The cancer screening practices of adult survivors of childhood cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUNDThe current study characterized the self‐reported cancer screening practices of adult survivors of childhood cancer.METHODSA cohort of 9434 long‐term survivors of childhood cancer and a comparison group of 2667 siblings completed a 289‐item survey that included items regarding cancer‐screening practices.RESULTSOverall, 27.3% of female respondents reported performing breast self‐examination (BSE) regularly, 78.2% reported undergoing a Papanicolaou smear within the previous 3 years, 62.4% underwent a clinical breast examination (CBE) within the last year, and 20.9% had gotten a mammogram at least once in their lifetime. Approximately 17.4% of male respondents reported performing regular testicular self‐examination (TSE). Women age ≥ 30 years who had been exposed to chest or mantle radiation therapy were more likely to report undergoing CBE (odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.32–1.92) and mammography (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.47–2.56). Compared with the sibling comparison group, survivors demonstrated an increased likelihood of performing TSE (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.22–1.85) or BSE (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.10–1.52), of having undergone a CBE within the last year (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02–1.35), and of ever having undergone a mammogram (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.52–2.17).CONCLUSIONSThe results of the current study demonstrate that the cancer screening practices among survivors of childhood cancer are below optimal levels. Primary care physicians who include childhood cancer survivors among their patients could benefit these individuals by informing them about future cancer risks and recommending appropriate evidence‐based screening. Cancer 2004. © 2003 American Cancer Society.

Long-term outcomes of adult survivors of childhood cancer

“…The CCSS has proven to be a valuable research resource for investigations of adult survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers. In addition to the selected results presented in this article, the CCSS has addressed the following topics (Table 2), thyroid abnormalities after Hodgkin disease, 16 impact of growth hormone therapy, 17 marriage, 18 psychological outcomes, 19 pulmonary complications, 20 pregnancy outcomes in males, 21 endocrine and cardiac outcomes in brain tumor survivors, 22 effectiveness of tobacco cessation strategies, 23 psychological outcomes among bone tumor survivors, 24 healthcare utilization, 25 final height and weight among brain tumor survivors, 26 neurologic and neurosensory outcomes, 27 cancer screening practices, 28 and health status. 29 Additional analyses completed (manuscripts under review) or nearing completion include family history of cancer, secondary brain tumors, employment, function and quality of life among bone tumor survivors, dental care, psychological status of CNS survivors, secondary breast cancer, genetic susceptibility for second cancers, and leptin-receptor polymorphisms in ALL survivors.…”

Factors related to second cancer screening practice in disease-free cervical cancer survivors

“…Some have focused on the survivors of childhood cancer [11,12]. One study using Medicare claims to compare the use of health care received by cancer survivors found that colorectal cancer survivors were actually less likely to receive the recommended care for second cancer screening procedures (e.g., cervical screening) than non-cancer controls [13].…”

Follow-up care for young adult survivors of cancer: lessons from pediatrics

“…Among survivors of child cancers, the frequency of selfexamination and attendance for screening is lower than expected [122] and many do not implement screening behaviors as recommended. In a cohort of survivors of childhood cancer followed-up by Hudson et al [57] only 27% performed monthly breast or testicular examination as recommended.…”