National launch of human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program in Poland, 2023.

Poland launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program in June 2023, transitioning from a recommended to publicly funded approach. Targeting mainly 12 to 13-year-olds, the program offers universal and cost-free vaccinations with Cervarix and Gardasil 9. The initiative, aligned with the National Oncology Strategy, involves 4945 healthcare facilities, ensuring accessibility across regions. The streamlined process, empowering parents to choose, includes diverse healthcare professionals.

Unveiling the silent crisis: global burden of suicide-related deaths among children aged 10-14 years.

BACKGROUND: The rise in suicides among children aged 10-14 years demands urgent attention globally. This study aims to assess the global burden of suicide-related deaths in this age group from 1990 to 2019, considering factors such as sex, geography, and sociodemographics, to inform prevention strategies and interventions. METHODS: The data from Global Burden of Disease 2019, encompassing 204 countries and territories, were analyzed to investigate deaths and years of life lost (YLLs) due to suicide among children aged 10-14 years. Statistical analyses, including mortality rates, YLLs, and the sociodemographic index (SDI), were conducted using standardized tools. RESULTS: In 2019, a total of 8327 [95% uncertainty interval (UI) = 7073-9685] children aged 10-14 years died globally due to suicide, with a mortality rate of 1.30 (95% UI = 1.10-1.51) per 100,000. The rates varied across countries/territories ranging between 0.05 (95% UI = 0.02-0.10) in South Africa and 7.49 (95% UI = 5.13-10.57) in Greenland. The contribution of suicide-related deaths to all-cause mortality ranged from 0.07% (95% UI = 0.04%-0.15%) in South Africa to 33.02% (95% UI = 24.36%-41.53%) in Greenland. Worldwide, there were approximately 636,196 (95% UI = 540,383-740,009) YLLs due to suicide, with a rate of 99.07 (95% UI = 84.15-115.23) per 100,000. The association between SDI and suicide-related deaths was evident, with higher contributions observed in countries with higher SDI. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a concerning global burden of suicide-related deaths among children aged 10-14 years. Despite progress in reducing mortality rates, suicide remains a significant issue. While overall rates have declined, the percentage of deaths caused by suicide in this age group is increasing.

Tobacco products and electronic cigarettes' legislation violations - observational study in 31 European countries, 2005-2022.

BACKGROUND: European Union (EU) law regulates the manufacture, presentation, and sale of tobacco and related products in all member states. This study examined whether legislation non-compliant tobacco products and electronic cigarettes were available for sale in the European market. METHODS: We queried the EU Rapid Information System for dangerous non-food products, covering 28 current and former EU member states and 3 associated countries, also known as Rapex, for non-compliant tobacco and related products reported between 2005 and 2022. FINDINGS: During the operation of the Rapex system, 183 violations were reported (six on tobacco, three on traditional cigarettes, and 174 on e-cigarettes). Insufficient product safety information was found in 86% of the reports on e-cigarettes and 74% of the refills. Violations regarding the volume of the liquid container were observed in 26% of the e-cigarette reports and 20% of the refill reports. Approximately 15% of the reported e-cigarettes and 17% of refill liquids exceeded permissible nicotine levels. More serious standard violations were recorded for refills than for e-cigarettes. Approximately one-third of Rapex system countries submitted no notifications. INTERPRETATION: E-cigarettes were the most frequently reported items in the European market of tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine products. The most common concerns were inadequate product safety information, incorrect liquid container volume, and excessive nicotine concentration. Identifying the most recognized legal infringements did not require laboratory tests and was based only on packaging and the manufacturer's declaration analysis. Further studies are necessary to corroborate whether products available in countries where no violations have been reported meet EU safety standards.

Melanoma Mortality Trends in 28 European Countries: A Retrospective Analysis for the Years 1960-2020.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, in 27 European Union (EU) Member States, melanoma accounted for 4% of all new cancer cases and 1.3% of all cancer deaths, making melanoma the fifth most common malignancy and placing it in the 15 most frequent causes of cancer deaths in the EU-27. The main aim of our study was to investigate melanoma mortality trends in 25 EU Member States and three non-EU countries (Norway, Russia, and Switzerland) in a broad time perspective (1960-2020) in a younger (45-74 years old) vs. older age group (75+). METHODS: We identified melanoma deaths defined by ICD-10 codes C-43 for individuals aged 45-74 and 75+ years old between 1960-2020 in 25 EU Member States (excluding Iceland, Luxembourg, and Malta) and in 3 non-EU countries-Norway, Russia, and Switzerland. Age-standardized melanoma mortality rates (ASR) were computed using the direct age-standardization for Segi's World Standard Population. To determine melanoma-mortality trends with 95% confidence intervals (CI), Joinpoint regression was applied. Our analysis used the Join-point Regression Program, version 4.3.1.0 (National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA). RESULTS: Regardless of the considered age groups, in all investigated countries, in general, melanoma standardized mortality rates were higher for men than women. Considering the age group 45-74, the highest number of countries was characterized by decreasing melanoma-mortality trends in both sexes-14 countries. Contrarily, the highest representation of countries in the age group 75+ was connected with increasing melanoma-mortality trends in both sexes-26 countries. Moreover, considering the older age group-75+-there was no country with a decreasing melanoma mortality in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Investigated melanoma-mortality trends vary in individual countries and age groups; however, a highly concerning phenomenon-increasing melanoma-mortality rates in both sexes-was observed in 7 countries for the younger age group and in as many as 26 countries for the older age group. There is a need for coordinated public-health actions to address this issue.

Actual and Potential Role of Primary Care Physicians in Cancer Prevention.

Although the role of primary care in cancer prevention has been proven, its assumptions are still insufficiently implemented and the actual rates of cancer prevention advice delivery remain low. Our study aimed to identify the actual and potential role of primary care physicians (PCPs) in the cancer prevention area. Design of the study is a cross-sectional one, based on a survey of 450 PCPs who took part in a nationwide educational project in Poland. Only 30% of PCPs provide cancer prevention advice routinely in their practice, whereas 70% do that only sometimes. PCPs' actual role in cancer prevention is highly unexploited. They inquire routinely about the patient's smoking history (71.1%), breast cancer screening program (43.7%), cervical cancer screening (41.1%), patient's alcohol consumption (34%), patient's physical activity levels (32.3%), body mass index (29.6%), the patient's eating habits (28%) and patient's potential for sun/UV-Ray exposure (5.7%). The potential role of PCPs in cancer prevention is still underestimated and underutilized. Action should be taken to raise awareness and understanding that PCPs can provide cancer prevention advice. Since lack of time is the main obstacle to providing cancer prevention advice routinely, systemic means must be undertaken to enable PCPs to utilize their unquestionable role in cancer prevention.

Are Wellness Visits a Possible and Effective Cure for the Increasing Cancer Burden in Poland? Example of Women's Preventive Services in the U.S.

Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among Polish women in general, and first in women aged 25−64. Contributing to this cancer burden are modifiable behavioral risk factors, including low utilization of cancer screenings. Poland has an urgent need for new systemic solutions that will decrease cancer burden in the female Polish population. This study examined the United States' implementation of preventive wellness visits as a viable solution for implementation in Poland. Methods: Health insurance claims data for nearly three million women in five states of the U.S. were examined to identify use of mammograms, colorectal cancer screening, and lung cancer screening. Three subgroups of the cohort were assessed for the probability of receipt of screening associated with type of healthcare visit history (women with wellness visits­W; with wellness visits and related preventive services and screenings­W+P; and control group­C). All multiple comparisons were significant (alpha = 0.05) at p < 0.0001, except comparison between subgroups (W vs. P+W) for lung cancer screening. Results: Breast and colorectal cancer screenings had substantially higher participation after W and W+P in comparison with C; moreover, a slight increase after W or P+W was seen for lung cancer as well. Conclusions: Results indicate that wellness visits are an effective tool for increasing cancer screening among women in the U.S. Introduction of a similar solution in Poland could potentially help produce higher screening rates, address cancer prevention needs (not only for secondary cancer prevention), and lower cancer burden.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Smoking Cessation-A Real-Time Data Analysis from the Polish National Quitline.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, tobacco research has delivered new evidence on the harmfulness of smoking in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the course of the COVID-19 disease. More and more research proves that smoking is an important risk factor contributing to increased risk of mortality among COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to assess whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted decisions about quitting smoking. A total of 4072 records of anonymized data were obtained from the Polish National Quitline. Between 15 April 2020 and 31 May 2021, the callers were asked about the COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on their decisions on smoking continuation or cessation. Our results indicate that smokers are very receptive to communication concerning COVID-19 and smoking risk. This phenomenon can possibly be connected to the immediate potential health consequences of smoking and COVID-19 virus infection. Results may indicate that putting emphasis on arguments combined with short-term health consequences of smoking may result in better outcomes in smoking cessation. There is a need for further and constant education on tobacco-related health harm. Our results showed that an irregular and mass communication on health consequences may result in high effectiveness in smoking cessation.

Point of Sale Advertising and Promotion of Cigarettes, Electronic Cigarettes, and Heated Tobacco Products in Warsaw, Poland-A Pilot Study.

Prevalence of smoking and e-cigarette use among teenagers in Poland is high. Polish law bans most advertising and promotion for cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products (HTPs). This study investigates marketing for these products at points of sale (POS) near secondary schools in Warsaw, Poland, noting if the advertising and promotion were allowed under current Polish laws. All POS within 250 m radii of five selected secondary schools in each of three Warsaw districts were assessed for tobacco and e-cigarette direct advertising, inside and outside; offers of gifts or promotional discounts; tobacco merchandising, and tobacco displays. Of the 112 POS surveyed, 83% exposed customers to some form of advertising or promotion of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or HTPs; in 76%, advertising or promotion that violated Polish law was present. More than 80% of POS surveyed displayed tobacco products; in 19%, these products were displayed near products of interest to minors. POS density observed here was 30.3 per km2, higher than in other European cities. In Poland, a high proportion of POS near schools violates the law banning the advertisement and promotion of tobacco and nicotine consumer products through a dense tobacco retailer network.

Breast cancer mortality trends in Europe among women in perimenopausal and postmenopausal age (45+).

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to analyze breast cancer (BC) mortality trends among women at the age of 45 years old and older (45+) in the 28 European Union (EU) countries, as well as in 3 non-EU countries - Norway, Switzerland and the Russian Federation (control group) within the period 1959-2017. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mortality and population data were sourced from the World Health Organization (WHO) database, and age-standardized mortality rates were calculated using the standard world population. Changes in mortality trends were analyzed using Joinpoint Trend Analysis Software. RESULTS: The majority of analyzed countries showed a meaningful decrease in BC mortality among women aged 45+. However, the results of our study suggest that there are 4 EU countries - Croatia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - where increasing BC mortality trends started to be visible in the analyzed age group. Currently, the observed increase is still not significant, but the obtained data suggest the possibility of further continuation of the observed trend in the future. Moreover, in Bulgaria we also noted continuation of the increase in BC mortality (statistically significant). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the availability of better treatment options, as well as presence of effective tools for detecting BC at the early stages of progression, BC mortality is falling in most analyzed European countries. To maintain this situation and to stop BC mortality increase in the analyzed age group in Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, immediate actions for improvement of BC management in the European health care systems should be considered.

Evolution of Indications for Liver Transplantation (LTx) in the Years 2001-2017 in Poland.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B and C viruses have been recognized as undoubtedly carcinogenic to humans. In the Polish population, where most people are protected by HBV vaccinations, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its main cause, persistent HCV infection, significantly affect the demand for liver transplantations. MATERIAL AND METHODS The purpose of this study was to categorize the number of primary liver transplantations in Poland in the years 2001-2017 by cause and to analyze changes in LTx indications during this period. Data were sourced from POLTRANSPLANT, the Organization and Coordination Center for Transplantation in Poland. Additionally, we compared the numbers of HCC cases and hepatitis B and C cases during this period. RESULTS In the analyzed period, in Poland, 3332 primary liver transplantations were performed. Overall, 44% (1456) of LTx cases were combined with HBV and/or HCV and/or HCC. In this group, transplants in patients with only 1 specific factor - HCV - formed the largest cohort, accounting for about 40% (581) of cases. Transplants in patients who only had HBV and in those who only had HCC accounted for 12% (185) and 5% (69), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The analyzed data suggest that HCV infections are a significant public health problem in Poland, as is also reflected by the growing number of LTx performed due to HCC. To limit the numbers of HCV and HCC cases, immediate implementation of a Polish National Program against HCV should be considered.

Selected tumor markers in the routine diagnosis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma is one of the most malignant tumors, affecting men more frequently than women and constituting nearly 90% of all kidney tumors. Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma has been described as a new histological type of renal cell carcinoma. Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma constitutes up to 5% of all cases of kidney cancer. It is characterized by a significant number of deletions in many chromosomes, as well as the loss of entire chromosomes. Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma arises from tubular cells or cells of the macula densa. In contrast to other types of kidney cancer, it occurs with equal frequency in men and women, mostly in the sixth decade of life. It is characterized by a relatively good prognosis and exhibits a low degree of malignancy. Histopathologic diagnosis of ChRCC can be a diagnostic challenge because these tumors may resemble oncocytoma or conventional cancer. Research by Mathers et al. proposed the use of cytokeratin 7 as a marker useful in the differentiation of these changes.

Assessment of knowledge about the effects of UV radiation on health behaviors associated with sunbathing in gymnasium students.

INTRODUCTION: The health behaviors or health-related behaviors is behavior (or activity) that are part of everyday life, affecting the health of the individual. An example of the behavior of health is also sunbathing, or exposing the body to excessive solar radiation dosage. It may be positive and negative effects on health. AIM: Evaluation of knowledge about gymnasium students. The impact of UV radiation on health and health behaviors associated with sunbathing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was a diagnostic survey, with author's questionnaire. The sample was comprised students from classes II and III. A total of 312 questionnaires were collected among 181 girls and 131 boys. Used purposeful sampling. Results were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS: There is a statistically significant relationship between the stated sunbathing to get a sun tan, and sex of the respondent (p = 0.0002). Definitely more girls (77.35%) admit that tans in the sun to get a tan as compared to boys (58.02%). CONCLUSION: It is recommended that further research aimed at checking the causes and incidence of sunburn among young people. Consideration should be given to create and implement the appropriate health programs taking about tanning that could be implemented under the School Health Promotion Program, or to supplement this knowledge on subjects such as Biology or Nature.