Cervical cancer trends in Mexico: incidence, mortality and research output

Effectiveness of an educational intervention on knowledge and practice of young midwifery college students about IUD and Pap smear, Babol, Iran

OBJECTIVES

The high status of midwifery within the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is closely tied to enhancing clinical education. The purpose of this study was to review the effect of education on the knowledge and practice of midwifery students about Intrauterine Device (IUD) and Pap smears.

METHODS

This quasi-experimental study was conducted over the course of four semesters, involving 128 bachelor of midwifery students. The sampling method was non-random, utilizing convenience sampling. Four consecutive 45 min weekly sessions were held, which included three theory sessions and one practical training session. Education was conducted in face-to-face training sessions using different methods such as lectures, question and answer, slide shows, educational films and brochures, and training participants with moulage. The data were gathered using a questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, various aspects of IUD and Pap smear knowledge, along with checklists for IUD insertion and Pap smear. Paired-samples T-test and multiple regression test were used to analyze the data. A significance level of p<0.05 was set for the analysis.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference in the average knowledge across various aspects of IUD and Pap smear before and after the intervention (p<0.001). On multiple regression analysis, residence and income significantly influenced knowledge (β=0.313, p=0.001 and β=-0.384, p=0.001, respectively). Also, multiple regression analysis indicated that the use of IUD among family or friends and age significantly impacted practice (β=-0.450, p=0.005 and β=-0.206, p=0.030, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The educational intervention yielded a noticeable enhancement in the knowledge and practical skills of midwifery students. These students tend to achieve higher levels of success and deliver superior services to both patients and clients.

Current status and challenges in timely detection of cervical cancer in Mexico: expert consensus

Cervical cancer is a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries, accounting for 85% of new cases worldwide. Due to poorly organized screening programs, cervical cancer is more likely to develop in vulnerable groups who do not initiate or rarely undergo screening. Cervical cytology and detecting high-risk human papillomavirus types are the recommended screening tools. Further, these strategies allow for accurately identifying women at a higher risk of cervical cancer and establishing screening times. New detection tools, such as novel biomarkers or automatic HPV detection in the vagina or urine, can improve screening coverage. This review aims to identify the challenges faced by detection programs and screening tools in Mexico to provide evidence-based recommendations to improve early detection programs for cervical cancer.

Epidemiology of human papillomavirus-associated anogenital cancers in Granada: a three-decade population-based study

Introduction

HPV infection is a common risk factor for all anogenital cancers. However, there are important differences in the epidemiology of anogenital cancers and these have not been compared considering diverse epidemiological indicators over a long period of time. To fill this gap, we investigated incidence, mortality, and survival trends of anogenital cancers over a period of three decades.

Methods

We conducted an observational registry-based study using data from the population-based cancer registry of Granada in southern Spain. We collected data on all incident cases of anogenital cancer (cervical, anal, penile, vulvar, and vaginal cancer) diagnosed between 1985 and 2017. We calculated crude and age-standardized incidence and mortality rates, and 1, 3, and 5-year overall and net survival. We further conducted time-trend analysis calculating annual percent changes (APC) for each cancer site.

Results

The incidence of anogenital cancers decreased slightly during the past 30 years, with the exception of vulvar cancer, where a slight increase was observed. Mortality decreased significantly for cervical cancer over the study period but increased non-significantly for the remaining cancer sites. Survival rates were similar to those reported in comparable countries and increased for cervical and vulvar cancer.

Discussion

Cervical cancer was the greatest contributor to the burden of anogenital cancers and showed a marked improvement in all indicators in comparison to the remaining cancer sites.

The health system and access to treatment in patients with cervical cancer in Mexico

Cervical cancer (CC) is tightly related to a low Human Development Index. Mexico is an upper-middle-income country with 126 million inhabitants, and its public health system aims to provide universal health coverage. Currently, employment-based social insurance covers approximately 60% of the population, and the scope of the remaining 40% is on course via the "IMSS-Bienestar" Institute. However, the annual government spending on health remains at 3% of the Gross Domestic Product, which is well below the 6% recommended by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. CC is the second in incidence and mortality among women. Regarding primary prevention with the Human Papilloma Virus-vaccine, the current coverage for girls aged 9 to 14 years is only around 7%. Among secondary prevention with screening, the program is yet to cover the total number of women at risk; nevertheless, the age-standardized CC mortality rate has decreased from 12 per 100,000 women in 1979 to 5.7 per 100,000 women in 2020 due in part to increased screening coverage. Still, around two-thirds of patients present with locally advanced disease at diagnosis. Data from our country demonstrate that even socially disadvantaged CC patients achieve "standard" survival outcomes if treatment is granted. Nevertheless, there is a shortage in almost every aspect regarding CC treatment, including oncologists, chemotherapy units, medical physicists, radiation technicians, and both teletherapy and brachytherapy facilities. In conclusion, advances in the public health system in Mexico are urgently required to achieve CC control and reduce the mortality from this neoplasia that mainly targets socially disadvantaged women.

Snapshot of symptoms of advanced cervical cancer patients referred to the palliative care service in a cancer center in Mexico

OBJECTIVE

To report the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with advanced cervical cancer referred to the palliative care service (PC) at a major cancer center in Mexico.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with advanced cervical cancer referred to the PC of INCan, between January 2011 and December 2015. Demographic and clinical characteristics at the time of admission to the INCan, time to referral to PC, initial Edmonton Symptom Assessment System evaluation, and follow up were recorded.

RESULTS

In all, 359 patients were included, median age 51 years, predominantly poor with low education. Most patients 322 (90%) received tumor-specific treatment; presence of nephrostomies and other tumor-related complication was frequent. Median time to referral was 335 days, more than 180 (50%) had five or more symptoms, pain and fatigue were the most prevalent.

CONCLUSION

Women with advanced cervical cancer have a high burden of symptoms; PC is only considered at the end of life. Efforts for an early referral to PC should be made.

Significant decrease of a master regulator of genes (REST/NRSF) in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and cervical cancer

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Tendências da mortalidade por câncer de colo no Brasil em 5 anos (2012-2016)

RESUMO O câncer do colo uterino é uma importante causa de morte no Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a mortalidade por esse câncer na população brasileira, entre 2012 e 2016, conhecendo a mortalidade nos grupos etários e nas diferentes regiões. Foi realizado um estudo de corte transversal descritivo. Os dados foram obtidos pelo Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. Entre 2012 e 2016, o total de óbitos por câncer do colo do útero foi de 27.716 casos. A taxa de mortalidade específica para o Brasil passou de 6,86 para 7,18. O crescimento do coeficiente de mortalidade foi de 4,6%. Nas mulheres abaixo de 25 anos, observaram-se 189 mortes, o que equivale a 0,68% do total. Entre 25 e 64 anos, houve 18.574 óbitos (67,02%), e 8.950 mortes no grupo acima de 64 anos (32,29%). O maior percentual de óbitos ocorreu na faixa etária de 50-54 anos. A região Norte apresentou os maiores índices de óbitos e taxas de mortalidade, e o Sul o maior índice de crescimento. A mortalidade por câncer do colo uterino no Brasil apresentou crescimento durante os anos observados, com mais óbitos entre 50-54 anos. A região Sul apresentou o maior crescimento nas taxas de mortalidade.

Trends in cervical cancer mortality in Brazil in 5 years (2012-2016)

RESUMO O câncer do colo uterino é uma importante causa de morte no Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a mortalidade por esse câncer na população brasileira, entre 2012 e 2016, conhecendo a mortalidade nos grupos etários e nas diferentes regiões. Foi realizado um estudo de corte transversal descritivo. Os dados foram obtidos pelo Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. Entre 2012 e 2016, o total de óbitos por câncer do colo do útero foi de 27.716 casos. A taxa de mortalidade específica para o Brasil passou de 6,86 para 7,18. O crescimento do coeficiente de mortalidade foi de 4,6%. Nas mulheres abaixo de 25 anos, observaram-se 189 mortes, o que equivale a 0,68% do total. Entre 25 e 64 anos, houve 18.574 óbitos (67,02%), e 8.950 mortes no grupo acima de 64 anos (32,29%). O maior percentual de óbitos ocorreu na faixa etária de 50-54 anos. A região Norte apresentou os maiores índices de óbitos e taxas de mortalidade, e o Sul o maior índice de crescimento. A mortalidade por câncer do colo uterino no Brasil apresentou crescimento durante os anos observados, com mais óbitos entre 50-54 anos. A região Sul apresentou o maior crescimento nas taxas de mortalidade.

The burden of 14 hr-HPV genotypes in women attending routine cervical cancer screening in 20 states of Mexico: a cross-sectional study

In Mexico, HPV vaccines available immunize against genotypes 16/18 and 16/18/6/11; however, there is limited surveillance about carcinogenic subtypes in different states of the country that allow evaluating the effectiveness of vaccination and cervical cancer screening programs. Here, we report the regional and age-specific prevalence of 14 hr-HPV genotypes as well as their prevalence in abnormal cytology (from ASCUS to cervical cancer) among Mexican women which were undergoing from cervical cancer screening in the Salud Digna clinics in 20 states of the country. This study includes women with social security from the majority of public health institutions (IMSS, ISSSTE, SEMAR, and PEMEX), and women without social security. For cervical cancer screening, we used the SurePath liquid-based cytology and the BD Onclarity HPV Assay. From December 1, 2016, to August 2, 2018, the hr-HPV prevalence among 60,135 women was 24.78%, the most prevalent types were HPV 16 (4.13%), HPV 31 (4.12%) and HPV 51 (3.39%), while HPV 18 (1.70%) was less prevalent among infected women. Interestingly, the genotypes not covered by current vaccines in Mexico were commonly found in precancerous lesions, evidencing their carcinogenic potential, so it is necessary to increase their surveillance and inclusion in cervical cancer screening triage.

Prevalence and 3-year persistence of human papillomavirus serotypes in asymptomatic patients in Northern Mexico

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinical outcomes and 3-year persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections among women in Mexico.

METHODS

A prospective study enrolled sexually active women attending primary healthcare clinics in metropolitan Monterrey, Mexico, between June 3 and August 30, 2002. Baseline data were collected and participants underwent HPV screening. Patients with HPV infections were asked to attend a repeat screening appointment after 3 years, when the same screening data were gathered. Descriptive analyses were performed and the prevalence of cervical lesions and viral infections were examined.

RESULTS

In total, 1188 patients who underwent initial HPV screening were included. Cervical lesions were detected in 5 (0.4%) patients and 239 (20.1%) patients had HPV infections; 129 (54.0%) of these patients attended 3-year follow-up. Among the 357 HPV serotypes identified, the most prevalent serotypes were HPV-59, HPV-52, HPV-16, and HPV-56, detected 62 (17.4%), 38 (10.6%), 27 (7.6%), and 18 (5.0%) times, respectively. Of the 129 patients attending 3-year follow-up, 104 (80.6%) were clear from HPV infections, 13 (10.1%) patients had persistent HPV infections, and 12 (9.3%) had HPV infections with different HPV types.

CONCLUSIONS

The HPV prevalence was 20.1% in the present study; the most prevalent infections were HPV-59, HPV-52, HPV-16, and HPV-56. At 3-year follow-up, 25 (19.4%) patients had HPV infections.

Knowledge, attitudes and practice about pap smear test among women living in Bojnourd, North East of Iran: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to assess the extent of knowledge, attitudes and practical behavior of women in Bojnourd conerning the Pap smear test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional and population-based study was conducted with 1000 Iranian women aged 15-60 years old in Bojnourd city. In order to collect the data, a validated questionnaire was provided in four sections covering demographic information and questions about knowledge, attitude and practice about the Pap smear. Statistical analysis was performed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 17.0) applying a 0.05 significance level.

RESULTS

Evaluation of knowledge showed that 146 women (14.6%) had very weak, and 594 women (59.4%) had weak knowledge. In contrast, most of the women studied, 873 (87.3%), had a positive attitude toward the Pap smear test. According to the findings, 375 women (37.6%) had done this test so far. Findings indicated that the extent of knowledge had a meaningful relationship with the attitude status (p<0.0001). Also, there was a meaningful relationship between knowledge and practice, so that the weakest practice was seen in women who had weak knowledge (61.1%), (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

According to findings of this research, most women do not have an appropriate knowledge about the necessity of having the Pap smear test, so that only a low percentage of women had undergone this test.