• 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.13 no.2
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• pp.671-676
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• 2012

Objectives: Screening for second primary cancer (SPC) is one of the key components of cancer survivorship care. The aim of the present study was to explore oncologists' experience with promoting second primary cancer screening. Methods: Two focus group interviews were conducted with 12 oncologists of diverse backgrounds. Recurrent issues were identified and placed into thematic categories. Results: Most of the oncologists did not consider SPC screening promotion as their responsibility and did not cover it in routine care. All of the study participants had experience with unexpected SPC cases, and they were under emotional tress. There was no systematic manner of providing SPC screening. Oncologists usually prescribe SPC screening in response to patients' requests, and there was no active promotion of SPC screening. Short consultation time, limited knowledge about cancer screening, no established guideline for SPC screening, and disagreement with patients about oncologists' roles were major barriers to its promotion. An institution-based shared care model was suggested as a potential solution for promoting SPC screening given current oncology practices in Korea. Conclusion: Oncologists could not effectively deal with the occurrence of SPC, and they were not actively promoting SPC screening. Lack of knowledge, limited health care resources, and no established guidelines were major barriers for promoting SPC screening to cancer survivors. More active involvement of oncologists and a systematic approach such as shared-care models would be necessary for promoting SPC screening considering increasing number of cancer survivors who are vulnerable.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.62-72
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• 2010

Objectives: To identify factors associated with cancer screening intention using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Methods: Among 55,920 eligible persons for National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in J city, 1,100 individuals were contacted. Of these, 797 were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Thirty-six responses were excluded due to incomplete data. The remaining 761 completed questionnaires were analyzed to find factors associated with cancer screening intention. Results: Cancer screening intention was significantly associated with behavioral attitude (p<0.01) and subjective norm (p<0.01), but not with perceived behavioral control (p=0.29) in the TPB model. These three constructs explained 29.7% of cancer screening intention in multiple linear regression analysis. External factors such as socio-demographic status, health and health behavior variables explained 8.9% of screening intention. Among them, household monthly income, past cancer screening experience, exercise and daily eating habit were significantly associated with screening intention. Conclusions: Cancer screening intention may be influenced by focusing attitude, subjective norm in TPB model and other external factors. However, further studies are warranted to identify factors influencing cancer screening intention and behavior.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.77-89
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• 2006

Objectives: Recent studies have shown that tailoring to women's individual beliefs and stage of cancer screening adoption increase the probability that cancer screening will ensue. To identify variables associated with cancer screening behavior, many studies for cancer screening have used the Transtheoretical Model(TTM). This study was carried out to identity the cognitive and behavioral factors associated with breast cancer screening by stages of change among women, forties aged. Methods: Building on the TTM constructs, we collected the data to test the association with cognitive and behavioral factors for breast cancer screening by stage of change among women, forties aged (N=232), using the self-reported questionnaire. The stages of change were grouped according to screening participation and intention for breast cancer as precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. We found out the association between breast cancer screening and cognitive and behavioral factors, and testified the difference between stages of change by chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple comparison analysis(Duncan test). Results: Analyses of 232 women showed that participation on mammography was 68.1% within lifetime and 46.1% within last 2 years, and we found out the association with breast cancer screening participation, intention and cognitive-behavioral factors. The stages of change based on participation and intention were different from the decisional balance, the screening attitude, and the self-efficacy(p<0.01). The decisional balance was differ from stages of change because the difference on opinions about pros(positives) and cons(negative) were likely to significant by stages of change(p<0.05, p<0.01). Conclusion: To increase the screening rate for breast cancer, it should be developed the tailored message and recommend guideline. And the tailored message should be designed to increase the pros of breast cancer screening(mammography) and to decrease the cons, and considered the woman's stage of adoption.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.97-110
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• 2005

Objectives: Recent studies have shown that tailored messages for cancer screening to the beliefs and stage of cancer screening behavior of individual women increases the take-up probability. Many studies on cancer screening have used the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) to identify variables associated with cancer screening behavior. This study was carried out to identify the cognitive-behavioral factors associated with stomach cancer screening among women aged 40 years and over, and to develop and evaluate a tailored educational program for stomach cancer screening by stages of change. Methods: Building on the TTM constructs, we conducted a quasi-experimental study(N=283) to test the effectiveness of a tailored educational program for endoscopic stomach cancer screening. We carried out pre and post tests in the experimental group(N=162) and the control group(N=121), and the experimental group was subdivided into an on-line group(N=81) and an off-line group(N=81) by educational methodology using e-mail and the postal service. We used the chi-square test, trend test, and paired t-test to test the effectiveness of the program for stomach cancer using a tailored stage-matched messages. Results: To examine the effectiveness of the program for stomach cancer screening by the tailored stage-matched messages, the stage-matched materials were offered to the experimental group(N=162) four times for 4 weeks. The stage-matched materials consisted of the four types for stomach cancer. The tailored message was effective in changing the cognitive-behavioral factors, such as experience process, behavior process, con opinion for stomach cancer, self-efficacy, and the behavioral stages for stomach cancer screening. The stomach cancer screening adherence was higher for the stage-matched materials using postal mail than for those using e-mail. Conclusion: To improve the stomach cancer screening rate, the use of tailored messages for stomach cancer screening will be generated using an expert system. Therefore the implementation of tailored educational program will be supported a partnership between public and private health organizations and increasing awareness of the necessity of community-based interventions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.609-614
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• 2016

Background: Although breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, economic evaluation of breast cancer screening is not fully addressed in developing countries. The main objective of the present study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of breast cancer screening using mammography in 35-69 year old women in an Iranian setting. Materials and Methods: This was an economic evaluation study assessing the cost-effectiveness of a population-based screening program in 35-69 year old women residing in rural areas of South east Iran. The study was conducted from the perspective of policy-makers of insurance. The study population consisted of 35- to 69-year old women in rural areas of Kerman with a population of about 19,651 in 2013. The decision tree modeling and economic evaluation software were used for cost-effectiveness and sensitivity analyses of the interventions. Results: The total cost of the screening program was 7,067.69 US$ and the total effectiveness for screening and no-screening interventions was 0.06171 and 0.00864 disability adjusted life years averted, respectively. The average cost-effectiveness ratio DALY averted US$ for screening intervention was 7,7082.5 US$ per DALY averted and 589,027 US $ for no-screening intervention. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio DALY averted was 6,264 US$ per DALY averted for screening intervention compared with no-screening intervention. Conclusions: Although the screening intervention is more cost-effective than the alternative (noscreening) strategy, it seems that including breast cancer screening program in health insurance package may not be recommended as long as the target group has a low participation rate.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1761-1766
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• 2012

Background: The appropriate interval between negative colonoscopy screenings is uncertain, but the numbers of advanced neoplasms 10 years after a negative result are generally low. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of colorectal neoplasm screening and management based on repeat screening colonoscopy every 10 years or single colonoscopy, compared with no screening in the general population. Methods and materials: A state-transition Markov model simulated 100,000 individuals aged 50-80 years accepting repeat screening colonoscopy every 10 years or single colonoscopy, offered to every subject. Colorectal adenomas found during colonoscopy were removed by polypectomy, and the subjects were followed with surveillance every three years. For subjects with a normal result, colonoscopy was resumed within ten years in the repeat screening strategy. In single screening strategy, screening process was terminated. Direct costs such as screening tests, cancer treatment and costs of complications were included. Indirect costs were excluded from the model. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the different screening strategies. Results: Assuming a first-time compliance rate of 90%, repeat screening colonoscopy and single colonoscopy can reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer by 65.8% and 67.2% respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for single colonoscopy (49 Renminbi Yuan [RMB]) was much lower than that for repeat screening colonoscopy (474 RMB). Single colonoscopy was a more cost-effective strategy, which was not sensitive to the compliance rate of colonoscopy and the cost of advanced colorectal cancer. Conclusion: Single colonoscopy is suggested to be the more cost-effective strategy for screening and management of colorectal neoplasms and may be recommended in China clinical practice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3301-3307
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• 2016

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death in Korea. To prevent cancer, it is essential to facilitate and promote appropriate cancer screening behavior in the adult population. The aim of this study was to examine health beliefs related to cancer screening intentions using the Health Belief Model (HBM). Materials and Methods: The research participants comprised 275 male health and safety managers at commercial companies in Korea. The self-administered survey explored demographic characteristics, cancer-related factors, beliefs about cancer/cancer screening (BCCS) (vulnerability to cancer, severity of cancer, benefits of screening, and barriers to screening), and cancer screening intention. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with an intention to be screened for cancer. Results: Perceived health status and need for cancer prevention education were major factors associated with BCCS. Poorer health status was associated with greater perceived vulnerability, a perception of fewer benefits, and more barriers (p<0.05). A perceived greater need for cancer prevention education was associated with a higher perceived severity of cancer and more perceived barriers to screening (p<0.05). Marital status, cancer screening experience, and perceived vulnerability to cancer were significant influences on the cancer screening intention (p<0.05). Participants who had undergone cancer screening in the past 2 years were more likely to intend to be screened for cancer than were those who had not been screened; this was true across all degrees of intention and all types of cancer (p<0.01). Hesitant people considered themselves less vulnerable to gastric, lung, and liver cancer than did the poeple who intended to undergo cancer screening (p<0.05). Conclusions: Based on our findings, we recommend that workplace cancer prevention programs attempt to increase awareness about vulnerability to cancer among workers who hesitate to undergo cancer screening.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.495-502
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• 2023

Despite the fact that Korea has supported national cancer screening worldwide for a long time, the cancer screening screening rate is low compared to other health screenings and infant screening. In particular, women with disabilities show a lower screening rate for cervical cancer screening compared to women without disabilities. Therefore, from 2011 to 2019, this study investigated the trends in cervical cancer screening rates of women with disabilities and non-disabled women aged 30 and older, and analyzed the factors affecting cervical cancer screening of women with disabilities at the individual and regional level through the cervical cancer screening rates among regions. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that affect regional variation by dividing into regions. From 2011~2019, the cervical cancer screening rate of people with disabilities was the highest in Daejeon and the lowest in Sejong and Jeju, and the gap in cervical cancer screening rate of people with disabilities by region was analyzed to be up to 13.1%.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.589-594
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• 2013

Background: Prospective cohort studies to determine cofactors with oncogenic HPV-infections for cervical cancer are very rare from developing countries and such data are limited to the few screening trials. Large screening trials provide such data as a by product. Some of the cases are prevented by screening and do not surface as invasive cancers at all. Also, pre-invasive lesions are detected almost entirely by screening. Screening causes selection bias if attendance in or effectiveness of screening is correlated with the risk factors. The aim of this study was to quantify the influence of screening on risk factors for cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Our material stems from a rural cohort of 80,000 women subjected to a randomised screening trial. The effect of screening on the incidence of cervix cancer was estimated with reference to socio-demographic and reproductive risk factors of cervical cancer. We compared these risks with the incidence of cancer in the randomised control population by the same determinants of risk. Results: The results in the screening arm compared to the control arm showed that the women of low SES and young age were benefitting more than those of high SES and old age. The relative risk by age (30-39 vs 50-59) was 0.33 in the control arm and 0.24 in the screening arm. The relative risk by education (not educated vs educated) was 2.8 in the control arm and 1.8 in the screening arm. The previously married women did not benefit (incidence 113 and 115 per 100,000 women years in control vs screening arms) whereas the effect was substantial in those married (86 vs 54). Conclusions: The results in controls were consistent with the general evidence, but results in attenders and nonattenders of the screening arm showed that screening itself and self-selection in attendance and effectiveness can influence the effect estimates of risk factors. The effect of cervical cancer screening programmes on the estimates of incidence of cervical cancer causes bias in the studies on etiology and, therefore, they should be interpreted with caution.