Risk of COVID-19 death for people with a pre-existing cancer diagnosis prior to COVID-19-vaccination: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

While previous reviews found a positive association between pre-existing cancer diagnosis and COVID-19-related death, most early studies did not distinguish long-term cancer survivors from those recently diagnosed/treated, nor adjust for important confounders including age. We aimed to consolidate higher-quality evidence on risk of COVID-19-related death for people with recent/active cancer (compared to people without) in the pre-COVID-19-vaccination period. We searched the WHO COVID-19 Global Research Database (20 December 2021), and Medline and Embase (10 May 2023). We included studies adjusting for age and sex, and providing details of cancer status. Risk-of-bias assessment was based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled adjusted odds or risk ratios (aORs, aRRs) or hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using generic inverse-variance random-effects models. Random-effects meta-regressions were used to assess associations between effect estimates and time since cancer diagnosis/treatment. Of 23 773 unique title/abstract records, 39 studies were eligible for inclusion (2 low, 17 moderate, 20 high risk of bias). Risk of COVID-19-related death was higher for people with active or recently diagnosed/treated cancer (general population: aOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.36-1.61, I2 = 0; people with COVID-19: aOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.41-1.77, I2 = 0.58; inpatients with COVID-19: aOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.34-2.06, I2 = 0.98). Risks were more elevated for lung (general population: aOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 2.4-4.7) and hematological cancers (general population: aOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.68-2.68, I2 = 0.43), and for metastatic cancers. Meta-regression suggested risk of COVID-19-related death decreased with time since diagnosis/treatment, for example, for any/solid cancers, fitted aOR = 1.55 (95% CI: 1.37-1.75) at 1 year and aOR = 0.98 (95% CI: 0.80-1.20) at 5 years post-cancer diagnosis/treatment. In conclusion, before COVID-19-vaccination, risk of COVID-19-related death was higher for people with recent cancer, with risk depending on cancer type and time since diagnosis/treatment.

Everything causes cancer? Beliefs and attitudes towards cancer prevention among anti-vaxxers, flat earthers, and reptilian conspiracists: online cross sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, using an online non-probability sample, the beliefs about and attitudes towards cancer prevention of people professing vaccination scepticism or conspiracy theories. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey. SETTING: Data collected mainly from ForoCoches (a well known Spanish forum) and other platforms, including Reddit (English), 4Chan (English), HispaChan (Spanish), and a Spanish language website for cancer prevention (mejorsincancer.org) from January to March 2022. PARTICIPANTS: Among 1494 responders, 209 were unvaccinated against covid-19, 112 preferred alternative rather than conventional medicine, and 62 reported flat earth or reptilian beliefs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cancer beliefs assessed using the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) and Cancer Awareness Measure Mythical Causes Scale (CAM-MYCS) (both validated tools). RESULTS: Awareness of the actual causes of cancer was greater (median CAM score 63.6%) than that of mythical causes (41.7%). The most endorsed mythical causes of cancer were eating food containing additives or sweeteners, feeling stressed, and eating genetically modified food. Awareness of the actual and mythical causes of cancer among the unvaccinated, alternative medicine, and conspiracy groups was lower than among their counterparts. A median of 54.5% of the actual causes was accurately identified among each of the unvaccinated, alternative medicine, and conspiracy groups, and a median of 63.6% was identified in each of the three corresponding counterparts (P=0.13, 0.04, and 0.003, respectively). For mythical causes, medians of 25.0%, 16.7%, and 16.7% were accurately identified in the unvaccinated, alternative medicine, and conspiracy groups, respectively; a median of 41.7% was identified in each of the three corresponding counterparts (P<0.001 in adjusted models for all comparisons). In total, 673 (45.0%) participants agreed with the statement "It seems like everything causes cancer." No significant differences were observed among the unvaccinated (44.0%), conspiracist (41.9%), or alternative medicine groups (35.7%), compared with their counterparts (45.2%, 45.7%, and 45.8%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the participants agreed that "It seems like everything causes cancer," which highlights the difficulty that society encounters in differentiating actual and mythical causes owing to mass information. People who believed in conspiracies, rejected the covid-19 vaccine, or preferred alternative medicine were more likely to endorse the mythical causes of cancer than their counterparts but were less likely to endorse the actual causes of cancer. These results suggest a direct connection between digital misinformation and consequent erroneous health decisions, which may represent a further preventable fraction of cancer.

Diagnostic Performance of a Fecal Immunochemical Test-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening Program According to Ambient Temperature and Humidity.

Exposure of the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to different ambient temperatures and humidity is unavoidable in population-based screening programs in Southern European countries, and it could lead to a decrease in target colorectal lesions. The objective was to evaluate the effect of ambient temperature and humidity on the FIT sensitivity in a population-based screening program for colorectal cancer (CRC) using an ecological design. The retrospective cohort included individuals aged 50−69 years who participated in CRC screening (Barcelona) from 2010−2015, and were followed until 2017 to identify interval CRCs. The positivity rate, and detection rates for advanced polyps and CRC were compared according to ambient temperature, humidity, and quarters of the year. A positive FIT was defined as the detection of ≥20 µg Hb/g in feces. The monthly ambient temperature and humidity were recorded on the day that the FIT was performed. In total, 92,273 FIT results from 53,860 participants were analyzed. The FIT positivity rate was lower at >24 °C than at ≤24 °C (p = 0.005) but was not affected by humidity. The temperature's impact on positivity did not lead to a decrease in the FIT detection rate for advanced neoplasia or the interval cancer detection rate in a program where the samples were refrigerated until the analysis and screening invitations were discontinued in July and August.

Short-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a population-based screening program for colorectal cancer in Catalonia (Spain).

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the suspension at all levels of the Catalan FIT-based CRC screening program on March 12, 2020. Screening invitations to FIT were resumed on September 1, 2020. We aimed to assess the short-term impact of the pandemic and describe strategies implemented to minimize harm by the disruption of the FIT-based CRC screening in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. We analyzed participation rate, colonoscopy adherence, time intervals to colonoscopy, detection rates, and advanced-stage cancers in 2019 and 2020. To identify perceived distress levels during the suspension of the screening we conducted a phone interview. As a result of the suspension, 43% of the individuals due for screening did not receive their invitation by December 31, 2020. A percent decrease of 5.1% in participation and of 8.9% in colonoscopy adherence among invitees between January-March was observed, with a recovery to 2019 levels when the screening activities were restarted. The time interval between a positive test to colonoscopy was longer in 2020 than in 2019. A decrease in advanced neoplasia rate and an increase in later stages of CRC were also observed. Individuals with a positive test did not report higher levels of perceived distress compared to those with a negative test. Although the disruption of screening had a temporary impact on participation and colonoscopy adherence, timing delay continues and a large backlog in the invitation of the target population remains. Thus, it is critical to implement strategies to minimize the long-term effects.

Polygenic risk score across distinct colorectal cancer screening outcomes: from premalignant polyps to colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Different risk-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening strategies, such as the use of polygenic risk scores (PRS), have been evaluated to improve effectiveness of these programs. However, few studies have previously assessed its usefulness in a fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-based screening study. METHODS: A PRS of 133 single nucleotide polymorphisms was assessed for 3619 participants: population controls, screening controls, low-risk lesions (LRL), intermediate-risk (IRL), high-risk (HRL), CRC screening program cases, and clinically diagnosed CRC cases. The PRS was compared between the subset of cases (n = 648; IRL+HRL+CRC) and controls (n = 956; controls+LRL) recruited within a FIT-based screening program. Positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV), and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (aROC) were estimated using cross-validation. RESULTS: The overall PRS range was 110-156. PRS values increased along the CRC tumorigenesis pathway (Mann-Kendall P value 0.007). Within the screening subset, the PRS ranged 110-151 and was associated with higher risk-lesions and CRC risk (ORD10vsD1 1.92, 95% CI 1.22-3.03). The cross-validated aROC of the PRS for cases and controls was 0.56 (95% CI 0.53-0.59). Discrimination was equal when restricted to positive FIT (aROC 0.56), but lower among negative FIT (aROC 0.55). The overall PPV among positive FIT was 0.48. PPV were dependent on the number of risk alleles for positive FIT (PPVp10-p90 0.48-0.57). CONCLUSIONS: PRS plays an important role along the CRC tumorigenesis pathway; however, in practice, its utility to stratify the general population or as a second test after a FIT positive result is still doubtful. Currently, PRS is not able to safely stratify the general population since the improvement on PPV values is scarce.

[Inequalities in access to cancer screening programmes in Spain and how to reduce them: data from 2013 and 2020.] / Desigualdades de acceso a los programas de cribado del cáncer en España y cómo reducirlas: datos de 2013 y 2020.

OBJECTIVE: The European Commission recommends ensuring equity in cancer screening. The aim of this study was to find out if there were inequalities in access to cancer screening programmes in Spain. METHODS: A transversal study was carried out by means of a survey addressed to the people responsible for breast, colorectal (CRC) and cervical cancer screening programmes in the 19 Autonomous Communities (AC) of Spain in 2013 and 2020. Information was collected on organizational characteristics, inequalities in access and interventions to reduce them. A descriptive analysis was made by AC and time period, by calculating frequencies and percentages, depending on the type of programme (breast, CRC and cervix). RESULTS: In 2013, 14 ACs participated for the breast programme, 8 for the CRC and 7 for the cervical programme; and in 2020, 14, 13 and 11 ACs respectively. All breast programmes were population-based in both periods (14/14 in 2013 and 14/14 in 2020), as well as CRC ones (8/8 in 2013 and 13/13 in 2020), with an increase in cervical cancer programmes (0/7 en 2013 y 6/11 en 2020). In both periods, social groups not included in the target population and groups that were less involved were identified, with differences according to the type of programme. A total of 53 interventions were carried out to reduce inequalities in access (27 in breast, 22 in RCC and 4 in cervical), 66% of them aimed at specific social groups (35/53). CONCLUSIONS: Inequalities in access to cancer screening programmes in Spain are identified, as well as interventions to reduce them.

OBJETIVO: La Comisión Europea recomienda asegurar la equidad en el cribado del cáncer. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer si existían desigualdades en el acceso a los programas de cribado del cáncer en España. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio transversal mediante encuesta dirigida a las personas responsables de los programas de cribado del cáncer de mama, colorrectal (CCR) y cérvix de las diecinueve Comunidades Autónomas (CCAA) del Estado Español en 2013 y 2020. Se recogió información sobre características organizativas, desigualdades de acceso e intervenciones para reducirlas. Se hizo un análisis descriptivo por CCAA y periodo temporal, mediante el cálculo de frecuencias y porcentajes, en función del tipo de programa (mama, CCR y cérvix). RESULTADOS: En 2013 participaron catorce CCAA para el programa de mama, ocho para el de CCR y siete para el de cérvix, y en 2020, catorce, trece y once CCAA, respectivamente. Todos los programas de mama eran poblacionales en ambos periodos (14/14 en 2013 y 14/14 en 2020), así como los de CCR (8/8 en 2013 y 13/13 en 2020), con un aumento en el caso de los programas de cribado del cáncer de cérvix (0/7 en 2013 y 6/11 en 2020). Se identificaron en ambos periodos grupos sociales no incluidos en la población diana y grupos que, estando incluidos, participaban menos, con diferencias según el tipo de programa. Se realizaron un total de cincuenta y tres intervenciones para reducir desigualdades en el acceso (veintisiete en mama, veintidós en CCR y cuatro en cérvix), el 66% de ellas dirigidas a grupos sociales específicos (35/53). CONCLUSIONES: Se identifican desigualdades de acceso a los programas de cribado del cáncer en España, así como intervenciones para reducirlas.

Text messaging as a tool to improve cancer screening programs (M-TICS Study): A randomized controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Short message service (SMS) based interventions are widely used in healthcare and have shown promising results to improve cancer screening programs. However, more research is still needed to implement SMS in the screening process. We present a study protocol to assess the impact on health and economics of three targeted SMS-based interventions in population-based cancer screening programs. METHODS/DESIGN: The M-TICs study is a randomized controlled trial with a formal process evaluation. Participants aged 50-69 years identified as eligible from the colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer (BC) screening program of the Catalan Institute of Oncology (Catalonia, Spain) will be randomly assigned to receive standard invitation procedure (control group) or SMS-based intervention to promote participation. Two interventions will be conducted in the CRC screening program: 1) Screening invitation reminder: Those who do not participate in the CRC screening within 6 weeks of invite will receive a reminder (SMS or letter); 2) Reminder to complete and return fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit: SMS reminder versus no intervention to individuals who have picked up a FIT kit at the pharmacy and they have not returned it after 14 days. The third intervention will be performed in the BC screening program. Women who had been screened previously will receive an SMS invitation or a letter invitation to participate in the screening. As a primary objective we will assess the impact on participation for each intervention. The secondary objectives will be to analyze the cost-effectiveness of the interventions and to assess participants' perceptions. EXPECTED RESULTS: The results from this randomized controlled trial will provide important empirical evidence for the use of mobile phone technology as a tool for improving population-based cancer screening programs. These results may influence the cancer screening invitation procedure in future routine practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry: NCT04343950 (04/09/2020); clinicaltrials.gov.

Role of community pharmacies in a population-based colorectal cancer screening program.

In Catalonia (Spain), population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening offers biennial fecal occult blood testing to men and women aged 50-69 years old. The program is organized in screening hubs, most of which use a pharmacy-based model to distribute and collect fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kits The comprehensive evaluation of CRC screening programs, which include the role and implications of pharmacy involvement, is essential to ensure program quality and identify areas for further improvement. The present study aimed to assess the adherence of community pharmacies to the CRC screening program and to analyze data on FIT kit distribution and collection in the Metropolitan area of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). Time to FIT completion was assessed by Kaplan-Meier estimation, and with the log-rank test. A Cox regression model was used to adjust for other variables associated with the completion of FIT such as sex, age, deprivation score index and previous screening behavior. Overall, 82.4% of pharmacies adhered with CRC screening program. Out of 82,902 FIT kits distributed to screening invitees 77,524 completed FIT kits were returned to pharmacies (93.5%) with a participation of 39.8% among the 193,766 invitees. From those who completed a FIT, the median time to return the kit was 3 days. FIT completion time was significantly lower among women, older age, high deprivation score index and previous CRC screening (p < 0.005). Our findings highlight the large involvement of community pharmacists with CRC screening program as well as a high quality in the process of FIT distribution and collection.

Proton-pump inhibitors are associated with a high false-positivity rate in faecal immunochemical testing.

BACKGROUND: False-positivity rates in faecal immunochemical test (FIT) can be affected by drug exposure. We aimed to assess the association between proton pump inhibitors (PPI) consumption and false positive (FP) results in a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programme using electronic prescription records. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study within a population-based screening program for CRC from 2010 to 2016 was performed. Participants with a conclusive FIT result and with prescription electronic data were included. An FP result was defined as having a positive FIT (≥ 20 µg haemoglobin/g faeces) and a follow-up colonoscopy without intermediate or high-risk lesions or CRC. Screening data were anonymously linked to the public data analysis program for health research and innovation (PADRIS) database that recorded patient diseases history and reimbursed medication. PPI exposure was defined as having retrieved at least one dispensation of PPI three months prior to the FIT. RESULTS: A total of 89,199 tests (of 46,783 participants) were analysed, 4824 (5.4%) tested positive and the proportion of FP was 53.5%. Overall, 17,544 participants (19.7%) were PPI users prior to FIT performance. PPI exposure increased the probability of obtaining an FP FIT result from 50.4 to 63.3% (adjusted OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.18-1.65). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetylsalicylic acid, antibiotics, and laxatives were also associated with an FP result. The effect of PPI was independent and showed a synergistic interaction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. CONCLUSION: PPIs increase FIT positivity at the expense of FP results. The recommendation to avoid their use before FIT performance could reduce up to 3% of colonoscopies and 9% of FP results.

Changes in individual and contextual socio-economic level influence on reproductive behavior in Spanish women in the MCC-Spain study.

BACKGROUND: The association between socioeconomic level and reproductive factors has been widely studied. For example, it is well known that women with lower socioeconomic status (SES) tend to have more children, the age at first-born being earlier. However, less is known about to what extent the great socioeconomic changes occurred in a country (Spain) could modify women reproductive factors. The main purpose of this article is to analyze the influence of individual and contextual socioeconomic levels on reproductive factors in Spanish women, and to explore whether this influence has changed over the last decades. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional design using data from 2038 women recruited as population-based controls in an MCC-Spain case-control study. RESULTS: Higher parent's economic level, education level, occupational level and lower urban vulnerability were associated with higher age at first delivery and lower number of pregnancies. These associations were stronger for women born after 1950: women with unfinished primary education had their first delivery 6 years before women with high education if they were born after 1950 (23.4 vs. 29.8 years) but only 3 years before if they were born before 1950 (25.7 vs. 28.0 years). For women born after 1950, the number of pregnancies dropped from 2.1 (unfinished primary school) to 1.7 (high education), whereas it remained almost unchanged in women born before 1950. CONCLUSIONS: Reproductive behavior was associated with both individual and area-level socio-economic indicators. Such association was stronger for women born after 1950 regarding age at first delivery and number of pregnancies and for women born before 1950 regarding consumption of hormonal contraceptives or postmenopausal therapy.

False-Positive Results in a Population-Based Colorectal Screening Program: Cumulative Risk from 2000 to 2017 with Biennial Screening.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to estimate the cumulative risk of a false-positive (FP) result in a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) through 7 screening rounds and to identify its associated factors in a population-based colorectal cancer screening program. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, which included participants ages 50 to 69 years of a colorectal cancer screening program in Catalonia, Spain. During this period, 2 FOBTs were used (guaiac and immunochemical). A discrete-time survival model was performed to identify risk factors of receiving a positive FOBT with no high-risk adenoma or colorectal cancer in the follow-up colonoscopy. We estimated the probability of having at least 1 FP over 7 screening rounds. RESULTS: During the period of 2000 to 2017, the cumulative FP risk was 16.3% (IC95%: 14.6%-18.3%), adjusted by age, sex, and type of test. The median number of screens was 2. Participants who began screening at age 50 years had a 7.3% [95% confidence interval (CI), 6.35-8.51] and a 12.4% (95% CI, 11.00-13.94) probability of an FP with 4 screening rounds of guaiac-based test and immunochemical test, respectively. Age, the fecal immunochemical test, first screening, and number of personal screens were factors associated with an FP result among screenees. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative risk of an FP in colorectal screening using FOBT seems acceptable as the colonoscopy, with its high accuracy, lengthens the time until additional colorectal screening is required, while complication rates remain low. IMPACT: It is useful to determine the cumulative FP risk in cancer screening for both advising individuals and for health resources planning.

Longitudinal Adherence to Immunochemical Fecal Occult Blood Testing vs Guaiac-based FOBT in an Organized Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.

Longitudinal adherence is a critical component of the efficacy of stool-based screening programs because they should be repeated every 1-2 years. Few data have been published on the uptake in multiple rounds of fecal occult blood test-based (FOBT) colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. We calculated two measures of longitudinal adherence to biennial FOBT (guaiac fecal occult blood test:gFOBT or fecal immunochemical test:FIT) to better understand its impact on the programmatic effectiveness of a population-based CRC screening program (2000-2017). Ongoing population-based CRC program of men and women aged 50-69 years. Variables: Age at first CRC screening invitation, sex, number of screening invitations, number of screens, deprivation score, and uptake rate. Logistic regression models were used to assess the independent effect of sex, age at first invitation, deprivation, and the type of screening test offered on adherence. The uptake rate for guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) was 23.9%, and for the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), it was 37.4%. The overall rate of consistently screened invitees after seven rounds of screening was 14.2%, being 20.6% for those individuals who used FIT and 14.3% for those who used gFOBT. Factors associated with continued participation (consistent vs. inconsistent screenees) showed that the longitudinal adherence was associated with age, screening test used, and number of invitations. Continued participation was lower in individuals who were screened using FIT than among those screened using gFOBT [OR, 0.68; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.57-0.81]. The overall rate of consistently screened invitees for colorectal cancer screening was higher with FIT than gFOBT. Studying the rate of individuals being current for screening may help to anticipate potential benefits before the long-term outcome data are available.

Factors related to longitudinal adherence in colorectal cancer screening: qualitative research findings.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of screening in colorectal cancer prevention depends on sustained participation rates. The objective of this study was to explore factors related to the longitudinal adherence of screening behavior in the context of a biennial population-based cancer screening program. METHODS: Eight focus groups were conducted with individuals who were invited two or three consecutive times to a population-based colorectal cancer screening program using a fecal occult blood test and who agreed to participate in the program at least once (n = 45). The criteria used to select the study members included adherence to fecal occult blood test maintenance, factors regarding their initial participation in the colorectal cancer screening, sex, and contextual educational level. RESULTS: The participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with the program; however, they showed a low level of understanding with respect to cancer screening. Consulting a general practitioner was cited by all participants as an important factor that mediated their final decision or influenced their behavior as a whole with regard to the program. Fear played a different role in the screening behavior for regular and irregular adherent participants. In the adherent participants, fear facilitated their continued participation in the screening program, whereas for the irregular participants, fear led them to avoid or refuse further screening. Having a close person diagnosed with colorectal cancer was a facilitator for the regular adherent participants. The irregular adherent participants showed some relaxation with respect to screening after a negative result and considered that further screening was no longer necessary. CONCLUSION: Considering the importance of primary healthcare professionals in the decision regarding sustained participation, it is important to better engage them with cancer screening programs, as well as improve the communication channels to provide accurate and balanced information for both health professionals and individuals.

Population-based Cancer Screening: Measurement of Coordination and Continuity of Care.

BACKGROUND: European guidelines for the quality of screening programs for breast and colorectal cancer describe process, structure, and outcome indicators. However, none of them specifically evaluate coordination and continuity of care during the cancer screening process. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify and adapt care quality indicators related to the coordination and continuity of the cancer screening process to assess nursing care in cancer screening programs. METHODS: The indicators proposed in this study were selected in 2 phases. The first consisted of a literature review, and the second was made by consensus of an expert group. An electronic literature search was conducted, through June 2016. From a total of 225 articles retrieved, 14 studies met inclusion criteria, and these 14 documents were delivered to the group of experts for evaluation and to propose a final list of agreed-upon indicators. RESULTS: The group of experts selected 7 indicators: adequacy and waiting time derivation of participants, delivery and availability of the report of the process, understanding professionals involved in the process, and satisfaction and understanding of participants. CONCLUSIONS: These indicators should help identify areas for improvement and measure the outcome of coordination and continuity of care. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results provided a common set of indicators to evaluate the coordination and continuity of care for cancer screening and to consequently assess the contribution of nursing care in cancer screening programs. The identification and adaptation of these quality indicators will help to identify areas for improvement and measure the effect of coordination and continuity of care.

Risk Model for Colorectal Cancer in Spanish Population Using Environmental and Genetic Factors: Results from the MCC-Spain study.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening of the average risk population is only indicated according to age. We aim to elaborate a model to stratify the risk of CRC by incorporating environmental data and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The MCC-Spain case-control study included 1336 CRC cases and 2744 controls. Subjects were interviewed on lifestyle factors, family and medical history. Twenty-one CRC susceptibility SNPs were genotyped. The environmental risk model, which included alcohol consumption, obesity, physical activity, red meat and vegetable consumption, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, contributed to CRC with an average per factor OR of 1.36 (95% CI 1.27 to 1.45). Family history of CRC contributed an OR of 2.25 (95% CI 1.87 to 2.72), and each additional SNP contributed an OR of 1.07 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.10). The risk of subjects with more than 25 risk alleles (5th quintile) was 82% higher (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.98) than subjects with less than 19 alleles (1st quintile). This risk model, with an AUROC curve of 0.63 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.66), could be useful to stratify individuals. Environmental factors had more weight than the genetic score, which should be considered to encourage patients to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

False-negative rate cannot be reduced by lowering the haemoglobin concentration cut-off in colorectal cancer screening using faecal immunochemical test.

The aim of this study was to analyse false-negative (FN) results of the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) and its determinants in a colorectal cancer screening programme in Catalonia. We carried out a cross-sectional study among 218 screenees with a negative FIT result who agreed to undergo a colonoscopy. A false-negative result was defined as the detection, at colonoscopy, of intermediate/high-risk polyps or colorectal cancer in a patient with a previous negative FIT (<20 µgHb/g). Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to identify sociodemographic (sex, age) and screening variables (quantitative faecal haemoglobin, colonoscopy findings) related to FN results. Adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated. There were 15.6% FN FIT results. Faecal haemoglobin was undetected in 45.5% of these results and was below 4 µgHb/g in 94.0% of the individuals with a FN result. About 60% of the lesions were located in the proximal colon, whereas the expected percentage was 30%. Decreasing the positivity threshold of FIT does not increase the detection rate of advanced neoplasia, but may increase the costs and potential adverse effects.

Incidence of advanced neoplasia during surveillance in high- and intermediate-risk groups of the European colorectal cancer screening guidelines.

Background and study aims: The European guidelines for quality assurance in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening have established high-risk (≥ 5 adenomas or an adenoma ≥ 20 mm) and intermediate-risk (3 - 4 adenomas or at least one adenoma 10 - 19 mm in size, or villous histology, or high grade dysplasia) groups with different endoscopic surveillance intervals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference in the incidence of advanced neoplasia (advanced adenoma or CRC) between the two risk groups. Patients and methods: This retrospective group study included patients meeting high- or intermediate-risk criteria for adenomas detected in CRC screening programs and the COLONPREV study before European guidelines were adopted in Spain (June 2011) with a 3-year surveillance recommendation according to Spanish guidelines. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of advanced neoplasia in patients undergoing surveillance. The secondary outcome measure was the CRC incidence. We used an adjusted proportional hazards regression model to control confounding variables. Results: The study included 5401 patients (3379 intermediate risk, 2022 high risk). Endoscopic surveillance was performed in 65.5 % of the patients (2.8 ±â€Š1 years). The incidence of advanced neoplasia in the high- and intermediate-risk groups was 16.0 % (59.0 cases/1000 patient-years) and 12.3 % (41.2 cases/1000 patient-years), respectively. The CRC incidence was 0.5 % (1.4 cases/1000 patient-years) and 0.4 % (1 case/1000 patient-years), respectively. The advanced neoplasia and CRC attributable risk to the high risk group was of 3.7 % and 0.1 %, respectively. In the proportional hazards analysis, the risk of advanced neoplasia was greater in the high-risk group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.5, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.2 - 1.8), with no significant differences in the CRC incidence (HR 1.6, 95 %CI 0.6 - 3.8). Conclusions: Patients meeting high-risk criteria have a higher incidence of advanced neoplasia during endoscopic surveillance. No differences were found in the CRC incidence at a 3-year surveillance recommendation.

Prescription drugs associated with false-positive results when using faecal immunochemical tests for colorectal cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: The most common side effect in population screening programmes is a false-positive result which leads to unnecessary risks and costs. AIMS: To identify factors associated with false-positive results in a colorectal cancer screening programme with the faecal immunochemical test (FIT). METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 472 participants with a positive FIT who underwent colonoscopy for confirmation of diagnosis between 2013 and 2014. A false-positive result was defined as having a positive FIT (≥20µg haemoglobin per gram of faeces) and follow-up colonoscopy without intermediate/high-risk lesions or cancer. RESULTS: Women showed a two-fold increased likelihood of a false-positive result compared with men (adjusted OR, 2.3; 95%CI, 1.5-3.4), but no female-specific factor was identified. The other variables associated with a false-positive result were successive screening (adjusted OR, 1.5; 95%CI, 1.0-2.2), anal disorders (adjusted OR, 3.1; 95%CI, 2.1-4.5) and the use of proton pump inhibitors (adjusted OR, 1.8; 95%CI, 1.1-2.9). Successive screening and proton pump inhibitor use were associated with FP in men. None of the other drugs were related to a false-positive FIT. CONCLUSION: Concurrent use of proton pump inhibitors at the time of FIT might increase the likelihood of a false-positive result. Further investigation is needed to determine whether discontinuing them could decrease the false-positive rate.

[How to assess and reduce social inequalities in cancer screening programmes]. / Cómo evaluar y reducir desigualdades sociales en los programas de cribado de cáncer.

This field note presents the conclusions and recommendations made at the meeting 'How to reduce social inequalities in cancer screening programmes?' held at the XXVI School of Public Health of Mahon (Menorca, Spain). Participants developed recommendations based on experiences of population-based screening programmes (breast and colorectal) and opportunistic screening (cervical). The conclusions and recommendations focused on four main areas (information systems, evaluation and quality, research, and interventions): the inclusion of social variables at an individual level in health information systems; the establishment of minimum standards for gathering information regarding inequalities in access to preventive services; the performance of actions in vulnerable populations; and the promotion of the exchange of experiences and best practices through the Cancer Screening Programmes Network and working groups of the scientific societies.