Timely follow‐up of positive cancer screening results: A systematic review and recommendations from the PROSPR Consortium

Abstract

Timely follow-up for positive cancer screening results remains suboptimal, and the evidence base to inform decisions on optimizing the timeliness of diagnostic testing is unclear. This systematic review evaluated published studies regarding time to follow-up after a positive screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers. The quality of available evidence was very low or low across cancers, with potential attenuated or reversed associations from confounding by indication in most studies. Overall, evidence suggested that the risk for poorer cancer outcomes rises with longer wait times that vary within and across cancer types, which supports performing diagnostic testing as soon as feasible after the positive result, but evidence for specific time targets is limited. Within these limitations, we provide our opinion on cancer-specific recommendations for times to follow-up and how existing guidelines relate to the current evidence. Thresholds set should consider patient worry, potential for loss to follow-up with prolonged wait times, and available resources. Research is needed to better guide the timeliness of diagnostic follow-up, including considerations for patient preferences and existing barriers, while addressing methodological weaknesses. Research is also needed to identify effective interventions for reducing wait times for diagnostic testing, particularly in underserved or low-resource settings. CA Cancer J Clin 2018;68:199-216. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

LncRNA SNHG14 contributes to the progression of NSCLC through miR‐206/G6PD pathway

“…In the past 50 years, the incidence and mortality of lung cancer has been reported to have increased significantly, accounting for the first in all malignant tumors, especially in men . Currently, researchers have spared no efforts to explore the pathogenesis of lung cancer in order to apply it to clinical treatment as soon as possible . However, effective interventions and procedures for NSCLC have so far been rare.…”

The long noncoding RNA linc00858 promotes progress of lung cancer through miR-3182/MMP2 axis

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Overexpression of the long noncoding RNA TRHDE‐AS1 inhibits the progression of lung cancer via the miRNA‐103/KLF4 axis

“…Researchers have spared no efforts to determine the mechanism of lung cancer and to accelerate the clinical treatment. 5,6 However, to date, there are few interventions and operations that are effective for lung cancer. 7 Therefore, it is very important to explore new prognostic markers and drug targets for lung cancer.…”