽

Efren J Flores ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Screening ◽

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Pap Smear ◽

Marked Decrease ◽

Lung Cancer Screening ◽

Screening Tests ◽

Public Attention ◽

Search Volume ◽

Cancer Screening Tests ◽

Google Search

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to delays in cancer diagnosis, in part due to postponement of cancer screening. We used Google Trends data to assess public attention to cancer screening during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Search volume for terms related to established cancer screening tests (“colonoscopy,” “mammogram,” “lung cancer screening,” and “pap smear”) showed a marked decrease of up to 76% compared to the pre-pandemic period, a significantly greater drop than for search volume for terms denoting common chronic diseases. Maintaining awareness of cancer screening during future public health crises may decrease delays in cancer diagnosis.

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