• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4313-4318
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• 2013

This study aimed to explore attitudes towards cervical cancer screening among Japanese university students who had never had a Pap smear. Four focus-group discussions, each with 15 female university students, took place in November and December 2009. Discussions were recorded and transcripts were analyzed to extract attitudes of young women towards cervical cancer screening. The four themes that emerged were: i) a low sense of reality about cervical cancer; ii) a lack of knowledge about both cervical cancer and Pap smears; iii) a lack of motivation to get screened, and iv) a reluctance to visit the gynecologist. Participants who were interested in undergoing screening for cervical cancer cited the influence of conversations with friends and family, a diagnosis of cancer within their family, and relevant information from the media. The results indicate the importance of getting young women more interested in cervical cancer screening and overcoming their tendency to avoid visiting a gynecologist.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7401-7407
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• 2015

Cervical cancer continues to be a serious public health problem in the developing world, including China. Because of its large population with geographical and socioeconomic inequities, China has a high burden of cervical cancer and important disparities among different regions. In this review, we first present an overview of the cervical cancer incidence and mortality over time, and focus on diversity and disparity in access to care for various subpopulations across geographical regions and socioeconomic strata in China. Then, we describe population-based cervical cancer screening in China, and in particular implementation of the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Rural Areas (NACCSPRA) and the challenges that this program faces. These include low screening coverage, shortage of qualified health care personnel and limited funds. To improve prevention of cervical cancer and obtain better cancer outcomes, the Chinese government needs to urgently consider the following key factors: reducing disparities in health care access, collecting accurate and broadly representative data in cancer registries, expanding target population size and increasing allocation of government funding for training of personnel, improving health education for women, enhancing quality control of screening services and improving a system to increase follow up for women with positive results.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8371-8375
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• 2016

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common neoplasms in Iran. Secondary prevention (colorectal cancer screening) is important and a most valuable method of early diagnosis of this cancer. The objectives of this study were to determine the factors associated with colorectal cancer screening adherence among Iranians 50 years and older using the Health Belief Model. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2012 to May 2013. A convenience sample of 200 individuals aged 50 and older was recruited from the population at outpatient clinics in teaching hospitals. Data gathering tools were the Champions health belief model scale (CHBMS) with coverage of socio-demographic background and CRC screening information. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with colorectal cancer screening adherence. Results: The mean age of participants was $62.5{\pm}10.8$ and 75.5% were women. A high percentage of the participants had not heard or read about colorectal cancer (86.5%) and CRC screening (93.5%). Perceived susceptibility to colorectal cancer had the lowest percentage of all of the subscales. Participants who perceived more susceptibility (OR =2.99; CI 95%: 1.23-5.45) and reported higher knowledge (OR =1.29; CI 95%: 1.86-3.40) and those who reported fewer barriers (OR =.37; CI 95%:.21-.89), were more likely to have carried out colorectal cancer screening. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that CRC knowledge, perceived susceptibility and barriers were significant predictors of colorectal cancer screening adherence. Strategies to increase knowledge and overcome barriers in risk individuals appear necessary. Education programs should be promoted to overcome knowledge deficiency and negative perceptions in elderly Iranians.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3983-3987
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• 2012

In Malaysia, colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in males and the third most common in females. Mortality due to colorectal cancer can be effectively reduced with early diagnosis. This study was designed to look into colorectal cancer screening participation and its barriers among average risk individuals in Malaysia. A cross sectional study was conducted from August 2009 till April 2010 involving average risk individuals from 44 primary care clinics in West Malaysia. Each individual was asked whether they have performed any of the colorectal cancer screening methods in the past five years. The barrier questions had three domains: patient factors, test factors and health care provider factors. Descriptive analysis was achieved using Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12.0. A total of 1,905 average risk individuals responded making a response rate of 93.8%. Only 13 (0.7%) respondents had undergone any of the colorectal cancer screening methods in the past five years. The main patient and test factors for not participating were embarrassment (35.2%) and feeling uncomfortable (30.0%), respectively. There were 11.2% of respondents who never received any advice to do screening. The main reason for them to undergo screening was being advised by health care providers (84.6%). The study showed that participation in colorectal cancer screening in Malaysia is extremely low and multiple factors contribute to this situation. Given the importance of the disease, efforts should be made to increase colorectal cancer screening activities in Malaysia.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.135-152
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• 2002

Objectives: Cancer is the most frequent cause of death in Korea. Cancer screenings can save lives through early detection and their effect can be enhanced by regular repeat adherence rather than one-time screening. The aim of this study was to investigate major cancer screening rates and the reasons for not having screening for providing the basic data required. Materials and Methods: The study sample were recruited from the parents of students in 3 different middle and high schools in Pusan. 428 participants(l93 of males, 214 of females) completed a structured self-administered questionnaire from Dec. 21 to 31, 2001 and the response rate was 73.8%. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS Win 10.0. Results: The cancer screening rates of the subjects(male and female respectively) who have had one or more in their life-time were about 36.3% and 34.6% in gastroendoscopy for stomach cancer, about 11.1 % and 8.5% in stool hemocult test and colonoscopy for colon cancer, 13.5% and 9.3% in prostate-antigen test and rectal digit exam for prostate cancer, 36.4% in mammograpy for breast cancer, and 59.3% in Pap smear test for cervical cancer. And the higher proportions of having regular screening were 36.0% in Pap smear test for cervical cancer and 11.7% in mammograpy for breast cancer. The reasons related to not having screening tests were found that ‘seem to be healthy’ was 44.8%∼58.9% and the most common reason and the following was ‘not having opportunity for check-up’. The most common reason related to not having regular screening tests were ‘for the finding of previous check-up was normal’.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers and is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Based on the current screening guidelines by the American Cancer Society and Korean multi-society expert committee, CRC screening is recommended in asymptomatic adults starting at the age of 45 years. Fecal immunochemical test-based screening programs reduce the development of CRC and related mortality in the general population. However, this most popular CRC screening strategy demonstrates a crucial limitation due to modest diagnostic accuracy. Colonoscopy may be considered as an alternative primary method for CRC screening; however, its implementation can still be challenging due to concerns regarding invasiveness, low adherence, cost-effectiveness, and quality assurance. To overcome the limitations of current screening tests, innovative noninvasive tests for CRC screening have been developed with advances in molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, and microbiomics for detecting CRC, which may enhance the approach to CRC screening and diagnosis in clinical practice in the near future. This review explores the emerging screening methods and discusses their potential for integration into current practice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3939-3943
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• 2016

Background: According to recent statistics, the breast cancer rate is growing fast in developing countries. In North West of Iran, the incidence of breast cancer after esophageal and gastric cancers has the highest rate. Previous studies have also indicated that women in this region show reluctance to do breast cancer screening. There is a great need for change to promote breast cancer screening among women. Social marketing is a discipline that uses the systematic application of commercial marketing techniques to promote the adoption of behavior by the target audience. Materials and Methods: In the present qualitative study, thirty-two women with breast cancer were interviewed about their experiences of breast cancer screening. A semi-structured interview guide was designed to elicit information specific to the 4 P's in social marketing. Results: Three main categories emerged from the analysis: price, service and promotion. Subcategories related to these main categories included factors effective in increasing and decreasing cost of screening, current and desirable features of screening services, and weakness of promotion. Conclusions: Screening programs should be designed to be of low cost, to meet patients' needs and should be provided in suitable places. Furthermore, it is essential that the cultural beliefs of society be improved through education. It seems necessary to design an executive protocol for breast cancer screening at different levels of primary health care to increase the women's willingness to undergo screening.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.687-692
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• 2012

Colorectal cancer screening in adults aged 40 and over our country and understand the relationship between health behaviors and those affecting the implementation of a colorectal cancer screening was conducted to determine the parameters. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey tool 4th secondary data were used. The main variable levels of public health, health-related awareness and behavior, food and nutritional status were surveyed about 12,528. Colorectal Cancer Screening adults aged 40 and over who target male and female study subjects were 4703. Compliance findings that are relevant to colorectal cancer screening variables include gender, age, residence, or taking supplements, Health Screening, whether history, such as cancer, respectively. Marital status, education level, household monthly gross income, private insurance, whether regular exercise was not associated with the. In order to increase colorectal cancer screening among the expanding free cancer screening and cancer screening performed a systematic test of the simple and effective education and publicity will be carried out.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1097-1104
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• 2012

Background/Aim: Pristimerin isolated from Celastrus and Maytenus spp can inhibit proteasome activity. However, whether pristimerin can modulate cancer metastasis is unknown. Methods: The impacts of pristimerin on the purified and intracellular chymotrypsin proteasomal activity, the levels of regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS 4) expression and breast cancer cell lamellipodia formation, and the migration and invasion were determined by enzymatic, Western blot, immunofluorescent, and transwell assays, respectively. Results: We found that pristimerin inhibited human chymotrypsin proteasomal activity in MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Pristimerin also inhibited breast cancer cell lamellipodia formation, migration, and invasion in vitro by up-regulating RGS4 expression. Thus, knockdown of RGS4 attenuated pristimerin-mediated inhibition of breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, pristimerin inhibited growth and invasion of implanted breast tumors in mice. Conclusion: Pristmerin inhibits proteasomal activity and increases the levels of RGS4, inhibiting the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.91-109
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• 2003

The importance of repeat screening for stomach cancer is well known to decrease deaths from stomach cancer. This study was aimed at assessing practice behaviors and to identify related factors in the aspects of demographic factors, health status and cancer risk recognition, attitude to cancer screening, health behaviors, and inhibiting or facilitating factors to stomach cancer screening in an urban area. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires from 403 people aged 40 to 69 years from April 23th to May 15th, 2002. Practice behaviors were classified as : "ever" or "never", and "repeat" or "not repeat" grouped based on a recent 5 year screening history. The results were as follows: 1. Among the 403 subjects: "the ever group" was 23.8% and "the repeat group" was 4.0%, The rates of screening were 20.5% for men, 27.8% for those women, and 27.3% for aged 40-49, 24.5% for those aged 50-59, 19.0% for those aged 60-69. The rates of repeat screening were 4.0% for men, 4.1% for women, and 2.9% for those aged 40-49, 6.3% for aged 50-59, 2.5% for those aged 60-69. 2. The main factors associated with adherence to gastric cancer screening were education(post high school vs below : OR=2.44), previous cancer screening(yes vs no : OR=2.61), belief in personal health(no vs yes : OR=2.72), health status(unhealthy vs healthy : OR=3.40), possibility of cancer compared to others(low vs not low : OR=2.56), and regular exercise(yes vs no : OR=2.94). The main factor associated with adherence to gastric cancer repeat screening was other cancer screening(yes vs no : OR=6.33). Consequently, there is a need to change the recognition of the importance and necessity of stomach cancer screening in healthy conditions through health education, and to perform multiple screening tests each visit.