Acceptability of Personalized Lung Cancer Screening Program Among Primary Care Providers.

Current lung cancer screening (LCS) guidelines rely on age and smoking history. Despite its benefit, only 5%-15% of eligible patients receive LCS. Personalized screening strategies select individuals based on their lung cancer risk and may increase LCS's effectiveness. We assess current LCS practices and the acceptability of personalized LCS among primary care providers (PCP) in Texas. We surveyed 32,983 Texas-based PCPs on an existing network (Protocol 2019-1257; PI: Dr. Shete) and 300 attendees of the 2022 Texas Academy of Family Physicians (TAFP) conference. We analyzed the responses by subgroups of interest. Using nonparametric bootstrap, we derived an enriched dataset to develop logistic regression models to understand current LCS practices and acceptability of personalized LCS. Response rates were 0.3% (n = 91) and 15% (n = 60) for the 2019-1257 and TAFP surveys, respectively. Most (84%) respondents regularly assess LCS in their practice. Half of the respondents were interested in adopting personalized LCS. The majority (66%) of respondents expressed concerns regarding time availability with the personalized LCS. Most respondents would use biomarkers as an adjunct to assess eligibility (58%), or to help guide indeterminate clinical findings (63%). There is a need to enhance the engagement of Texas-based PCPs in LCS. Most of the respondents expressed interest in personalized LCS. Time availability was the main concern related to personalized LCS. Findings from this project highlight the need for better education of Texas-based PCPs on the benefits of LCS, and the development of efficient decision tools to ensure successful implementation of personalized LCS. PREVENTION RELEVANCE: Personalized LCS facilitated by a risk model and/or a biomarker test is proposed as an alternative to existing programs. Acceptability of personalized approach among PCPs is unknown. The goal of this study is to assess the acceptability of personalized LCS among PCPs.

Creating and Activating an Implementation Community to Drive HPV Vaccine Uptake in Texas: The Role of an NCI-Designated Cancer Center.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, a comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), defines its service population area as the State of Texas (29.1 M), the second most populous state in the country and the state with the greatest number of uninsured residents in the United States. Consistent with a novel and formal commitment to prevention as part of its core mission, alongside clear opportunities in Texas to drive vaccine uptake, MD Anderson assembled a transdisciplinary team to develop an institutional Framework to increase adolescent HPV vaccination and reduce HPV-related cancer burden. The Framework was developed and activated through a four-phase approach aligned with the NCI Cancer Center Support Grant Community Outreach and Engagement component. MD Anderson identified collaborators through data-driven outreach and constructed a portfolio of collaborative multi-sector initiatives through review processes designed to assess readiness, impact and sustainability. The result is an implementation community of 78 institutions collaboratively implementing 12 initiatives within a shared measurement framework impacting 18 counties. This paper describes a structured and rigorous process to set up the implementation of a multi-year investment in evidence-based strategies to increase HPV vaccination that solves challenges preventing implementation of recommended strategies and to encourage similar initiative replication.

Using Electronic Reminders to Improve Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccinations among Primary Care Patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to delays in routine preventative primary care and declines in HPV immunization rates. Providers and healthcare organizations needed to explore new ways to engage individuals to resume preventive care behaviors. Thus, we evaluated the effectiveness of using customized electronic reminders with provider recommendations for HPV vaccination to increase HPV vaccinations among adolescents and young adults, ages 9-25. Using stratified randomization, participants were divided into two groups: usual care (control) (N = 3703) and intervention (N = 3705). The control group received usual care including in-person provider recommendations, visual reminders in exam waiting rooms, bundling of vaccinations, and phone call reminders. The intervention group received usual care and an electronic reminder (SMS, email or patient portal message) at least once, and up to three times (spaced at an interval of 1 reminder per month). The intervention group had a 17% statistically significantly higher odds of uptake of additional HPV vaccinations than the usual care group (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.36). This work supports previous findings that electronic reminders are effective at increasing immunizations and potentially decreasing healthcare costs for the treatment of HPV-related cancers.

Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Distance Learning and Telementoring Program for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Cameroon.

Importance: Although Africa has the highest burden of cervical cancer in the world, educational resources to achieve the 90-70-90 targets set by the World Health Organization in its strategy to eliminate cervical cancer are lacking in the region. Objectives: To adapt, implement, and evaluate the Project Extension for Community Health Care Outcomes (ECHO), an innovative learning tool, to build capacity of clinicians to better incorporate new evidence-based guidelines into cervical cancer control policies and clinical practices. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge and practices of clinicians and support staff regarding cervical cancer prevention and control and compared them among respondents who had attended Project ECHO sessions (prior ECHO attendees) with those who had not but were planning on attending in the near future (newcomers) as part of the Cameroon Cervical Cancer Prevention Project ECHO. Satisfaction of prior ECHO attendees was also evaluated. Data were analyzed from January to March 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: Main outcomes were practices and knowledge regarding cervical cancer education and prevention and preinvasive management procedures compared among prior ECHO attendees and newcomers. Results: Of the 75 participants (mean [SD] age, 36.4 [10.0] years; 65.7% [95% CI, 54.3%-77.1%] women) enrolled in this study, 41 (54.7%; 95% CI, 43.1%-66.2%) were prior ECHO attendees, and most were clinicians (55 respondents [78.6%; 95% CI, 68.7%-88.4%]). Overall, 50% (95% CI, 37.8%-62.2%) of respondents reported performing cervical cancer screening with visual inspection of the cervix after application of acetic acid (VIA) and/or visual inspection of the cervix after application of Lugol's iodine (VILI), 46.3% (95% CI, 34.0%-58.5%) of respondents reported performing human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, and 30.3% (95% CI, 18.9%-41.7%) of respondents reported performing cervical cytological examination in their practices, Approximately one-fourth of respondents reported performing cryotherapy (25.4% [95% CI, 14.7%-36.1%]), thermal ablation (27.3% [95% CI, 16.2%-38.3%]) or loop electrosurgical excisional procedure (LEEP, 25.0% [95% CI, 14.4%-35.6%]) for treatment of preinvasive disease. The clinical use of many of these screening and treatment tools was significantly higher among prior ECHO attendees compared with newcomers (VIA/VILI: 63.2% [95% CI, 47.4%-78.9%] vs 33.3% [95% CI, 16.0%-50.6%]; P = .03; cryotherapy: 40.5% [95% CI, 24.3%-56.8%] vs 6.7% [95% CI, 0.0%-15.8%]; P = .002; thermal ablation: 43.2% [95% CI, 26.9%-59.6%] vs 6.9% [95% CI, 0.0%-16.4%]; P = .002). Knowledge about cervical cancer education, prevention, and management procedures was satisfactory in 36.1% (95% CI, 23.7%-48.5%) of respondents; this proportion was significantly higher among prior ECHO attendees (53.8% [95% CI, 37.7%-69.9%]) compared with newcomers (4.5% [95% CI, 0.0%-13.5%]; P < .001). Approximately two-thirds of participants (68.8% [95% CI, 51.8%-85.8%]) reported that they had applied knowledge learned in our ECHO sessions to patient care in their practice or adopted best-practice care through their participation in this ECHO program. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that the Project ECHO e-learning and telementoring program was associated with improved skills for clinicians and support staff and enhanced quality of care for patients. In the COVID-19 era and beyond, reinforced efforts to strengthen cervical cancer knowledge and best practices through distance learning and collaboration are needed.

Retrospective Review of a Mobile Mammography Screening Program in an Underserved Population within a Large Metropolitan Area.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Mobile mammography units provide preventive health care to patients facing barriers to annual screening. This study reviews the outcomes of a mobile mammography service during a recent 5-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the examinations by mobile mammography during a 5-year period (9327 examinations). The patients recalled, biopsies performed, and cancers detected were tallied. The race, age, breast cancer size, lymph node involvement, and metastases were recorded. The positive predictive value (PPV) and cancer detection rate metrics were calculated as outlined by the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System Atlas. RESULTS: The program identified cancer in 14 cases (cancer detection rate = 1.5 per 1000 examinations [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9-2.5]) with 11 being invasive. The majority of these cancers were small and of low stage. Lymph node status was determined in 11 of the 14 cases (1 as N1mi, 5 as N0, 4 as N1,1 as N2a). Abnormalities led to 1686 examinations recalled (Recall Rate = 17.8%; PPV 1 = 0.8% [95% CI, 0.5%-1.4%]). One hundred and one were recommended for biopsy (PPV 2 = 13.9% [95% CI, 8.4%-21.9%]), and 98 pursued biopsy (PPV 3 = 14.3% [95% CI, 8.7%-22.6%]). Patient age ranged from 41 to 67 years with an average of 50.6 years. CONCLUSION: The program detected many cancers in an asymptomatic population facing barriers to breast cancer screening. These findings are underscored by the cancers detected at an early stage with a favorable prognosis and support the need for the development of similar programs.

Oncologic Implications of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases the risk for several types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as primary and second primary malignancies. HCV-infected patients with cancer, particularly those undergoing anticancer therapy, are at risk for development of enhanced HCV replication, which can lead to hepatitis flare and progression of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Risk factors for HCV infection include injection drug use, blood transfusion, or solid organ transplantation before 1992, receipt of clotting factor concentrates before 1987, long-term hemodialysis, chronic liver disease, HIV positivity, and occupational exposure. Widely available direct-acting antivirals are highly effective against HCV and well tolerated. Identification of HCV-infected individuals is the essential first step in treatment and eradication of the infection. One-time screening is recommended for persons born from 1945 to 1965; screening is also recommended for persons with risk factors. Recently, a public health recommendation has been drafted to screen all adults age 18 to 79 years. Two oncology organizations recommend screening all patients with hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic cell transplant recipients, and a recently published multicenter prospective study supports universal HCV screening for all patients with cancer. HCV screening entails testing for anti-HCV antibodies in serum and, when results are positive, HCV RNA quantitation to confirm infection. Direct-acting antiviral therapy eradicates HCV in almost all cases. Virologic cure of HCV prevents chronic hepatitis and progression to liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. HCV eradication also decreases the risk of developing HCV-associated primary and second primary malignancies, and it may allow HCV-infected patients access to important cancer clinical trials. Patients with HCV-related cirrhosis require lifelong surveillance for HCC, even after viral eradication.

Cancer-Related Risk Perceptions and Beliefs in Texas: Findings from a 2018 Population-Level Survey.

BACKGROUND: Cancer beliefs and perceptions of cancer risk affect the cancer continuum. Identifying underlying factors associated with these beliefs and perceptions in Texas can help inform and target prevention efforts. METHODS: We developed a cancer-focused questionnaire and administered it online to a nonprobability sample of the Texas population. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis identified key factors associated with perceptions and beliefs about cancer. RESULTS: The study population comprised 2,034 respondents (median age, 44.4 years) of diverse ethnicity: 45.5% were non-Hispanic white, 10.6% non-Hispanic black, and 35.7% Hispanic. Self-reported depression was significantly associated with cancer risk perceptions and cancer beliefs. Those indicating frequent and infrequent depression versus no depression were more likely to believe that: (i) compared to other people their age, they were more likely to get cancer in their lifetime [OR, 2.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.95-4.39 and OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.17-2.74, respectively]; and (ii) when they think about cancer, they automatically think about death (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.56-2.69 and OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.11-1.92, respectively). Frequent depression versus no depression was also associated with agreement that (i) it seems like everything causes cancer (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.26-2.22) and (ii) there is not much one can do to lower one's chance of getting cancer (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.09-1.89). Other predictors for perceived cancer risk and/or cancer beliefs were sex, age, ethnicity/race, being born in the United States, marital status, income, body mass index, and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Depression and other predictors are associated with cancer risk perceptions and beliefs in Texas. IMPACT: Increased attention to reducing depression may improve cancer risk perceptions and beliefs.

Perspectives on Strengthening Cancer Research and Control in Latin America Through Partnerships and Diplomacy: Experience of the National Cancer Institute's Center for Global Health.

According to the Pan American Health Organization, noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, are the leading causes of preventable and premature death in the Americas. Governments and health care systems in Latin America face numerous challenges as a result of increasing morbidity and mortality from cancer. Multiple international organizations have recognized the need for collaborative action on and technical support for cancer research and control in Latin America. The Center for Global Health at the US National Cancer Institute (NCI-CGH) is one entity among many that are working in the region and has sought to develop a strategy for working in Latin America that draws on and expands the collaborative potential of engaged, skilled, and diverse partners. NCI-CGH has worked toward developing and implementing initiatives in collaboration with global partners that share the common objectives of building a global cancer research community and translating research results into evidence-informed policy and practice. Both objectives are complementary and synergistic and are additionally supported by an overarching strategic framework that is focused on partnerships and science diplomacy. This work highlights the overall strategy for NCI-CGH engagement in Latin America through partnerships and diplomacy, and highlights selected collaborative efforts that are aimed at improving cancer outcomes in the region.

Global Epidemiology, Prevention, and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rising. It is one of the most common cancers worldwide and accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the most important etiologies of HCC, and effective screening and management strategies are crucial to reduce the HCC risk. For HBV, which accounts for the majority of HCC cases, most infections were acquired via perinatal and early horizontal transmission. Universal vaccination of newborns has led to a decline in HCC incidence compared with the pre-vaccination era. Effective antiviral therapies with nucleos(t)ide analogues or pegylated interferon reduced the incidence of HCC. For HCV, the emergence of effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents has substantially improved cure rates; therefore all patients with HCV should be considered for DAA treatment. The most important obstacle in eliminating HCV is access to therapy. For NAFLD, the global incidence is increasing rapidly, thus its impact on HCC incidence may be explosive. Progression to HCC in NAFLD happens particularly in those with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and exacerbated by metabolic syndrome, or PNPLA3 gene polymorphism. Lifestyle changes are imperative while drug therapy has yet to demonstrate substantive protective effects on HCC prevention. For management of HCC, early diagnosis via imaging surveillance among persons with HCC risk factors remains the most important strategy to identify early-stage disease appropriate for resection or transplantation.

MD Anderson's Population Health Approaches to Cancer Prevention.

Texas's size and unique population demographics present challenges to addressing the state's cancer burden. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of 69 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers across the United States. While these centers traditionally have focused on research, education and training, and providing research-driven patient care, they are in a unique position to collaboratively advance population health through cancer control. Unlike the traditional academic model of a three-legged stool representing research, education, and patient care, MD Anderson's mission includes a fourth leg that incorporates population health approaches. MD Anderson has leveraged state- and national-level data and freely available resources to develop population-health priorities and a set of evidence-based actions across policy, public and professional education, and community-based clinical service domains to address these priorities. Population health approaches complement dissemination and implementation research and treatment, and will be increasingly needed to address the growing cancer burden in Texas and the nation.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake in Texas Pediatric Care Settings: A Statewide Survey of Healthcare Professionals.

The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to and facilitators of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in children aged 9-17 years across Texas. A literature review informed the development of a web-based survey designed for people whose work involves HPV vaccination in settings serving pediatric patients. The survey was used to examine current HPV vaccine recommendation practices among healthcare providers, barriers to HPV vaccination, reasons for parent/caregiver vaccine refusal, staff and family education practices, utilization of reminder and recall systems and status of vaccine administration (payment, ordering and stocking). 1132 responses were received representing healthcare providers, administrative and managerial staff. Respondents identified perceived barriers to HPV vaccination as parental beliefs about lack of necessity of vaccination prior to sexual debut, parental concerns regarding safety and/or side effects, parental perceptions that their child is at low risk for HPV-related disease, and parental lack of knowledge that the vaccine is a series of three shots. Of responding healthcare providers, 94 % (n = 582) reported they recommend the vaccine for 9-12 year olds; however, same-day acceptance of the vaccine is low with only 5 % (n = 31) of providers reporting the HPV vaccine is "always" accepted the same day the recommendation is made. Healthcare providers and multidisciplinary care teams in pediatric care settings must work to identify gaps between recommendation and uptake to maximize clinical opportunities. Training in methods to communicate an effective HPV recommendation and patient education tailored to address identified barriers may be helpful to reduce missed opportunities and increase on-time HPV vaccinations.

American Society of Clinical Oncology Statement: Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Cancer Prevention.

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the leading medical professional oncology society, is committed to lessening the burden of cancer and as such will promote underused interventions that have the potential to save millions of lives through cancer prevention. As the main providers of cancer care worldwide, our patients, their families, and our communities look to us for guidance regarding all things cancer related, including cancer prevention. Through this statement and accompanying recommendations, ASCO hopes to increase awareness of the tremendous global impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) -caused cancers, refocus the discussion of HPV vaccination on its likely ability to prevent millions of cancer deaths, and increase HPV vaccination uptake via greater involvement of oncology professionals in ensuring accurate public discourse about HPV vaccination and calling for the implementation of concrete strategies to address barriers to vaccine access and acceptance.

Readiness of primary care clinicians to implement lung cancer screening programs.

We examined the readiness of primary care clinicians to implement lung cancer screening programs in their practice settings in light of recent policy changes in the U.S. Attendees of two large continuing medical education events in Texas held in October and November of 2014 completed surveys about their current lung cancer screening practices and implementation needs. Surveys were completed by 350 participants (57.2% of registered attendees). Although 89.5% of participants routinely screened their patients for tobacco use, only 10.1% had a formal lung cancer screening program in their practice. More than half (56.0%) planned to refer eligible patients for lung cancer screening, 35.6% were not sure, and 8.3% did not plan to refer. Priority areas for implementing lung cancer screening programs in their settings included 1) greater clarity about coverage by private insurance and Medicare, 2) information about available screening centers offering low-dose computed tomography, 3) patient education and shared decision-making tools, 4) implementation toolkits and training for clinic staff, 5) integrating screening programs in electronic health records, and 6) more clarity about clinical guidelines. Practical needs related to identifying eligible patients, referral to screening centers, and tools for shared decision-making must be addressed before lung cancer screening can be implemented on a national scale.

Second malignant neoplasms: assessment and strategies for risk reduction.

Improvements in early detection, supportive care, and treatment have resulted in an increasing number of cancer survivors, with a current 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined of approximately 66.1%. For some patients, these survival advances have been offset by the long-term late effects of cancer and its treatment, with second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) comprising one of the most potentially life-threatening sequelae. The number of patients with SMNs is growing, with new SMNs now representing about one in six of all cancers reported to the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. SMNs reflect not only the late effects of therapy but also the influence of shared etiologic factors (in particular, tobacco and excessive alcohol intake), genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, host effects, and combinations of factors, including gene-environment interactions. For selected SMNs, risk is also modified by age at exposure and attained age. SMNs can be categorized into three major groups according to the predominant etiologic factor(s): (1) treatment-related, (2) syndromic, and (3) those due to shared etiologic exposures, although the nonexclusivity of these groups should be underscored. Here we provide an overview of SMNs in survivors of adult-onset cancer, summarizing the current, albeit limited, clinical evidence with regard to screening and prevention, with a focus on the provision of guidance for health care providers. The growing number of patients with second (and higher-order) cancers mandates that we also further probe etiologic influences and genetic variants that heighten risk, and that we better define high-risk groups for targeted preventive and interventional clinical strategies.

Ensuring quality cancer care: a follow-up review of the Institute of Medicine's 10 recommendations for improving the quality of cancer care in America.

Responding to growing concerns regarding the safety, quality, and efficacy of cancer care in the United States, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences commissioned a comprehensive review of cancer care delivery in the US health care system in the late 1990s. The National Cancer Policy Board (NCPB), a 20-member board with broad representation, performed this review. In its review, the NCPB focused on the state of cancer care delivery at that time, its shortcomings, and ways to measure and improve the quality of cancer care. The NCPB described an ideal cancer care system in which patients would have equitable access to coordinated, guideline-based care and novel therapies throughout the course of their disease. In 1999, the IOM published the results of this review in its influential report, Ensuring Quality Cancer Care. The report outlined 10 recommendations, which, when implemented, would: 1) improve the quality of cancer care, 2) increase the current understanding of quality cancer care, and 3) reduce or eliminate access barriers to quality cancer care. Despite the fervor generated by this report, there are lingering doubts regarding the safety and quality of cancer care in the United States today. Increased awareness of medical errors and barriers to quality care, coupled with escalating health care costs, has prompted national efforts to reform the health care system. These efforts by health care providers and policymakers should bridge the gap between the ideal state described in Ensuring Quality Cancer Care and the current state of cancer care in the United States.

Cancer incidence and mortality in Texas and the United States: an overview.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases annually an updated US Cancer Statistics report containing incidence and mortality data for all states and aggregate US data that allow for more meaningful comparisons across populations and geographic regions than do the number of new cases and deaths. This article examines major Texas findings from the most recent report (for the 5-year period 2003-2007) and compares Texas and United States.

Engaging physicians and pharmacists in providing smoking cessation counseling.

BACKGROUND: Health professionals have a proven, positive impact on patients' ability to quit smoking, yet few integrate cessation counseling into routine practice.The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of continuing education training on physicians' and pharmacists' cessation counseling. METHODS: A group-randomized trial of health care providers (87 physicians and 83 pharmacists) from 16 Texas communities compared smoking cessation training (intervention group) with skin cancer prevention training (control group). Pretraining, posttraining, and extended follow-up surveys were collected from providers. Perceived ability, confidence, and intention (ACI) to address smoking with patients were assessed with a composite ACI index. Patient exit interviews (at baseline, 1452 patients completed interviews; after 12 months, 1303 completed interviews) assessed counseling practices. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the percentage of physicians with a high ACI index in the intervention group from pretraining to posttraining (27% to 73%; P < .001) vs the control group (27% to 34%; P = .42) and for pharmacists (4% to 60%; P < .001) vs the control group (10% to 14%; P = .99). Similar results were seen from pretraining to extended follow-up. At baseline, fewer pharmacy patients reported being asked about smoking compared with patients seen by physicians (7% vs 33%; P = .001). There was an increase in assisting patients to quit (6% to 36%; P = .002) by physicians (baseline vs 12 months) in the intervention group, but not in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Training led to significant and lasting improvement in counseling among physicians. Low levels of counseling were seen among pharmacists.