Awareness Of Cancer Prevention Research Articles

Introduction of Cancer Education Program in Secondary School Curriculum: Perceptions of Education Teachers and Policymakers in Oman.

The prevalence of cancer is expected to increase worldwide for reasons related to a lack of awareness of cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Implementing cancer education programs in schools in the developing countries with similar demographic, economic, and health transition to that of Oman is crucial for enhancing students' cancer knowledge and promoting healthy behavior. This study aims to explore the perceptions of education, policymakers, and teachers regarding the inclusion of cancer education in secondary school curriculum. The study employed a qualitative method, conducting semi-structured interviews with ten education policymakers and ten school teachers. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed verbatim and qualitatively using the framework approach. Three main themes have emerged: (1) perception of the importance of cancer education inclusion within the school curriculum, (2) the perception of cancer education implementation in schools, and (3) the perceived challenges of introducing cancer education in schools. Policymakers and teachers in Oman recognize the importance of cancer education in schools and emphasized the need to prioritize it due to the increasing prevalence of the disease and the belief that negative lifestyle habits played a role in its increased prevalence. Implementing cancer education programs in schools is essential in improving students' knowledge of cancer and health behaviors. Collaboration between the department of school health in ministry of education and in ministry of health and incorporating cancer education into different school activities can be beneficial. However, the perceived challenges of cancer education in schools include the decision on the priority of cancer education among other topics, the required procedures to introduce cancer education in schools, and the financial and logistics obligations of implementing cancer education programs. Therefore, addressing the financial and logistic requirements is essential to overcome the associated challenges for implementing cancer education programs within the school curriculum.

Early-onset and later-onset cancer: trends, risk factors, and prevention in Northern China.

The characteristics of early-onset (onset age <50 years) and later-onset (onset age ≽ 50 years) cancers differ significantly. Identifying novel risk factors for both types of cancer is crucial for increasing awareness of cancer prevention and for reducing its burden. This study aimed to analyze the trends in incidence and risk factors for early-onset and late-onset cancers. We conducted a prospective study by drawing data from the Kailuan Study. This study included 6,741 participants with cancer (624 with early-onset cancer and 6,117 with later-onset cancer) and 6,780 matched controls among the 186,249 participants who underwent Kailuan health examinations from 2006 to 2019. The primary outcomes were cancer incidence rates, and associated risk factors for early- and later-onset cancer. Weighted Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of each exposure factor for early- and later-onset cancer by cancer type. Population-attributable risk proportions were used to estimate the number of cases that could be prevented by eliminating a risk factor from the population. Except for liver cancer, incidence rates for nearly all types of cancer increased during the study period. Smoking, alcohol consumption, lipid metabolism disorders, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, fatty liver, and inflammation were associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer at multiple sites, but risk factors for cancer incidence differed by site. Smoking, alcohol consumption, inflammation, and hypertension were the major contributors to preventable cancer. The incidence of several different types of cancer, including early-onset cancer, is increasing in northeastern China. Differences in risk factors between early-onset and later-onset malignancies may contribute to the divergence in the observed changes in incidence trends between these two specific types of cancer.

Actions speak louder than words; pediatricians, gynecologists, nurses, and other mothers' perspectives on the human papillomavirus vaccine: an Istanbul multicenter study.

Gynecologists and pediatricians have an essential duty to prevent cervical cancer. In this study, we compared the compliance of gynecologists (n = 22) and pediatricians (n = 49) with nurse/midwife (n = 66) and non-medical moms (n = 120) with regards to cervical cancer precautions. A questionnaire was used to gather data on their demographics, personal vaccination and screening practices, children's immunization status, and awareness of cervical cancer prevention. The findings demonstrated that gynecologists and pediatricians were better than others at understanding the risk factors and prevention of cervical cancer. It was noted that compared to other groups, physician mothers and their offspring had higher vaccination rates (n = 13, 18.3%; n = 10, 29.4%, respectively). Medical professionals typically provided thorough and accurate answers to informational questions. More frequent Pap smear tests were performed by gynecologists. It was noted that mothers who worked as pediatricians and nurses/midwives neglected their own screening needs. This questionnaire survey sought to ascertain Istanbul's health professionals' present opinions regarding HPV vaccination. Healthcare professionals should be the first to receive information on HPV vaccination and cervical cancer incidence reduction. The public could then readily use them as an example.

Abstract 1292: ProTALKS: A community outreach project founded by a graduate of the CaRE2 Community Scientist Research Advocacy training program, Mrs. Lynn Jones-Turpin

Abstract ProTALKS was created and led by a community member committed to reducing prostate cancer health disparities. ProTALKS stands for Prostate Cancer Outreach, Opinions, and Opportunities and is designed to increase awareness of prostate cancer prevention, research, and treatment as well as highlight the health disparities observed in Black communities. According to the Florida Department of Health, prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates among Black men living in Duval County are higher compared to men of other races and ethnicities. Therefore, there is a need for programs like ProTALKS that focus on early detection strategies and promoting community resources. In collaboration with the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN), The American Legion Post 197, and Florida Blue, ProTALKS has increased access to services such as prostate cancer screening and evidence-based information. Community events implemented by ProTALKS bring together oncologists, researchers, key community leaders, health educators, and providers to educate and promote positive health behavior changes among high-risk communities. In addition to hosting health fairs, ProTalks has hosted grilling competitions and community awareness walks to further educate the community about prostate cancer prevention, screening, and research. ProTALKS also shares information through the local newspaper, The Jacksonville Free Press, The Lynn &amp; Friends radio show, and social media platforms. Since its start in 2021, with support from the Florida-California Cancer Research, Education, and Engagement (CaRE2) Health Equity Center, ProTALKS has implemented more than 10 community events with over 1,000 community members from Jacksonville, Florida. ProTALKS, in collaboration with CaRE2, continues to disseminate information about cancer screening, the importance of clinical trial participation, and donating biospecimens for cancer research. Although ProTALKS has been successful in its mission, there have been challenges throughout its implementation. For example, one challenge has been increasing the number of community members attending events and using appropriate marketing techniques to promote ProTALKS’ activities. Future implications to avoid challenges include recruiting more volunteers, and partnering with other community organizations in Duval County. Citation Format: Lynn Jones-Turpin, Ileana Guzman, Brooke Hensel, Fern Webb. ProTALKS: A community outreach project founded by a graduate of the CaRE2 Community Scientist Research Advocacy training program, Mrs. Lynn Jones-Turpin [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1292.

Analysis of the current state of cervical cancer prevention awareness and its influencing factors among rural women in Luohe City.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to identify the current awareness about cervical cancer prevention among rural women in Luohe City as well as its potential influencing factors. Meanwhile, these data were expected to provide a theoretical basis for Luohe future cervical cancer prevention and therapy. Based on geographical distribution, 40 villages in Luohe City were randomly selected, and questionnaires were given to women in each village. In this study, a total of 4665 questionnaires were distributed, and 4561 valid questionnaires were returned, with a recovery rate of 97.98%. The average score was 4.06 ± 2.46 out of 10. It was found that women had a high awareness rate of cervical cancer screening (55.25%) but a low awareness rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine (10.17%). Moreover, univariate and multivariable analyses showed that age > 45 years, low household income, low education level, being a farmer, spouse unemployment, no pregnancy or birth delivery history, no family or personal history of cervical disease, and no previous complimentary 2-cancer screening (i.e., breast cancer and cervical cancer) were all factors influencing the cognitive level of rural women in Luohe City (P < .05). However, ethnicity, marital status, and spouse education level were not correlated with cognitive level (P > .05). In conclusion, low awareness of cervical cancer prevention among rural women in Luohe was correlated with individual, family, and social factors. So it was recommended to cultivate the rural population knowledge, optimize screening strategies, and conduct targeted cervical cancer prevention and treatment in rural regions.

Abstract A040: Examining the geographical distribution of a colorectal cancer awareness community outreach program

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant health issue in the United States, ranking as the third most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The incidence of CRC varies across the east coast of the United States due to multiple factors, including disparities in lifestyle, healthcare accessibility, and environmental exposures. Community-based participatory research plays a vital role in identifying effective interventions to enhance awareness of cancer risk and prevention in specific communities. Methods: This study focused on Asian Americans, Blacks, and Hispanics residing in the Greater Philadelphia (PA), New Jersey (NJ), and New York City (NYC) areas. The Synergistic Partnership for Enhancing Equity in Cancer Health (SPEECH) collaborated with community-based organizations' leaders and staff to streamline recruitment, workshop delivery, and survey data collection. The workshop curriculum covered essential CRC information, including facts, dietary habits, and screening guidelines. Pre- and post-workshop surveys were used to assess changes in CRC knowledge and screening intention. The distribution of participants was analyzed using Arc GIS. Results: [GXM1] The study population consisted of 212 Asian, 172 Hispanic/Latino, and 126 African American/Black participants. Geographical data was obtainable for 486 participants, primarily from New York (n=286, 58.8%), Pennsylvania (n=150, 30.9%), and New Jersey (n=49, 10.1%). These states form the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York City (PNN) region, which is known for its high concentrations of neighborhoods experiencing persistent poverty, especially in areas densely populated by minorities. Distinct examples include neighborhoods within the Bronx borough of New York City and Philadelphia County in Pennsylvania. Alarmingly, in some counties within the PNN region, as many as 26% of the census tracts are categorized as persistently impoverished. This pattern of concentrated poverty is supported by several existing studies and research reports. Conclusions: The distribution of participants aligned with the study area of SPEECH and areas characterized by persistent poverty. These findings provide valuable insights to guide efforts in improving cancer health equity in the identified regions. Citation Format: Thoin F. Begum, Ellen Kim, Lin Zhu, Yin Tan, Evelyn T. González, Marilyn A. Fraser, Yingzhang Lin, Nathaly Rubio-Torio, Tenya Blackwell, Carolyn Martin, Safa Ibrahim, Ming-Chin Yeh, Grace X. Ma. Examining the geographical distribution of a colorectal cancer awareness community outreach program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A040.

Abstract C104: Addressing health disparities: Enhancing knowledge and screening practices for liver disease risk factors among African Americans

Abstract Background: Liver cancer poses a significant health burden globally, with racial and ethnic disparities in its incidence. Among these disparities, the Black population in the United States faces a heightened risk of liver cancer due to the higher prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored educational intervention designed to enhance awareness of liver cancer prevention and screening among at-risk populations. Methods: Descriptive statistics were used to characterize participant demographics and clinical factors. Paired t-tests assessed the difference in knowledge scores before and after the intervention. Poisson regression with robust variance estimation determined the association between physicians' recommendations for testing and patients receiving blood tests. Results: The study included 137 African American participants. Prior to the intervention, the majority were aware that casual contact does not transmit HBV or HCV (79.6%) and that sharing needles for tattoos or drug injection can transmit the viruses (77.4%). The mean knowledge score increased significantly from 6.61 pre-intervention to 8.44 post-intervention (p-value&amp;lt;0.001). Poisson regression analysis showed that African American adults were less likely to receive physician recommendations for blood tests for HBV (RR=0.95, 95%CI:0.87,1.04) and HCV (RR=0.91, 95%CI:0.83,1.00) compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Conclusions: The culturally tailored educational intervention effectively improved knowledge of HBV and HCV among African American participants, indicating the importance of culturally sensitive programs in reducing liver cancer disparities. Efforts to increase awareness of liver disease and promote testing within the healthcare system are crucial for reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with HBV and HCV infections among African Americans. Character count (with spaces): 1,963 Acknowledgment: This study was supported by TUFCCC/HC Regional Comprehensive Cancer Health Disparity Partnership, Award Number U54 CA221704(5) from the National Cancer Institute of National Institutes of Health (NCI/NIH) and by NIGMS/NIH award # 1SC3GM131949[GXM1] . The author team would like to thank Community Advisory Board members, leaders, and staff members for collaborating with community/faith-based organization partners. We also acknowledge the research team staff of Planning Evaluation Core under TUFCCC/HC Regional Comprehensive Cancer Health Disparity Partnership for their support and contribution for their support and contributions to Community Outreach Core's data management. Its contents are solely the authors' responsibility and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NCI/NIH or the NIGMS/NIH. Citation Format: Jade A. Truehart, Thoin F. Begum, Keshanti Bruce, Lin Zhu, Ming-Chin Yeh, Evelyn Gonzalez, Marilyn A. Fraser, Ada Wong, Steven Zhu, Nathaly Rubio-Torio, Grace X. Ma, Yin Tan. Addressing health disparities: Enhancing knowledge and screening practices for liver disease risk factors among African Americans [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C104.

Interest in mammography across European countries: a retrospective "Google Trends" comparative study.

Breast cancer is currently the most prevalent and impacting cancer among women and mammography has been recommended for screening by The European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer since 2003. The objective of this study is to estimate the interest in breast cancer screening breast cancer in European countries by analyzing data from online searches for the term "mammography" obtained via Google Trends. The relative search volumes (RSVs) of the term "mammography" translated into various languages and relating to the January 2010-December 2022 period were downloaded from Google Trends. The between-countries differences growth of interest was estimated by a regression model in which the country-time interaction term was introduced. France [coefficient (coeff): 0.23; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18-0.28], United Kingdom (coeff: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.18-0.27) and Germany (coeff: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.16-0.25) showed the higher growth in mammography interest when compared to the average growth. The lowest growths were observed in Eastern European countries: Croatia (coeff: -0.13; 95% CI: -0.18 to -0.09), Serbia (coeff: -0.14; 95% CI: -0.18 to -0.09), Greece (coeff: -0.14; 95% CI: -0.18 to -0.09), Slovenia (coeff: -0.15; 95% CI: -0.2 to -0.11) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (coeff: -0.15; 95% CI: -0.2 to -0.11). These exploratory findings suggest that online interest in mammography is lower in countries with lower screening coverage and higher breast cancer mortality. These countries could adopt strategies to raise awareness of breast cancer prevention.

Synthesis of Hydroxylated Stilbenes in a Batch and Flow Reactor: An Overview

AbstractWith the increasing awareness of cardiovascular diseases and cancer prevention, the interest in resveratrol and its derivatives, i. e. hydroxylated stilbene compounds, as great antioxidants is growing day by day. The discovery of several other stilbene applications, especially in the treatment of numerous diseases, has further increased interest. Antidiabetic, anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti‐neurodegenerative are just a few of the properties attributed to hydroxylated stilbene compounds. It is therefore not surprising that hydroxylated stilbenes are of great importance and frequently researched nowadays. In parallel, research in the field of flow chemistry has been increasing rapidly for years, as it offers many advantages in many different fields, including the synthesis of hydroxylated stilbenes. In this review article, a concise overview of stilbene compounds is given, as well as their properties and biological activity depending on the structure. In addition, various and common synthesis and production methods are described, with emphasis on application of flow chemistry in these processes.

Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the breast cancer perception scale for community women: a translation and validation study.

Breast cancer perception is closely associated with the incidence of breast cancer among community-dwelling women. Consequently, it is crucial to enhance their breast cancer survival rate by assessing their cognitive status and implementing targeted interventions. This study aimed to translate the breast cancer perception scale into Chinese and validate its psychometric properties among community women. A cross-sectional study method was introduced in this study. After obtaining the original author's authorization, the breast cancer perception scale was translated into Chinese using the Brislin back-translation method. Item analysis was employed to examine the discriminative power of the items, and the Delphi method was utilized to assess content validity. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to evaluate the scale's construct validity. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were calculated to analyze reliability. A total of 24 items were retained in the item analysis, and the content validity index of the translated scale was 0.964. In the EFA, six common factors were extracted, namely perceived knowledge, perceived treatment belief, perceived need for health checks, perceived stigma, perceived fear, and perceived risk, accounting for 74.911% of the cumulative variance. The CFA results were as follows: χ2/df = 1.301, GFI = 0.903, NFI = 0.913, TLI = 0.975, CFI = 0.978, IFI = 0.979, RMSEA = 0.037. The Cronbach's α coefficients, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability of the translated scale were 0.895, 0.661, and 0.865, respectively. The Chinese version of the breast cancer perception scale demonstrated suitable psychometric properties among community women. By evaluating results according to the scale, medical staff can enhance breast cancer prevention awareness and care for community-dwelling women and subsequently implement corresponding modifications.

Latin America and the Caribbean Code Against Cancer 1st edition: Building capacity on cancer prevention to primary healthcare professionals

IntroductionEvery year 1.5 million new cancer cases are diagnosed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Of these, about 40 % could be prevented. Health illiteracy has been identified as a main barrier for cancer prevention. Primary healthcare professionals (HCP) are key in cancer prevention as they are the first entry point of the population into the healthcare system. The LAC Code Against Cancer 1st edition aims to improve health literacy and awareness of cancer prevention in the LAC population, through building capacity of primary HCP. MethodsThe definition and development of the learning objectives, curriculum, structure, and evaluation of an online learning program for primary HCP was led by a dedicated group of experts from the LAC Code Against Cancer project. A pedagogical guideline and a template to ensure harmonization across topics were produced to guide the program development. Two rounds of internal revisions and an editorial process were performed. ResultsAn online competency-based microlearning program for primary HCP was produced, taking the LAC Code Against Cancer as a basis. The competences addressed in the curriculum are core knowledge, communication skills, decision-making and applying knowledge to real-world situations. A comprehensive evaluation to assess acquisition of these competences, based on the Miller’s Pyramid, was designed with three data collection points: a) immediately before, to assess baseline knowledge and skills; b) immediately after, to determine acquired competences; and c) at 3–6 months follow-up, to assess performance in daily practice. The e-learning will be freely available in the Virtual Campus for Public Health of the Pan American Health Organization in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. ConclusionPrimary HCP, perceived as trustworthy sources of information, are key actors to increase the population’s awareness and literacy on cancer prevention. Building capacity of these professionals has the potential to increase dissemination and impact of the LAC Code Against Cancer by prompting communication with the public and offering personalized actionable preventive messages through counselling.

Changes in Cancer Screening Knowledge Among a Prospective Cohort of Spanish-Speaking Hispanic Community Outreach Event Participants in Florida and Puerto Rico.

The current study examined cancer prevention and early detection awareness (pre-workshop) and changes in knowledge (from pre- to post-workshop) among Hispanic/Latino (H/L) community members who participated in Spanish-language educational outreach events in Puerto Rico (PR) and Florida (FL). Spanish-language educational outreach events were comprised of an educational session lasting approximately 45-60min and were delivered to groups in rural and urban community settings by a single trained community health educator (CHE). The research team assessed sociodemographic characteristics, personal and familial cancer health history, as well as awareness and knowledge (pre-test) of a range of cancer prevention and screening topics. Following the presentation, participants completed a post-test knowledge survey which also measured likelihood of engaging in cancer screening, cancer preventive behaviors, and cancer research as a result of information presented during the session. Change in the average knowledge score was evaluated using a paired samples t-test. Post-session likelihood of completing cancer screening and preventive behaviors and engaging in cancer research were examined using descriptive statistics and group/site comparisons. The percentage reporting awareness of screening procedures ranged from 33% (PSA test) to 79% (mammogram). H/L in PR reported higher percentage of stool blood test awareness when compared to H/L in FL (χ2(1)= 19.20, p<.001). The average knowledge score increased from 5.97 at pre-test to 7.09 at post-test (Cohen's d=0.69). The increase was significant across all participants (t(315)= 12.4, p<.001), as well as within the FL site (t(124)= 6.66, p<.001, d=0.59) and the PR site (t(190)=10.66, p<.001, d=0.77). Results from this study suggest that educational outreach events delivered to H/L community members by a CHE are valuable strategies to address challenges regarding cancer screening knowledge and engagement in multiple behaviors.

Awareness of prostate cancer and its associated factors among male patients attending care in the urology unit at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundGlobally, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. It is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Symptoms may be non-specific and may not present...

Abstract 16: Building Capacity on Cancer Prevention of Healthcare Professionals in Latin America and the Caribbean as Trusted Agents to Increase Populations’ Health Literacy: An Online Competency-Based Microlearning Program

Abstract Purpose: Every year 1.5 million new cancer cases are diagnosed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Of these cancers, about 40% could be prevented by avoiding or reducing exposure to modifiable risk factors and unhealthy behaviours. Health literacy has been identified as a main barrier for cancer prevention and control. Healthcare professionals may play a key role in cancer prevention as the first entry point of the public in the health system. We aim to improve health literacy and awareness of cancer prevention in the public in LAC through building capacity and competencies of healthcare professionals to adopt cancer prevention actions. Methods: We developed an online competency-based self-paced microlearning program for primary healthcare professionals based on the cancer prevention actions recommended in the 1st edition of the Latin American and the Caribbean Code Against Cancer (soon to be launched). The competences addressed in the curriculum are knowledge, communication skills, problem-solving and applying knowledge to real-world situations. We designed a comprehensive evaluation based on the Miller’s Pyramid with a pre-post design to assess the acquisition and use of these competences. Data will be collected in three time-points: a) immediately prior to commencing the training program, to assess baseline knowledge and skills; b) immediately after completion, to determine acquired competences (knows, knows how, and shows how); and c) at 3-6 months follow-up, to assess performance in daily practice (does). Results: The microlearning program will be freely available to all LAC healthcare professionals. During the study period, students wishing to receive a certificate will have to provide their informed consent to participate in the study and complete the necessary questionnaires. Our expected outcomes are: a) short-term, increased healthcare professionals’ competencies to apply cancer prevention in their clinical practice; and b) long-term, enhanced cancer literacy and awareness of preventive measures in the public to reduce cancer risk in LAC. Conclusion: Primary healthcare professionals may be key vectors to increase public awareness and literacy on cancer prevention; however, competency-based trainings are needed to offer the public truthful and actionable advice, answer questions and disseminate personalised preventive messages. Citation Format: Ariadna Feliu, Carolyn Finck, Arlette Bahena Botello, Mariantonia Lemos, Carolina Espina. Building Capacity on Cancer Prevention of Healthcare Professionals in Latin America and the Caribbean as Trusted Agents to Increase Populations’ Health Literacy: An Online Competency-Based Microlearning Program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Closing the Research-to-Implementation Gap; 2023 Apr 4-6. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 16.

The brown university cancer prevention and survivorship curriculum: A case study on program development in an internal medicine residency.

11031 Background: Advances in screening, early detection, and treatment have increased the number of cancer survivors. Cancer survivors have a unique set of medical, psychosocial, physical, and financial challenges. Though it is critical for provider teams to be attuned and equipped to address these issues, we identified two training programs in this discipline. Medical residency clinical education does not fully explore the role of cancer preventative services and survivorship experiences available to patients and their families. We developed an elective at Alpert Medical School at Brown University/Lifespan Internal Medicine Residency Program (Brown) to improve medicine residents’ knowledge and clinical skills on different aspects of the cancer control continuum, with a focus on prevention, early detection, survivorship and surveillance. Methods: In 2020, a team of Brown internal medicine (IM) residents, faculty and one hematology oncology (heme/onc) fellow examined the existing cancer prevention and survivorship infrastructure, identified key faculty and clinics, and examined existing programs at peer institutions. A needs assessment was completed by Brown IM residents and heme/onc fellows. We then designed the Cancer Prevention &amp; Survivorship Elective, an innovative and novel educational elective for medical residents to promote interest, awareness, and understanding of cancer prevention and survivorship. The 6 module one month elective features didactics and clinical experiences offered via a live and independent study fashion. The elective brought together 27 disciplines, 64 faculty lecturers from 10 peer institutions across the United States and included 20 unique clinics. Residents completed anonymous pre- and post-course surveys to measure their understanding and degree of confidence in different aspects of cancer prevention and survivorship, not limited to surveillance, health disparities and global perspective, primary and secondary prevention, late and long-term effects, and quality of life. Results: In January 2023, ten residents, ranging from first- to third-year IM and medicine-pediatrics, participated in the live elective. Two IM residents have registered to complete the elective via independent study in 2023. To date, the Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Elective has improved IM residents’ confidence, comfort and clinical skills in treating patients along the cancer care continuum. Conclusions: This curricula serves as an example for inter-institutional collaboration, and highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach when caring for patients at high-risk of developing cancer and surviving cancer.

ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS AND RISK FACTORS FOR CERVICAL CANCER AMONG YOUNG WOMEN IN ALMATY

Relevance: Currently, in the world, including Kazakhstan, the increasing number of new cervical cancer cases among women of reproductive age is a socio-demographic problem. The increase in cervical cancer incidence among young women, the high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among young sexually active women, the lack of screening programs for the early detection of cervical cancer in young women, the need to take urgent measures to increase awareness of young women about risk factors for cervical cancer and methods of prevention and determined the relevance of this study.&#x0D; The study aimed to estimate the awareness, identify risk factors for cervical cancer, and assess the state of reproductive health of young women of Almaty by questioning.&#x0D; Methods: The article presents an analytical study of the intermediate results of a survey of young women aged 18 to 32 years and living in Almaty. Participants received full information on the upcoming survey. The questionnaire collected information on socio-demographic data, awareness of cervical cancer prevention, and women’s gynecological history. The questionnaire contained 30 questions in total and took 10 minutes to complete.&#x0D; Results: Among young women in Almaty, low awareness of primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer was revealed in all age groups. The most common risk factors for cervical cancer among young women in Almaty were an early onset of sexual activity, smoking, and hormonal contraceptive uptake.&#x0D; Conclusion: The survey showed the problem of low awareness of girls about cervical cancer and the risk factors for developing cervical cancer. Based on these data, we can state the need for educational work on these issues among young people.

ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS AND RISK FACTORS FOR CERVICAL CANCER AMONG YOUNG WOMEN IN ALMATY

Relevance: Currently, in the world, including Kazakhstan, the increasing number of new cervical cancer cases among women of reproductive age is a socio-demographic problem. The increase in cervical cancer incidence among young women, the high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among young sexually active women, the lack of screening programs for the early detection of cervical cancer in young women, the need to take urgent measures to increase awareness of young women about risk factors for cervical cancer and methods of prevention and determined the relevance of this study.&#x0D; The study aimed to estimate the awareness, identify risk factors for cervical cancer, and assess the state of reproductive health of young women of Almaty by questioning.&#x0D; Methods: The article presents an analytical study of the intermediate results of a survey of young women aged 18 to 32 years and living in Almaty. Participants received full information on the upcoming survey. The questionnaire collected information on socio-demographic data, awareness of cervical cancer prevention, and women’s gynecological history. The questionnaire contained 30 questions in total and took 10 minutes to complete.&#x0D; Results: Among young women in Almaty, low awareness of primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer was revealed in all age groups. The most common risk factors for cervical cancer among young women in Almaty were an early onset of sexual activity, smoking, and hormonal contraceptive uptake.&#x0D; Conclusion: The survey showed the problem of low awareness of girls about cervical cancer and the risk factors for developing cervical cancer. Based on these data, we can state the need for educational work on these issues among young people.

Associations between the signing status of family doctor contract services and cervical cancer screening behaviors: a cross-sectional study in Shenzhen, China

BackgroundAs a core part of the primary healthcare system, family doctor contract services (FDCS) may help healthcare providers promote cervical cancer screening to the female population. However, evidence from population-based studies remains scant. This study aimed to investigate the potential associations between the signing status of FDCS and cervical cancer screening practices in Shenzhen, China.MethodsA cross-sectional survey among female residents was conducted between July to December 2020 in Shenzhen, China. A multistage sampling method was applied to recruit women seeking health services in community health service centers. Binary logistic regression models were established to assess the associations between the signing status of FDCS and cervical cancer screening behaviors.ResultsOverall, 4389 women were recruited (mean age: 34.28, standard deviation: 7.61). More than half (54.3%) of the participants had signed up with family doctors. Women who had signed up for FDCS performed better in HPV-related knowledge (high-level rate: 49.0% vs. 35.6%, P<0.001), past screening participation (48.4% vs. 38.8%, P<0.001), and future screening willingness (95.9% vs. 90.8%, P<0.001) than non-signing women. Signing up with family doctors was marginally associated with past screening participation (OR: 1.13, 95%CI: 0.99–1.28), which tended to be robust among women with health insurance, being older than 25 years old at sexual debut, using condom consistently during sexual intercourse, and with a low level of HPV related knowledge. Similarly, signing up with family doctors was positively associated with future screening willingness (OR: 1.68, 95%CI: 1.29–2.20), which was more pronounced among women who got married and had health insurance.ConclusionsThis study suggests that signing up with family doctors has positive associations with cervical cancer screening behaviors among Chinese women. Expanding public awareness of cervical cancer prevention and FDCS may be a feasible way to achieve the goal of cervical cancer screening coverage.

The Practice and Willingness of Women Towards Opportunistic Screening for Breast and Cervical Cancers in Sichuan Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To understand the practices and willingness of Chinese women to undergo opportunistic screening for breast cancer (BC) and cervical cancer (CC). From July to August 2021, a cross-sectional study of 1446 women from six cities in Sichuan Province, China, was conducted. A questionnaire was used to investigate practices, willingness, and barriers to opportunistic screening for BC and CC. Furthermore, potential factors for opportunistic screening willingness were analyzed using the chi-squared test and logistic regression. During their lifetime, 312 (21.6%) and 388 (26.8%) women had undergone opportunistic screening for BC and CC, respectively. There were 1069 (73.9%) women willing to accept physician-recommended screening during a medical visit, while 835 (57.7%) were willing to have a voluntary screening at a healthcare institution. The main barriers to reluctance to participate in physician-recommended and voluntary screenings were "no symptoms; hence, no need for screening" and "unwillingness or difficulty in paying screening cost". Ethnic minorities, lower education levels, and menopause were inversely associated, whereas awareness of the screening methods and eligibility for screening were positively associated with physician-recommended and voluntary screenings (P < 0.05). Furthermore, awareness of "two-cancers" screening was positively associated with physician-recommended screening (P < 0.05). BC and CC opportunistic screening rates in Sichuan Province were low. The willingness to undergo physician-recommended screening was high, while that towards individual initiative screening was low. Public health education should be strengthened to increase cancer prevention awareness and knowledge of cancer screening, especially for women with low education, ethnic minorities, and post-menopause, for whom tailored interventions are suggested. In addition, novel ways of sharing screening costs need to be explored.

Youth Ambassadors Reaching Out (YARO): Lessons learned from the implementation of a youth-based cancer education program

We know that many factors contribute to the exacerbation of cancer health disparities. These inequities observed in adulthood may have originated from behaviors occurring in early adolescence. We believe that increasing awareness of cancer prevention in youth may help reduce future disparities. Our community partners identified a need for youth-oriented cancer prevention and helped design the pilot Youth Ambassadors Reaching Out (YARO) program. YARO provided cancer prevention and health disparities education and exposure to health careers to 73 middle school students between 2012-2016. YARO included didactic sessions (health disparities, smoking prevention, physical activity, nutrition), a cancer center tour, and Photovoice project. Students were encouraged to serve as ambassadors by sharing lessons learned with others. Participants demonstrated increases in cancer prevention knowledge during the program. Evaluation data revealed that students served as ambassadors by sharing information with others about healthy behaviors, improving their own health habits, and volunteering in their communities.