Using Inside Knowledge Campaign Materials to Improve Gynecologic Cancer Knowledge in Underserved Women

Disparities in Timeliness of Endometrial Cancer Care

“…Shared themes across these studies included the perception of gynecologic cancer as an important health concern and the desire to access reliable information, including from health care professionals. 28,32,37 Four studies included participants with endometrial cancer. 31,37 Study populations both with and without endometrial cancer were highly aware that endometrial cancer symptoms include abnormal or postmenopausal bleeding (72.7-95.4%) 29,32,38 -health literacy that could facilitate perceiving the need to discuss symptoms with a health care professional.…”

“…28,32,37 Four studies included participants with endometrial cancer. 31,37 Study populations both with and without endometrial cancer were highly aware that endometrial cancer symptoms include abnormal or postmenopausal bleeding (72.7-95.4%) 29,32,38 -health literacy that could facilitate perceiving the need to discuss symptoms with a health care professional. The Doll et al 31 qualitative studies of the retrospective prediagnostic experiences of women with endometrial cancer found that difficulty defining abnormal menopause symptoms (partly because of past personal and familial gynecologic health experiences) presented barriers to symptom appraisal for Black women, 37 whereas White women reported having more information about menopause but also experienced longer time to become concerned after personal history of irregular bleeding.…”

“…29 Two interventions were studied to improve health literacy regarding gynecologic cancer symptoms, risk factors, and screening. 32,38 Both reported significant improvements in knowledge scores from before to after the education session, although neither was tested for real-life application.…”

“…[28][29][30] One study of all-White participants 31 was included because it was designed to serve as a comparator group for another study of all-Black participants. 32 Despite our permissive inclusion criteria, 2,043 of 2,171 records were not relevant, reflecting the intended sensitivity of the database search strategy and breadth of variables outlined in the Pathway to Treatment. 22 Four authors were contacted for additional data, of whom one responded but with data that did not pertain to the Pathway to Treatment; thus, all four were excluded.…”

Factors influencing symptom appraisal and help-seeking of older adults with possible cancer: a mixed-methods systematic review

“…Further research needs to investigate the best approaches to improve symptom appraisal in older adults. It is possible, that cancer awareness campaigns, such as the UK's "Be Clear on Cancer" (110) and the US Centre for Disease Control's "Inside Knowledge" (111), may improve awareness, however subsequent cancer awareness campaigns should be designed to ensure they reach an older population, through more targeted advertising or through other means such as cancer champions in elderly care day centres or care homes. The challenge of distinguishing symptoms which may be due to cancer from normal signs of ageing and symptoms of co-morbidities is complex and difficult.…”