Introdução: O câncer de mama é um problema de saúde publica, sendo a maior causa de morbidade e mortalidade de câncer em mulheres de todo mundo. O rastreamento mamográfico mostrou-se efetivo na redução na mortalidade por câncer de mama em países desenvolvidos, entretanto ainda não é consenso a idade de início do rastreamento mamográfico. Objetivo: Verificar o impacto do rastreamento mamográfico em mulheres entre 40-49 anos na região de Barretos. Casuística e métodos: Este é um estudo observacional transversal que incluíram mulheres assintomáticas com idade entre 40-69 anos que foram submetidas a rastreamento mamográfico entre os anos de 2003 a 2007. As mulheres com exames classificadas pelo sistema BI-RADS em zero, quatro ou cinco foram convocados para investigação. Foram descritas as freqüências absolutas e relativas das variáveis e suas diferenças analisadas pelo teste de qui-quadrado sendo escolhido o nível de significância p <0,05. Foi realizado análise de regressão logística para avaliar o risco de câncer de mama em relação à idade. Resultados: 27.133 mulheres com idades entre 40-69 foram selecionadas, 52% (14.082) das mamografias foram feitas em mulheres de 40 a 49 anos. Foram detectados 132 casos de câncer de mama em mulheres de 40 a 69 anos sendo 49 casos entre mulheres de 40 a 49. A estimativa de risco de câncer de mama entre mulheres de 40 e 49 anos (OR 0,43 [IC95% 0,28 - 0,66]) foi significativamente menor do que entre 60-69 anos. Dos casos de câncer de mama em mulheres de 40 a 49 anos 55% eram iniciais (Estádio Clínico 0-I) enquanto que no período anterior ao rastreamento eram 13%. Conclusões: O rastreamento mamográfico realizado na Região de Barretos mostrou menor risco de câncer de mama nas mulheres de 40 a 49 anos em relação às mulheres entre 60 e 69 anos. O estudo mostrou ainda que o rastreamento aumentou o número de casos iniciais (Estádio Clínico 0-I) entre as mulheres de 40 e 49 anos em relação ao período anterior ao rastreamento / Introduction: Breast cancer is a public health problem, being the major cause of morbidity and mortality of cancer in women worldwide. The mammographic screening was effective in reducing mortality from breast cancer in developed countries, but consensus is not yet the age of onset of mammographic screening. Objective: Investigate the impact of mammographic screening in women aged 40-49 years in Barretos region. Methods: This is a cross sectional observational study that included asymptomatic women aged 40-69 years who underwent screening mammography between the years 2003 to 2007. Women with tests classified by the BI-RADS at zero, four or five were summoned for investigation. We described the absolute and relative frequencies of the variables and their differences were analyzed by chi-square was chosen significance level p <0.05. Was performed logistic regression analysis to assess the risk of breast cancer in relation to age. Results: 27,133 women aged 40-69 were selected, 52% (14 082) of mammograms were performed in women 40 to 49 years. We detected 132 cases of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 69 years with 49 cases among women 40 to 49. The estimated risk of breast cancer among women between 40 and 49 years (OR 0.43 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.66]) was significantly lower than 60-69 years. Cases of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 49 years 55% were early (clinical stage 0-I) while in the period prior to screening was 13%. Conclusions: The screening mammography performed in the region Barrie showed a lower risk of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 49 years for women between 60 and 69 years. The study also showed that screening increased the number of initial cases (clinical stage 0-I) among women aged 40 to 49 years in the period prior to screening

Introdução: O câncer de mama é um problema de saúde publica, sendo a maior causa de morbidade e mortalidade de câncer em mulheres de todo mundo. O rastreamento mamográfico mostrou-se efetivo na redução na mortalidade por câncer de mama em países desenvolvidos, entretanto ainda não é consenso a idade de início do rastreamento mamográfico. Objetivo: Verificar o impacto do rastreamento mamográfico em mulheres entre 40-49 anos na região de Barretos. Casuística e métodos: Este é um estudo observacional transversal que incluíram mulheres assintomáticas com idade entre 40-69 anos que foram submetidas a rastreamento mamográfico entre os anos de 2003 a 2007. As mulheres com exames classificadas pelo sistema BI-RADS em zero, quatro ou cinco foram convocados para investigação. Foram descritas as freqüências absolutas e relativas das variáveis e suas diferenças analisadas pelo teste de qui-quadrado sendo escolhido o nível de significância p <0,05. Foi realizado análise de regressão logística para avaliar o risco de câncer de mama em relação à idade. Resultados: 27.133 mulheres com idades entre 40-69 foram selecionadas, 52% (14.082) das mamografias foram feitas em mulheres de 40 a 49 anos. Foram detectados 132 casos de câncer de mama em mulheres de 40 a 69 anos sendo 49 casos entre mulheres de 40 a 49. A estimativa de risco de câncer de mama entre mulheres de 40 e 49 anos (OR 0,43 [IC95% 0,28 - 0,66]) foi significativamente menor do que entre 60-69 anos. Dos casos de câncer de mama em mulheres de 40 a 49 anos 55% eram iniciais (Estádio Clínico 0-I) enquanto que no período anterior ao rastreamento eram 13%. Conclusões: O rastreamento mamográfico realizado na Região de Barretos mostrou menor risco de câncer de mama nas mulheres de 40 a 49 anos em relação às mulheres entre 60 e 69 anos. O estudo mostrou ainda que o rastreamento aumentou o número de casos iniciais (Estádio Clínico 0-I) entre as mulheres de 40 e 49 anos em relação ao período anterior ao rastreamento / Introduction: Breast cancer is a public health problem, being the major cause of morbidity and mortality of cancer in women worldwide. The mammographic screening was effective in reducing mortality from breast cancer in developed countries, but consensus is not yet the age of onset of mammographic screening. Objective: Investigate the impact of mammographic screening in women aged 40-49 years in Barretos region. Methods: This is a cross sectional observational study that included asymptomatic women aged 40-69 years who underwent screening mammography between the years 2003 to 2007. Women with tests classified by the BI-RADS at zero, four or five were summoned for investigation. We described the absolute and relative frequencies of the variables and their differences were analyzed by chi-square was chosen significance level p <0.05. Was performed logistic regression analysis to assess the risk of breast cancer in relation to age. Results: 27,133 women aged 40-69 were selected, 52% (14 082) of mammograms were performed in women 40 to 49 years. We detected 132 cases of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 69 years with 49 cases among women 40 to 49. The estimated risk of breast cancer among women between 40 and 49 years (OR 0.43 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.66]) was significantly lower than 60-69 years. Cases of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 49 years 55% were early (clinical stage 0-I) while in the period prior to screening was 13%. Conclusions: The screening mammography performed in the region Barrie showed a lower risk of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 49 years for women between 60 and 69 years. The study also showed that screening increased the number of initial cases (clinical stage 0-I) among women aged 40 to 49 years in the period prior to screening

Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka skolkuratorers erfarenheter av hur en problematisk skolgång identifieras, hur de bemöter denna problematik samt hur de kvalitetssäkrar arbetet. För att besvara studiens syfte genomfördes en kvalitativ intervjustudie med fem skolkuratorer på grundskolor i Mellansverige. Empirin analyserades utifrån teori kring problematisk skolgång, systematiskt kvalitetsarbete samt evidensbaserad praktik. Resultatet visade att problematisk skolgång innebär att måluppfyllelse inte nås eller att skolgången blir avbruten, viktiga faktorer i sammanhanget var frånvaro samt ökad psykisk ohälsa. Skolkuratorerna ansåg att en god relation mellan eleven och skolan samt samverkan var viktiga framgångsfaktorer för att tidigt upptäcka och kunna åtgärda problematiken. Systematiskt kvalitetsarbete framkom som en viktig faktor och i synnerhet genom kontroll av giltig och ogiltig frånvaro samt genom kartläggningar på olika nivåer. Att arbeta med evidens ansågs också vara viktigt men samtidigt fanns viss skepsis mot nya metoder och ofta användes bara valda delar av evidensbaserade metoder för att kunna individanpassa och att se helheten. / The purpose of this study is to examine how school counsellors, in their own practical experience, identify problematic schooling; how they approach these problems; and how they assure the quality of their work. To answer these questions, the authors have conducted a qualitative study, interviewing five school counsellors working in different schools in Central Sweden. The empirical study has been analyzed using the theoretical concepts of problematic schooling, systematic quality assurance, and evidence-based practice. The outcome of the study suggests that problematic schooling entails the failure to reach educational goals, or even the complete disruption of schooling. Important factors include pupil absence and impaired mental health. A successful pupil–school relationship, as well as a co-operative environment, are identified by the interview subjects as important factors for the successful detection and intervention of problematic schooling. Furthermore, systematic quality assurance is identified as a key factor, particularly in the shape of survey and verification by the school regarding the validity of pupil absence. Finally, the interview subjects generally consider an evidence-based approach to be important, but also tend to display some scepticism towards the implementation of new methods. The study thus shows that evidence-based methods are often only partially applied, in an attempt by school counsellors to make case-dependent adjustments to fit the wider picture.

Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and has been marked by high morbidity and poor survival rates that have changed little over the past few decades. Beyond prevention, early detection is the most crucial determinant for successful treatment and survival of cancer. Yet current methodologies for cancer diagnosis based upon pathological examination alone are insufficient for detecting early tumor progression and molecular transformation. Development of new diagnostic tools incorporating tumor biomarkers could enhance early detection by providing molecular-level insight into the biochemical and cellular changes associated with oral carcinogenesis. The work presented in this doctoral dissertation aims to address this clinical need through the development of new automated cellular analysis methods, incorporating lab-on-a-chip sensor techniques, for examination of molecular and morphological biomarkers associated with oral carcinogenesis. Using the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a proof-of-principle biomarker, the sensor system demonstrated capacity to support rapid biomarker analysis in less than one-tenth the time of traditional methods and effectively characterized EGFR biomarker over-expression in oral tumor-derived cell lines. Successful extension from in vitro tumor cell lines to clinically relevant exfoliative brush cytology was demonstrated, providing a non-invasive method for sampling abnormal oral epithelium. Incorporation of exfoliative cytology further helped to define the important assay and imaging parameters necessary for dual molecular and morphological analysis in adherent epithelium. Next, this new sensor assay and method was applied in a small pilot study in order to secure an initial understanding of the diagnostic utility of such biosensor systems in clinical settings. Four cellular features were identified as useful indicators of cancerous or pre-cancerous conditions including, the nuclear area and diameter, nuclear-to-cytoplasm ratio, and EGFR biomarker expression. Further examination using linear regression and ROC curve analysis identified the morphological features as the best predictors of disease while a combination of all features may be ideal for classification of OSCC and pre-malignancy with high sensitivity and specificity. Further testing in a larger sample size is necessary to validate this regression model and the LOC sensor technique, but shows strong promise as a new diagnostic tool for early detection of oral cancer. / text

Thesis (Ph.D. in Biostatistics, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics) -- University of Colorado Denver, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-93). Free to UCD affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:46:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Francisca_DISSERT.pdf: 1698804 bytes, checksum: c290358d2ad4de2eddcf051a76e1f4c1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-10-30 / This study is an exploratory descriptive study with a quantitative approach. The objective was to identify the actions for the early detection of breast cancer conducted by the health professionals of the Family Health Strategy in the Trairi region of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The research was conducted in nine municipalities of the region. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire with 52 Family Health Strategy professionals, 30 nurses and 22 physicians, that work in the region. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics. The results were organized and discussed in three areas: Knowledge about the early detection of breast cancer; Actions for early detection detection of breast cancer, and Difficulties experienced in the screening actions for breast cancer. The results indicate that these professionals (100%) have knowledge of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and that the majority (96,2%) conduct screening actions in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health. However, a considerable number (55,8%) of these professionals encounters difficulties while conducting the screening procedures in his work setting. The difficulties varied from those of a personal nature to those of access to the procedure, such as the unavailability of sufficient quotas of screening exams. We conclude that the majority of health professionals execute the screening actions for breast cancer in their work settings according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, even though they encounter difficulties in the conclusion of the mammography and ultrasound exams, essential procedures in the early detection of breast cancer. We understand that these professionals demonstrate knowledge of secondary prevention even though they do not execute all the actions necessary for early detection primarily because they are impeded by the blockage of access to exam quotas. We conclude that, in spite of the difficulties experienced, the procedures for the early detection of breast cancer are being executed by the majority of the Family Health Strategy professionals in the Trair? region, specifically the clinical examination of the breast, orientation of breast self examination, requests for mammography and ultra sound examinations. Measures are needed that can mediate the difficulties, that will permit the realization of secondary prevention procedures with the population at risk in the region. We suggest training and actualization courses on the complete screening process that includes a wide discussion of the new legislation that provides the mammography exam for women over 40 years. We believe that the acquisition of such a work perspective for the early detection of breast cancer, along with knowledge of health vigilance and of breast cancer, will enhance integral health care of women that constitutes an aim of the nurse and the family health team / Trata-se de um estudo descritivo explorat?rio com abordagem quantitativa, que teve como objetivo identificar as a??es de detec??o precoce do c?ncer de mama realizadas por profissionais da Estrat?gia Sa?de da Fam?lia na regi?o Trairi, no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida nos nove munic?pios dessa regi?o. Os dados foram coletados atrav?s de um question?rio junto a 52 profissionais da Estrat?gia Sa?de da Fam?lia, sendo 30 enfermeiros e 22 m?dicos. A an?lise foi realizada por meio de estat?stica descritiva. Os resultados foram organizados e discutidos em tr?s grandes itens: conhecimento dos profissionais sobre a detec??o precoce do c?ncer de mama; a??es de detec??o precoce do c?ncer de mama e dificuldades vivenciadas pelos profissionais no rastreamento do c?ncer de mama. Os resultados indicam que estes profissionais em geral, possuem experi?ncia na ?rea de atua??o, todos eles (100%) t?m algum conhecimento sobre os sinais e sintomas do c?ncer de mama e que a maioria (96,2%) desenvolve a??es de rastreamento conforme orienta??es do Minist?rio da Sa?de. No entanto, um grupo consider?vel de profissionais (55,8%) enfrenta dificuldades nas condutas de rastreamento em seu ambientes de trabalho. As dificuldades variam, de empecilhos de ordem pessoal ? de acesso, como a indisponibilidade de cotas para exames de rastreamento. Conclu?mos que a maioria dos profissionais executa as a??es de rastreamento do c?ncer de mama em seus ambientes de trabalho conforma preconizado pelo Minist?rio da Sa?de, embora haja dificuldades de acesso e de conclus?o dos exames de mamografia e ultrasonografia, essenciais na detec??o precoce. Entendemos que os profissionais refletem um conhecimento das a??es de preven??o secund?ria, embora n?o haja um envolvimento completo nas medidas de detec??o precoce do c?ncer de mama, devido ao bloqueio no processo de vigil?ncia em sa?de imposto pela situa??o de disponibilidade de cotas. Assim, conclu?mos que as a??es de detec??o precoce de c?ncer de mama no contexto da ESF na regi?o do Trairi est?o sendo desenvolvidas em parte, apesar das dificuldades vivenciadas. H? necessidade de medidas que possam mediar esses empecilhos e que permitam os profissionais efetivar suas a??es de preven??o secund?ria com rela??o ao c?ncer de mama junto ? popula??o feminina em risco na regi?o. Sugerimos a realiza??o de treinamentos e capacita??es dos profissionais para a realiza??o das a??es de rastreamento de forma plena e uma ampla discuss?o da nova legisla??o que viabiliza o exame mamogr?fico para mulheres acima de 40 anos, faixa et?ria em risco para esta patologia. Acreditamos que tal perspectiva de trabalho do enfermeiro na detec??o precoce de altera??es mamaria atrav?s de a??es de rastreamento, juntamente com o conhecimento cient?fico de vigil?ncia em sa?de e sobre c?ncer de mama, aproximar? o enfermeiro, como membro da equipe sa?de da fam?lia, da aten??o integral ? mulher que tanto almeja

Bakgrund: Det förekommer skillnader avseende hur barnhälsovårdssjuksköterskor identifierar utvecklingsavvikelser, och det har sedan länge efterfrågats evidensbaserade, standardiserade metoder för upptäckt av kommunikativa och motoriska utvecklingsavvikelser. Syfte: Att undersöka hur motoriska och eller kommunikativa utvecklingsavvikelser för barn upp till och med 18 månader uppmärksammas inom barnhälsovården, vilka förutsättningar det finns för bedömningen, samt vilka åtgärder som vidtas vid utvecklingsavvikelser. Metod: En beskrivande kvalitativ studie baserad på individuella semi-strukturerade intervjuer med 12 barnhälsovårdssjuksköterskor som arbetade på barnavårdscentraler inom Region Uppsala genomfördes. Materialet har analyserats utifrån Malteruds analysmetod systematisk textkondensering. Resultat: Barnhälsovårdsjuksköterskorna använde klinisk blick, vilken de utvecklat genom erfarenhet, när de bedömde barns utveckling. Den kliniska undersökningen beskrevs i termer av att erhålla en helhetsbild av barnet, samt att den motoriska och kommunikativa utvecklingen hör samman, och bedömdes i denna helhet. Kontinuiteten beskrevs som betydelsefull och något som underlättade bedömningen av barnets utveckling. Ett kollegialt stöd beskrevs som värdefullt, och vid utvecklingsavvikelser kunde barnhälsovårdssjuksköterskorna konsultera varandra. Vid misstanke om utvecklingsförsening följdes barnet upp, samt fick ofta uppgifter att öva på till återbesöket. I de fall utvecklingsavvikelsen kvarstod eller då det handlade om en tydlig avvikelse remitterades barnet vidare. I analysen framkom att det fanns individuella skillnader i barnhälsovårdsjuksköterskornas bedömning. Slutsats: Dagens riktlinjer med fokus på milstolpar kan försvåra barnhälsovårdssjuksköterskans utvecklingsbedömning för barn upp till och med 18 månader. En standardisering, eller ett screeninginstrument för att tydliggöra bedömningarna bidrar till en jämlik och rättvis barnhälsovård. Tidig upptäckt och tidiga insatser har stor betydelse för barnets framtida utveckling. / Background: There are differences in how Child health nurses identify developmental disorders. Furthermore, it has been requested evidence-based methods for detection of communicative- and motor disorders. Aim: Investigate how motor and communicative disorders for children up to, and including 18 months, are noted in Child health centres. Also, the basis for the assessment, what measures are taken in case of developmental disorders, and if there are any differences in the assessments. Method: Descriptive qualitative interview study, based on individual semi-structured interviews, with 12 Child health nurses working at Child health centres in Uppsala Region. The transcriptions were analysed with systematic text condensation by Malterud. Result: Child health nurses used intuition when assessing children's development, which they had procured through experience. The clinical examination was described as getting a general picture of the child. The motor and communication development was assessed in whole, due to their related. Continuity was described as meaningful and something that facilitated the assessment of the child. Collegial support was valuable, and the Child health nurses could consult each other, in case of developmental disorders. If the Child health nurses suspected development delay, the child was followed up. The family then often got exercises to practice before the re-visit. In cases where the developmental delay remained, or when the disorder was obvious, the child was referral further. The analysis found that there were individual differences in the assessment done by Child health nurses. Conclusions: Today's guidelines focusing on milestones can aggravate the Child health nurse's developmental assessment of children up to and including 18 months. A standardized method, or a screening tool, contributes to an equal and fair Child healthcare. Early detection and early intervention are of great importance to the child's future development.

Introdução: O câncer de próstata é a neoplasia maligna não-cutânea mais frequente nos homens brasileiros. Seu rastreamento é tema controverso na literatura, e a maioria das entidades médicas não recomenda sua realização a partir dos 70 anos. Não existem estudos sobre suas características nessa faixa etária da população brasileira, que não é submetida a rastreamento ativo sistemático. Objetivos: Avaliar a prevalência e critérios de agressividade do câncer de próstata diagnosticado por rastreamento ativo em homens com idade inferior e superior a 70 anos no Brasil. Pacientes e métodos: Estudo transversal retrospectivo incluindo 17.571 voluntários no Brasil, submetidos a rastreamento ativo através de toque retal e dosagem sérica do antígeno prostático específico (PSA), entre janeiro de 2004 e dezembro de 2007. Os critérios de indicação para a biópsia foram: PSA>4,0ng/ml, ou PSA entre 2,5 e 4,0ng/ml com relação PSA livre/total <=15%, ou toque retal suspeito. Todos os homens rastreados foram divididos em dois grupos etários: grupo A, entre 45 e 69 anos; grupo B, acima de 70 anos. Os grupos foram comparados com relação a prevalência e critérios de agressividade da doença (valor do PSA sérico, escore de Gleason da biópsia e estadiamento clínico TNM). Resultados e discussão: A prevalência do câncer de próstata na nossa amostra foi de 3,71%. O grupo dos homens com mais de 70 anos apresentou prevalência da doença 2,9 vezes maior (RP 2,90; p <0,001), o valor médio de PSA foi mais elevado nos acometidos (17,28ng/ml no grupo B versus 9,54ng/ml no grupo A), assim como ocorreu maior chance de haver portadores de câncer com PSA acima de 10,0ng/ml (OR 2,63; p=0,003). No grupo de homens com mais de 70 anos também houve uma prevalência 3,59 vezes maior do padrão histológico mais agressivo (Gleason 8-10: RP 3,59; p<0,001) e maior prevalência de doença metastática (RP 4,95; p<0,05). Conclusão: O rastreamento do câncer de próstata nos homens com idade acima de 70 anos e expectativa de vida superior a 10 anos pode ser relevante no Brasil. Neste grupo etário detectamos uma maior prevalência desta doença, quando comparado ao grupo de idade entre 45 e 69 anos. Nosso estudo também demonstrou que o grupo de homens com mais de 70 anos possui maior probabilidade de apresentar doença de alto risco ao diagnóstico (PSA sérico mais elevado e em faixas de maior risco; escore de Gleason 8 a 10 e disseminação metastática à distância mais frequentes) / Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is the leading non-cutaneous malignancy among Brazilian men. PC may present as an indolent or aggressive life-threatening disease. There is no consensus in the literature regarding PC screening, and most medical organizations do not recommend it over the age of 70 years old. There are no studies in the literature addressing this topic in the Brazilian population. Objectives: To compare the prevalence and the aggressiveness of prostate cancer diagnosed, by active screening, in men under and over 70 years. Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study including 17,571 volunteers. Screening was performed by digital rectal examination and prostatespecific antigen (PSA) measurement. Individuals who met the criteria for PC suspicion (PSA>4.0ng/ml, or PSA 2.5-4.0ng/ml with free/total PSA ratio <=15%, or suspicious digital rectal examination) underwent prostate biopsy. Those diagnosed with cancer were staged. The screened men were stratified by age in two groups: group A, between 45 and 69 years old, and group B, over 70 years old. The groups were compared regarding PC prevalence and its aggressiveness criteria (seric PSA value, Gleason score from biopsy and TNM staging). Results and discussion: The prevalence of prostate cancer was 3.71% in all population. The group of men over 70 years old had disease prevalence 2.9 times higher (RP 2.90; p<0.001); higher mean PSA value in men diagnosed with prostate cancer (17.28ng/ml vs. 9.54ng/ml); and greater likelihood to present PC when PSA level was above 10.0ng/ml (OR 2.63; p=0.003), when compared with men between 45 and 69 years old. The group of men aged over 70 years also presented a prevalence of histologic aggressive disease 3.59 times higher (Gleason 8-10: RP 3.59, p<0.001) and greater prevalence of metastatic disease (RP 4,95; p<0,05). Conclusion: Our study reveals that men over 70 years old presented a higher prevalence of prostate cancer and a higher probability to present high-risk disease at diagnosis (higher PSA; Gleason score 8-10 and metastatic disease more frequent), when compared to men aged 45-69 years. Screening for prostate cancer in men aged over 70 years and life expectancy over 10 years may be relevant in Brazil

O câncer de mama é a neoplasia maligna mais prevalente entre as mulheres no mundo e representa 23% de todos os cânceres femininos. Buscou-se avaliar a implementação de um programa de rastreamento mamográfico para as mulheres que vivem na área de Barretos usando uma unidade móvel (UM) e uma unidade fixa (UF). Um total de 54.238 mulheres com idade entre 40 a 69 anos reside nesta área e são elegíveis para a participação no programa. Os dados epidemiológicos das mulheres foram examinadas entre 01 de abril de 2003 e 31 de março de 2005. A análise estatística foi constituída pela avaliação das freqüências dos parâmetros clínicos e as características do tumor usando o teste de Qui-quadrado com correção de Bonferroni, com valor de confiança de p<0,05. Um total de 17.964 mulheres (media de 51 anos de idade) foram efetivamente examinadas por mamografia, o que representou 33,1% de todas as mulheres elegíveis (18,6 exames por dia na UF e 26,3 na UM). Setenta e seis casos foram diagnosticados como câncer de mama (41, ou 54%, no UM), o que representa 4,2 casos de câncer de mama para cada 1.000 exames. Foi observada diferença significativa na detecção de câncer entre mulheres com idade entre 50-59 e 60-69 anos (p<0,001) e com idade entre 40-49 e 60-69 anos (p<0,001). Não foram observadas diferenças entre 40 a 49 e 50-59 anos (p = 0,164). O programa de rastreamento mamografico é viável no território nacional e os resultados preliminares são animadores / Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide and enrolls 23% of all female cancers. We sought to evaluate the implementation of a screening program for women who living in Barretos county area using a mobile unit (MU) and a fixed unit (FU). A total of 54,238 women aged 40 to 69 years is living in this area and are eligible for breast screening. Epidemiologic-based data supported the study design and the women were examined from April 01, 2003 to March 31, 2005. Statistical analysis supported the evaluation of clinical parameters frequencies and tumor characteristics using Chi-test and Bonferroni correction test, with confidence value of p<0,05. Overall of 17,964 women (media of 51 years old) were effectively examined by mammogram which represented 33,1% of all eligible women (18,6 in RA and 26,3 exams in MU per day). Seventy-six cases were diagnosed as breast cancer (41, or 54%, at MU), which represents 4,2 cases of breast cancer for each 1.000 exams. It was observed significant difference of cancer detection between women aged 50 to 59 and 60 to 69 yrs (p<0, 001) and between women aged 40 to 49 and 60 to 69 yrs (p<0,001). No differences were observed between aged 40 to 49 and 50 to 59 yrs (p=0,164). The program for mammogram screening is feasible to be implementing in Brazil territory and the preliminary results are encouraging

Two main psychopathology-based approaches to detection of the prodrome have emerged; the Ultra High Risk (UHR) and Basic Symptom approaches. Conversion risk varies between studies using these approaches and in one centre conversion rates are reported to be decreasing year on year. There is a need examine the conversion risk across studies to establish a pooled estimate of risk for instruments designed to detect the prodrome of psychosis. To maximise the detection of those thought to present a risk of psychosis the Lancashire Early Assessment and Detection (LEAD) clinic uses an UHR instrument, the Comprehensive Assessment of at Risk Mental States (CAARMS) and A Basic Symptom instrument, the Schizophrenia Proneness Instrument (SPI-A). The thesis had two broad aims 1) to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis of the research field to date and identify areas for further research, 2) to establish the accuracy of the LEAD clinic predictions. The meta-analysis involved a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO and CINHAL identifying studies of psychopathology-based instruments for the detection of the psychosis prodrome. The service evaluation examined for conversion to psychosis in patients examined for Basic Symptoms (SPI-A), attenuated positive symptoms (CAARMS), schizotypy (SPQ-A) and social functioning (SOFAS).The meta-analysis found that both the UHR and Basic Symptom approaches yield similar results. The differences in the positive predictive values (PPV) of the two approaches were not significant (Basic Symptoms, 0.34, UHR 0.25). The service evaluation found over a third (n=58) of referrals to the LEAD clinic to be psychotic at baseline and sixty-four patients to have an at risk mental state (ARMS). Conversion risk for CAARMS was 36.67%. and was 28.57% for SPI-A. The COGDIS criterion of SPI-A was found to be the most predictive with a PPV of 0.43, a sensitivity of 0.80. When patients met a combination of both COGDIS and CAARMS the likelihood ratio increased to 5.25 although the sensitivity was low (0.47).Overall, the findings of the thesis indicate that both the Basic Symptom and UHR approaches are valid for use in routine clinical settings for the assessment of psychosis risk. The thesis found that a combination of both approaches could provide future opportunities research. The SPQ-A schizotypy assessment was found to correlate with the attenuated symptom criterion of CAARMS and evidence suggests that the SPQ-A score increases closer to transition. The SPQ-A could offer opportunities for developing efficient methods of monitoring progression of prodromal symptoms.