Organized Screening Research Articles

Proposal for a descriptive and differentiated presentation of the longitudinal impact of the new organized cancer screening guideline and HPV vaccination in Germany

IntroductionSince 01/01/2020, the cervical cancer screening in Germany has been carried out due to the organized early cancer diagnosis guideline (oKFE-RL). In 2007, HPV vaccination was initiated in Germany. The main goal of both initiatives is to further reduce the incidence of invasive cervical cancer. To assess the effect of the new screening strategy in a timely manner, monitoring of short-term changes need to be considered. Ideally, the effects of both prevention methods would be presented together in one model.Materials and methodsBecause no change in the incidence of invasive cervical cancer is initially expected, the incidence of CIN 3 is used as a surrogate parameter to assess the effects of the prevention efforts. Based on expected additional effects of vaccination and co-testing, a model-based estimation of the expected CIN 3 incidence during the evaluation of the screening program is performed using the CIN 3 incidence in the Saarland population.Modeling resultsThe oKFE-RL provides for two groups: Primary cytodiagnosis continues until 35 years of age. Here, in the next few years, CIN 3 incidence will be reduced not by the oKFE-RL but by the increasing proportion of vaccinated women. In the group over 35 years, co-testing was introduced with a stringent algorithm. Due to the higher sensitivity of the HPV test, significantly more CIN 3 are detected in the first round of 3 years and thus, the CIN 3 incidence initially increases. As these CIN 3 are absent in the second round, significantly fewer CIN 3 cases will be detected then. These effects suggest a global decrease in CIN 3 incidence of 25.8% after 6 years.ConclusionObservation of the age distribution curve of CIN 3 allows both effects of prevention to be assessed in a timely manner and separately. In the future, data from epidemiologic cancer registries should be incorporated into the model to replace modeling with real data.

OA10.05 Integrating Smoking Cessation into LDCT Lung Cancer Screening. Results of the Ontario, Canada, Pilot

Screening for lung cancer (LC) using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in high-risk individuals reduces LC mortality. In June 2017, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) initiated a screening Pilot that included a smoking cessation (SC) intervention to inform the implementation of a provincial organized lung screening program.

Heterogeneous Preferences for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Germany: Results of a Discrete Choice Experiment

ObjectivesColorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests differ in benefits, harms, and processes, making individual informed decisions preference based. The objective was to analyze the preferences of insurees in Germany for characteristics of CRC screening modalities. MethodsA generic discrete choice experiment with 2-alternative choice sets and 6 attributes (CRC mortality, CRC incidence, complications, preparation, need for transportation, and follow-up; 3 levels each) depicting characteristics of fecal testing, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy was generated. Participants completed 8 choice tasks. Internal validity was tested using a within-set dominated pair. Between June and October 2020, written questionnaires were sent to a stratified random sample (n = 5000) of 50-, 55-, and 60-year-old insurees of the AOK (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse) Lower Saxony, who had previously received an invitation to participate in the organized screening program including evidence-based information. Preferences were analyzed using conditional logit, mixed logit, and latent-class model. ResultsFrom 1282 questionnaires received (26% [1282 of 4945]), 1142 were included in the analysis. Approximately 42% of the respondents chose the dominated alternative in the internal validity test. Three heterogeneous preference classes were identified. Most important attributes were preparation (class 1; n = 505, 44%), CRC mortality (class 2; n = 347, 30%), and CRC incidence (class 3; n = 290, 25%). Contrary to a priori expectations, a higher effort was preferred for bowel cleansing (class 1) and accompaniment home (classes 1 and 2). ConclusionInternal validity issues of choice data need further research and warrant attention in future discrete choice experiment surveys. The observed preference heterogeneity suggests different informational needs, although the underlying reasons remained unclear.

Cost-Effectiveness of an Organized Lung Cancer Screening Program for Asbestos-Exposed Subjects.

Simple SummaryLung cancer screening experiments in smokers are underway in Europe, and data in populations with other risk factors for lung cancer, such as asbestos exposure, are expected. Our original article yielded a cost-effectiveness analysis of a lung cancer screening program in a population exposed to asbestos, based on the data from National Lung Cancer Screening trial and a French asbestos-exposed cohort (ARDCO cohort). Individual data from 14,218 subjects in the ARDCO cohort, followed for 20 years (2002–2022), have allowed several screening models to be established according to exposure level, smoking status and presence of radiological signs of asbestos exposure. For the whole cohort, an annual screening programme is not cost-effective, while screening every 2 years for smokers with high asbestos-exposure and subjects with asbestosis is cost-effective. This analysis has never been reported in the literature and could help in the establishment of inclusion criteria for future experiments in this population.Background: The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) and NELSON study opened the debate on the relevance of lung cancer (LC) screening in subjects exposed to occupational respiratory carcinogens. This analysis reported the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) of an organized LC screening program for an asbestos-exposed population. Methods: Using Markov modelization, individuals with asbestos exposure were either monitored without intervention or annual low-dose thoracic computed-tomography (LDTCT) scan LC screening. LC incidence came from a prospective observational cohort of subjects with occupational asbestos exposure. The intervention parameters were those of the NLST study. Utilities and LC-management costs came from published reports. A sensitivity analysis evaluated different screening strategies. Results: The respective quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gain, supplementary costs and ICER [95% confidence interval] were: 0.040 [0.010–0.065] QALY, 6900 [3700–11,800] € and 170,000 [75,000–645,000] €/QALY for all asbestos-exposed subjects; and 0.144 [0.071–0.216] QALY, 13,000 [5700–26,800] € and 90,000 [35,000–276,000] €/QALY for smokers with high exposure. When screening was based on biennial LDTCT scans, the ICER was 45,000 [95% CI: 15,000–116,000] €/QALY. Conclusions: Compared to the usual ICER thresholds, biennial LDTCT scan LC screening for smokers with high occupational exposure to asbestos is acceptable and preferable to annual scans.

Assessment of the compliance, influencing factors, and yielding results of liver cancer screening in a high-risk population: A cross-sectional study.

The participation and results for liver cancer screening are rarely reported. The aim of this study was to determine the participation rates and factors affecting participation rates as well as to report the detection rate for liver cancer in an organized screening program. The organized screening program for liver cancer was conducted in 12 rural sites. The risk of developing liver cancer was initially evaluated for each participant. High-risk individuals were offered α-fetoprotein measurement and ultrasonography examination. Potential risk factors associated with the participation rate were screened by fitted generalized linear mixed logistic regression models through reporting odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs. A total of 358,662 eligible participants completed the basic surveys, and 54,745 were evaluated to be at high risk of liver cancer. Of these high-risk individuals, 40,543 accepted the screening services. Determinants of participation for screening behavior included older age, being female, being positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, having a family history of liver cancer, chronic depression, and low income. The detection rate for liver cancer was estimated to be 0.41% (95% CI, 0.35-0.48). This study reported several significant factors associated with the screening behaviors for liver cancer. Participation rate and results for liver cancer screening in rural areas are rarely reported. The determinants associated with adherence rates and early detection rate of liver cancer in an organized screening program for liver cancer were assessed. A possible positive correlation between the participation rates and the early detection rate was observed among attendees of screening. These new finds could be beneficial to increasing the participation rate of screening.

Breast and cervical cancer screening in the Philippines: Challenges and steps forward

In 2020, breast and cervical cancer were the top 2 cancers among Filipino women in terms of incidence. In the Philippines, a lower-middle income country in Southeast Asia with more than 50 million women, majority of breast and cervical cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, as high out-of-pocket healthcare costs, the centralization of health human resources and infrastructure in the capital, and the absence of organized national screening programs preclude access to breast and cervical cancer screening. Low health literacy and gendered sociocultural pressures among Filipino women compound these systemic challenges. The recent passage of the Universal Health Care Law and the National Integrated Cancer Control Act in the Philippines is an opportunity to reduce disparities in access to cancer screening, with implications for other low- and middle-income countries that may face parallel challenges.

Irregular screening participation increases advanced stage breast cancer at diagnosis: A population-based study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of irregular screening behaviour on the risk of advanced stage breast cancer at diagnosis in Flanders. MethodsAll women aged 50–69 who were invited to the organized breast cancer screening and diagnosed with breast cancer before age 72 from 2001 to 2018 were included. All prevalent screen and interval cancers within 2 years of a prevalent screen were excluded. Screening behaviour was categorized based on the number of invitations and performed screenings. Four groups were defined: regular, irregular, only-once, and never attenders. Advanced stage cancer was defined as a stage III + breast cancer. The association between screening regularity and breast cancer stage at diagnosis was evaluated in multivariable logistic regression models, taking age of diagnosis and socio-economic status into account. ResultsIn total 13.5% of the 38,005 breast cancer cases were diagnosed at the advanced stage. Compared to the regular attenders, the risk of advanced stage breast cancer for the irregular attenders, women who participated only-once, and never attenders was significantly higher with ORadjusted:1.17 (95%CI:1.06–1.29) and ORadjusted:2.18 (95%CI:1.94–2.45), and ORadjusted:5.95 (95%CI:5.33–6.65), respectively. ConclusionsIn our study, never attenders were nearly six times more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer than regular attenders, which was much higher than the estimates published thus far. An explanation for this is that the ever screened women is a heterogeneous group regarding the participation profiles which also includes irregular and only-once attenders. The benefit of regular screening should be informed to all women invited for screening.

Organized Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening: Attendance and Determinants in Rural China.

To evaluate the attendance and determinants of organized cervical and breast cancer (two-cancer) screening, especially higher-level factors, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in central China from June 2018 to November 2019 among 1949 women (age ≥ 35 years). We examined organizer-level factors, provider-level factors, receiver-lever factors and attendance and participation willingness of screening. The results indicate that the attendance and participation willingness of organized two-cancer screening was 61.19% and 77.15%, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, women who received screening notification were more likely to have greater participation willingness and higher attendance than those who received no notification (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27–1.99; aOR = 98.03, 95% CI: 51.44–186.82, respectively). Compared with being notified about screening by GPs, being notified by community women’s leaders and other community leaders were more likely to lead to greater willingness to participate again (aOR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.13–7.24; aOR = 3.27, 95% CI: 1.26–8.48, respectively) and recommending screening to others (aOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.02–4.65; aOR = 4.14, 95% CI: 1.84–9.30, respectively). The results suggest that notification of women about screening by community leaders is an important organizer-level factor. As a part of public health services, the design and implementation of optimal cancer screening strategies may require public-sector involvement at the organizer level instead of a one-man show by the health sector.

Social Inequalities in Participation in Cervical Cancer Screening in a Metropolitan Area Implementing a Pilot Organised Screening Programme (Paris Region, France).

Objectives: We aimed to examine social inequalities in participation in cervical cancer screening (CCS) in a metropolitan area by implementing a pilot organised screening programme. The pilot programme consisted of sending invitations to women who did not perform a pap smear within the past 3 years, managing interventions to reach vulnerable women, training healthcare professionals, and organising follow-ups of abnormal pap smears. Methods: We studied participation in CCS between January 2014 and December 2016 among 241,257 women aged 25–63 years old. To assess relative inequalities, Odds Ratios were computed using multilevel logistic regression. To assess absolute inequalities, the CCS coverage and the rate difference were calculated. Inequalities were computed by age and neighbourhood characteristics (social deprivation and proportion of single women). Results: Disparities in participation in CCS were observed by age and social deprivation. For overall screening compared to opportunistic screening, disparities by age were larger (OR25-35_vs._55–64 = 2.13 [2.08–2.19] compared to 2.02 [1.96–2.07]), but disparities by social deprivation were decreased (OR10%_most_vs._10%_least_deprived = 2.09 [1.90–2.30] compared to 2.22 [2.02–2.44]). Conclusion: Disparities in CCS participation remain despite the organised programme. To reduce these inequalities, free screening should be proposed and evaluated.

The Senologic International Society Survey on Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: Present and Future.

Therapeutic management of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is heterogeneous among countries worldwide, and some treatment indications are still controversial. To investigate DCIS management in different countries; identify both consensual practices and controversial topics; and survey opinions about the future management of DCIS. The Senologic International Society network members participated to an online survey using a questionnaire, between November 2021 and February 2022. Twenty-two responses from 20 different countries showed that organized breast cancer screening programs were present for 87% participants, and DCIS cases represented 13.7% of all breast cancers. Most participants used the grade classification (100%), the morphological classification (78%) and performed immunohistochemistry assays (73%). In case of conservative treatment, the mean re-excision rate was 10.3% and clear margins of mean 2.5 mm were considered healthy. Radical mastectomy rate was 35.5% with a breast reconstruction rate of 53%. Tumor bed boost indications were heterogeneous, and 73% of participants indicated hormone therapy for hormone-positive DCIS. Surgery and radiotherapy omission for some low-risk DCIS were considered by 73% of participants. Multigene assays were used by 43% of participants. Concerning future changes in DCIS management, participants mostly answered surgical de-escalation (48%), radiotherapy de-escalation (35) and/or active surveillance for some cases (22%). This survey provided an overview of the current practices of DCIS management worldwide. It showed that some areas are rather consensual: incidence increases over time, treatment in young women, pathological classifications, definition of healthy margins, the skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. However, some topics are still debated and result in heterogeneous practices, such as evolution in the age of diagnosis, the benefit of de-escalation in low-risk DCIS among elderly women, indications for hormone therapy, radiotherapy omission, or multigene assays. Further evidence is needed to reach consensus on these points, and innovative approaches are still under evaluation in clinical trials. The International Senologic Society, by its members, encourages precision medicine and personalized treatments for DCIS, to avoid overtreatment and overdiagnosis, and provide better healthcare to women with DCIS.

Compliance for Community-Based Cervical Cancer Screening Program among Women of Age 30-65 Years Residing in Low Socioeconomic Settings of Mumbai, India.

Low participation in screening and poor follow-up are major challenges in implementing population based screening in developing countries. Determinants of participation in a community-based organized cervical cancer screening program are discussed here. The objectives were to study factors determining compliance of women for cervical cancer screening in an urban low socioeconomic setting. Community-based service program was conducted for screening uterine cervix cancers with a visual inspection of the cervix on the application of 5% acetic acid by trained primary health workers. The process involved the selection of clusters, household surveys, health education, and screening of eligible women for uterine cervix cancer. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify determinants of participation in cervical cancer screening. A total of 138,383 population were surveyed, of which 21,422 eligible women were contacted and 16,424 (82.50%) complied for screening. According to the results of univariate and multivariate analysis, women belonging to the age group of 30-39 (80.69%), literate women with school level or education up to Senior College (78.97% and 80.86%) (odds ratio [OR], 1.323; P ≤ 0.001) and (OR, 1.402; P ≤ 0.001), belonging to Hindu religion (77.20%), speaking Marathi (77.07%), and with a family history of cancer (81.93%) had higher participation for screening, while women belonging to the Muslim community (73.95%) (OR, 0.743; P ≤ 0.001), speaking other than Marathi and Hindi language (73%) (OR, 0.872; P = 0.017), illiterate women (70.71%), and graduate women (70.78%) had lower participation. High compliance can be achieved by providing good-quality health education and setting up of screening clinics in vicinity of participating women.

Prostate Specific Antigen and Biopsy Contamination in the Göteborg-1 Randomized, Population-Based, Prostate Cancer Screening Trial

Even when a screening study has demonstrated a mortality reduction, the degree of pre-testing and contamination is of importance as it can dilute the "true" effect of screening. Our object was to describe the level of pre-testing and contamination in the Göteborg-1 prostate cancer screening trial. A total of 20,000 men, 50-64 years old, were invited in 1994 and randomized to either a screening group (offered prostate specific antigen testing every 2 years) or to a control group. Follow-up was through December 31, 2014. Outcome measurement was overall testing in the screening group and control group. A positive prostate specific antigen test was defined as a prostate specific antigen ≥3 ng/ml. In the study, 4.2% in the screening group and 4.6% men in the control group were tested before study start. During follow-up, 72% in the control group took at least 1 prostate specific antigen test (contamination) compared to 87% of men in the screening group. Of all prostate specific antigens, 24% in the screening group and 39% in the control group were above threshold. In total, 66% of the men underwent prostate biopsy within 12 months from a raised prostate specific antigen in the screening group and 28% in the control group. Similar proportions of men were prostate specific antigen-tested in both the screening group and control group, yet only a minority of contamination prostate specific antigens led to biopsy. Also, men in the screening group started screening at a younger age. These could both be explanations for our result that organized screening is more effective in reducing prostate cancer mortality than non-organized testing. When carried out properly and compared to an unscreened population, the effects of organized screening are likely even greater than previously shown in the Göteborg screening trial.

High Prevalence of Cervical High-Grade Lesions and High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infections in Women Living with HIV: A Case for Prioritizing Cervical Screening in This Vulnerable Group

Introduction: Women living with HIV (WLHIV) are at an increased risk of developing cervical precancerous lesions and cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of cervical lesions and high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection in WLHIV in comparison to the HIV-negative women undergoing opportunistic screening. In addition, these findings among WLHIV were correlated with the clinic-demographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among WLHIVs at a tertiary hospital and linked antiretroviral therapy (ART) center, while HIV-negative women were recruited from the health promotion clinic at our institute. With informed consent, a semi-structured questionnaire was filled on demographic and epidemiological parameters. Conventional cervical smears and samples for HPV DNA detection by HC2 high-risk HPV DNA test were collected in all participants. Cervical smears were reported using the Bethesda system 2014. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed for bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis for comparison between WLHIV and HIV-negative women and for correlation of abnormal cervical cytology and HR-HPV infection among WLHIVs. Results: The clinic-demographic characteristics of WLHIVs and HIV-negative women were similar. On cytology, the prevalence of cervical cytological abnormalities were significantly higher (p < 0.001) among WLHIVs (14.1%) compared to HIV-negative women (3.1%). High-grade lesions were seen in 3.7% of WLHIVs, while no high-grade lesions were detected in HIV-negative women. Cervical HR-HPV infection was also significantly higher (p < 0.001) in WLHIVs (28.9%) than HIV-negative women (9.3%). Cervical precancerous lesions in WLHIVs showed positive association with current sexually transmitted infection (STI), multiple sexual partners, tobacco use, and CD4 count less than 200/µL, while cervical HPV was positively associated with current STI, tobacco use, CD4 count less than 200/µL and negatively with ART intake. On multivariate logistic regression, cervical cytological abnormalities showed a significant association with multiple sexual partners (p < 0.001), while cervical HR-HPV infection was positively associated with current STI (p = 0.01), nadir CD4 count <200/µL (p = 0.004), abnormal cervical cytology (p = 0.002) and negatively with ART intake (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Women living with HIV have a significantly higher prevalence of cervical precancerous lesions and HR-HPV infection compared to the general population. Considering the lack of an organized population-based cervical cancer screening program in many low-resource countries like ours, specific focus on screening this highly vulnerable population to reduce the morbidity and mortality due to cervical cancer is imperative.

Abstract 6239: Colposcopy referral rates in an organized cytology-based cervix screening program after receipt of multiple rounds of HPV-based screening in the FOCAL trial

Abstract Purpose: Due to the increased sensitivity but reduced specificity of HPV testing compared to cytology to detect cervical lesions, a shift from cytology to HPV-based screening will initially raise population colposcopy referrals rates, which could put a strain on the healthcare system. However, it is unclear if this increase persists past the initial round of HPV screening or if rates will subsequently decrease due to earlier detection of precancer using HPV screening, which once treated may not reoccur. Methods: Participants of the HPV FOr CervicAL Cancer (FOCAL) randomized controlled trial (N = 25,223; 2008-2016) received up to two rounds of HPV-based cervix screening during the trial before returning to the cytology-based screening program in British Columbia, Canada (BC). After trial exit, participants were followed through the provincial screening program, which collects results from all screens received in BC, to detect any referral to colposcopy. A comparison cohort from the BC general screening population was created by selecting individuals who were eligible for FOCAL but not invited to participate and pulling their screening data from the provincial registry over the same time period. Post-trial colposcopy rates, calculated per-screen (not per participant), were calculated for the FOCAL population and comparison cohort overall and for those who received one round of HPV testing, those who received two rounds, those who received a negative result on their one round of testing, and those who received two negative results on their two rounds of testing. Results: The post-trial colposcopy referral rate in the overall FOCAL population was lower than in the comparison cohort. FOCAL had 180 referrals out of 30654 screens (5.9 per 1000 screens, 95%CI: 5.1-6.8), whereas the comparison cohort had 1765/177880 (9.9/1000, 95%CI: 9.5-10.4). The rates between those who had one versus two HPV tests were similar: one test: 99/17599 (5.6/1000, 95%CI: 4.6-6.8); two tests: 100/16945 (5.9/1000, 95%CI: 4.9-7.2). Rates were much lower among those who received negative results: one negative result: 55/15551 (3.5/1000, 95%CI: 2.7-4.6); two negative results: 40/12438 (3.2/1000, 95%CI: 2.4-4.4). Conclusions: After the first round of HPV-based cervix screening, colposcopy rates may decrease potentially below that seen in a cytology-based program. To avoid a surge in colposcopy referrals that could exceed health system capacity, the introduction of HPV-based screening should be done in waves, for example by inviting a new age group each year to HPV-based screening. Citation Format: Anna Gottschlich, Jennifer J. Anderson, Lovedeep Gondara, Marette Lee, Dirk van Niekerk, Laurie W. Smith, Darrel Cook, Lily Proctor, Joy Melnikow, Gavin Stuart, Ruth E. Martin, Stuart Peacock, Eduardo L. Franco, Mel Krajden, Gina Ogilvie. Colposcopy referral rates in an organized cytology-based cervix screening program after receipt of multiple rounds of HPV-based screening in the FOCAL trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 6239.

Change in colorectal cancer (CRC) testing rates associated with the introduction of the first organized screening program in canton Uri, Switzerland: Evidence from insurance claims data analyses from 2010 to 2018

The first canton in Switzerland to implement an organized colorectal cancer screening program (OSP) was Uri. Starting in 2013, it offered 50–69-year-olds free testing with colonoscopy every 10 years or fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every 2 years. We tested the association between the OSP and testing rates over time.We analyzed claims data of 50–69-year-olds from Uri and neighboring cantons (NB) provided by a large health insurance and complemented it with data from the OSP. We fitted multivariate adjusted logistic regression models to compare overall testing rates and by method (colonoscopy or FOBT/both) We computed the 2018 rate of the population up-to-date with testing (colonoscopy within 9 years/FOBT within 2 years).Yearly overall testing rates in Uri increased from 8.7% in 2010 to 10.8% in 2018 and from 6.5% to 7.9% in NB. In Uri, the proportion tested with FOBT/both increased from 4.7% to 6.0% but decreased from 2.8% to 1.1% in NB. Testing by FOBT/both increased more between 2015 and 2018 than 2010–2012 in Uri than in NB (OR:2.1[95%CI:1.8–2.4]), it increased less for colonoscopy (OR:0.60[95%CI:0.51–0.70]), with no change in overall CRC testing (OR:0.91[95%CI:0.81–1.02]). In 2018 in Uri, 42.5% were up-to-date with testing (FOBT/both:9.2%, colonoscopy:35.7%); in NBs, 40.7% (FOBT/both:2.7%, colonoscopy:39%).Yearly FOBT rates in Uri were always higher than in NB. Though the OSP in Uri was not associated with a greater increase in overall testing rates, the OSP was associated with increased FOBT.

Prevalence and associated risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Himalayan mountain villages of Pakistan

IntroductionIntimate partner Violence (IPV) against women includes all actions that violate one’s sense of self, physical body and sense of trust and involves episodes of violence of physical, psychological (emotional), or sexual nature, perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner.ObjectivesWe estimated the prevalence of and risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Himalayan mountain villages of Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan.MethodsWe employed a cross-sectional study to randomly select ever married women (n=789) aged 18-49, in Pakistan. We used an adapted World Health Organization screening instrument to assess women’s experience of IPV in the previous 12 months. We used an indigenous validated instrument assess self-reported symptoms of major depression according to the DSM IV. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of IPV using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsThe overall prevalence of IPV was 22.8% (95% CI: 20.0-25.9). Women exposed to IPV were less likely to have husbands educated at a college or a higher (AOR: 0.40; 95%CI: 0.22-0.70), household income in the middle or the highest tertile (AOR: 0.44; 95%CI: 0.29-0.68), and were more likely to have poor or very poor relationship with their mother in law (AOR=2.85; 95% CI: 1.90-4.28), to have a poor quality of health (AOR= 2.74; 95% CI: 1.92-3.92) poor quality of life (AOR= 3.54; 95%CI: 1.90-6.58), and higher odds of experiencing depressive symptoms (AOR=1.97; 95%CI:1.39-2.77).ConclusionsIPV is a substantial public health burden in Himalayan mountain villages and merits serious attention.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Challenges in the management of breast cancer in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

e12503 Background: Breast cancer mortality has decreased by almost 40% since the 1980s in high-income countries. However, this trend is not paralleled in low-income countries, where poor outcomes are consistently reported, thus making it a significant public health consideration. Moreover, the lack of cancer registries in these countries makes it difficult to assess the true burden of disease. The aim of the present study was to provide data on breast cancer management and the faced challenges in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of women admitted for breast cancer care from January 2010 to December 2020 at 3 institutions (Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa, Centre Hospitalier Nganda, Hôpital Saint-Joseph) in Kinshasa, DRC. Patient demographics, diagnostic procedures and treatments received were collected from the patients’ files database. The study was approved by each institution’s ethics committee. Results: A total of 349 patients were included in the cohort. The median age at diagnosis was 46 years (IQR 40-56 years). Only 12 women were nulliparous and approximately 50% (119/234 with available data) were post-menopausal. 60.2% presented with clinically involved axillary lymph nodes while in 88.2% of cases breast cancer was diagnosed at advanced stages (TNM III-IV). Distant metastases were present at diagnosis in 91 patients (26.1%) with the most common site being the lungs. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most commontype (128/178 whose biopsy results were available, 91.4%) with a grade 2 morphology in 54.3% of cases. Immunohistochemistry was performed in only 10.3% of patients (n=36) with the findings showing HR+/HER2−ve: 6.0%; HR+/HER2+: 2.6%; HR−/HER2−: 1.7%. Surgery was performed in 53 patients (15.2%), among whom 40, 11 and 2 underwent modified radical mastectomy, simple mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery, respectively. The median time to surgery after diagnosis was 30 days (IQR: 13.25-64.75). Chemotherapy was administered to 81 (23.2%) patients; 50% of cases this consisted of an anthracycline-based regimen but only 19 patients completed 6 cycles. Among this cohort 57 (16,3%) patients received endocrine therapy with Tamoxifen being the most prescribed drug (44/57 patients). No patient received radiotherapy as there was no capacity. The median follow-up was 13 days (IQR: 0-45.5) limiting assessment of oncological outcomes. Conclusions: Patients with breast cancer in Kinshasa tend to present with advanced stage disease. Lack of organized screening, limited treatment resources and lack of robust follow-up pose significant challenges in breast cancer management and may be associated with adverse oncological outcomes. Multiple efforts are warranted to enhance early diagnosis, improve access to histopathologic evaluation to guide treatment as well as access to systemic therapies to allow implementation of evidence-based best practices.

Effects of lower screening activity during the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer patient pathways: Evidence from the age cut-off of organized screening

We examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in Hungary based on administrative data until June 2021, covering three pandemic waves. After correcting for trend and seasonality, the number of mammography examinations decreased by 68% in 2020q2, was around its usual level in 2020q3 and was reduced by 20–35% throughout 2020q4-2021q2. The reduction was caused by a combination of supply-side (temporary suspensions of screening) and demand-side (lower screening participation during the pandemic waves) factors. The number of new breast cancer diagnoses and mastectomy surgeries responded with a lag, and were below their usual level by 15-30% in all quarters between 2020q2 and 2021q2, apart from 2020q4, when there was no significant difference. Using a regression discontinuity framework, we found that the partial mastectomy rate (indicative of early diagnosis) dropped more substantially in 2020q2 in the 61–65 years old age group that was just below the age cut-off of organized screening than in the 66–70 years old age group, and this difference was partially offset in 2021q1. We suggest that policymakers need to motivate the target population (by providing both information and incentives) to catch up on missed screenings.

Evaluation of Prostate Cancer Screening Strategies in a Low-Resource, High-risk Population in the Bahamas

The benefit of prostate-specific antigen screening may be greatest in high-risk populations, including men of African descent in the Caribbean. However, organized screening may not be sustainable in low- and middle-income countries. To evaluate the expected population outcomes and resource use of conservative prostate-specific antigen screening programs in the Bahamas. Prostate cancer incidence from GLOBOCAN and prostate-specific antigen screening data for 4300 men from the Bahamas were used to recalibrate 2 decision analytical models previously used to study prostate-specific antigen screening for Black men in the United States. Data on age and results obtained from prostate-specific antigen screening tests performed in Nassau from 2004 to 2018 and in Freeport from 2013 to 2018 were used. Data were analyzed from January 15, 2021, to March 23, 2022. One or 2 screenings for men aged 45 to 60 years and conservative criteria for biopsy (prostate-specific antigen level >10 ng/mL) and curative treatment (Gleason score ≥8) were modeled. Categories of Gleason scores were 6 or lower, 7, and 8 or higher, with higher scores indicating higher risk of cancer progression and death. Projected numbers of tests and biopsies, prostate cancer (over)diagnoses, lives saved, and life-years gained owing to screening from 2022 to 2040. In this decision analytical modeling study, screening histories from 4300 men (median age, 54 years; range, 13-101 years) tested between 2004 and 2018 at 2 sites in the Bahamas were used to inform the models. Screening once at 60 years of age was projected to involve 40 000 to 42 000 tests (range between models) and prevent 500 to 600 of 10 000 to 14 000 prostate cancer deaths. Screening at 50 and 60 years doubled the number of tests but increased lives saved by only 15% to 16%. Among onetime strategies, screening once at 60 years of age involved the fewest tests per life saved (74-84 tests) and curative treatments per life saved (1.2-2.8 treatments). The findings of this decision analytical modeling study of prostate cancer screening in the Bahamas suggest that limited screening offered modest benefits that varied with screening ages and number of tests. The results can be combined with data on capacity constraints and evaluated relative to competing national public health priorities.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Hybrid Model for Mobilization of Women for Cervical Cancer Screening; A Preliminary Report of a Pilot Project in Lagos, Nigeria. A Case Study of the Blue-Pink Center for Women's Health, Nigeria

PURPOSE Cervical cancer is the second commonest cancer in Nigeria, accounting for 14.8% of all cancer-related deaths in Nigeria. Studies have demonstrated poor knowledge and attitude of women toward cervical cancer, with screening rates as low as 0.7% among Nigerian women. Besides poor awareness and poverty, lack of easy access to cancer education and screening is among the biggest barriers to its effective prevention and control. Our project aimed to increase access to cervical cancer education and screening among rural and suburban women in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS We introduced an integrated approach to mobilize women for cervical cancer screening (using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid [VIA]) in four local councils in Lagos. This model involved a hybrid of a facility- and community-based provision of screening services. Daily, skilled nurses and community health extension workers actively mobilize community women for screening through a purpose-built screening center and regular community outreaches to mirror organized and opportunistic screening. Extensive community stakeholders engagement was used to mobilize women groups. Women were charged up to $2.92 to identify if putting a price deters willingness to screen and to evaluate the model's sustainability. Project evaluation was conducted by a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative assessments. RESULTS Within nine months of the pilot, 13,892 women received cancer education, 1,250 women had VIA, and 181 had cryotherapy. Knowledge about cervical cancer rose from an average of 13.7% in our pre-participation survey to 80% in the post-participation surveys. Increased trust in the screening was the commonest theme in the qualitative survey which increased service uptake. CONCLUSION Our preliminary findings show that this hybrid model increased access to, and uptake of, cervical cancer screening, even when a cost was attached. Provision of screening services in an organized and strategic people-oriented manner may yield better and sustained outcomes in resource-poor settings than either opportunistic screening or screening offered only as part of routine hospital services.