Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide and its incidence is higher for certain ethnic groups in Canada, compared to White Canadians. As more women immigrate to Canada, the potential for prevention increases. Failure to prevent cervical cancer is partly due to non-participation in regular screening. The objectives of the research were to (1) explore whether there are cervical cancer screening differences between non-immigrant and immigrant women; (2) explore cervical cancer screening decision-making among immigrant women; and (3) explore the influence of acculturation on cervical cancer screening. Methods: This research consisted of two studies. The first study consisted of quantitative analysis of the 2007-2008 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). Univariate analyses, cross-tabulations, and logistic regression modeling were conducted. Analyses were restricted to women aged 18-69 years old living in Ontario with no history of hysterectomy. Sample weights were applied and bootstrapping was performed. Analyses were conducted on the full Ontario sample (unweighted n=13,549) and the immigrant sample (unweighted n=2,904), the latter of which was stratified into two groups based on self-reported cultural/racial background: immigrant women more likely to report a time-appropriate Pap test (low risk) and those less likely to report a time-appropriate Pap test (high risk). The second study consisted of interviews conducted with 22 older (aged 50-69 years) South Asian immigrant women from Waterloo and Toronto, Ontario. The descriptive qualitative study was informed by grounded theory methodology. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Results: The first study identified that almost 17% of women reported not having a time-appropriate Pap test. Immigrant women were more likely to report not having a time-appropriate Pap test (21.73%) compared to non-immigrants (14.22%). Among immigrant women, almost 17% of White, Black, and other women (low-risk group) did not report a recent Pap test, compared to 28.67% of Chinese, South Asian, and other Asian women (high-risk group). Among the full Ontario sample, not having a time-appropriate Pap test was associated with being 50-69 years old, single, having low education and income, not having a regular doctor, being of Asian (Chinese, South Asian, other Asian) cultural/racial background, perceiving having less than excellent health, and being a recent immigrant. Among women in the low-risk group, not having a recent Pap test was associated with older age, lower household income, not having a regular doctor, and a lower proportion of life spent in Canada. Among women in the high-risk group, not having a time-appropriate Pap test was associated with lower education and not having a regular doctor. Within the second study, various themes emerged exploring cervical cancer screening decision-making among the sample. Six major categories emerged: (1) the influence of others, (2) health beliefs and knowledge, (3) responsibility over health, (4) experiences in healthcare, (5) components of culture, and (6) the process of acculturation. The influence of doctors on cervical cancer screening decision-making emerged as a strong theme within interviews. Conclusion: Results provide insight into the inequities that still exist in terms of who is participating in cervical cancer screening, as well as the factors involved in screening decision-making and the relationships between them. This research provides an updated overview of Pap test participation in Ontario, as well as advancing our understanding of the influence of factors on screening decision-making among immigrant women. Through this research, it becomes clear that targeted efforts must be directed towards those less likely to get a Pap test.

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide and its incidence is higher for certain ethnic groups in Canada, compared to White Canadians. As more women immigrate to Canada, the potential for prevention increases. Failure to prevent cervical cancer is partly due to non-participation in regular screening. The objectives of the research were to (1) explore whether there are cervical cancer screening differences between non-immigrant and immigrant women; (2) explore cervical cancer screening decision-making among immigrant women; and (3) explore the influence of acculturation on cervical cancer screening. Methods: This research consisted of two studies. The first study consisted of quantitative analysis of the 2007-2008 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). Univariate analyses, cross-tabulations, and logistic regression modeling were conducted. Analyses were restricted to women aged 18-69 years old living in Ontario with no history of hysterectomy. Sample weights were applied and bootstrapping was performed. Analyses were conducted on the full Ontario sample (unweighted n=13,549) and the immigrant sample (unweighted n=2,904), the latter of which was stratified into two groups based on self-reported cultural/racial background: immigrant women more likely to report a time-appropriate Pap test (low risk) and those less likely to report a time-appropriate Pap test (high risk). The second study consisted of interviews conducted with 22 older (aged 50-69 years) South Asian immigrant women from Waterloo and Toronto, Ontario. The descriptive qualitative study was informed by grounded theory methodology. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Results: The first study identified that almost 17% of women reported not having a time-appropriate Pap test. Immigrant women were more likely to report not having a time-appropriate Pap test (21.73%) compared to non-immigrants (14.22%). Among immigrant women, almost 17% of White, Black, and other women (low-risk group) did not report a recent Pap test, compared to 28.67% of Chinese, South Asian, and other Asian women (high-risk group). Among the full Ontario sample, not having a time-appropriate Pap test was associated with being 50-69 years old, single, having low education and income, not having a regular doctor, being of Asian (Chinese, South Asian, other Asian) cultural/racial background, perceiving having less than excellent health, and being a recent immigrant. Among women in the low-risk group, not having a recent Pap test was associated with older age, lower household income, not having a regular doctor, and a lower proportion of life spent in Canada. Among women in the high-risk group, not having a time-appropriate Pap test was associated with lower education and not having a regular doctor. Within the second study, various themes emerged exploring cervical cancer screening decision-making among the sample. Six major categories emerged: (1) the influence of others, (2) health beliefs and knowledge, (3) responsibility over health, (4) experiences in healthcare, (5) components of culture, and (6) the process of acculturation. The influence of doctors on cervical cancer screening decision-making emerged as a strong theme within interviews. Conclusion: Results provide insight into the inequities that still exist in terms of who is participating in cervical cancer screening, as well as the factors involved in screening decision-making and the relationships between them. This research provides an updated overview of Pap test participation in Ontario, as well as advancing our understanding of the influence of factors on screening decision-making among immigrant women. Through this research, it becomes clear that targeted efforts must be directed towards those less likely to get a Pap test.

Thesis (M.S.H.P.) PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / The Accountable Care Act (ACA) will expand coverage to millions of Americans. Health insurance plans designed to contain costs and incentivize patients may pose risks that deter members from utilizing recommended services despite provisions such as zero-cost-sharing intended to encourage their use. We evaluated trends (from 2007 to 2011) in health insurance plan type and initial colorectal cancer (CRCA) screening per current guidelines. We hypothesized that consumer-directed and high-deductible health plans (CDHP/HDHP) would be associated with decreased and delayed CRCA screening, and a shift toward lower-cost screening options. Using Thomson MarketScan® data, we analyzed commercial claims for 989,038 American adults (prior colectomy or CRCA excluded) over a full three-year period (starting in January of the fiftieth birthday-year) to assess for CRCA screening (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or stool test). Using logistic regression, we found that CDHP/HDHP members showed increased likelihood of having had any CRCA screening compared to Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) members, in both Massachusetts (Odds Ratio [OR] 2.321, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.788-3.014) and the Nation (OR 1.640, 95% CI 1.602-1.678). Of those screened, CDHP/HDHP patients were more likely to receive colonoscopy than other recommended alternatives compared to PPO (Massachusetts OR 1.289, 95% CI 1.007-1.651; U.S. OR 1.225, 95% CI 1.192-1.259). Using linear regression, we found that CDHP/HDHP patients were only slightly older at screening compared to PPO, and the difference, while statistically significant, was likely too small to be clinically meaningful. We conclude that contrary to our expectations, CDHP/HDHP members have not been deterred from seeking and obtaining appropriate and timely initial CRCA screening, and they have not chosen lower-cost options. These findings may reflect the newly insured effect, although one limitation of this study was the inability to adjust for selection into CDHP/HDHP. Further study should determine whether CDHP/HDHP members subsequently experience unexpected financial burdens related to CRCA screening that affect future utilization of recommended care. In the pursuit of lower costs through better outcomes, attention should be paid to designing simple and affordable plans with easily understandable features that encourage both patients and providers to follow recommended guidelines while considering the cost-effectiveness of available options. / 2031-01-01

Thesis (M.S.C.E.) PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / BACKGROUND: Patient navigation programs were designed to address barriers to healthcare among underserved populations in order to reduce delays in cancer care delivery. While emerging data suggest modest effects of navigation on reducing delays, there is limited understanding of the association between barriers to care and clinical outcomes within patient navigation programs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of barriers on timely diagnostic care in the multicenter Patient Navigation Research Program (PNRP). STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from the intervention arms of PNRP centers that navigated women for abnormal breast or cervical cancer screening tests from 2007 to 2010. METHODS: Analyses were performed separately for breast and cervical subjects. The main independent variables were (a) number of unique barriers to care (0, 1, 2, or 3+) documented during patient navigation encounters and (b) presence of socio-legal barriers (yes/no), those social problems related to meeting life’s most basic needs that are supported by public policy, regulation, and programming and thus potentially remedied through legal advice or advocacy. The outcome of interest was median time to diagnostic resolution, or the interval from index screening abnormality to diagnostic resolution, estimated using Kaplan-Meier cumulative incidence curves. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression with time to diagnostic resolution as the outcome examined the impact of barriers, controlling for socio-demographics and stratifying by study center. RESULTS: Among 2600 breast screening subjects, three-quarters had barriers to care (25% 1 barrier, 16% 2 barriers and 34% 3+ barriers). Among 1387 cervical screening subjects, slightly more than half had barriers (31% 1 barrier, 11% 2 barriers, and 13% 3+ barriers). Among breast subjects, we found the presence of barriers was associated with less timely resolution for any number of barriers compared to no barriers. Among cervical subjects, only the presence of 2 or more barriers was associated with less timely resolution. Both socio-legal and non socio-legal barriers were associated with delay among breast and cervical subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Navigated women with barriers resolve cancer screening abnormalities at a slower rate compared to those with no barriers. Further research is necessary to maximize the impact of patient navigation programs nationwide. / 2031-01-01

Cervical cancer has been reported as the second most common malignancy among Asian Indian women (Sankaranarayanan, Budukh, & Rajkumar, 2001). Researchers suggested the use of a comprehensive health model in examining such issues for this population (Gupta, Kumar, & Stewart, 2003; Tang, Solomon, Yeh, & Worden, 1999). Utilizing a biopsychosocial model (Engel, 1977; Hoffman & Driscoll, 2000), the purpose of this study was to examine the biomedical (i.e., family history of cervical cancer), biosocial (i.e., acculturation), and psychosocial (i.e., personality) factors that may be associated with the level of knowledge and appropriate utilization of cervical cancer screening tests (i.e., Papanicolaou smears) among Asian Indian women in the United States. Totally, 123 1.5 and 2nd generation Asian Indian women were recruited to participate in this study. Participants' levels of knowledge and utilization of cervical cancer screenings were high and moderate, respectively. Regression analyses indicated that identification with one's heritage culture significantly predicted correct utilization of cervical cancer screenings. However, none of the three biopsychosocial factors was significantly associated with knowledge of cervical cancer. Findings support the need to further clarify and adequately identify factors of influence within the knowledge and utilization of cervical cancer screenings for this population. More specifically, it seems necessary to examine the influence of culture on Asian Indian women's health beliefs and their perceived risk of obtaining cervical cancer both in practice and research.

Cartas al Editor

The evaluation of the feasibility and clinical utility of liquid based cytology, human papillomavirus testing and high-resolution anoscopy to screen for anal intraepithelial neoplasia in high-risk groups. Dr Alice Martha Schofield: The University of Manchester for the degree of Doctor of Medicine, January 2016. Background: The increased incidence and natural history of anal cancer in high-risk groups, provides a screening opportunity to detect precancerous lesions, anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN), as well as early invasive lesions. The ANALOGY study was performed to strengthen the evidence base required to determine the case for anal screening in terms of the feasibility and clinical utility of liquid based cytology (LBC), high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) testing and high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) in high-risk groups. Methods: This prospective study offered screening to four cohorts aged over 25 at varying but elevated risk; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive and negative men who have sex with men (MSM), HIV positive women with prior history of abnormal cervical cytology or anogenital warts, HIV negative women who practice anoreceptive sex and transplant recipients (TR). Recruitment commenced in March 2013 and concluded in December 2014, with follow-up until March 2015. All participants underwent testing for HR-HPV, LBC and had HRA performed, sites of abnormality were biopsied. Participants were seen at initial consultation and at a second visit six months later. Immunostaining with Ki67 and p16 antibody was performed on 100 anal tissue biopsies. The cellular positivity of each biomarker were scored by automated and manual methods. H-SCORES of p16 biomarker and block positive staining of AIN2 were quantified and analysed. Results: 409 participants were recruited; 284 MSM (203 HIV positive, 81 HIV negative), nine HIV positive women, four HIV negative women and 112 TR. HR-HPV was highly prevalent in anal samples from MSM (HIV positive 88.0% and HIV negative, 77.8%) and much less so in HIV positive and negative women and TR (19.3%). Despite the high prevalence of cytological abnormality in MSM, almost half of AIN of all grades was associated with negative cytology. AIN3+ on biopsy was found in 4.4% (18/409) of participants; three HIV positive MSM had cancer. One new case of AIN3 was identified at the second visit. Low-grade disease (AIN1/2) was highly prevalent in all groups. Ki67 and p16 biomarker expression increase as the grade of anal disease increased when scored manually. AIN2 histology samples, which demonstrate block positive p16 staining, have an association with an increased H-SCORE.Conclusions: Anal screening in some high-risk groups is clinically feasible in terms of diagnostics with evidence of significant disease prevalence particularly amongst MSM. The high prevalence of HR-HPV infection and frequency of false negative cytology indicates that in terms of sensitivity and specificity, HRA would be the best primary screening tool. The use of Ki67 and p16 in the identification of anal disease appears to have clinical utility, especially in the detection of AIN2; with the majority of samples displaying block p16 staining that corresponded with an increased H-SCORE. The prevalence of AIN3+ in HIV positive MSM lends support for a policy of screening in this group, however limitations of treatment, as well as highly prevalent low-grade lesions of dubious significance, require careful consideration.

Conformément au constat de l’OMS, il existe en France, comme ailleurs, des différences de santé entre différents groupes de population, qui découlent des conditions sociales dans lesquelles les gens naissent, grandissent, vivent, travaillent et vieillissent».En France, la réduction des inégalités sociales de santé est une priorité politique affichée, au travers notamment, des plans cancers successifs, les cancers étant les principales pathologies pourvoyeuses d’inégalités. Ces plans ont permis la mise en place du dépistage organisé du cancer colorectal et du cancer du sein, pour lesquels les inégalités sociales et territoriales de participation ainsi que les facteurs de non adhésion sont bien documentés et constituent autant de cibles potentielles pour des interventions. Cette thèse a pour objectif d’apporter des connaissances et des preuves nouvelles afin d’orienter les politiques et l’organisation du dépistage des cancers en se basant sur des éléments fondés, en particulier pour la réduction des inégalités sociales et territoriales. Elle présente deux études. PRADO est une étude d’intervention à unité de randomisation collective (Ilots Regroupés pour l’Information Statistique (IRIS)) multicentrique, stratifiée sur le caractère urbain/rural et la précarité des IRIS et conduite en deux groupes parallèles (Intervention vs Témoin), de 2011 à 2013 en Picardie. Dans le bras intervention, en complément des modalités usuelles du dépistage organisé du cancer colorectal un accompagnateur au dépistage a contacté par téléphone les sujets n’ayant pas réalisé le test de dépistage sur les deux campagnes précédentes. L’étude a montré que cette intervention a permis d’augmenter la participation et a identifié les conditions dans lesquelles ce type d’intervention pourrait réduire les inégalités sociales. La deuxième étude évalue l’intérêt d’un sénographe mobile (le mammobile) dans le cadre du dépistage organisé du cancer du sein. Une analyse rétrospective du mammobile de l’Orne sur 5 campagnes de dépistage montre que ce dispositif permet de réduire les inégalités sociales et territoriales de participation au dépistage. Le principe d’universalisme proportionné, le caractère multiniveau et intersectoriel de l’intervention, l’application du principe de littéracie et le respect du choix éclairé apparaissent comme les fondements d’une politique de santé publique visant à réduire les inégalités sociales dans le domaine du cancer. Le mode optimal d’évaluation de ces interventions dites complexes reste un enjeu de recherche majeur. / In accordance with the WHO's observation, there are differences in health between different population groups in France, as elsewhere, which result from the social conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.In France, the reduction of social inequalities in health is a political priority, notably through successive cancer plans, with cancers being the main pathologies that provide inequalities. These plans have led to the introduction of organized screening for colorectal cancer and breast cancer, for which social and territorial inequalities of participation as well as non-adherence factors are well documented and constitute potential targets for interventions. This thesis aims to provide new knowledge and evidence to guide the policies and organization of cancer screening based on evidence, particularly for the reduction of social inequalities and territorial. She presents two studies. PRADO is an interventional study with a collective randomization unit (Grouped Islets for Statistical Information (IRIS)) multicentric, stratified on the urban / rural character and precariousness of IRIS and conducted in two parallel groups (Intervention vs Control), from 2011 to 2013 in Picardy. In the intervention arm, in addition to the usual modalities of organized screening for colorectal cancer, a screening assistant contacted by telephone those who did not carry out the screening test in the two previous round. The study showed that this intervention has increased participation and identified the conditions under which this type of intervention could reduce social inequalities. The second study evaluates the interest of a mobile radiography (the mammobile) in organized breast cancer screening. A retrospective analysis of the Orne device on five screening rounds shows that this device makes it possible to reduce the social and territorial inequalities of participation in screening. The principle of proportional universalism, the multilevel and intersectorial nature of intervention, the application of the principle of literacy and respect for informed choice appear as the foundations of a public health policy aimed at reducing social inequalities in the cancer field. The optimal mode of evaluation of these so-called complex interventions remains a major research issue.

Breast cancer is the most common nonskin cancer diagnosed among women in the United States and throughout the world, and the leading cause of cancer deaths. Screening recommendations and guidelines vary depending on the organization. Screening modalities include self breast examination, clinical breast examination, mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. Screening guidelines vary based on individual risk assessment and age.

The development of cervical cancer depends on high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) persistent infection in the cervix. The transformation process leading to invasive cancer can take many years even decades and provides ample opportunity to detect, prevent and cure true precursor lesions. Although cervical cancer is widely preventable, it is the fourth most common cancer among women throughout the world, being a real public health issue, especially in developing countries, as 85 % of deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. The situation in Bolivia is particularly alarming, as the cervical cancer incidence is around 38.5 per 100,000 women, which is estimated to be the highest incidence in Latin America. Prevention of cervical cancer in Bolivia is mainly based on the cytological examination of a Papanicolaou smear (Pap) and more recently on visual inspection after application of acetic acid (VIA). However, many economic, sociocultural, and geographic barriers impair this prevention program being successful, as reflected by the low coverage obtained with these screening tests.In order to reduce the cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the department of Cochabamba in Bolivia, we aimed to assess a low-cost HPV test applicable on self-samples. We believe that this strategy could improve the poor screening programs developed in our country. An evaluation was first made to knowledge of Bolivian women about human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. As expected, Bolivian women, from rural, peri-urban and urban areas, knew little or nothing about those. Secondly, their degree of acceptability and confidence towards HPV self-sampling was assessed. Most of the women found self-sampling easier to perform (86.9 % to 93.2 %) and more comfortable (79.4 % to 83.3 %) compared to physician sampling. However, accuracy to detect cervical pre-cancer was higher in their point of view when it was performed on specimens taken by a physician (35.1% to 63.5%). Accordingly, the campaign of vaginal HPV self-sampling in a peri-urban area increased screening coverage, reaching in three months the annual rate average. Finally, the determination of accuracy to detect preneoplastic lesions was assessed for three screening methods, in 469 women, divided in two groups. The first group included 362 women that underwent three consecutively primary screening tests: self-collected sampling for HR-HPV detection, conventional cervical cytology and visual inspection under acetic acid (VIA). The second group included 107 women referred with a positive HR-HPV test that underwent were triage by conventional cervical cytology and VIA. The presence of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or invasive cancer (CIN 2+) was verified by colposcopy and biopsy.Among primary screening tests, the sensitivity of the HR-HPV test to detect CIN 2+ lesions was the highest (76 %). In HR-HPV positive women, the sensitivity of the VIA and cytology to detect CIN 2+ lesions were 100% and 81%, respectively.In conclusion, the knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV infection is poor in Bolivia. Despite greater acceptance of the vaginal self-sampling in all areas, women kept greater confidence in the screening performed by the gynecologist, although HPV self-sampling improved coverage rate. Finally, HPV testing on self- samples was the most sensitive screening test and VIA was the most sensitive method for the triage. / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques (Pharmacie) / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished