Regular Breast Cancer Screening Research Articles

Microwave imaging for breast cancer screening: protocol for an open, multicentric, interventional, prospective, non-randomised clinical investigation to evaluate cancer detection capabilities of MammoWave system on an asymptomatic population across multiple European countries.

Microwave imaging presents several potential advantages including its non-ionising and harmless nature. This open, multicentric, interventional, prospective, non-randomised trial aims to validate MammoWave's artificial intelligence (AI)-based classification algorithm, leveraging microwave imaging, to achieve a sensitivity exceeding 75% and a specificity exceeding 90% in breast screening. 10 000 volunteers undergoing regular mammographic breast cancer screening will be recruited across 9 European centres and invited to participate in the clinical study, involving MammoWave testing on both breasts. MammoWave results will be checked against the reference standard, to be intended as the output of conventional breast examination path (with histological confirmation of cancer cases) with 2 years follow-up. Anonymised clinical and MammoWave's results, including microwave images, associated features and a label provided by the AI-based classification algorithm, will be collected and stored in a dedicated electronic case report form. The prospective study will involve a comparative analysis between the output of the conventional breast examination path (control intervention) and the labels provided by MammoWave's AI system (experimental intervention). These labels will categorise breasts into two groups: breast With Suspicious Finding, indicating the presence of a suspicious lesion or No Suspicious Finding, indicating the absence of a lesion or the presence of a low-suspicion lesion. This trial aims to provide evidence regarding the novel MammoWave's AI system for detecting breast cancer in asymptomatic populations during screening. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Liguria Region (CET), Italy (CET-Liguria: 524/2023-DB id 13399), the Research Ethics Committee of Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo (CEIC), Spain (CEIC-1094), the National Ethics Committee for Clinical Research (CEIC), Portugal (CEIC-2311KC814), the Bioethical Committee of Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland (KB-006/23/2024) and the Zurich Cantonal Ethics Commission, Switzerland (BASEC 2023-D0101). The findings of this study will be disseminated through academic and scientific conferences as well as peer-reviewed journals. NCT06291896.

Exploring factors associated with uptake of breast cancer screening among a subset of women in a South African metropolitan area: research to inform public health interventions

Aim Breast cancer represents a significant global health concern and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, particularly among women in developing countries. Despite the South African Department of Health recommending early breast cancer detection to improve overall survival rates and enhance patients’ quality of life, there is lack of awareness among women regarding the importance of regular breast cancer screening and available options. This study investigates the factors associated with breast cancer screening uptake among a subset of women attending public health services in a South African metropolitan area. Methods A cross-sectional survey of adult women attending primary health care services at a community health centre was conducted in February-March 2020. Data on sociodemographics, health beliefs, access to information, and breast cancer screening uptake were subjected to descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Results Out of 252 women, 48.0% were older than 30 years, 69.4% were unemployed, and 56.0% self-reported breast cancer screening non-uptake. After adjusting for other variables, marital status, employment status, home language, and perceived breast cancer screening benefits were significantly associated with breast cancer screening uptake. Married women were twice (AoR: 2.3; CI: 1.19-4.58) as likely to self-report breast cancer screening than their unmarried counterparts. Employed women were almost thrice (AoR: 2.6; CI: 1.41-4.83) as likely to self-report breast cancer screening uptake relative to unemployed women. Women whose home language was Sesotho were almost twice (AoR: 1.9; CI: 1.05-3.43) as likely to self-report breast cancer screening than women reporting other home languages. Self-reported uptake of breast cancer screening was also more likely with every unit increase in perceived benefit scores (AoR: 1.1; CI: 1.02-1.16). Conclusions A significant proportion of women were in the age range where breast cancer screening is typically recommended, with more than half self-reporting breast cancer screening non-uptake. Results highlight the necessity of addressing socioeconomic, cultural and individual perceptions to improve breast cancer screening rates and promote early detection.

Breast cancer screening patterns and associated factors in Iranian women over 40 years

Screening is a key component of breast cancer early detection programs that canconsiderably reduce relevant mortality rates. The purpose of this study was to determinethe breast cancer screening behavioral patterns and associated factors in women over40 years of age. In this descriptive‑analytical cross‑sectional study, 372 over 40 years of agewomen visiting health centers in Tabriz, Iran, in 2023 were enrolled using cluster sampling.The data were collected using the sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, breastcancer perception scale, health literacy for Iranian adults scale, and the Breast CancerScreening Behavior Checklist. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS version 16 usingdescriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferentialstatistics (univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses). In total, 68.3% of allparticipants performed breast self‑examination (BSE) (9.9% regularly, once per month),60.2% underwent clinical breast examination (CBE) (8.9% regularly, twice per year),51.3% underwent mammography (12.3% regularly, once per year), and 36.2% underwentsonography (3.8% regularly, twice per year). The findings also showed that women withbenign breast diseases were more likely to undergo CBE (OR = 8.49; 95% CI 2.55 to 28.21;P < 0.001), mammography (OR = 8.84; 95% CI 2.98 to 10; P < 0.001), and sonography(OR = 18.84; 95% CI 6.40 to 53.33; P < 0.001) than others. Participants with low and moderatebreast cancer perception scores were more likely to perform BSE than women with highbreast cancer perception scores (OR = 2.20; 95% CI 1.21 to 4.00; P = 0.009) and women whohad a history of benign breast disease were more likely to perform screening behaviors thanothers (OR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.27 to 4.80; P = 0.008). Women between the ages of 50 and 59 weremore likely to undergo mammography (OR = 2.33; 95% CI 1.29 to 4.77; P = 0.008) and CBE(OR = 2.40; 95% CI 1.347 to 4.20; P = 0.003) than those ≥ 60 years. Given the low participationof women in regular breast cancer screening, it is suggested that health care providershighlight the need for screening at the specified intervals in their training programs. Inaddition, health authorities are recommended to use reminder systems to remind women,especially those over 40 years of age, of the best time for breast screening. Moreover, healthcare providers must seek to improve breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and perceptionsof women who visit health centers, which are the first level of contact with the healthcaresystem for the general population.

Risk factors of breast cancer among patients from a lower- and middle-income country: A case-control study from Nepal.

e12502 Background: Although breast cancer occurs overwhelmingly in high-income countries, there has been a recent increase in the incidence of breast cancer cases in low and middle-income countries. Reports from hospital-based registries showed that breast cancer is second most common cancer in Nepalese women. The study aimed to find the risk factors associated with breast cancer among breast cancer patients at a tertiary care hospital from Nepal. Methods: An Institutional-based 1:1 unmatched case-control study with a sample of 100 women was conducted at Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, between May to October 2023. Women aged 20-84 years with histologically confirmed breast cancer within the last 4 years of the interview date were identified retrospectively as a study cases. Semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio with 95%CI. Results: The significantly associated risk factors included age (41-50yrs: OR 5.03, &gt;50 years: OR31.11), marital status (married: OR9.23), age at menarche (13-15 yrs: OR 3.79), and oral contraception use (OC user: OR 4.26). Conclusions: Emphasizing regular breast cancer screening programs above 40 years of age and adequate counselling and awareness about that risks and benefits of hormonal contraception among high-risk groups might help to mitigate the risk of breast cancer.

Two-Year-Span Breast Cancer Screening Uptake in Japan after the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Association with the COVID-19 Vaccination.

There is limited information on whether the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with decreased breast cancer screening uptake and if COVID-19 vaccination was associated with an increase in screening uptake. Our study explored the uptake of breast cancer screening in Japan after the COVID-19 pandemic and assessed its association with the COVID-19 vaccination. We analyzed data from the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey (JACSIS), a web-based prospective cohort survey, and we included 6110 women without cancer history who were aged 40 to 74 years that participated in the 2012 and 2022 surveys. We examined the regular breast cancer screening uptake before and after the pandemic and employed a multivariable Poisson regression model to seek any association between COVID-19 vaccination and screening uptake. Of 6110, 38.2% regularly participated in screening before the pandemic and 46.9% did so after the pandemic. Individuals unvaccinated due to health reasons (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.29-0.77, p = 0.003) and for other reasons (IRR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62-0.86, p < 0.001) were less likely to undergo screening compared to fully vaccinated individuals. There was no long-term decrease in breast cancer screening uptake after the pandemic in Japan. Vaccination was linked to increased uptake, but there was no dose relationship.

Breast Cancer Screening Behavior among Working Women in Japan: Characteristics and Factors Inhibiting Screening.

Improving breast cancer screening rates is crucial for early detection. However, factors hindering regular screening among working women remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify screening behavior among working women in Japan and associated discouraging factors. Surveys were conducted from April to May 2019 among women aged 40-60 at public offices and companies in Tottori Prefecture. We used two surveys: the "Basic Attributes Questionnaire" and the "Structural Questionnaire on Rejecting Screening." Data analysis involved chi-squared tests, logistic regression analysis, factor analysis, and nonparametric tests. Completed questionnaires analyzed were 668 out of 825 collected (response rate: 81.0%). Most participants were part-time employees with an average age of 51 years. Over 60% reported undergoing regular screening. Logistic regression analysis identified part-time employment, lack of children, a discouraging workplace atmosphere, and absence of personal connections to breast cancer patients as factors associated with avoiding breast cancer screening. Factor analysis identified five factors and 16 items as reasons for not undergoing regular screening. Women who had no spouse, no children or felt that their workplace was not encouraging breast screening felt difficulty in scheduling screening most strongly. Individuals who had part-time employment and had no children, did not know a breast cancer patient, or considered that their workplace environment was not supportive were more likely to avoid undergoing regular breast cancer screening. Also, women who did not undergo regular screening experienced difficulty in scheduling. In the future, the challenge lies in disseminating accurate knowledge about breast cancer to foster awareness without excessive anxiety.

Breast Cancer Detection using Image Processing and Machine Learning: A Comprehensive Review and Improved Segmentation Approach

Breast cancer stands as one of the most prevalent health concerns for women. Early detection of breast cancer can significantly improve the chances of survival. In developed countries, more than 19.9% of women will die per year due to breast cancer. Regular breast cancer screening is an important way to detect cancer early. Image processing techniques are highly used for different types of cancer detection applications with medical screening. Segmentation of the breast tumor region is a critical step in image processing related to this manner. Lots of research work can be found on developing ways for detecting breast cancers. However still, there is a need for a standard and robust cancer region segmentation method. Right cancer region segmentation is significant for better feature extraction and better classification. This study presents a comprehensive literature review about technologies used with image enhancement and tumor segmentation. Further, the study proposes a robust approach to image enhancement and cancer region segmentation for breast cancer detection using image processing techniques and machine learning. In this work, mammograms are enhanced using Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization and denoised using the Median blurring filter. This study enables an effective image segmentation approach with two stages: removing the background using thresholding, tumor region segmentation using a combination of thresholding, and Canny edge detection. Segmented tumor region’s features are extracted using the Gabor filter. Here the accuracy of the approach is compared with three main machine learning classifiers: Decision Tree, Random Forest, Multinomial Logistic Regression and mammograms are classified into three classes (malignant, benign and normal). Finally, an ensemble approach is proposed using the hard voting mechanism to improve the accuracy. With the dataset of mini-MIAS this proposed approach achieved 78.89% accuracy. Results demonstrated that the proposed breast cancer detection approach improves the performance of segmentation breast tumor regions.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Survival among Patients Diagnosed by a Structured Community Based Screening Program Compared to Opportunistic Diagnosis: A Case Control Study.

Breast cancer is ranked as the most common type of cancer effecting women worldwide. Early detection is associated with improved morbidity and mortality, along with decreased recurrence rates, due to regular breast cancer screening recommendations advised for women over the age of 40. Women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) typically present with advanced symptoms at later stages due to lower-than-average rates of breast cancer awareness and screening. A case-control study was conducted utilizing data collected over 20 years in the primary care clinics linked to at a tertiary hospital to demonstrate the role of structured breast cancer screening programs within well-established primary care setting. Results were compared with outcomes of cancer cases diagnosed in the community through opportunistic diagnosis. A total 292 patients included in the study had an overall mean survival time of 160 months, with a statistically significant higher survival time noted amongst the primary care group of 49 patients (p<0.01) by approximately 85 months. Clinical stages and clinical response rates between the two patient groups were found to be statistically significant (p<0.01), where 35 (73.3%) primary care patients were stage IIA and below, compared to 41 (30%) oncology patients. Patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the primary care group with well-established breast cancer screening programs were noted to present with breast cancer at earlier stages, have better prognosis and lower mortality as opposed to the oncology patient group. Our study highlights the need of structured breast cancer screening programs within well supported primary health services in Saudi Arabia and the region. Such programs were associated with improved survival outcomes and more favorable clinical responses. There is an urgent need to enable primary care services with the appropriate resources to significantly impact patient morbidity and mortality.

Prevalence of cancer cases among population of Kirkuk, Iraq from 2016-2020

Objective: To present a clear picture of the cancer cases reported in Kirkuk between 2016 and 2020 and to identify the top 10 instances in both genders. Methodology: This cohort/retrospective study was conducted at oncology/hematology center in Kirkuk governorate from January, 2021 to May, 2022. The data were collected from the official records of oncology/hematology center in Kirkuk governorate and consisted of 4917 cancer cases during the five years period from 2016 to 2020. Results: A total of 4719 cases of all cancer types in Kirkuk were recorded from 2016-2020. Of these, 64.2% were females and 35.8% males. Age of 65.8% cases was between 41-70 years, with a mean of 52.624±22.593 years. For both genders, breast cancer was the most common (1532), followed by lung cancer. Conclusion: Breast cancer is on the top of ten cancers and is on the rising trend. The Ministry of health should plan for a strategy of regular screening for breast cancer in women and increasing the awareness of the women regarding breast self-examination for early detection.

Cancer screening and prevention education in standardized training residents: A cross-sectional survey in single center

BackgroundStandardized residency training is an essential aspect of enhancing the ability of cancer prevention and screening of residents. The current study was performed to investigate tumor prevention, screening literacy and the training demands of standardized training residents and explore related influencing factors.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 320 residents of The First Hospital of Lanzhou University. An online, self-designed questionnaire was employed to investigate tumor prevention and screening, training status, and the requirements of residents. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test.ResultsThe mean age of the 320 participants was 26.04 ± 1.85 years;133, 83, and 104 were in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of standardized training, respectively. Among the common carcinogenic factors, smoking, infectious agents, and drinking were more correlated with tumors by 72.19, 66.57, and 64.38% of the physicians, respectively. Excess body weight, an insufficient intake of fruits and dietary fiber, and a lack of exercise were correlated with tumors by only 26.56, 25, and 23.44% of the physicians, respectively. The proportion of physicians providing an accurate answer to the tumor screening question ranged from 23.13 to 93.13%. The lowest accuracy was 23.13% for the initial age of regular breast cancer screening in general-risk women. The maximum rate of the primary liver cancer screening methods was 93.13%. Postgraduates and residents of oncology practitioners considered excess body weight and the insufficient intake of fruits and dietary fiber more relevant to cancer (P < 0.05). Male residents viewed more associations between tumors and a lack of exercise and air pollution (P < 0.05). Overall, 71.26% of participants felt that their tumor prevention and screening knowledge was poor and 95.31% thought they needed standardized tumor prevention and screening training.ConclusionTumor prevention and screening literacy of standardized training residents should be further improved. There is a huge knowledge demand for tumor prevention and screening. Therefore, it is vital to build a training program in line with the requirements of cancer prevention and control efforts that focus on improving literacy among residents.

Breast cancer incidence in a national cohort of female workers exposed to special health hazards in Taiwan: a retrospective case-cohort study of ~ 300,000 occupational records spanning 20years.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. In Taiwan, workers exposed to any of 31 hazardous chemicals or carcinogens in the work environment are designated as especially exposed workers (EEWs) by Taiwan's Ministry of Labor. We assessed the risk of breast cancer in this nationwide female EEW cohort. We conducted a nationwide retrospective study of 4,774,295 workers combining data collected from Taiwan's Ministry of Labor's EEW database between 1997 and 2018 and Taiwan's Cancer Registry between 1997 and 2016. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for women exposed to different hazards and breast cancer incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated by Poisson regression, adjusting for age and duration of exposure. 3248 female workers with breast cancer and 331,967 without breast cancer were included. The SIRs and adjusted IRRs were 1.27 (95% CI 1.18-1.35) and 1.31 (95% CI 1.21-1.42) for lead, 1.74 (95% CI 1.23-2.24) and 1.52 (95% CI 1.13-2.04) for 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, 1.47 (95% CI 1.12-1.82) and 1.42 (95% CI 1.12-1.81) for trichloroethylene/tetrachloroethylene), 1.40 (95% CI 1.23-1.57) and 1.38 (95% CI 1.22-1.57) for benzene, and 2.07 (95% CI 1.06-3.09) and 1.80 (95% CI 1.10-2.94) for asbestos. The results remained similar when factoring in a 2- or 5-year latency period. This study found possible correlations between occupational exposure to lead, chlorinated solvents (such as 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene), benzene, and asbestos with breast cancer risk among female EEW, suggesting a need for regular screening for breast cancer for employees exposed to these special workplace hazards.

An Evidence-based and Inclusive Breast Cancer Screening Strategy: Summary of Current Guidelines from the American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging.

HomeRadiology: Imaging CancerVol. 4, No. 2 PreviousNext Research HighlightsFree AccessAn Evidence-based and Inclusive Breast Cancer Screening Strategy: Summary of Current Guidelines from the American College of Radiology and Society of Breast ImagingDevan Diwanji, Bonnie JoeDevan Diwanji, Bonnie JoeDevan DiwanjiBonnie JoePublished Online:Mar 18 2022https://doi.org/10.1148/rycan.229003MoreSectionsPDF ToolsImage ViewerAdd to favoritesCiteTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked In Take-Away Points■ Major Focus: For persons at average risk, initiating annual screening mammography at age 40 years confers the greatest reduction in breast cancer mortality with diagnosis at earlier stages and better options for surgery and chemotherapy.■ Key Result: Screening should continue past age 74 years without upper age limit unless significant comorbidities limit life expectancy.■ Impact: Breast cancer risk assessment should be performed by age 30 years, especially in Black, Asian, and Hispanic women, to appropriately define risk category for each person.Breast cancer is the most common nonskin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Although advances in treatments have significantly improved survival, they alone cannot overcome the disadvantage of a late-stage cancer diagnosis. Regular breast cancer screening with mammography reduces mortality by approximately 40% for women age 40 years and older. Experts from the American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) reviewed data from numerous trials and imaging studies to offer evidence-based recommendations for screening mammography. Recommendations focused on reducing morbidity and mortality while addressing screening disparities and risks of screening versus not screening.The ACR and SBI recommend annual screening mammography starting at age 40 years for individuals at average risk. Starting at age 40 years versus 45 or 50 years helps detect cancer at earlier stages in which smaller tumor burdens and less metastatic potential broaden effective therapeutic options. Annual screening helps identify cancers with potential to grow and metastasize during longer screening interval periods. More than one-third of breast cancer deaths and nearly half for women age 40–49 years manifested in the 2nd year after mammography with negative findings. Because one in five breast cancers occur in women age 75 years and older, the ACR and SBI recommend screening past 75 years of age with consideration for comorbidities that limit life expectancy. More frequent screening increases benign-outcome recalls and biopsies but should be balanced against benefits of gained life-years and fewer deaths from breast cancer. Overdiagnosis from mammography screening occurs in less than 1% of women younger than 60 years of age, independent of screening interval or age to begin screening. A single mammography examination provides minimal radiation, equivalent to 6 weeks of natural background radiation. The ratio of lives saved by mammography compared with the theoretical possibility of lives lost from increased radiation exposure is 50–75 to one. Both benefits and risks should be considered to help individuals make informed choices regarding screening.The ACR and SBI recommendations address racial disparities associated with less frequent or delayed screening. Racial and ethnic minority women younger than 50 years old are 72% more likely to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer than non-Hispanic White women. One-third of breast cancers in Black, Asian, and Hispanic women are diagnosed before 50 years of age. Biological factors, including higher incidences of mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 and aggressive triple-negative disease in racial and ethnic minority women, as well as systemic inequities in access to screening mammography may contribute to these discrepancies. Earlier or more frequent screening may detect cancers earlier in racial and ethnic minority women and mitigate some differences.Highlighted ArticleMonticciolo DL, Malak SF, Friedewald SM, et al. Breast cancer screening recommendations inclusive of all women at average risk: update from the ACR and Society of Breast Imaging. J Am Coll Radiol 2021; 18(9):1280–1288. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2021.04.021Highlighted ArticleMonticciolo DL, Malak SF, Friedewald SM, et al. Breast cancer screening recommendations inclusive of all women at average risk: update from the ACR and Society of Breast Imaging. J Am Coll Radiol 2021;18(9):1280–1288. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2021.04.021 Crossref, Medline, Google ScholarArticle HistoryPublished online: Mar 18 2022 FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRecommended Articles Age-based versus Risk-based Mammography Screening in Women 40–49 Years Old: A Cross-sectional StudyRadiology2019Volume: 292Issue: 2pp. 321-328Sustainable Benefits of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis ScreeningRadiology2020Volume: 298Issue: 1pp. 58-59Non-BRCA Early-Onset Breast Cancer in Young WomenRadioGraphics2022Volume: 42Issue: 1pp. 5-22Digital Mammography and Breast Tomosynthesis Performance in Women with a Personal History of Breast Cancer, 2007–2016Radiology2021Volume: 300Issue: 2pp. 290-300Invited Commentary: The Challenges of Early-Onset Breast CancerRadioGraphics2022Volume: 42Issue: 1pp. E16-E17See More RSNA Education Exhibits How to Identify Women Who Are Above Average Risk for Developing Breast Cancer: Retrospective Review of our Institution's First Year Experience After Implementing a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Program in Breast ImagingDigital Posters2018High Risk Breast Cancer Screening  Digital Posters2020Non-Contrast-Enhanced Breast MR Screening for Women with Dense BreastsDigital Posters2019 RSNA Case Collection Multifocal breast cancerRSNA Case Collection2020Male invasive Ductal Carcinoma RSNA Case Collection2022Invasive ductal carcinoma of the breastRSNA Case Collection2020 Vol. 4, No. 2 Metrics Altmetric Score PDF download

A Non-Invasive Breast Cancer Detection System Using FBG Thermal Sensor Array: A Feasibility Study

Breast cancer is one of the most challenging health problems in women worldwide. Early detection and regular breast cancer screening can considerably improve the survival rate. Many advanced imaging technologies are currently being used in the detection of breast malignancy. However, these methods are costly, uncomfortable, and time-consuming. Therefore, in this work, a simple and noninvasive thermographic technique, based on a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) thermal sensor array, has been developed to detect breast cancer. Breast tissue is simulated using agar gel phantom, and the heaters are embedded inside the phantom in different locations to mimic the tumors. FBG thermal sensor array is employed to acquire the surface temperature distribution of the simulated breast phantom. Also, modeling of the tissue-mimicking phantom and tumor in COMSOL Multiphysics software is carried out to provide a detailed 3D thermal view of the proposed prototype. Both experimental and simulated results are found to be in agreement and display the same trend as expected. Experimental results show that a temperature variation of ≥0.3°C is detected at the location of the tumor’s presence, which can be easily picked up by FBG interrogators which have sensitivity of ~1 pm, indicating the efficacy of the proposed sensing prototype as a potential screening tool for the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Racial disparities in follow-up care of early-stage lung cancer survivors.

12025 Background: Follow-up care and surveillance in lung cancer survivors is essential formanagement of treatment- and disease-related symptoms as well as for the early detection of cancer recurrence. To investigate if race impacts receipt of follow-up care in lung cancer survivors, we conducted a cross-sectional study in lung cancer survivors recruited through the New Jersey State Cancer Registry (NJSCR). Methods: Between May 2019 and December 2019, survivors of early-stage NSCLC were identified and recruited from the NJSCR. Participants were eligible if they had surgery for stage I or II NSCLC between 2014 and 2017 and, completed all treatment at least one year prior to enrollment. Eligible participants were asked to complete a paper survey questionnaire and medical record release form sent to them by mail. The survey had questions about demographics, smoking, cancer history and treatment, quality of life, follow-up care, barriers to care and informational needs. Study measures were compared between the groups using t-test or chi-square test as applicable. Results: Of the 482 survivors contacted, 23% (n = 114) mailed back the survey questionnaire. Of the 112 survivors who returned a completed survey; 78 (70%) were non-Hispanic (NH) Whites and 34 (30%) were NH Blacks. Mean age was 67 years, 61% were female, 92% had cancer in remission. 82% of participants reported receiving a surveillance scan (CT or PET) within one year of completing the study survey. More NH White survivors received a scan within a year compared to NH Black survivors (89% vs 64%; p = 0.006). Also, 88% of survivors reported that they were informed of the need for follow-up care by their provider with more NH White survivors reporting receiving this information (94%) compared to NH Blacks (71%; p = 0.002). About 57% of the survivors reported receiving a written treatment summary and 92% reported being seen by a physician within the past year; no racial differences in these measures were noted.There was also no racial difference in receipt of age-appropriate cancer screening; 66% and 80% reported receiving regular colon and breast cancer screening, respectively. A significantly higher percentage of NH Blacks reported currently smoking compared to NH Whites (16% vs 12%). The most significant barriers to care for both populations were concern for out-of-pocket costs (26% NH Whites, 19% NH Blacks), non-coverage of test (14% NH Whites, 10% NH Blacks) and lack of insurance (8% NH Whites, 16% NH Blacks). Conclusions: Significant racial disparity was identified between NH Blacks and NH Whites in receipt of surveillance scans, guidance about follow-up care and smoking cessation. The most significant barriers to follow-up care was lack of insurance in NH Blacks and financial concerns about cost and coverage of tests in NH Whites. Future interventions to increase survivorship care should target these specific needs in survivor populations.

Factors associated with being diagnosed with high severity of breast cancer: a population-based study in Queensland, Australia.

This study explores factors that are associated with the severity of breast cancer (BC) at diagnosis. Interviews were conducted among women (n = 3326) aged 20-79 diagnosed with BC between 2011 and 2013 in Queensland, Australia. High-severity cancers were defined as either Stage II-IV, Grade 3, or having negative hormone receptors at diagnosis. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of high severity BC for variables relating to screening, lifestyle, reproductive habits, family history, socioeconomic status, and area disadvantage. Symptom-detected women had greater odds (OR 3.38, 2.86-4.00) of being diagnosed with high-severity cancer than screen-detected women. Women who did not have regular mammograms had greater odds (OR 1.78, 1.40-2.28) of being diagnosed with high-severity cancer than those who had mammograms biennially. This trend was significant in both screen-detected and symptom-detected women. Screen-detected women who were non-smokers (OR 1.77, 1.16-2.71), postmenopausal (OR 2.01, 1.42-2.84), or employed (OR 1.46, 1.15-1.85) had greater odds of being diagnosed with high-severity cancer than those who were current smokers, premenopausal, or unemployed. Symptom-detected women being overweight (OR 1.67, 1.31-2.14), postmenopausal (OR 2.01, 1.43-2.82), had hormone replacement therapy (HRT) < 2years (OR 1.60, 1.02-2.51) had greater odds of being diagnosed with high-severity cancer than those of healthy weight, premenopausal, had HRT > 10years. Screen-detected women and women who had mammograms biennially had lower odds of being diagnosed with high-severity breast cancer, which highlighted the benefit of regular breast cancer screening. Women in subgroups who are more likely to have more severe cancers should be particularly encouraged to participate in regular mammography screening.

Barriers and Attitudes toward Breast Cancer Screening among Omani Women.

Background:Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer accounting for 24.5% of Omani female cancer. Early detection of BC through regular breast cancer screening (BCS) has been found to decrease mortality rates. The aim of this study was to identify knowledge, attitudes and barriers of Omani women toward BCS. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult Omani women attending the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH). Results:A total of 358 Omani women participated from 420 invited (response rate = 85.2%). Most women (92.1%) thought that BC could be cured if detected early, but less than half (46.8%) thought that they were at risk of BC if a relative had BC. The majority (81.1%) were aware that BCS was available in Oman, though less than half (48.5%) knew where to go for BCS and most (83.8%) had not undergone BCS before. The most common personal-related barriers to BCS were fear of BC diagnosis (40.8%), fear of treatment (52.1%) and embarrassment of the breast examination (46.6%). The most perceived system-related barriers to BCS were the concern over the availability of a male doctor (46.6%) or a non-Arabic speaking doctor (38.7%) and not recommended by the doctor (46.3%). Univariate binary logistic regression showed that attitudes toward BCS were influenced by their previous experiences of BCS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-4.41) and their willingness to participate in the future BCS [OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.14-3.37). Conclusion:Although Omani women showed an interest toward BCS, few had undergone BCS. Several cultural, practical and personal-related barriers were noted to interfere with BCS in Oman. Addressing these concerns through involving healthcare providers to reassure the women and implementing a national strategy of BCS could improve BCS screenings and early diagnosis of BC.

Breast cancer screening: knowledge and practices among women employees of a tertiary care hospital

Background: Women employees, despite working in hospital do not undergo regular breast cancer screening due to poor awareness about the disease and the importance of undergoing regular breast cancer screening. The objectives of the study were to assess knowledge related to breast cancer disease, proportion of women ever screened for breast cancer and proportion of women with one or more risk factors for breast cancer.Methods: Observational descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted to interview 88 women employees of a tertiary health care institute in Mumbai. A list of women employees other than a nurse or doctor, aged 30 years and above, working in the hospital or medical college was prepared. Women were sequentially approached and interviewed after obtaining an informed consent using a pre-tested, structured interview tool, till the sample size of 88 was reached. Data is presented using descriptive statistics like percentages, mean, standard deviation and standard error of mean.Results: Knowledge score of women was low with regard to symptoms and risk factors of breast cancer but high with regard to modalities of breast cancer screening. Overall proportion of women undergoing regular breast cancer screening by any of the methods (mammography, clinical breast examination or self-breast examination) is very poor. Knowledge levels greatly influenced the practice of breast cancer screening.Conclusions: Creating awareness about the disease and the need to undergo regular screening for breast cancer is required even for hospital employees.

Uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening in four Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

In Gulf Cooperation Council States, there is limited information on national levels of mammography and Pap smear screening uptake. The aim of this study is to provide a baseline for national estimates for mammography and Pap smear screening and to explore associations between screening uptake and socioeconomic factors. The nationally representative World Health Survey Plus, implemented in 2008/2009 in Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE), was used. Uptake of mammography and Pap smear was estimated for each country, followed by the examination of associations between screening and a range of socioeconomic variables. Levels of breast and cervical cancer screening uptake within recommended intervals in all countries were low. The percentages of women aged 40-75 years who had a mammogram were 4.9% in Saudi Arabia, 8.9% in Oman, 13.9% in the UAE and 14.6% in Kuwait. The percentages of women aged 25-49 years who had a Pap smear test were 7.6% in Saudi Arabia, 10.6% in Oman, 17.7% in Kuwait and 28.0% in the UAE. Marital status, wealth, education, nationality and place of residence are associated with screening uptake, with the lower educated, poor and unmarried having the lowest percentages of uptake. The four Gulf Cooperation Council countries need to set clear targets and increase the proportion of women who have regular breast and cervical cancer screening examinations. Health education campaigns and awareness programmes that are fully integrated into the health system are required to ensure women use services that are available to prevent breast and cervical cancers.

Hispanic Men and Women's Knowledge, Beliefs, Perceived Susceptibility, and Barriers to Clinical Breast Examination and Mammography Practices in South Texas Colonias.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women of all ethnicities. Though the disease is not a primary concern within male populations male perceptions and beliefs of breast cancer screening may contribute to a partner's or loved one's decision to engage in regular mammograms or clinical breast examinations. The current study seeks to explore a comparative analysis of breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, susceptibility, and barriers to female breast cancer and breast cancer screening among Hispanic men and women residing in the Colonias of South Texas. Using a multistage systematic sampling design, 2,812 men and women were surveyed from the two South Texas Counties; Maverick and Val Verde. Individuals between the ages of 20 and 75 (n = 2360) were included in the analysis. T-tests and linear regression models were used to examine gender differences in, knowledge, beliefs, susceptibility, and barriers to breast cancer and breast cancer screening. Significant differences were found between males and females across all measures. Regression analysis demonstrates Hispanic women hold more favorable beliefs about breast cancer and early detection, display higher perceived barriers to clinical breast examinations and mammography, and view themselves more susceptible to the development of breast cancer than their male counterparts. Results framed within a cultural context suggest outreach efforts within South Texas Colonias should consider inclusion of male family members in efforts to increase favorable views toward and engagement in regular breast cancer screening.

Knowledge and Attitude to Breast Cancer Screening and Risk Factors Among Women in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among women in Nigeria. There are several reasons why over 60% of breast cancer patients present with advanced disease. Some of which are lack of awareness and poor uptake of cancer screening methods. Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and practice of screening modalities among a cross-section of women in 5 different local government areas in Lagos. Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted among women during a breast cancer awareness and screening program in 5 local government areas of Lagos. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to assess the knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and practice of screening methods. Results were analyzed with SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 1113 respondents were surveyed across various communities. Distributions among semi-urban communities include: 29.7% from Mushin, 22.4% from Somolu, 18.2% from Ikeja, 15.8% from Kosofe and 13.8% from Idi-Araba. Mean age ± SD of respondents was 43.6 ± 12.6 years. Even though 78.5% have heard about breast cancer and screening only 29.3% had been screened. Breast screening modalities used were clinical breast examination (19.9%), mammogram (5.8%) and breast ultrasound (3.6%). Conclusion: This study shows that there is a low uptake of breast cancer screening practices and the high knowledge of screening methods did not translate to higher screening practices among the studied population. There is a need to create more awareness on the risk factors identification and emphasize the importance of regular screening for breast cancer as essentials for early diagnosis and survival.