Sexual Inactivity During the Last 4 Weeks in Long-Term Cervical Cancer Survivors: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

BACKGROUND: Most studies of cervical cancer (CC) survivors describe sexual inactivity in relation to treatment modalities, but few consider that inactivity varies with age and partner status. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sexual inactivity in long-term CC survivors according to age and partner status, and to examine cancer-related, health, demographic, and psychological factors related to sexual inactivity. METHODS: All 974 women treated for CC from 2000 through 2007 in 2 areas of Norway, who were alive and cancer-free by the end of 2013, received a mailed questionnaire. Among them, 523 delivered valid data on current sexual activity (response rate 57%). The prevalence rates of sexual inactivity in relation to age groups and partner status were compared to normative sample (NORMs). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Sexual inactivity during the 4 weeks before the survey was administered. RESULTS: Median age of the sample at survey was 53 years (range 32-77) and median time since diagnosis was 11 years (range 6-15). Of the survivors aged 35-69 years, 39% (95% CI 35-44%) were sexually inactive at survey compared to 36% (95% CI 32-38%) in the NORMs. Compared with sexually active survivors, inactive ones were significantly older, more frequently had single partner status, and had less frequently been childbearing. Inactive survivors more frequently had low education, did not hold paid work at survey, had poorer self-rated health, and were more often obese. They also had higher prevalence of depression, high neuroticism, and chronic fatigue. On most cancer-related quality of life measures, sexually inactive survivors had significantly lower mean scores than sexually active ones. They significantly more often had been treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation than with conization or major surgery. In multivariable regression analysis, only older age, no prior childbearing, and single partner status remained significantly associated with sexual inactivity. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Sociodemographic variables may be more relevant than clinical and cancer-related variables concerning sexual inactivity in long-term CC survivors. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Our study had a considerable sample size and used instruments with established psychometric qualities. The moderate response rates of the study and of the NORMs imply risks for selection biases. CONCLUSION: Close to 4 in 10 survivors were sexually inactive which is similar to the rate among NORMs. Demographic factors were most strongly associated with sexual inactivity. Some other significant factors are eventually amenable to treatment and should be checked by the health-care providers. Dahl AA, Bentzen AG, Fosså SD, et al. Sexual Inactivity During the Last 4 Weeks in Long-Term Cervical Cancer Survivors: Prevalence and Associated Factors. J Sex Med 2020;17:1359-1369.

Preferences for follow up in long-term survivors after cervical cancer.

INTRODUCTION: An increasing number of cervical cancer survivors combined with lack of data on the efficacy of long-term surveillance, challenges existing follow-up models. However, before introducing new follow-up models, cervical cancer survivors' own views on follow up are important. We aimed to explore preferences for follow up in long-term cervical cancer survivors and their associations with self-reported late-effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2013, we mailed 974 Norwegian long-term cervical cancer survivors treated during 2000-2007 a questionnaire with items covering preferences for follow up after treatment, clinical variables and validated questionnaires covering anxiety, neuroticism and depression. RESULTS: We included 471 cervical cancer survivors (response rate 57%) with a median follow up of 11 years. In all, 77% had FIGO stage I disease, and 35% were attending a follow-up program at the time of survey. Of the patients, 55% preferred more than 5 years of follow up. This was also preferred by 57% of cervical cancer survivors who were treated with conization only. In multivariable analyses, chemo-radiotherapy or surgery with radiation and/or chemotherapy (heavy treatment) and younger age were significantly associated with a preference for more than 5 years' follow up. Late effects were reported by more than 70% of the cervical cancer survivors who had undergone heavy treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals the need for targeted patient education about the benefits and limitations of follow up. To meet increasing costs of cancer care, individualized follow-up procedures adjusted to risk of recurrence and late-effects in cervical cancer survivors are warranted.

A study of chronic fatigue in Norwegian cervical cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic fatigue after treatment is a common adverse event in cancer patients, but there are few studies in long-term survivors of cervical cancer. The aim of this investigation was to explore the prevalence of chronic fatigue and its association with various clinical and treatment-related factors in a population-based cohort of Norwegian cervical cancer survivors treated by any modality. METHODS: All patients, treated for cervical cancer from 2000 through 2007 in the Health Region of South-Eastern Norway, cancer-free, alive and aged ≤75years by the end 2013 (n=822) received a questionnaire covering chronic fatigue and other clinical variables. RESULTS: 461 of 822 survivors (56%) completed the questionnaire and 382 entered the analyses. Chronic fatigue was reported by 23% (95% confidence interval 19%-27%) with a median age of 52years (range 32-75) at survey, 11years (range 7-15) after diagnosis. Among survivors treated by minimal invasive- or radical surgery, 19% had chronic fatigue, while the prevalence was 28% in those treated with radiation and concomitant chemotherapy (chemoradiation). The chronic fatigue group reported significantly more cardiovascular disease, obesity, less physical activity, more treatment-related symptom experience, more menopausal symptoms, higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and poorer quality of life than the non-fatigued group. In multivariate analysis only increased level of depression and poorer global quality of life were significantly associated with chronic fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic fatigue was reported by 23% of long-term survivors after cervical cancer at a mean of 11years after treatment. Some of the associated factors are amenable to prevention and/or treatment and should be subjects of attention at follow-up.

Long-term cervical cancer survivors on disability pension: a subgroup in need of attention from health care providers.

PURPOSE: Survivors of cervical cancer have an increased risk for permanently reduced work ability qualifying for disability pension (DP). Few studies describe the social and health situation of long-term survivors of cervical cancer (LSCCs) on DP as a subgroup among LSCCs. The purpose was to investigate the socio-demographic and health status of LSCCs holding DP in a population-based cohort using LSCCs holding paid work as reference. METHODS: Altogether, 354 LSCCs under 67 years (age of retirement pension in Norway) at survey participated in this study. They responded to a mailed questionnaire containing social, health, and clinical issues. RESULTS: Among LSCCs 24% held DP at a median of 11 years (range 6-15) after diagnosis versus 12% in the general female population. Compared to LSCCs in paid work, those on DP had significantly higher mean age at survey, short education, more comorbid somatic diseases, poorer self-rated health, higher level of neurotoxic side effects, more chronic fatigue, and higher mean levels of anxiety and depression. Increased age, presence of musculo-skeletal diseases, and increased levels of depression and pain remained significantly associated with DP in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: One in four LSCCs held DP which was twice the rate of the general female population. Several somatic and psychological conditions amenable to treatment were significantly associated with holding DP. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: LSCCs holding DP should check their health regularly since conditions that can be treated are common, and health care providers should be aware of this opportunity.

[Cervical cancer after 10 years of nationally coordinated screening]. / Livmorhalskreft etter ti års offentlig koordinert screening.

BACKGROUND: A cervical cancer screening programme has been operating on a national level since 1995. Women aged 25-69 years who have not had a Pap smear in the previous 3-year period, are recommended by letter to contact a doctor and have a smear taken. The aims of the programme are a more rational use of tests and to decrease the incidence and mortality of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Trends in incidence and mortality of cervical cancer are studied by data from the national cancer registry, which also collects data on individual smears. RESULTS: From the period 1990-94 to the period 2000-04 the age-adjusted incidence rate per 1,000, 000 person-years decreased from 127 to 95, the corresponding rate for squamous carcinomas decreased from 102 to 70. The age-adjusted mortality rate decreased from 38 to 25. Number of tests decreased from 542,666 in 1994 to 486 118 in 2004. The proportion of women aged 25-69 years who had a test taken during the last four years, increased from 72.4% in 1995 to 78.3% in 2004. INTERPRETATION: Implementation of a nationally coordinated cervical cancer screening programme has contributed to a favourable development of the disease (lower incidence and mortality) and a more rational use of tests. Continued efforts are needed to achieve the goals of the programme.

Lowered reference limits for hCG improve follow-up of patients with hCG-producing tumors.

BACKGROUND: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by germ cell tumors, but can also be elevated in benign conditions such as primary hypogonadism, where hCG is produced by the pituitary gland. In our experience, the reference limits for hCG (Elecsys hCG+ß-assay, Roche Diagnostics), were unnecessarily high and did not reflect levels encountered in clinical practice. We wanted to establish new reference limits to increase the clinical utility of the hCG-assay. METHODS: We analysed hCG in serum samples from a healthy adult population and in a cohort of testicular cancer survivors. The gonadotropins LH and FSH were measured in the cohort and in a selection of the reference population to assess gonadal function. RESULTS: We found low hCG levels for all men and women <45years (97.5 percentiles 0.1 and 0.2IU/L, respectively) from the healthy population (n=795) having normal FSH and LH. Due to assay limitations, we suggest a common reference limit of <0.3IU/L. For the age group ≥45, the 97.5 percentiles in the healthy population were 0.5IU/L for men and 6.0IU/L for women. In all subjects from both the reference population and the cohort (n=732), hCG levels exceeding the reference limit could be fully explained by reduced gonadal function indicated by elevated LH and FSH levels. CONCLUSION: The Elecsys hCG+ß-assay should have lower reference limits than recommended by the manufacturer, with important implications for tumor follow-up. Elevated hCG is rare with intact gonadal function, both in a normal population and among survivors of testicular cancer, and should lead to further investigations when encountered in clinical practice.

[Are analyses of cytological cervix smears from young women more harmful than beneficial?]. / Er cervixcytologisk undersøkelse av unge kvinner mer til skade enn til gagn?

BACKGROUND: The Norwegian coordinated cervical cancer screening program invites women from 25 to 69 years of age to have a cytological smear from the cervix uteri analysed every third year. The aim of this study was to identify the volume of smears collected and to evaluate the consequences of having or not having this done for 24-year-old and younger women not included in the screening program and to compare the results with those for other age groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the following Norwegian Cancer Registry sources: the Cancer Registry for incident cases of cancer cervix uteri (1995-2004), the Cytology Registry for volume of cervical specimen collection (1992-2005) and outcome of smears (2004), the CIN-treatment database for the number of incident cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3 (2004) and the Cervix Histology Registry for histological outcome of cervical biopsies (2004). Data were displayed by age (< or = 24, 25-29, 30-69 and 70 years or older). No statistical testing was done. RESULTS: Cancer in the cervix uteri is extremely rare among 24 year-old and younger women (0-3 cases per year). The volume of cervix smears taken from young women has decreased over the past 10 years; in 2005 approximately 35,000 out of 440,000 smears came from young women. More smears from young women were inconclusive and more lesions were of low grade than in older women; repeat testing was therefore required more frequently in young women. More young than older women were diagnosed with grade 1 or grade 2 lesions. INTERPRETATION: Most lesions in young women regress spontaneously. By not collecting smears from young women, many lesions that would anyway regress spontaneously, would not be discovered and follow-up could be avoided. Prospective follow-up studies of viral processes and oncogeneses indicate that it takes many years for normal cervix cells in the uterus to develop into cancer. For most young women it makes no difference whether low grade lesions or lesions that require treatment are diagnosed at age 23, 24 or shortly after 25. With reference to data from the Norwegian Cancer Registry and international literature, we conclude that analysis of cytological cervix smears from young women is more harmful than beneficial.