Preventive Screening Research Articles

Abstract A008: Addressing medical distrust among African Americans and adherence to cancer screening recommendations during COVID-19

Abstract Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States especially among racial and ethnic minorities, and other medically underserved populations. Cancer disparities are an important public health issue with health communication implications particularly for African Americans. African Americans have the highest mortality rate and shortest survival rate for most cancers. Reducing the cancer burden depends on early detection through preventative screening and addressing social determinants of health that drive cancer health inequities. Despite the evidence that adherence to providers’ recommendation of cancer screening guidelines decreases incidence and mortality rates, participation in cancer screening remain low among African Americans due to social and economic factors. The reasons for cancer-related health disparities are multifactorial and encompass physician and patient barriers. Medical distrust has emerged as a significant issue impacting cancer prevention especially during the coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) pandemic. Mistrust of the medical and research communities reflects the history of abuse and discrimination in the U.S., and has resulted in disparate health outcomes, as well as less frequent use of preventive health services. It is critical that populations at increased cancer risk have access to trusted, credible cancer health information and medical services to promote adherence to screening recommendations. To address this need, this cross-sectional study will examine the patient-provider communication practices among African American adults receiving primary care in the District of Columbia and their adherence to breast, cervical, colon and prostate cancer screening recommendations during the COVID era. The study is guided by an understanding of the social determinants of health. Specifically, the study will examine the relationship of trust, structural racism, and religiosity on cancer prevention behavior. The project will describe the perceptions of health inequities within the healthcare system and trust in cancer information sources that influence cancer screening behaviors among African Americans. This project is relevant to the reduction of cancer disparities and cancer prevention for African Americans. Patient-provider communication is a known barrier and facilitator of cancer screening behavior where an awareness of historical distrust of medical institutions, systemic racism, and religiosity are important factors in providing culturally appropriate care. The results of this pilot project will be used to inform best practices for patient-provider communication for cancer prevention. Findings will be used to develop culturally tailored interventions to promote compliance for cancer screening during the COVID era and beyond. Citation Format: Finie Hunter-Richardson, Pamela L. Carter-Nolan, Carla D. Williams, Mark S. Johnson. Addressing medical distrust among African Americans and adherence to cancer screening recommendations during COVID-19 [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 A008.

Inequalities in intimate partner violence screening and receiving information among diverse groups of women: an online survey during COVID-19 lockdowns

BackgroundResearch shows violence against women likely increases during emergencies. COVID-19’s emergence exacerbated intimate partner violence (IPV), suggesting that healthcare services (HCS) should have increased IPV screening efforts and referrals of...

Plasma phosphorylated tau 181 in relation to Alzheimer’s prevalence and cognition in the Thai community

AbstractBackgroundThe identification of biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in blood samples has the potential to facilitate early diagnosis and improve the accuracy of AD diagnosis. Plasma phosphorylated tau (p‐tau) is a promising biomarker for AD; however, its utility in estimating the prevalence of AD and screening for cognitive impairment in non‐demented populations has yet to be explored in Thailand.MethodThe study recruited 110 non‐demented participants over the age of 40 from the family members of patients attending a neurology clinic. Plasma p‐tau 181 levels were measured, and AD prevalence was estimated using a pre‐defined cut‐off derived from an independent cohort with biomarker‐defined AD status according to the current framework (Jack et. al., 2018). The correlation between plasma p‐tau 181 levels and. neuropsychological data were also evaluated.ResultThe median age of participants was 66 years, and the median mini‐mental state examination score was 29. The estimated prevalence of AD was 20.0% (95% CI 13.6‐28.4) in preclinical and mild cognitive impairment patients when using p‐tau as a biomarker, which was lower than the prevalence estimated using amyloid abnormalities of 30.1% (95% CI 29.2‐31.1)(Jansen et. al., 2022) (X 2 [N = 8944] = 5.28, p = .022). Plasma p‐tau 181 levels also showed a negative correlation with neurocognitive test scores (Rho = ‐0.24, P .013).ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that plasma p‐tau 181 is a promising biomarker for the estimation of AD prevalence in non‐demented populations in Thailand and may represent those at risk of clinical onset. However, further studies are needed to investigate its utility in risk stratification, public health preparedness, and cognitive performance assessment.

Abstract A002: Alcohol use patterns and patient-provider discussions about alcohol use among cancer survivors: Differences by race and ethnicity in the National Survey of Drug Use and Health

Abstract Background: Alcohol is a leading modifiable risk factor for cancer risk and recurrence. The American Cancer Society recommends abstaining from alcohol for cancer prevention and advises that those who choose to drink should limit their intake. Healthcare providers are uniquely positioned to counsel cancer survivors about alcohol’s harms. Prior research has revealed stark differences in heavy drinking among cancer survivors by race and ethnicity. We build on this work by examining the prevalence of multiple alcohol use patterns, alcohol screening, and patient-provider discussions about alcohol by race and ethnicity among a cancer survivor population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2015-2019. Eligible respondents included adults (18+ years) who reported a prior cancer diagnosis. Outcomes included alcohol use patterns (lifetime abstention, alcohol use and binge drinking in the past 30 days), alcohol screening in the past year, and report of an in-person alcohol discussion with a healthcare provider in the past year. We estimated the adjusted prevalence of these outcomes by race and ethnicity from marginal effects of logistic regression models that accounted for sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., age, gender, educational attainment, household income) and health insurance type. Models included cluster, strata, and weight variables to account for the complex survey design and nonresponse bias. Results: The unweighted analytic sample size included 6,240 cancer survivors – 431 identified as Black, Non-Hispanic; 461 identified as Hispanic, and 5,348 identified as White, Non-Hispanic. Though not statistically significant, adjusted binge drinking prevalence was highest among Black, Non-Hispanic survivors (17.3% [95% CI: 11.6 – 23.0]) followed by White survivors (13.4% [95% CI: 12.2 – 14.6]) and Hispanic survivors (13.1% [95% CI: 9.8 – 16.4]). Significant differences in adjusted binge drinking prevalence by race and ethnicity were found for binge drinking among current drinkers – Black (41.4% [95% CI: 30.7 – 52.1]), Hispanic (31.7% [95% CI: 22.6 – 40.8]), White (26.7% [95% CI: 24.6 – 28.8]). No significant differences were found for alcohol screening prevalence by race and ethnicity. Black (44.7% [955 CI: 36.4 – 53.0]) and Hispanic (48.8% [95% CI: 40.1 – 57.6%]) cancer survivors were less likely than White survivors (56.9% [95% CI: 54.9 – 59.0]) to report an in-person provider discussion about alcohol. Conclusions: There is a significant racial disparity in problematic drinking between Black, Hispanic, and White cancer survivors, with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic survivors reporting binge drinking than their White peers. Yet, Black and Hispanic cancer survivors are less likely to have an in-person discussion with a provider about alcohol use compared with White cancer survivors. Black and Hispanic cancer survivors may not be receiving important messages about alcohol’s harms from their providers, who could be important sources of this information. Citation Format: Naomi K. Greene, David Dean Jr. Alcohol use patterns and patient-provider discussions about alcohol use among cancer survivors: Differences by race and ethnicity in the National Survey of Drug Use and Health [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 A002.

Digital wrist tomosynthesis (DWT)-based finite element analysis of ultra-distal radius differentiates patients with and without a history of osteoporotic fracture.

Despite effective therapies for those at risk of osteoporotic fracture, low adherence to screening guidelines and limited accuracy of bone mineral density (BMD) in predicting fracture risk preclude identification of those at risk. Because of high adherence to routine mammography, bone health screening at the time of mammography using a digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) scanner has been suggested as a potential solution. BMD and bone microstructure can be measured from the wrist using a DBT scanner. However, the extent to which biomechanical variables can be derived from digital wrist tomosynthesis (DWT) has not been explored. Accordingly, we measured stiffness from a DWT based finite element (DWT-FE) model of the ultra-distal (UD) radius and ulna, and correlate these to reference microcomputed tomography image based FE (μCT-FE) from five cadaveric forearms. Further, this method is implemented to determine in vivo reproducibility of FE derived stiffness of UD radius and demonstrate the in vivo utility of DWT-FE in bone quality assessment by comparing two groups of postmenopausal women with and without a history of an osteoporotic fracture (Fx; n=15, NFx; n=51). Stiffness obtained from DWT and μCT had a strong correlation (R2=0.87, p<0.001). In vivo repeatability error was <5%. The NFx and Fx groups were not significantly different in DXA derived minimum T-scores (p>0.3), but stiffness of the UD radius was lower for the Fx group (p<0.007). Logistic regression models of fracture status with stiffness of the nondominant arm as the predictor were significant (p<0.01). In conclusion this study demonstrates the feasibility of fracture risk assessment in mammography settings using DWT imaging and FE modeling in vivo. Using this approach, bone and breast screening can be performed in a single visit, with the potential to improve both the prevalence of bone health screening and the accuracy of fracture risk assessment.

Abstract C133: Identifying sexual and gender minority colorectal cancer screening disparities via the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Abstract Introduction: Health disparities exist for US sexual and gender minorities (SGM) relative to the general population, including cancer screening disparities with variation across disease sites. Limited data exist to describe the frequency of guideline-concordant colorectal cancer screening (CRC) among SGM people, with few studies using nationally-representative samples. This study aims to assess CRC screening participation among SGM people leveraging nationally-representative US health survey data. Methods: Data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used to compare CRC screening participation among screening-eligible SGM to that of the straight, cisgender population. 86,519 individuals aged 50 and older without a lifetime cancer diagnosis and with complete information on demographics, health access, and sexual orientation and gender identity (collected in 33 of 53 participating US states/territories) were included in the analysis. Odds of lifetime CRC screening participation by test type (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, blood stool test, stool DNA test, virtual colonoscopy) for gender minority (GM: transgender man, transgender woman, gender non-conforming) vs. cisgender individuals and sexual minority (SM: gay/lesbian, bisexual, something else) vs. straight individuals were compared via weighted logistic regression models adjusted for age, demographics, and health access. Results: Of the overall sample, 0.44% and 3.6% identified as GM and SM, respectively. Prevalence of lifetime CRC screening by any test was 65.4% vs. 78.9% for GM vs. cisgender individuals and 77.1% vs. 78.9% for SM vs. straight individuals. GM reported lower odds of screening participation relative to cisgender individuals in 4 of 5 test types: colonoscopy adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.38 (95% CI 0.13, 1.08); sigmoidoscopy 0.58 (0.28, 1.22); blood stool test 0.84 (0.31, 2.28); stool DNA test 0.52 (0.22, 1.20); virtual colonoscopy 1.36 (0.64, 2.90). SM reported lower odds of screening participation relative to straight individuals in 2 of 5 test types: colonoscopy 1.05 (0.83, 1.32); sigmoidoscopy 0.94 (0.74, 1.19); blood stool test 0.95 (0.77, 1.17); stool DNA test 1.11 (0.81, 1.51); virtual colonoscopy 1.12 (0.81, 1.53). None of the AORs were statistically significant. Conclusions: Disparities in CRC screening participation persist for GM relative to cisgender individuals. These findings suggest the need for additional subgroup analyses among GM, study replication in other data sources, and interventions to improve access to CRC screening for GM. Citation Format: Frank M. Wolf, Ash Alpert, Molly Schwalb, Danielle German. Identifying sexual and gender minority colorectal cancer screening disparities via the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [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 C133.

Abstract C122: Patient perspectives on factors influencing repeat colorectal cancer screening in a Federally Qualified Health Center

Abstract Background. The life-saving benefits of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can be maximized only if screening is completed at recommended intervals. The fecal immunochemical test (FIT), an inexpensive stool-based test recommended yearly, is the primary screening modality in many Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and remains underutilized. To inform system interventions, we sought to identify patient perspectives on factors that influence the likelihood of repeated FIT screening over time in a large FQHC. Methods. Between September 2022 and March 2023, we conducted semi-structured interviews with patients who were due for FIT screening and completed at least one prior FIT test at a large FQHC that serves a primarily Latino population in Los Angeles County. Our interview guide explored patients’ perceived barriers and facilitators to repeat FIT over time and experiences with FIT clinic processes of care. Audio-recorded interviews were conducted in patients’ preferred language (English or Spanish), transcribed, and translated. Transcripts were coded using ATLAS.ti, and themes were summarized. Results. Among 17 interview participants, the majority were female (82%), Latino (94%), and Spanish-speaking (88%). The median age was 57 years (range 52-70), and 41% had an 8th grade education or less. Interviews revealed that patient, family, and provider/system factors influenced receipt of sequential rounds of annual FIT CRC screening. At the patient level, perceived importance of disease prevention and early detection on the part of patients facilitated proactive engagement in regular screening. Additionally, many patients thought the process of FIT completion and return was easy, although some patients did express low confidence in stool sample collection and time and work constraints impeding in-person FIT return. Another recurrent theme was motivation from family, both direct support (assistance with FIT completion and transportation to clinic) and indirect motivation (an intrinsic desire to stay healthy for family). At the provider/system level, language discordance hindered communication with providers, and in-language FIT instructions and availability of bilingual staff to translate were identified as facilitators. Patient suggestions to improve FIT completion included client text and letter reminders when due for CRC screening; print education that underscores the purpose of screening; and appointment consolidation for cancer and other preventive care screenings. Conclusion. Interventions to improve regular FIT-based CRC screening may benefit from emphasizing the importance of early detection; improving patient knowledge and confidence in how to perform stool sample collection; family support; and language-concordant staff and resources for multi-lingual and medically underserved populations. Citation Format: Narissa J. Nonzee, Beth A. Glenn, Debra Rosen, Genesis Sandoval, Diana Trujillo, Folasade P. May, Alison K. Herrmann, Christine Park, Alicia Lwin, Joanna Quintanilla, Jessica Tuan, Lauren Cai, Roshan Bastani. Patient perspectives on factors influencing repeat colorectal cancer screening in a Federally Qualified Health Center [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 C122.

Predictive factors of breast cancer mammography screening among Iranian women.

Understanding the factors that influence women's cancer screening behavior is crucial in reducing cancer mortality through early detection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the status of mammography and related factors among women who presented to the health centers of Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. For this study, a sample of 251,011 women who visited healthcare centers affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences was selected. The study examined several variables, including sociodemographic information, current smoking, nutrition status, and physical exercise. All analyses were performed using Python programming language and SPSS software. Furthermore, to handle imbalanced data, we used SMOTE balancing method that is an oversampling method and produce synthetic samples from the minority class. The factors of age, education, being employed, having children, family history of cancer, physical activity, smoking status, and diet were all predictors of mammography screening. Moreover, findings showed that age and family history of breast cancer were most important variables to predict mammography status, respectively. By examining various variables such as dietary habits, exercise, smoking, and demographic properties, it sheds light on the relationships between these factors and mammography screening. This provides valuable insights into the associations between breast cancer screening behavior and preventive lifestyle behaviors. By targeting both preventive lifestyle choices and breast cancer screening behaviors, interventions can effectively promote positive changes in behavior and ultimately reduce the incidence and impact of breast cancer.

Abstract C106: Association between cancer risk perception and patient-centered communication and cervical cancer screening behavior among African Americans (AA) and Sub-Saharan African immigrant (SAI) women

Abstract Background- Black women in the US have disproportionately higher mortality and shortest survival than any ethnic or racial group for cervical cancer. Many factors contribute to the elevated cancer burden, including cancer risk perceptions and knowledge as well as patient centered communication behaviors that may influence cervical cancer screening uptake. Misperceptions of cancer risk and limited knowledge may decrease the use of preventive cancer screening. In addition, patients who encounter clinicians who practice communication not reflective of patient-centeredness may be less likely to participate in regular cancer screening. The aim of this study was to determine if cervical screening uptake among Black women was associated with cancer risk perceptions and knowledge and clinician communication behavior. Methods- We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Black women (African Americans (AA) and sub-Saharan African (SAI) recruited from Lexington, KY and surrounding towns. Data included sociodemographics, measures of cancer perceptions, and patient-centered communication. The chi-squared test of association and multiple linear regression were used to assess the unadjusted and adjusted associations among cancer risk perceptions and knowledge, patient-centered communication, and receipt of pap test. Data analysis was conducted using SAS, version 9.4 with an alpha of .05. Results- In the sample of 116 Black women who were age appropriate for pap screening (n = 48 SAI; n = 68 AA), nearly two-thirds had received a pap test (63%) in concordance with guidelines. Compared to those who had not had a pap, women who had received a pap test endorsed the statement ‘it seems like everything causes cancer (p=.006),’ while fewer agreed ‘when I think about cancer, I automatically think about death (p&amp;lt;.001)’. Both responses remained significant after adjusting for age, ethnicity, health insurance status and having a primary care provider. A higher proportion of women agreed with the six patient-centered communication items in the bivariate analysis, and remained significant in the adjusted modeling for the responses to the following three items: 1) During the past 12 months, how often did doctors, nurses, or other health professionals give you the chance to ask all the health-related questions you had?; 2) In the past 12 months, how often did you feel you could rely on doctors, nurses, or other health professionals to take care of your health care needs?; and 3) During the past 12 months, how often did doctors, nurses, or other health professionals make sure you understood the things you needed to do to take care of your health? Conclusion- Evaluation of cancer risk perceptions and patient-centered communication provide useful guidance for the development of interventions for Black women. Future research should target Black women that have misperceptions of cancer risk and limited knowledge for cervical cancer awareness. Clinicians should practice communication reflective of patient-centeredness to promote cervical cancer screening behavior. Citation Format: Adebola Adegboyega, Amanda Wiggins, Mark Dignan. Association between cancer risk perception and patient-centered communication and cervical cancer screening behavior among African Americans (AA) and Sub-Saharan African immigrant (SAI) women [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 C106.

Abstract B148: Colorectal cancer screening uptake and test use for individuals with diabetes in the U.S.: Implications for health equity

Abstract Purpose: Individuals with diabetes mellitus have an estimated 27% elevated risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) and are disproportionately from health disparities populations. This study examined associations of race and ethnicity and CRC screening uptake and CRC test type used among individuals with diabetes to identify factors to consider in targeting CRC screening efforts to promote health equity. Methods: Merged Medical Expenditures Panel Survey Household Component (2012-2018) and National Health Interview Survey data sets were used to identify individuals with diabetes (non-Hispanic White (NHW) n=223,046; Hispanic n=54,791; Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) n=54,791). The main outcomes were self-reported up-to-date CRC screening based on United States Preventive Services Taskforce guidelines and screening test used (i.e., blood-stool test or direct visualization). The main independent variable of interest was race and ethnicity. Logistic regression models included socio-demographic and health-related co-variates. Results: Among individuals with diabetes 62.6% reported being up-to-date (UTD) with CRC screening, among the screened 5.8% used blood stool tests only and 56.8% used direct visualization tests. In the final logistic model comparing relative risk of UTD screening to being unscreened, NHBs were more likely to be UTD for CRC screening [RR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.13-1.53, p=0.001] compared to NHWs. Individuals with no high school degree [RR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.65-0.99, p=0.3] were less likely to be UTD compared to college educated individuals. Individuals receiving recommended diabetes care were less likely to be unscreened [RR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.76-0.94, p=0.002]. Among screened individuals, race and ethnicity were insignificant in final models. Low-income individuals were less likely to be screened with direct visualization [RR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.55-0.97, p=0.03] compared to high-income individuals. Overweight individuals (BMI 26-29) were less likely to be screened with direct visualization [RR:0.75, 95% CI:0.57-0.99, p=0.41] compared to individuals with BMI ≤25. Individuals with five or more comorbidities were more likely to be screened using direct visualization [RR: 3.45, 95% CI: 1.86, 6.43, p&amp;lt;0.001] compared to individuals with 1-2 comorbidities. Conclusions: Among individuals with diabetes, social determinants and health factors associated with UTD and testing type differed. Race, education, and diabetes care quality were determinants of receipt of any UTD CRC testing. Among those screened, lower income and overweight individuals were more likely to use stool-based testing and those with greater comorbidity burdens were more likely to be screened with direct visualization. Efforts to improve CRC screening for patients with diabetes, specifically those in the primary care safety-net, should consider these factors when tailoring CRC prevention and early detection efforts. Citation Format: Denalee M. O'Malley, Pamela Ohman-Strickland, Tracy Andrews, Cilgy Abraham, Benjamin F. Crabtree, Shawna V. Hudson, Anita Y. Kinney. Colorectal cancer screening uptake and test use for individuals with diabetes in the U.S.: Implications for health equity [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 B148.

Abstract A101: Assessing contemporary cancer prevention infrastructure in neighborhoods of historical residential segregation to better understand patterns of breast cancer disparities

Abstract Background: Breast cancer disparities among minoritized women in the United States (U.S.) not only persist but continue to widen. Neighborhood attributes are established drivers of cancer disparities in the U.S. An emerging area of research centers on the associative relationship of historical processes of segregation, particularly redlining practices, on breast cancer disparities. However, these studies have not considered the differences in contemporary neighborhood attributes in historically segregated and non-segregated neighborhoods. This study focuses on 2019 neighborhood attributes that work together to better understand differences in physical environment access to breast cancer prevention lifestyle habits such as access to fresh produce, green spaces, and clinical sites for prevention screenings. Methods: Using ArcGIS Pro we created GIS maps of Tucson, Arizona capturing food environments, green spaces, public transportation, and Medicaid cancer screenings site. The current neighborhood attributes were then layered over historic neighborhoods identified from historical documents to determine differences in access to these resources for breast cancer prevention. We used U.S. Census data to map sociodemographic data to the Census tract neighborhood level. Findings: The GIS maps demonstrate the neighborhoods established by historical segregation have more food deserts, fewer green spaces, limited public transportation, and no Medicaid Well WomanCheck mammography screening sites were located in close proximity to the historically segregated neighborhoods. The historically non-segregated communities did not have similar levels of disinvestment and had a higher presence of resources for non-genetic cancer prevention lifestyle habits. Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare contemporary neighborhood attributes based on the historical status of segregated and non-segregated to understand how this impacts access to cancer prevention resources that may contribute to breast cancer disparities experienced among historically marginalized communities. The historical legacy of segregation shapes contemporary geographies, structural social determinants of health, and the gaps in non-genetic cancer prevention resources influencing breast cancer disparities. To build health equity, local policymakers must implement policies to address remnants of historical segregation in these communities that still navigate the reverberations of these historical processes. Zoning laws should be considered as a key target for structural interventions to build equitable access to breast cancer prevention infrastructure in neighborhoods established by historical segregation. Citation Format: Celina I. Valencia, Francisco Mendoza. Assessing contemporary cancer prevention infrastructure in neighborhoods of historical residential segregation to better understand patterns of breast cancer disparities [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 A101.

Abstract C108: Employer-based implementation of Galleri multi-cancer early detection testing to address socioeconomic disparities in receipt of screening

Abstract Background: Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests are designed to complement USPSTF-recommended screening to detect many cancers for which no established screening methods exist. Implementing an MCED test as an employee benefit offers an approach to detect cancers for which there is no screening method and to address socioeconomic disparities in receipt of screening. Methods: Galleri, a blood-based MCED test, was implemented in companies with employees in industrial/manufacturing spaces. We approximated educational attainment (≤12 years vs &amp;gt;12 years) as a dichotomous measurement of socioeconomic status (SES). The industrial locations with employees of lower SES were selected based on data from individual companies and focused on diverse employees, low rates of preventive screenings, high healthcare costs, and low health literacy. Enrollment was accomplished through on-site events where consent and blood draws were available, as well as telehealth visits with subsequent blood draws. Results: From October 2021 to May 2023, 812 Galleri MCED tests were administered in a population of industrial employees. Of the participants, 317 (39%) were female and 495 (61%) were male, and the median age was 54 years. A total of 217 (27%) participants were aged 35-49, 531 (65%) were aged 50-64, and 62 (8%) were aged 65-79. Four tests returned a cancer signal detected result with a predicted cancer signal origin of colorectal (n=2), anus (n=1), and breast (n=1). Of the four participants with a cancer signal detected result, three were in the 50-64 age group and one was in the 65-79 age group. The breast cancer diagnosis was confirmed, and follow-up is ongoing in the participants with a cancer sign origin of colorectal and anus. A total of 676 (83%) tests were administered during 9 on-site events and 136 (17%) were obtained by telehealth visits. Factors that were important for taking the Galleri test were onsite events, trusted long-time employees onsite that spoke their language and helped translate the request form, explanation of the test in their native language, and the ability to administer the test without a computer or other digital requirements. Conclusion: MCED testing may be implemented more widely among individuals of lower SES when it is included as an employee benefit with in-person communication by trusted employee messengers and by limiting digital requirements. Supporting the unique needs of individuals before administering an MCED test and those with a cancer signal detected result are important steps for improving access and achieving diagnostic resolution. Citation Format: Ahmedin Jamal, Robert Winn, William Cance, Tim Johnson, Wayne Lilyestrom. Employer-based implementation of Galleri multi-cancer early detection testing to address socioeconomic disparities in receipt of screening [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 C108.

Prevalence and Proportion of Transcranial Doppler Screenings in a Population Children with Sickle Cell Disease and Association with Hydroxyurea Adherence

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited or genetic hemoglobinopathy in the United States and approximately 100,000 Americans are affected. The prevalence of stroke in unscreened children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) is 10% and can begin at infancy. National guidelines strongly recommend annual Transcranial Doppler (TCD) screenings as well as hydroxyurea (HU) administration in children with SS and Sβ o thalassemia (SCA) genotypes. The purpose of this project was to examine the prevalence and proportion of TCD screenings in North Carolina (NC) Medicaid enrollees and to identify associations with sociodemographic factors (age, sex, and rurality) and HU adherence. A longitudinal analysis of NC Medicaid claims data (2016-2019) was conducted for children with SCD ages 2-16 years. Prevalence of TCD screening claims was calculated to determine the number of children with TCD claims for each of the three, 12-month enrollment periods. The proportion of TCD screening claims was calculated based on NC Medicaid enrollees who had increasing TCD claims (0, 1, 2, or 3+) for 12, 24, and 36 months of Medicaid enrollment. HU adherence was measured using Proportion of Days Covered (PDC). HU PDC is a measure of HU prescription fills over 365 days within a 12-month period. HU PDC was used to categorize enrollees into good (≥80%), moderate (60-79%), or poor (&amp;lt;60%) adherence categories. Age (years) was declared as the age in years of each participant during each study observation period and was categorized into three groups: preschoolers (2-5 years), school aged (6-11 years), and adolescents (12-16 years). Rurality was identified by converting residential zip codes to rural/urban county codes (RUCC). An adjusted multivariable Poisson regression model was fit to assess the rate of TCD screenings by HU adherence while controlling for age, sex, and rurality. The prevalence of children with annual TCD screening claims ranged from 39.5% to 40.1%. The percentage of children with 2 or more TCD claims increased when they had extended months of NC Medicaid enrollment (10.5% at 12 months, 33.7% at 24 months, and 52.6% at 36 months). Overall, children with Good HU adherence were 2.48 (95% CI 2.00, 3.06) times more likely to have TCD claims than children with poor HU adherence. In conclusion, the prevalence of TCD screenings of children with SCD on NC Medicaid was extremely low. Children with better HU adherence and extended NC Medicaid enrollment time were associated with higher number of TCD screenings.

The importance, consequences and treatment of psychosocial risk factors in heart disease: less conversation, more action!

Psychosocial factors play asignificant role in the incidence and prognosis of cardiovascular disease with arapidly increasing body of knowledge, as acknowledged by their inclusion in the European Society of Cardiology cardiovascular prevention guideline since 2012. Nevertheless, psychosocial risk is not consistently assessed, acknowledged and treated in daily clinical practice. Therefore, adopting amultidimensional approach that encompasses biological, psychological, and social factors is crucial for understanding the dynamic nature of cardiovascular health and disease, delivering patient-centred care, and developing effective interventions to ultimately enhance health and satisfaction with contemporary medicine and care. The current review summarises the state-of-the-art evidence for screening and treating psychological risk factors in coronary heart disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation in the context of cardiac rehabilitation, along with accompanying recommendations. The limited adoption of routine screening, despite longstanding recommendations, highlights the importance of prioritising the implementation and expansion of routine screening in primary and secondary prevention. To advance psychosocial treatment, astandardised and personalised approach including comprehensive education, physical exercise, and psychosocial support with afocus on patient-reported outcomes is crucial. Treating heart and mind together has the potential to decrease psychosocial risk while enhancing the prognosis and quality of life, therefore delivering true patient-centred care.

Long-Term Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Prostate Cancer Screening.

Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy in men. The updated PSA testing 2018 United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend shared decision-making for men ages 55 to 69. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid coverage to childless adults earning < 138% of the federal poverty level. Thereafter, individual states have chosen to adopt or defer Medicaid expansion at different times. This allows for the opportunity to study the effects of expansion on a population that did not previously qualify for Medicaid. We examine the long-term association of Medicaid expansion on prostate cancer screening. Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were extracted for childless men earning less than 138% of the federal poverty level in states with different Medicaid expansion statuses from 2012 to 2020. States were classified into 4 expansion categories: very early expansion states, early expansion states, late expansion states, and nonexpansion states. Prevalence of PSA screening was determined for each category of expansion. Difference-in-difference analyses were used to understand variations in very early expansion states, early expansion states, and late expansion states trends with reference to nonexpansion states. PSA screening prevalence decreased in very early expansion states (27.76% vs 18.50%), early expansion states (33.79% vs 18.09%), late expansion states (36.08% vs 19.14%), and nonexpansion states (38.82% vs 24.40%) from 2012 to 2020. However, the difference-in-difference analyses did not show statistically significant results among any of the years and expansion category groups in our study period. PSA screening prevalence decreased in all states, regardless of expansion category. No long-term effect of Medicaid expansion on PSA screening prevalence was observed among states with different expansion statuses.

From Infection to Malignancy: Tracing the Impact of Human Papillomavirus on Uterine Endometrial Cancer in a Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Uterine endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy in Taiwan. This study aimed to investigate the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the development of uterine EC among Taiwanese women. A nationwide population cohort research approach was employed, leveraging longitudinal health insurance databases (LHID 2007 and 2015) from the National Health Insurance Research Database alongside data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry datasets. A comparative analysis examined 472,420 female patients with HPV infection and 944,840 without HPV infection. The results demonstrated that the HPV cohort exhibited a significantly elevated risk of uterine EC, as evidenced by an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.588 (95% CI: 1.335-1.888). Furthermore, this elevated risk extended to type 1 EC with an aHR of 1.671 (95% CI: 1.376-2.029), specifically the endometrioid adenocarcinoma subtype with an aHR 1.686 (95% CI: 1.377-2.065). Importantly, these findings were statistically significant (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this research unveils a potential association between HPV infection and an increased risk of uterine EC, particularly the type 1 endometrial cancer subtype, within the Taiwanese female population. These findings have implications for preventive measures and screening programs targeting HPV infection to reduce the risk of this prevalent gynecological malignancy in Taiwan.

Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Cervical Cancer Screening in Saudi Arabia: A Nationwide Study.

Cervical cancer, despite being preventable, is one of the most prevalent cancers among females globally and in Saudi Arabia. The literature demonstrated that, unlike global trends, cervical cancer incidence in Saudi Arabia is increasing. In addition to that, a high proportion of it is discovered in advanced stages. This state of late discovery was attributed to the absence of efficient preventive and screening programs. Observing the scale of the preventable morbidities and mortalities that can be caused by cervical cancer and the efforts and costs that are positioned to fight cervical cancer across the globe and the current ambiguity in the cervical cancer screening prevalence in Saudi Arabia brings the realization of the importance of conducting a study that properly explores the status of cervical cancer screening in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to measure the prevalence and the predictive factors for cervical cancer screening among adult women who were previously sexually active in Saudi Arabia, as well as explore the participants' knowledge and attitude toward cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. This study was a nationwide cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia between September 2023 and November 2023 on adult Saudi females between the ages of 21 and 65 years who were previously sexually active and did not undergo a hysterectomy. Data were collected through a convenience sampling technique where a self-administered survey was established and disseminated to the targeted population all over the country with the assistance of data collectors. Cervical cancer screening prevalence and screening predictive factors were measured. Factors associated with cervical cancer screening and knowledge of cervical cancer were tested using a chi-square test, an independent t-test, and an ANOVA test. Multivariate logistic regression was also used to determine predictors of cervical cancer screening. The study included 2,337 participants. The prevalence of cervical cancer screening among Saudi females was observed to be 22.1%. The most commonly reported reason for not undergoing cervical cancer screening was that it was never recommended by a physician, as reported by 42.4%. Only 7.6% reported taking the HPV vaccine. The majority of the participants (84.1%) had a low knowledge level about cervical cancer. The multivariate logistic regression model revealed that the following factors were observed to be significantly predictive of undergoing cervical cancer screening: being 46-59 years of age (74% increase rate), having an income greater than 20,000 Saudi Riyals (SRs) (158% increase rate), having a history of gynecological problems (152% increase rate), knowing someone who underwent cervical cancer screening (393% increase rate), and receiving a recommendation from a healthcare practitioner to undergo cervical cancer screening (1300% increase rate). There are clearly low rates of cervical cancer screening and even lower rates of uptake for the HPV vaccine, which are the prevention measures for cervical cancer. National initiatives and programs that promote HPV vaccine uptake and regular cervical cancer screening are highly recommended to minimize the morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer.

Adolescent behavioural risk screening in primary care: physician's point of view.

Despite regular consultation between adolescents/young adults (AYA) and their physicians, they are not regularly screened for psychosocial risk behaviours. This study examines physicians' self-reported psychosocial risk behaviour screening in AYA. It aims to highlight which elements hinder or improve screening abilities. The design was a cross-sectional quantitative survey. Data were obtained through a self-reported questionnaire sent out to primary care physicians (PCP) in Switzerland in 2018. The target population consisted of 1,824 PCP (29% response rate). Participants were asked whether they screened youths from 3 age groups [10-14 y/o, 15-20 y/o, and 21-25y/o] for the HEEADSSS items during child well visits and routine checkups. Barriers to screening included primary consultation motive prioritization, insufficient time, patient compliance, reimbursement, lack of skills related to adolescent health, lack of referral options. Data were analysed first through a bivariate analysis using Chi-square tests then through a multinomial logistic regression. The majority of physicians partook in preventive screening for 3-5 psychosocial risk elements. They reported the primary consultation motive as well as a lack of available time as having a high impact on their screening habits. Physician's experience and having discussed confidentiality were related to an increase in the number of topics addressed. Confidentiality remained a significant variable throughout all analyses. Barriers such as lack of consultation time and prioritization issues were found by physicians to be critical but did not hinder screening habits. The main element impacting screening habits was assuring confidentiality and the second is self-efficacy.

The Impact of Health Insurance Coverage on Improving Healthcare Quality in Saudi Arabia

This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2018 Saudi National Health Survey for 5,962 adults to examine if insurance coverage correlates with quality of healthcare. Insured individuals had significantly higher odds of receiving preventive screenings like blood pressure checks (OR 3.46) and tests for chronic diseases like HbA1c (OR 2.12), compared to uninsured. Provider communication (OR 2.28) and satisfaction (OR 3.03) were also superior among insured versus uninsured. Overall, insurance coverage strongly correlated with better quality indicators across domains like prevention, chronic disease management, communication and satisfaction. Expanding health insurance availability could act as a policy lever to improve healthcare quality in Saudi Arabia by increasing utilization and access.

Type 2 Diabetes and Colorectal Cancer Risk

Type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer (CRC) disproportionately burden indviduals of low socioeconomic status and African American race. Although diabetes is an emerging CRC risk factor, associations between diabetes and CRC in these populations are understudied. To determine if diabetes is associated with CRC risk in a cohort representing understudied populations. This cohort study uses data from the prospective Southern Community Cohort Study in the US, which recruited from 2002 to 2009 and completed 3 follow-up surveys by 2018. Of about 85 000 participants, 86% enrolled at community health centers, while 14% were enrolled via mail or telephone from the same 12 recruitment states. Participants with less than 2 years of follow-up, previous cancer diagnosis (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) at enrollment, missing enrollment diabetes status, diabetes diagnosis before age 30, and without diabetes at enrollment with no follow-up participation were excluded. Data were analyzed from January to September 2023. Physician-diagnosed diabetes and age at diabetes diagnosis were self-reported via survey at enrollment and 3 follow-ups. Diabetes diagnosis was hypothesized to be positively associated with CRC risk before analysis. Incident CRC was assessed via state cancer registry and National Death Index linkage. Hazard ratios and 95% CIs were obtained via Cox proportional hazard models, using time-varying diabetes exposure. Among 54 597 participants, the median (IQR) enrollment age was 51 (46-58) years, 34 786 (64%) were female, 36 170 (66%) were African American, and 28 792 (53%) had income less than $15 000 per year. In total, 289 of 25 992 participants with diabetes developed CRC, vs 197 of 28 605 participants without diabetes. Diabetes was associated with increased CRC risk (hazard ratio [HR], 1.47; 95% CI, 1.21-1.79). Greater associations were observed among participants without colonoscopy screening (HR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.16-3.67) and with smoking history (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.14-2.31), potentially due to cancer screening differences. Greater associations were also observed for participants with recent diabetes diagnoses (diabetes duration <5 years compared with 5-10 years; HR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.77-3.67), possibly due to recent screening. In this study where the majority of participants were African American with low socioeconomic status, diabetes was associated with elevated CRC risk, suggesting that diabetes prevention and control may reduce CRC disparities. The association was attenuated for those who completed colonoscopies, highlighting how adverse effects of diabetes-related metabolic dysregulation may be disrupted by preventative screening.