The long-term impact of cancer: Evaluating psychological distress in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVES: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are diagnosed with cancer during a critical life period full of psychosocial challenges. They may experience a significant impact of the cancer diagnosis on their psychological health, also in the long term. We aimed to (a) evaluate psychological distress in AYA cancer survivors and compare levels of distress with controls and (b) describe socio-demographic and cancer-related characteristics associated with psychological distress. METHODS: We sent a questionnaire to AYA cancer survivors (aged 16-25 y at diagnosis, survived ≥5 y) registered in the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug, Switzerland. Psychological distress was measured using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) assessing anxiety, depression, and somatization and a global severity index (GSI) (cutoff score indicating psychological distress: T ≥ 57). Distress levels were compared between survivors and controls. We used logistic regression to determine associations of socio-demographic and cancer-related characteristics with distress. RESULTS: Of 160 AYA cancer survivors, 34 (21%) reported being distressed (27% in women, 17% in men; P = 0.129). Compared with controls, survivors did not report higher levels of distress (all P values > 0.05). Survivors with migration background and survivors with late effects reported higher levels on GSI, somatization, and anxiety. Higher levels of depression were associated with being female, not being in a partnership, and having late effects. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial subgroup of AYA cancer survivors reported psychological distress. Systematically screening for distress and providing psychological follow-up for survivors at risk may help to provide adequate psychological support.

Perceived information provision and information needs in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

Knowledge on former diagnosis, treatment and survivorship is important for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYACS) to make informed healthcare decisions. We aimed to (a) describe the information AYACS reported to have received, (b) identify current information needs and survivors' preferred format of communication, and (c) examine associations between information needs and cancer-related/socio-demographic characteristics, psychological distress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We identified AYACS (16-25 years at diagnosis; ≥5 years since diagnosis) through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug. Survivors received a questionnaire on information received and current information needs, socio-demographic information, psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory-18) and HRQoL (SF-12). Clinical characteristics were available from the cancer registry. We used descriptive statistics and univariable regression models. Of 160 responders, most reported to have received information on disease (96.3%), treatment (96.3%) and follow-up (89.4%), fewer on late effects (63.1%). Survivors reported information needs on late effects (78.7%), follow-up (71.3%), disease (58.1%) and treatment (55.6%). Information needs were associated with experiencing psychological distress and lower mental HRQoL. Most Swiss AYACS have information needs, especially on follow-up and late effects. Therefore, AYACS should be personally, continuously and proactively informed about their disease, treatment, follow-up care and late effects.

Health-related quality of life in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Today, survival rates for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients exceed 80%. However, cancer and treatment leave many patients suffering from chronic conditions. These late effects may impair their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We aimed to (1) compare HRQoL of AYA cancer survivors with the Swiss general population and (2) investigate socio-demographic and cancer-related characteristics associated with poor HRQoL. METHODS: AYA cancer survivors (age 16-25 at diagnosis; ≥5 years survival) who had been identified through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug, Switzerland, filled out a questionnaire. We assessed HRQoL using the Short-Form 12 (SF-12), producing two scores: Physical Component Summary score (PCS, physical health) and Mental Component Summary score (MCS, mental health). We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to investigate associated characteristics. RESULTS: We compared 155 survivors with 350 controls. Survivors had significantly lower physical health than controls (mean = 52.5 vs. mean = 54.7, p < 0.001). Male survivors reported better mental health than controls (55.2 vs.53.3, p = 0.078) and females slightly worse (49.8 vs. 51.8, p = 0.285). Poor physical health was strongly associated with having a migration background (OR = 4.63, p = 0.008) and unemployment (OR = 7.66, p = 0.005). Poor mental health was associated with female sex (OR = 2.69, p = 0.057), suffering from late effects (OR = 5.91, p < 0.001) and a migration background (OR = 5.82, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Results emphasize the need for individualized support services to improve survivors' HRQoL in vulnerable subgroups. We recommend adapted care for women and migrants, in addition to educational and employment support systems.

Immunodeficiency and the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 and cervical cancer: A nested case-control study in the Swiss HIV cohort study.

HIV-infected women are at increased risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive cervical cancer (ICC), but it has been difficult to disentangle the influences of heavy exposure to HPV infection, inadequate screening and immunodeficiency. A case-control study including 364 CIN2/3 and 20 ICC cases matched to 1,147 controls was nested in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (1985-2013). CIN2/3 risk was significantly associated with low CD4+ cell counts, whether measured as nadir [odds ratio (OR) per 100-cell/µL decrease = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.22], or at CIN2/3 diagnosis (1.10, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.16). An association was evident even for nadir CD4+ 200-349 versus ≥350 cells/µL (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.25). After adjustment for nadir CD4+, a protective effect of >2-year cART use was seen against CIN2/3 (OR versus never cART use = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.42, 0.98). Despite low study power, similar associations were seen for ICC, notably with nadir CD4+ (OR for 50 vs. >350 cells/µL= 11.10, 95% CI: 1.24, 100). HPV16-L1 antibodies were significantly associated with CIN2/3, but HPV16-E6 antibodies were nearly exclusively detected in ICC. In conclusion, worsening immunodeficiency, even at only moderately decreased CD4+ cell counts, is a significant risk factor for CIN2/3 and cervical cancer.

Glioblastoma in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland revisited: 2005 to 2009.

BACKGROUND: A population-based analysis of patients with glioma diagnosed between 1980 and 1994 in the Canton of Zurich in Switzerland confirmed the overall poor prognosis of glioblastoma. To explore changes in outcome, registry data were reevaluated for patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2009. METHODS: Patients with glioblastoma who were diagnosed between 2005 and 2009 were identified by the Zurich and Zug Cancer Registry. The prognostic significance of epidemiological and clinical data, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1)(R132H) mutation status, and O6 methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 264 patients with glioblastoma were identified, for an annual incidence of 3.9 compared with the previous incidence of 3.7. The mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 59.5 years in the current cohort compared with 61.3 years previously. The overall survival (OS) rate was 46.4% at 1 year, 22.5% at 2 years, and 14.4% at 3 years in the current study compared with 17.7% at 1 year, 3.3% at 2 years, and 1.2% at 3 years as reported previously. The median OS for all patients with glioblastoma was 11.5 months compared with 4.9 months in the former patient population. The median OS was 1.9 months for best supportive care, 6.2 months for radiotherapy alone, 6.7 months for temozolomide alone, and 17.0 months for radiotherapy plus temozolomide. Multivariate analysis revealed age, Karnofsky performance score, extent of tumor resection, first-line treatment, year of diagnosis, and MGMT promoter methylation status were associated with survival in patients with IDH1(R132H) -nonmutant glioblastoma. CONCLUSIONS: The OS of patients newly diagnosed with glioblastoma in the Canton of Zurich in Switzerland markedly improved from 1980 through 1994 to 2005 through 2009. Cancer 2016;122:2206-15. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Preferences for the organization of long-term follow-up in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: As survival rates of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients increase, a growing number of AYA cancer survivors need follow-up care. However, there is little research on their preferences for follow-up care. We aimed to (1) describe AYA cancer survivors' preferences for the organization and content of follow-up care, (2) describe their preferences for different models of follow-up, and (3) investigate clinical and sociodemographic characteristics associated with preferences for the different models. METHODS: AYA cancer survivors (diagnosed with cancer at age 16-25 years; ≥5 years after diagnosis) were identified through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug. Survivors completed a questionnaire on follow-up attendance, preferences for organizational aspects of follow-up care (what is important during follow-up, what should be included during appointments, what specialists should be involved, location), models of follow-up (telephone/questionnaire, general practitioner (GP), pediatric oncologist, medical oncologist, multidisciplinary team), and sociodemographic characteristics. Information on tumor and treatment was available through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug. RESULTS: Of 389 contacted survivors, 160 (41.1 %) participated and 92 (57.5 %) reported still attending follow-up. Medical aspects of follow-up care were more important than general aspects (p < 0.001). Among different organizational models, follow-up by a medical oncologist was rated higher than all other models (p = 0.002). Non-attenders of follow-up rated GP-led follow-up significantly higher than attenders (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Swiss AYA cancer survivors valued medical content of follow-up and showed a preference for medical oncologist-led follow-up. Implementation of different models of follow-up care might improve accessibility and attendance among AYA cancer survivors.

Functional characterization of BC039389-GATM and KLK4-KRSP1 chimeric read-through transcripts which are up-regulated in renal cell cancer.

BACKGROUND: Chimeric read-through RNAs are transcripts originating from two directly adjacent genes (<10 kb) on the same DNA strand. Although they are found in next-generation whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) data on a regular basis, investigating them further has usually been refrained from. Therefore, their expression patterns or functions in general, and in oncogenesis in particular, are poorly understood. RESULTS: We used paired-end RNA-Seq and a specifically designed computational data analysis pipeline (FusionSeq) to nominate read-through events in a small discovery set of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and confirmed them in a larger validation cohort. 324 read-through events were called overall; 22/27 (81%) selected nominees passed validation with conventional PCR and were sequenced at the junction region. We frequently identified various isoforms of a given read-through event. 2/22 read-throughs were up-regulated: BC039389-GATM was higher expressed in RCC compared to benign adjacent kidney; KLK4-KRSP1 was expressed in 46/169 (27%) RCCs, but rarely in normal tissue. KLK4-KRSP1 expression was associated with worse clinical outcome in the patient cohort. In cell lines, both read-throughs influenced molecular mechanisms (i.e. target gene expression or migration/invasion) in a way that counteracted the effect of the respective parent transcript GATM or KLK4. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that the up-regulation of read-through RNA chimeras in tumors is not random but causes regulatory effects on cellular mechanisms and may impact patient survival.

Cancer-related therapies at the end of life in hospitalized cancer patients from four Swiss cantons: SAKK 89/09.

The use of cancer-related therapies in cancer patients hospitalized at the end of life has increased in many countries over time. Given the scarcity of published Swiss data, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of hospital type and other factors on the delivery of health care during the last month before death. Claims data were used to assess health care utilization of cancer patients (identified by cancer registry data of four participating Swiss cantons) who deceased between 2006 and 2008. Primary endpoints were delivery of cancer-related therapies during the last 30 days before death. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the explanatory value of hospital type, patient and geographic characteristics. Of 3,809 identified cancer patients in the claims database, 2,086 patients dying from cancer were hospitalized during the last 30 days before death, generating 2,262 inpatient episodes. Anticancer drug therapy was given in 22.2% and radiotherapy in 11.7% of episodes. Besides age and cancer type, the canton of residence and hospital type showed independent, statistically significant associations with intensity of care, which was highest in university hospitals. These results should initiate a discussion among oncologists in Switzerland and may question the compliance with standard of care guidelines for terminal cancer patients.

Delivery of health care at the end of life in cancer patients of four swiss cantons: a retrospective database study (SAKK 89/09).

BACKGROUND: The use of cancer related therapy in cancer patients at the end-of-life has increased over time in many countries. Given a lack of published Swiss data, the objective of this study was to describe delivery of health care during the last month before death of cancer patients. METHODS: Claims data were used to assess health care utilization of cancer patients (identified by cancer registry data of four participating cantons), deceased between 2006-2008. Primary endpoints were hospitalization rate and delivery of cancer related therapies during the last 30 days before death. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the explanatory value of patient and geographic characteristics. RESULTS: 3809 identified cancer patients were included. Hospitalization rate (mean 68.5%, 95% CI 67.0-69.9) and percentage of patients receiving anti-cancer drug therapies (ACDT, mean 14.5%, 95% CI 13.4-15.6) and radiotherapy (mean 7.7%, 95% CI 6.7-8.4) decreased with age. Canton of residence and insurance type status most significantly influenced the odds for hospitalization or receiving ACDT. CONCLUSIONS: The intensity of cancer specific care showed substantial variation by age, cancer type, place of residence and insurance type status. This may be partially driven by cultural differences within Switzerland and the cantonal organization of the Swiss health care system.

Risk factors for anal cancer in persons infected with HIV: a nested case-control study in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Although persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), particularly men who have sex with men, are at excess risk for anal cancer, it has been difficult to disentangle the influences of anal exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, immunodeficiency, and combined antiretroviral therapy. A case-control study that included 59 anal cancer cases and 295 individually matched controls was nested in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (1988-2011). In a subset of 41 cases and 114 controls, HPV antibodies were tested. A majority of anal cancer cases (73%) were men who have sex with men. Current smoking was significantly associated with anal cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 2.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25, 5.34), as were antibodies against L1 (OR = 4.52, 95% CI: 2.00, 10.20) and E6 (OR = ∞, 95% CI: 4.64, ∞) of HPV16, as well as low CD4+ cell counts, whether measured at nadir (OR per 100-cell/µL decrease = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.18, 2.00) or at cancer diagnosis (OR per 100-cell/µL decrease = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.42). However, the influence of CD4+ cell counts appeared to be strongest 6-7 years prior to anal cancer diagnosis (OR for <200 vs. ≥500 cells/µL = 14.0, 95% CI: 3.85, 50.9). Smoking cessation and avoidance of even moderate levels of immunosuppression appear to be important in reducing long-term anal cancer risks.

Posttraumatic growth and illness perception in survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are diagnosed with cancer during a challenging period of life. We aimed to (1) describe positive changes (posttraumatic growth; PTG) and illness perception, and (2) determine associations between PTG and illness perception, sociodemographic, and cancer-related characteristics in Swiss AYA cancer survivors. METHODS: We conducted a population-based survey among AYA cancer survivors diagnosed 1990-2005 at age 16-25 years, who had survived ≥ 5 years. We used the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regressions. RESULTS: Among 389 contacted survivors, 160 responded (61.3% male; mean age = 34 years, SD = 5.8). The mean PTG sum score was 54.63 (SD = 20.24; range: 8-101). Survivors reported high PTG especially in the domains Appreciation of life (mean = 3.23; 95% confidence interval, 3.05-3.40), Personal strength (2.94; 2.77-3.12), and Relating to others (2.57; 2.40-2.74). Neither sociodemographic nor cancer-related characteristics were associated with PTG. Survivors who perceived follow-up care as helpful (p < 0.001) and those with high concerns about the consequences of the illness (p < 0.001) reported higher PTG. CONCLUSIONS: Finding ways to promote PTG and to identify and address maladaptive illness perceptions may help survivors transform their experience into something meaningful for their future life.

Are there sex differences among colorectal cancer patients in treatment and survival? A Swiss cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the three most common incident cancers and causes of cancer death in Switzerland for both men and women. To promote aspects of gender medicine, we examined differences in treatment decision and survival by sex in CRC patients diagnosed 2000 and 2001 in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. METHODS: Characteristics assessed of 1076 CRC patients were sex, tumor subsite, age at diagnosis, tumor stage, primary treatment option and comorbidity rated by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Missing data for stage and comorbidities were completed using multivariate imputation by chained equations. We estimated the probability of receiving surgery versus another primary treatment using multivariable binomial logistic regression models. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used for survival analysis. RESULTS: Females were older at diagnosis and had less comorbidities than men. There was no difference with respect to treatment decisions between men and women. The probability of receiving a primary treatment other than surgery was nearly twice as high in patients with the highest comorbidity index, CCI 2+, compared with patients without comorbidities. This effect was significantly stronger in women than in men (p-interaction = 0.010). Survival decreased with higher CCI, tumor stage and age in all CRC patients. Sex had no impact on survival. CONCLUSION: The probability of receiving any primary treatment and survival were independent of sex. However, female CRC patients with the highest CCI appeared more likely to receive other therapy than surgery compared to their male counterparts.

Management of hepatitis C in opioid agonist therapy patients of the Swiss canton Aargau within and outside the cohort study.

With regard to HCV elimination in opioid agonist therapy patients by 2030, case finding and regular screening for new and re-infections remain a challenge, especially for non-cohort patients in a decentralised setting. Documentation of the HCV sero- and RNA status of each opioid agonist therapy  patient by the cantonal physician and a yearly HCV screening reminder sent to the opioid agonist therapy prescriber combined with capillary HCV antibody and HCV RNA testing might facilitate the implementation of the FOPH guidelines. Prescription of direct-acting antivirals directly by the opioid agonist therapy prescriber could increase awareness and improve linkage to care.

Indicators of Data Quality at the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug in Switzerland.

Data quality is an important issue in cancer registration. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the four main data quality indicators (comparability, validity, timeliness, and completeness) for the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug (Switzerland). We extracted all malignant cancer cases (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) diagnosed between 1980 and 2014 in the canton of Zurich. Methods included the proportion of morphologically verified cases (MV%), the proportion of DCN and DCO cases (2009-2014), cases with primary site uncertain (PSU%), the stability of incidence rates over time, age-specific incidence rates for childhood cancer, and mortality:incidence (MI) ratios. The DCO rate decreased from 6.4% in 1997 to 0.8% in 2014 and was <5% since 2000. MV% was 95.5% in 2014. PSU% was <3% over the whole period. The incidence rate of all tumours increased over time with site-specific fluctuations. The overall M:I ratio decreased from 0.58 in 1980 to 0.37 in 2014. Overall, data quality of the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug was acceptable according to the methods presented in this review. Most indicators improved over time with low DCO rates, high MV%, low PSU%, relatively low M:I ratios and age-specific incidence of childhood cancer within reference ranges.

Attendance to Follow-Up Care in Survivors of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior.

PURPOSE: The aim was to study follow-up care attendance in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors to investigate: (1) correlates of the intention to attend follow-up care and (2) whether the intention is associated with the actual attendance, applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB). METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire survey in AYA cancer survivors diagnosed 1990-2005 at age 16-25 years, registered in the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug, Switzerland, who had survived at least 5 years. Structural equation modeling was applied to investigate TPB-related correlates (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) of intention to attend follow-up care. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between intention and actual attendance. RESULTS: We included 160 AYA cancer survivors in the study (mean age at study: 34.0 years, mean age at diagnosis: 21.6 years, 98 [61.3%] male). Positive attitudes toward follow-up care (coefficient = 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05 to 0.60) and supportive subjective norms (coefficient = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.78) were associated with higher intention to attend follow-up care. Perceived behavioral control was not associated with intention to attend (coefficient = -0.13, 95% CI: -0.36 to 0.10), but with actual attendance (odds ratio [OR] = 4.55, 95% CI: 1.83 to 11.31). Higher intention was associated with actual follow-up care attendance (OR = 14.29, 95% CI: 5.80 to 35.21). CONCLUSION: Positive attitudes and supportive social norms were associated with higher intention to attend follow-up care, and higher intention was associated with actual follow-up care attendance. Increasing awareness of the importance and benefits of follow-up care not only among survivors but also family, friends and healthcare professionals may help increase follow-up care attendance among AYA cancer survivors.

Primary Treatment Choice Over Time and Relative Survival of Prostate Cancer Patients: Influence of Age, Grade, and Stage.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess associations of stage, grade, and age with the primary treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) patients comparing the incidence years 2000/2001 and 2012/2013, and to estimate the relative survival (RS) for patients diagnosed in 2000/2001. METHODS: We included 1,541 men diagnosed in 2000/2001 and 1,605 men diagnosed in 2012/2013. Multiple imputation methods were applied to missing data for stage and grade. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to explore the associations of stage, grade, and age with treatment. RS was estimated using the Ederer II approach. RESULTS: In 2000/2001, older patients were more likely to choose active surveillance (AS)/watchful waiting (WW) or to receive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) compared to surgery; in 2012/2013, this association was only observed for ADT but not for AS/WW. In 2000/2001, the overall 1-, 5-, and 10-year RS was approximately 99, 94, and 92%, respectively. RS was highest for patients who underwent surgical procedures or radiotherapy and considerably lower for patients with ADT. CONCLUSION: Our data show that today AS/WW is an option not only for patients with a life expectancy of < 10 years but also for younger men with localized PCa. PCa patients have a good RS if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage.

Incidence trends and clinical-pathological characteristics of invasive cutaneous melanoma from 1980 to 2010 in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland.

The aims of this paper are to describe the incidence trends of invasive cutaneous melanoma in the Canton of Zurich and to evaluate clinical and pathological factors such as cancer subtype, localization, age and Breslow thickness. A retrospective analysis was carried out with data from the population-based Cancer Registry of Zurich and Zug located in Zurich. A total of 8469 cases in 8034 different patients of invasive cutaneous melanoma were registered for the period 1980-2010 in the Canton of Zurich. Incidence trends were age standardized to the European standard population. Joinpoint regression was used to compute changes in incidence and mortality rates, measured as the annual percent change (APC). The most common subtypes of cutaneous melanoma were superficial spreading melanoma (SSM, 41.1%), followed by nodular melanoma (16.5%), lentigo maligna melanoma (13.5%), acral-lentiginous melanoma (5.0%) and other types of melanoma (2.8%); 21.1% were melanoma not otherwise specified. The trunk was the most frequent location (30.8%), followed by the lower limb and hip (26.4%) and the upper limb and shoulder (22.8%). Statistically significantly increasing incidence trends were observed for both men (APC=3.0%) and women (APC=2.1%). Incidences of SSM and melanoma not otherwise specified were the histological subtypes for which a significant increase in incidence was observed (APC for the period 1980-2010=3.2% for both). In terms of Breslow thickness, thin melanomas (0.01-1.00 mm) showed an increasing incidence. The incidence of melanoma increased in both men and women between 1980 and 2010. In terms of the different subtypes and Breslow thickness, increasing incidences of the SSM and of thin melanomas (0.01-1.00 mm) were observed. These observations are in agreement with other studies from Southern and Western Switzerland as well as other European countries and the USA.

Education, employment and marriage in long-term survivors of teenage and young adult cancer compared with healthy controls.

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: Teenage and young adult (TYA) cancer patients are faced with the diagnosis during a challenging period of psychosocial development that may affect social outcomes in the long term. Therefore, we aimed to: (1) determine differences in social outcomes between long-term TYA cancer survivors and healthy controls and (2) identify factors associated with adverse social outcomes. METHODS: We sent a questionnaire to TYA cancer survivors (aged 16-25 years at diagnosis, 5 years after diagnosis) registered in the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug. Information on controls was obtained from the Swiss Health Survey 2012. We assessed educational achievement, employment status, marital status and life partnership (survivors only), and compared these outcomes between survivors and controls. We used logistic regression to identify sociodemographic and cancer-related factors associated with social outcomes. RESULTS: We included 160 TYA cancer survivors and 999 controls. Educational achievement of survivors differed significantly from controls (p = 0.012): more survivors than controls reported upper secondary education (33 vs 27%) and fewer survivors reported university education (12 vs 21%). No significant differences were found for employment (p = 0.515) and marital status (p = 0.357). The majority of survivors (91%) and controls (90%) were employed, and 37% of survivors were married, compared with 41% of controls. There were no cancer-related factors associated with having only basic education. Unemployment was associated with younger age at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 5.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-30.8) and self-reported late effects (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.3-19.5). Survivors of younger age at diagnosis were more likely not to be married (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.7) and not to have a life partner (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0-5.2). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that TYA cancer survivors completed applied higher education rather than a university education. Future studies including larger samples of TYA cancer survivors are needed to validate our findings and to explore the reasons for and satisfaction with the observed educational pathway.

Evaluation of completeness of case ascertainment in Swiss cancer registration.

This is the first comprehensive evaluation of completeness of case ascertainment in Swiss cancer registration. There is currently no method available that is considered to be the gold standard. Apart from simple measures such as the proportion of cases where registration was initiated by a death certificate and the proportion of diagnoses on the basis of histology or cytology/haematology, we applied two dedicated approaches: (i) the semiquantitative method of comparing the mortality to incidence rate ratio with relative survival (MI-Surv method) and (ii) the Flow method, which provides a quantitative estimate for the completeness depending on time since diagnosis. All 10 Swiss cancer registries in operation since at least 2006 and providing the required parameters were included. Simple and dedicated methods showed high completeness across all cancer registries and for most cancer types tested, with the notable exception of lymphoid leukaemia.

31 years of lung cancer in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland: incidence trends by sex, histology and laterality.

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: Lung cancer belongs to the most common cancers in Switzerland. We examined trends in lung cancer incidence, with focus on sex, histology and laterality, in the Canton of Zurich since 1980. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Registry data consisting of 16 798 lung cancer cases from 1980 to 2010 were analysed. Cases were classified into adenocarcinoma (ADC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), small-cell carcinoma (SCLC), large cell tumour and carcinoid tumour. Age-standardised (European standard) incidence rates (IR) per 100 000 person-years, male-to-female incidence-rate ratio (M/F-IRR), and left-to-right lung incidence-rate ratio (L/R-IRR) were calculated. RESULTS: Over the study period, ADC occurred most frequently (31.9%), followed by SCC (29.1%), SCLC (15.4%), large cell carcinoma (6.3%), and carcinoid tumour (1.5%). Other/unspecified subtypes accounted for 15.7%. In men, the IR of SCC decreased from 34.2/100 000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 32.5-35.9) in 1980 to 12.8/100 000 (12.0-13.6) in 2010, but increased in women from 3.4/100 000 (2.7-4.0) to 4.0/100 000 (3.4-4.5). The IR of ADC increased in women from 5.1/100 000 (4.1-5.8) to 12.6/100 000 (11.8-13.4) and in men from 15.1/100 000 (14.0-16.3) to 19.4/100 000 (18.4-20.4). Overall M/F-IRR was 2.61; the highest ratio (5.8) was seen for SCC and the lowest (0.77) for carcinoid tumour. All histological subtypes showed a higher susceptibility of the right lung. CONCLUSION: Our data reflect the global increase of lung cancer in women. ADC increased over time in women and men, whereas SCC decreased markedly among men. These trends may have occurred owing to changes in smoking behaviour and cigarette composition.