Effectiveness of Co-Testing in Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Macao SAR

Background: Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern in Macao SAR despite the implementation of a cervical cancer screening program and HPV vaccination. To improve early detection, Macao SAR introduced HPV DNA testing alongside cytology (co-testing) as the primary screening method in 2019. This study evaluates the effectiveness of co-testing in identifying cervical precancerous lesions (CIN2+) compared to cytology alone. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of women aged 30 - 65 years who participated in the routine cervical cancer screening program in Macao SAR Primary Healthcare Centers from 2019 to 2022. Data from over 70,000 women were analyzed, comparing the detection rates of CIN2+ through co-testing and cytology alone. Women with abnormal cytology or positive HPV results were referred for colposcopy. Results: The introduction of co-testing led to a significant increase in the detection of CIN2+, particularly in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) cytology results. Between 2019 and 2022, the percentage of women with ASCUS/NILM and any high-risk HPV (hrHPV) positive who were diagnosed with CIN2+ after colposcopy were 24%, 13%, 10% and 7.5% respectively. This highlights the ability of co-testing to identify high-risk individuals who would have been missed by cytology alone. Discussion: Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of co-testing in improving the sensitivity of cervical cancer screening in Macao SAR. The inclusion of HPV DNA testing allows for better risk stratification of women with ASCUS/NILM cytology, leading to more targeted referrals for colposcopy and timely detection of precancerous lesions. The initial high positive rate in 2019 (24%) might be attributed to the small sample size and potentially reflects a backlog of undiagnosed cases prior to co-testing implementation. Conclusion: The implementation of co-testing in Macao SAR’s cervical cancer screening program significantly improves the early detection of precancerous lesions, particularly in women with ambiguous cytology results. This proactive approach contributes to reducing cervical cancer morbidity and mortality and improving women’s health outcomes in Macao SAR.

Colorectal cancer screening in Europe

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the second most frequent malignant disease in Europe.Every year,412 000people are diagnosed with this condition,and 207 000patients die of it.In 2003,recommendations forscreening programs were issued by the Council of the European Union(EU),and these currently serve as thebasis for the preparation of European guidelines forCRC screening.The manner in which CRC screening iscarried out varies significantly from country to countrywithin the EU,both in terms of organization and thescreening test chosen.A screening program of onesort or another has been implemented in 19 of 27 EUcountries.The most frequently applied method is testing stool for occult bleeding(fecal occult blood test,FOBT).In recent years,a screening colonoscopy hasbeen introduced,either as the only method(Poland)orthe method of choice(Germany,Czech Republic).

Who should be screened for colorectal cancer and how can it be prevented more effectively?

In this editorial,we comment on the article published by Agatsuma et al in a recent issue of the World J Gastroenterol(2024;30:1368-1376).We firmly concur with Agatsuma et al regarding the vital significance of colorectal cancer(CRC)screening as a public health strategy to diminish disease burden.Individuals exposed to risk factors for CRC,those with comorbid conditions,and those with limited health literacy should undergo screening.However,we believe that more regular screenings should be accompanied by a greater focus on primary prevention(PP)of CRC.CRC remains a significant global health challenge,and its incidence is strongly linked to age,lifestyle,and socioeconomic factors.It is particularly noteworthy that the majority of CRC patients are diagnosed outside of established screening pathways and frequently at an advanced stage of the disease,and the majority of patients possess inadequate or even nonexistent knowledge regarding CRC,which significantly impacts the prognosis and imposes a substantial economic burden.This study revealed that CRC identified during hospital visits for comorbid conditions was typically diagnosed at an earlier stage than detected via symptomatic pathways.Remarkably,early incidental detection of CRC aligns closely with the timing of discovery through routine cancer screenings.This suggests that by adopting more inclusive screening protocols that combine opportunistic testing with traditional screening methods,health care systems can create a more comprehensive safety net for individuals at risk of CRC.However,before maximizing the health benefits of screening programs,it is essential to make additional efforts prior to screening,such as raising awareness via public education,risk assessment,and personalized recommendations,enhancing the knowledge and skills of health care professionals,optimizing the accessibility and convenience of screening processes,ensuring the quality and safety of screening services,strengthening follow-up and support systems,and providing policy support and financial investment.The establishment of a comprehensive screening system often requires substantial investment in human,material,and financial resources,which can be challenging to achieve in regions with limited health care resources.Strengthening PP strategies can reduce the disease burden by targeting the cause,representing a more cost-effective and impactful approach.Establishing a comprehensive cancer PP service platform that integrates authoritative public education on malignant tumor PP,individualized malignant tumor risk assessment,and self-health management assistance accessible to the entire population will significantly enhance the overall effectiveness of CRC PP strategies.

Sociodemographic Characteristics Related to Resistance to Breast Cancer Screening

Objective: To describe the sociodemographic characteristics of women related to resistance to breast cancer. Methods: Cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, whose research took place in the Basic Family Health Units of the municipality of Mossoró. The study included 362 women aged between 40 and 69 years. One used a validated questionnaire with questions divided into five blocks. The data were entered in a spreadsheet, transferred to the SPSS software, and subsequently coded to perform the analysis. The Research Ethics Committee of the State University of Rio Grande do Norte, in Opinion No. 356958, approved the project. Results: Black women were two times more likely to be resistant when compared to white women (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.12 - 3.69;p = 0.018). Women who have studied up to primary school 122 (58.1%) were two times more likely to be resistant when compared to those 14 (6.7%) who studied up to higher education (OR = 2.69;95% CI = 1.31 - 5.48;p = 0.012). Women who had first-degree relatives with breast cancer 153 (72.9%) were three times more likely to be resistant. Conclusions: The findings show the need for investments in educational practices with a view to public awareness and professionals’ training to disseminate information regarding tests used in practice directed to women’s health.

Colorectal cancer screening:20 years of development and recent progress

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the second most common cancer in Europe and its incidence is steadily increasing.This trend could be reversed through timely secondary prevention(screening).In the last twenty years,CRC screening programs across Europe have experienced considerable improvements(fecal occult blood testing;transition from opportunistic to population based program settings).The Czech Republic is a typical example of a country with a long history of nationwide CRC screening programs in the face of very high CRC incidence and mortality rates.Each year,approximately 8000 people are diagnosed with CRC and some 4000 die from this malignancy.Twenty years ago,the first pilot studies on CRC screening led to the introduction of the opportunistic Czech National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in 2000.Originally,this program was based on the guaiac fecal occult blood test(FOBT)offered by general practitioners,followed by colonoscopy in cases of FOBT positivity.The program has continuously evolved,namely with the implementation of immunochemical FOBTs and screening colonoscopy,as well as the involvement of gynecologists.Since the establishment of the Czech CRC Screening Registry in 2006,2405850 FOBTs have been performed and 104565 preventive colonoscopies recorded within the screening program.The overall program expanded to cover 25.0%of the target population by 2011.However,stagnation in the annual number of performed FOBTs lately has led to switching to the option of a population-based program with personal invitation,which is currently being prepared.

Assessing the Effectiveness of a Cervical Cancer Screening Program in a Hospital-based Study

This study compared HPV testing and liquid-based cytology （LCT） as performance indicators for cervical cancer screening in a hospital-based study. A total of 61,193 outpatients were screened initially by LCT. Samples with screening results showing atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance （ASC-US） or worse were referred for colposcopy, and some samples were tested for high-risk HPV types with the Hybrid Capture II system （HC II）. Data on LCT （n=61,193） and HC II （n=1056） results were analysed. Overall test positivity for LCT was 2.53% using an ASC-US threshold, 3.11% using a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （LSIL） threshold, and 0.67% using a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （HSIL） threshold. A total of 1839 women （84% of the 3893 patients with abnormal cytology） underwent colposcopy-directed biopsy. HPV was positive in 80.3% of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 （CIN1）, 88.3% of those with CIN2, 79.2% of women with CIN3 and 50% （2 of 4） of women with invasive cancer. There was a significant increase in the detection of CIN2 or worse with adjunct HPV testing of women with ASC-US and LSIL However, there were detection of CIN2＋ cases no differences in the with adjunct HPV testing of women with HSlI.. The results indicate that HPV testing for HSlL triage should not be recommended in cervical cancer screening.

Amblyopia screening for first and second-grade children in Jordan

AIM:To share the results of a national screening program for amblyopia in school children in the north of Jordan.METHODS:This is a prospective national screening study for amblyopia.The program rolls first and second-grade children(6 to 7 years old) in the north of Jordan.The eye examination included:best-corrected visual acuity,cover-uncover test,and cycloplegic retinoscopy.Monocular visual acuity was tested using an ETDRS visual acuity chart without correction.Moreover,children were tested with full cycloplegic refraction when the test criteria were met.Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity difference of 2 or more lines.In comparison,bilateral amblyopia was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or worse in the best eye.RESULTS:The prevalence of amblyopia for the total sample tested(n=17 203) was 2.78%(n=479).The most common cause of amblyopia was hypermetropia(64.45%),followed by previous ocular surgeries(15.1%),myopia(10.43%),strabismus(9.39%),and congenital cataract(0.63%).CONCLUSION:This is the first and only study,identifing modifiable risk factors in Jordanian children with amblyopia.In their first couple of years of elementary education,many Jordanian children are affected by amblyopia and pass unnoticed.A more governmental effort is needed into screening programs to improve vision in the Jordanian population.

Results of National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in Croatia(2007-2011)

AIM:To study the epidemiologic indicators of uptake and characteristic colonoscopic findings in the Croatian National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.METHODS:Colorectal cancer(CRC) was the second leading cause of cancer mortality in men(n = 1063,49.77/100 000),as well as women(n = 803,34.89/100 000) in Croatia in 2009.The Croatian National CRC Screening Program was established by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,and its implementation started in September,2007.The coordinators were recruited in each county institute of public health with an obligation to provide fecal occult blood testing(FOBT) to the participants,followed by colonoscopy in all positive cases.The FOBT was performed by hypersensitive guaiac-based Hemognost card test(Biognost,Zagreb).The test and short questionnaire were delivered to the home addresses of all citizens aged 50-74 years consecutively during a 3-year period.Each participant was required to complete the questionnaire and send it together with the stool specimen on three test cards back to the institute for further analysis.About 4% FOBT positive cases are expected in normal risk populations.A descriptive analysis was performed.RESULTS:A total of 1 056 694 individuals(born between 1933-1945 and 1952-1957) were invited to screening by the end of September 2011.In total,210 239(19.9%) persons returned the envelope with a completed questionnaire,and 181 102 of them returned it with a correctly placed stool specimen on FOBT cards.Until now,12 477(6.9%),FOBT-positive patients have been found,which is at the upper limit of the expected values in European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in CRC Screening and Diagnosis [European Union(EU) Guidelines].Colonoscopy was performed in 8541 cases(uptake 66%).Screening has identified CRC in 472 patients(5.5% of colonoscopied,3.8% of FOBT-positive,and 0.26% of all screened individuals).This is also in the expected range according to EU Guidelines.Polyps were found and removed in 3329(39% of colonoscopied) patients.The largest number of polyps were found in the left half of the colon:64%(19%,37% and 8% in the rectum,sigma,and descendens,respectively).The other 36% were detected in the proximal part(17% in the transverse colon and 19% in ceco-ascending colon).Small polyps in the rectum(5-10 mm in diameter),sigmoid and descending colon were histologically found to be tubular adenomas in 60% of cases,with a low degree of dysplasia,and 40% were classified as hyperplastic.Polyps of this size in the transverse or ceco-ascending colon in almost 20% had a histologically villous component,but still had a low degree of dysplasia.Polyps sized 10-20 mm in diameter were in 43% cases tubulovillous,and among them,32% had areas with a high degree of dysplasia,especially those polyps in the cecoascending or transverse part.The characteristics of the Croatian CRC Screening National Program in the first 3 years were as follows:relatively low percentage of returned FOBT,higher number of FOBT-positive persons but still in the range for population-based programs,and higher number of pathologic findings(polyps and cancers).CONCLUSION:These results suggest a need for intervention strategies that include organizational changes and educational activities to improve awareness of CRC screening usefulness and increase participation rates.

A Screening Program for Overweight Status Among Schoolgirls in Saudi Arabia： A Proposed Co-design Project to Tackle the Problem

The paper realizes the importance of communicating with schools to conduct nutritional screening, assessment and intervention programs for obesity and related risk factors to tackle the problem at earlier stage. The screening program was conducted by dietetics＇ students ＂under supervision＂ as part of their practice and community services to apply some assessment method for mritional status. Two intermediate schools for girls in Jeddah city were involved in the screening stage, followed by a full nutritional assessment and implementation of a designed intervention program at one of the schools. At screening stage, interview questionnaires for diet histories and anthropometric measurements used to screen overweight status and related food patterns. National and international references data used for assessment and comparison. Following screening approach, a designed comprehensive nutritional assessment and intervention program was piloted at one of the screened schools for overweight status. For screening stage： the overall prevalence of overweight girls is 61% （n = 81 out of 133） of the population, 73% （n = 91） of girls were centrally obese. Almost 3/4 of all students reported no participations in any type of physical activities/exercises. Dietary behaviors included non-consumption of breakfast （83%） and low intake of fruit and vegetables （38%）. For intervention stage, the present report concentrates on data concerning post intervention changes in Body Mass Index （BMI） and Waist Circumference （WC）. By the 30 days of intervention there were significant changes in values for BMI according to Saudi growth chart （p value = 0.009） with no changes among the control group. No statistically significant difference in the mean WC of the group. Study＇s results suggest that approaching young girls through schools to screen, assess and intervene overweight status and risk factors is vital. Although the non-random selection of only two schools for screening the prevalence of overweight status among school girls prevent the geralizability of the study findings to wider population, previous studies used random selection of schools and large sample sizes showed a high prevalence of overweight status among Saudi students Therefore, designing and piloting of an intervention program for implementation at a national level is useful to tackle theproblem.

Patient Satisfaction in Croatian Nationwide Mammography Screening Program

Mammographic screening programs are essential in timely detection and effective treatment of breast cancer. Since 2006, Croatia implemented a national MSP which asks for a regular biannual mammography for all women 50 - 69 years of age. First-visit screening attendance in the country is estimated at 58.3% with the trend of gradually decreasing re-attendance rates. Since patient satisfaction with the screening procedure may influence subsequent adherence, this study aimed to assess patient satisfaction in order to predict and improve patient re-attendance rate, a first-time effort of such kind in Croatia. 201 random patients undergoing mammography screening procedure at four facilities in Croatia were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire which specifically evaluated the following aspects of patient experience: patient attitude, facility surroundings, staff attitude and pre-examination information transfer, associated physical pain, psychological discomfort, and finally overall patient impressions and satisfaction. The majority of our examinees expressed high satisfaction with MSP and an intention to re-screen;patient attitude, facility environment and staff attitude were deemed overly positive, whereas the majority of patients estimated the physical and psychological pain associated tolerable. These results suggest that patient satisfaction is not a critical factor influencing future adherence rate in MSP, and other components of the program should be evaluated and improved.

A path for diagnosis and therapy of colon cancer: a continuous quality improvement

Objective： Prognosis of colorectal cancer strongly depends on stage at diagnosis, which can be cured in most cases at an early stage. The results were supported by different screening programmes. Few data concerning analysis of different phases of Colorectal Cancer Program were reported in literature. The aim of this study is to analyze ＂step by step＂, from a longitudinal type, the Colorectal Cancer Program, active at our Institution, verifying compliance with standards of care.Methods： We compared two different populations during the same period： patients referring to our Clinical Oncology Unit coming from Regional Colorectal Cancer Screening Program and the other population that was not in any Colorectal Cancer Program.Results： Considering patients from the Regional Colorectal Cancer Screening Program（19 patients, corresponding to 24.0% of the general case study）, 3（15.8%） were deceased and 16（84.2%） were alive without evidence of the disease（NED）. Concerning patients that are not coming from Regional Colorectal Cancer Screening Program（61 patients, corresponding to 76.0% of the general case study）, 9（14.8%） were deceased, 43（70.5%） were NED, 8（13.1%） were alive with metastases and 1（1.6%） was lost during follow-up（PFU）. Conclusions： On the basis of this experience, we concluded for high-quality care for both populations. Any critical point should be carefully analyzed in order to implement quality of care.

Plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone/cortisol ratio is not a predictor of systemic hypotension in extremely premature infants

Background/aims: To determine whether the 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP)/cortisol ratio as a marker of immature11-beta hydroxylase activity can predict severe systemic hypotension in preterm neonates. Methods: Serum cortisol and 17-OHP concentrations were measured in capillary blood deposited on blotter paper on day 3 post-natal age (Day 3) in infants less than 32 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). The predictive value of 17-OHP/cortisol ratio for a first episode of systemic hypotension occurring after Day 3 (FESH) was evaluated. Results: Of 105 infants included, 14 patients (13%) presented a FESH. Neither the 17-OHP/cortisol ratio, nor the 17-OHP or cortisol concentrations were associated with the occurrence of a FESH when adjusted for potential confounding factors. 17-OHP and cortisol were inversely associated to PMA (r = ﹣0.36 and ﹣0.40, respectively). Cortisol, but not 17-OHP, was associated with the type of hospitalization unit, the respiratory support and the presence of a patent ductus arteriosus. The 17-OHP/cortisol ratio was associated with the type of hospitalization unit only. Conclusions: The 17-OHP/ cortisol ratio at Day 3 did not predict the occurrence of a first episode of systemic hypotension after Day3 inpreterm neonates.

Disability-adjusted life years and the trends of the burden of colorectal cancer:a population-based study in Shanghai,China during 2002 to 2016

Background:Colorectal cancer(CRC)still ranks the top in morbidity and mortality of cancers worldwide,posing a huge threat and burden to the society.We aimed to determine the age-standardized incidence,mortality,and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)of CRC and explore potential changes in the temporal trends of the CRC burden in Shanghai during 2002 to 2016.Methods:The cancer statistics and demographics were obtained from the Cancer Registry and the Statistics Bureau of Pudong New Area,respectively.Data from 2002 to 2016 were included and analyzed retrospectively.DALYs were calculated using DisMod and the age-standardized rates(ASRs)were obtained according to Segi world standard population.Joinpoint regression was used to measure the trends in CRC incidence and to estimate the annual percent change.Results:The increasing trend of CRC ASR incidence halted after 2014,coinciding with the introduction of the Shanghai CRC screening program.The ASRs of mortality and DALYs increased,at 0.42%(P<0.05)and 4.07%(P<0.001)per year,respectively,which were mainly driven by men and individuals aged above the CRC screening program target.Conclusions:The disease burden of CRC in Shanghai remains serious,especially among men,and individuals aged>74 years.The benefits of the screening program have been partially proven by the ASRs of CRC incidence,providing important insights into better and wider application of screening programs.