scholarly journals Reducing the Excess Burden of Cervical Cancer among Latinas

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati ◽  
Sheila T. Murphy ◽  
Meghan Bridgid Moran ◽  
Victoria K. Cortessis

Purpose: Although deaths from cervical cancer are declining, Latinas are not benefiting equally in this decline. Incidence of invasive cervical cancer among Los Angeles’, California Latinas is much higher than among non-Latina Whites (14.7 versus 8.02 per 100,000). This paper examines cervical cancer screening among Latinas. Methods: Ninety-seven women of Mexican origin participated in 12 focus groups exploring barriers to screening. Saturation was reached. Results: All participants knew what a Pap test was and most knew its purpose. More acculturated participants understood the link between HPV and cervical cancer. More recent immigrants did not. There was confusion whether women who were not sexually active need to be screened. Most frequently mentioned barriers were lack of time and concern over missing work. Lower income and less acculturated women were less likely to be aware of free/lowcost clinics. Older and less acculturated participants held more fatalistic beliefs, were more embarrassed about getting a Pap test, were more fearful of being perceived as sexually promiscuous, and were more fearful of receiving disapproval from their husbands. Conclusions: Latinas are informed regarding cervical cancer screening; rather they encounter barriers such as a lack of time, money and support. Health promotion interventions can be enhanced via peer-to-peer education, by addressing barriers to cervical cancer screening with in-language, culturally tailored interventions, and working with clinics on systemic changes, such as extended clinic hours.

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
G.D. Datta ◽  
M.H. Mayrand ◽  
S. Qureshi ◽  
N. Ferre ◽  
L. Gauvin

Fifty percent of women in Canada diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer have not been screened according to guidelines. Interventions involving HPV self-collected sampling could be a promising avenue to increase screening uptake. In order to guide the development of cervical cancer screening interventions, we assessed: 1) women’s preference for cervical cancer screening sample collection options, 2) sampling preferences according to previous screening behaviors, and 3) women’s preference for self-sampling according to their reasons for not being screened according to guidelines. Data were collected via an online survey (Montreal, QC 2016) and included information from female participants between the ages of 21 and 65 who had not had a hysterectomy and who had provided answers to survey questions on screening history, screening interval, and screening preferences (N=526). We observed that 68% of all women surveyed preferred screening via a self-sampled test. Among women born outside of Canada, the United States, or Europe, preference ranged from 47% to 60%. Nearly all women (95% - 100%), who reported fear or embarrassment, not liking undergoing a pap test, and both time- and geographic-related availability of screening as one of their reasons for not being screened stated a preference for undergoing screening via a self-sampled test. Policy-makers and researchers should consider if self-sample ought to be offered primarily to never or infrequently screened women, or be rolled out to all eligible women, and how best to integrate self-sampled screening into both organized and opportunistic screening contexts.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte A. Brown ◽  
Johnannes Bogers ◽  
Shaira Sahebali ◽  
Christophe E. Depuydt ◽  
Frans De Prins ◽  
...  

Since the Pap test was introduced in the 1940s, there has been an approximately 70% reduction in the incidence of squamous cell cervical cancers in many developed countries by the application of organized and opportunistic screening programs. The efficacy of the Pap test, however, is hampered by high interobserver variability and high false-negative and false-positive rates. The use of biomarkers has demonstrated the ability to overcome these issues, leading to improved positive predictive value of cervical screening results. In addition, the introduction of HPV primary screening programs will necessitate the use of a follow-up test with high specificity to triage the high number of HPV-positive tests. This paper will focus on protein biomarkers currently available for use in cervical cancer screening, which appear to improve the detection of women at greatest risk for developing cervical cancer, including Ki-67,p16INK4a, BD ProEx C, and Cytoactiv HPV L1.


2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
L C Chingang ◽  
U Bischof ◽  
G Andall-Brereton ◽  
O Razum

In many middle-income countries with a high incidence of cervical cancer, organized screening programmes with the Pap test are being planned. We assessed the knowledge of, and attitudes towards, cervical screening among 63 doctors and 102 randomly selected community members in Trinidad where screening is still opportunistic. Doctors were well informed about cervical cancer, but not all knew the approximate specificity of the Pap test. Many did not routinely discuss the benefits and disadvantages of screening with their clients. Most women had heard of the Pap test, but only 56% knew its purpose; 25% would not participate in screening, stating reasons such as being in menopause or not having symptoms. More information about the aim of screening and the purpose of the Pap test must be communicated. Doctors need to keep their knowledge on screening up-to-date, and offer counselling that helps women to make an informed decision whether or not to participate in screening.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1639-1644
Author(s):  
Indrani Krishnappa ◽  
Kalyani R. ◽  
Raja Parthiban ◽  
Abhishek Agrawal

Background: Pap smear examination has been universally used as an effective screening tool for early detection of cervical carcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of Cervical Acid Phosphatase staining as an adjunct to routine Pap smear testing to improvethe sensitivity and specificity of routine Pap smear examination for cervical cancer detection. Materials and Methods: Cervical smears were taken from patients attending the gynecology department and a few cervical cancer screening programmes. One set of slides were alcohol fixed and stained with rapid pap stain and another set of slides were fixed in a special fixative and stained with Cervical Acid Phosphatase -Pap stain. The nuclear features of these Cervical Acid Phosphatase stained dysplastic cells was studied on Pap stain to diagnose cervical intraepithelial lesion/ malignancy. Results: Out of 489 cases included in the study 6 cases were diagnosed with intraepithelial lesion/ malignancy. On Cervical Acid Phosphatase -Pap stain 2 of the cases diagnosed as inflammatory smears on pap stain showed Cervical Acid Phosphatase positivity and thus were re evaluated. Mild nuclear atypia was observed in the Cervical Acid Phosphatase positive cells and these cases were diagnosed as Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and later biopsy proven to be Cervical intraepithelial Neoplasia I. Therefore Cervical Acid Phosphatase -Pap test was 100% sensitive and specific for cervical cancer detection. Conclusions: With 100% sensitivity Cervical Acid Phosphatase -Pap test satisfies the criteria of an efficient screening test.


Author(s):  
Anastasius Moumtzoglou ◽  
Abraham Pouliakis

Population Health Management (PHM) aims to provide better health outcomes for preventing diseases, closing care gaps and providing more personalized care. Since the inception of the Pap test, cervical cancer (CxCa) decreased in countries applying cervical cancer programs, involving both prevention and treatment. In this article, the authors map the PHM roadmap to the design of cervical cancer screening programs and examine the effect on the supporting information technology systems. Notwithstanding screening programs have a tight relation to PHM; the mapping reveals numerous interventions involving additional data sources, and timeless reconfiguration.


Author(s):  
Parth H. Vyas ◽  
Kanchan Dhadwe ◽  
Harsha A. Shah ◽  
Hiral M. Dave ◽  
Ashwin A. Shah

Background: Carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a major health problem faced by the Indian women. Regular cervical cytological examination by all sexually active women can prevent the occurrence of carcinoma cervix. Early detection of cervical cancer is possible with Pap smear tests. Methods: Women above 25 years of age, living in study area and want to participate in study were included. Total 2352 women were enrolled in study. House to house visits were conducted in all the village area by using simple random sampling method. Information about cervical cancer was given. Pap test for cervical cancer screening was carried out by gynaecologist. Cytological examination and confirmation was done by pathologists.Results: A total of 3001 women had attended village level IEC session and out that, 2352 (78.4%) women took part in the screening program. Out of these 2352 women, 2007 women (85.3% compliance) had given consent for physical cervical examination and Pap smear. The incidence of cervical cancer was 0.2% on the basis of clinical examination and biopsy.Conclusions: Higher compliance for undergoing vaginal examination and Pap test shows the positive health seeking behaviour of the women but for that, strong IEC and sensitization about the disease must be done to improve the participation. Sensitivity of Pap test was poor and couldn’t find true positive cases.


Trials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa P. Spees ◽  
Andrea C. Des Marais ◽  
Stephanie B. Wheeler ◽  
Michael G. Hudgens ◽  
Sarah Doughty ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Screening substantially reduces cervical cancer incidence and mortality. More than half of invasive cervical cancers are attributable to infrequent screening or not screening at all. The current study, My Body My Test (MBMT), evaluates the impact of mailed kits for self-collection of samples for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing on completion of cervical cancer screening in low-income, North Carolina women overdue for cervical cancer screening. Methods/design The study will enroll at least 510 US women aged 25–64 years who report no Pap test in the last 4 years and no HPV test in the last 6 years. We will randomize participants to an intervention or control arm. The intervention arm will receive kits to self-collect a sample at home and mail it for HPV testing. In both the intervention and control arms, participants will receive assistance in scheduling an appointment for screening in clinic. Study staff will deliver HPV self-collection results by phone and assist in scheduling participants for screening in clinic. The primary outcome is completion of cervical cancer screening. Specifically, completion of screening will be defined as screening in clinic or receipt of negative HPV self-collection results. Women with HPV-negative self-collection results will be considered screening-complete. All other participants will be considered screening-complete if they obtain co-testing or Pap test screening at a study-affiliated institution or other clinic. We will assess whether the self-collection intervention influences participants’ perceived risk of cervical cancer and whether perceived risk mediates the relationship between HPV self-collection results and subsequent screening in clinic. We also will estimate the incremental cost per woman screened of offering at-home HPV self-collection kits with scheduling assistance as compared to offering scheduling assistance alone. Discussion If mailed self-collection of samples for HPV testing is an effective strategy for increasing cervical cancer screening among women overdue for screening, this method has the potential to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality in medically underserved women at higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02651883, Registered on 11 January 2016.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (S1) ◽  
pp. 49-49
Author(s):  
Triin Võrno ◽  
Kaja-Triin Laisaar ◽  
Terje Raud ◽  
Kai Jõers ◽  
Doris Meigas-Tohver ◽  
...  

IntroductionIn Estonia, organized cervical cancer screening program is targeted at women aged 30–55(59) years and Pap-tests are taken every five years. Since cervical cancer is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), a number of countries have introduced the HPV-test as the primary method of screening. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of organized cervical cancer screening program in Estonia by comparing HPV- and Pap-test based strategies.MethodsFor the cost-effectiveness analysis, a Markov cohort model was developed. The model was used to estimate costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of eight screening strategies, varying the primary screening test and triage scenarios, upper age limit of screening, and testing interval. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated in comparison to current screening practice as well as to the next best option. Sensitivity analysis was performed by varying one or more similar parameter(s) at a time, while holding others at their base case value. The analysis was performed from the healthcare payer perspective adopting a five percent annual discount rate for both costs and utilities.ResultsIn the base-case scenario, ICER for HPV-test based strategies in comparison to the current screening practice was estimated at EUR 8,596–9,786 per QALY. For alternative Pap-test based strategies ICER was estimated at EUR 2,332–2,425 per QALY. In comparison to the next best option, HPV-test based strategies were dominated by Pap-test based strategies. At the cost-effectiveness threshold of EUR 10,000 per QALY Pap-testing every three years would be the cost-effective strategy for women participating in the screening program from age 30 to 63 (ICER being EUR 3,112 per QALY).ConclusionsDecreasing Pap-test based screening interval or changing to HPV-test based screening can both improve the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening program in Estonia, but based on the current cost-effectiveness study Pap-test based screening every three years should be preferred.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1488-1492
Author(s):  
Haifeng Liu ◽  
Xia Meng ◽  
Jingyi Wang

IntroductionDNA methylation is currently found to be associated with the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and the development of cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of real time quantitative methylation detection of the PAX1 gene in cervical cancer screening.MethodsAll eligible patients who underwent multiple detections for cervical cancer were assigned to the normal cervical group (n=21), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I group (n=7), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II+III group (n=12), or invasive cervical cancer group (n=14) based on pathological gradings. The methylation level of the PAX1 gene was detected using the real time quantitative methylation specific polymerase chain reaction assay and assessed by △Cp value. The diagnostic performance of PAX1 methylation detection was compared with folic acid receptor mediated diagnosis, the Thinprep cytology test, and human papilloma virus (HPV) testing.ResultsThe △Cp value in the invasive cervical cancer group was (6.15±4.07), significantly lower than that in the other groups (F=26.45, p<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) of PAX1 methylation detection was 0.902 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.817–0.986; p<0.001), and sensitivity and specificity were 92.30% and 78.60% when the cut-off value of △Cp was 13.28. The AUC of PAX1 methylation detection was notably larger compared with 0.709 for folic acid receptor mediated diagnosis (95% CI 0.568–0.849, p=0.009), 0.702 for the Thinprep cytology test (95% CI 0.559–0.844, p=0.015), and 0.655 for HPV testing (95% CI 0.508–0.802, p=0.014).ConclusionThrough quantitative methylation specific polymerase chain reaction assay characterized by rapid screening and simple operation, the methylation detection of the PAX1 gene exhibited a higher diagnostic performance and may be a promising method for cervical cancer screening.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 50-50
Author(s):  
Mary Elizabeth Dotson ◽  
Mercy Asiedu ◽  
Nimmi Ramanujam

PURPOSE Invasive cervical cancer is preventable, yet it affects 500,000 women worldwide each year, and more than one half these women die. Barriers to cervical cancer screening include a lack of awareness of cervical cancer and the cervix, fear of the speculum, and lack of women-centric technologies. We developed a low-cost (approximately $50), cervix-imaging device called the Callascope, which consists of an imaging component, camera, and inserter that obviates the need for a speculum and enables self-insertion. Studies are lacking regarding women’s willingness to independently image their cervix and women’s ability to effectively use the Callascope for self-imaging. METHODS We conducted two studies: in-depth interviews to assess the willingness to self-image the cervix, perceptions of the Callascope, and knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward cervical cancer screening; and home-based self-cervix imaging with the Callascope where women recorded an audio reflection on their experience. RESULTS Participants in interviews (n = 12) and home study (n = 12) all indicated a preference for the Callascope over the speculum. Interview data demonstrated that 53% of participants had little knowledge of basic reproductive anatomy, and only 17% of participants understood that human papillomavirus was a direct cause of cervical cancer. Self-exam data showed that 83% of participants were able to visualize their cervix with the Callascope on the first try and 100% were able to do so by the end of the study. Of participants, 100% indicated that the home exam was an empowering and informative experience. CONCLUSION The Callascope is more comfortable than the speculum and women are able to successfully image their cervices from home without the need for a speculum. With improved diagnostic capabilities, the Callascope could be used by medical providers for clinical exams, particularly in low-resource settings, as a low-cost and more comfortable alternative to the SOC. The Callascope enables home self-screening for cervical cancer and a better understanding of one’s body, which could make screening more accessible in low-resource settings.


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