Fulfilling the Potential of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
Fulfilling the Potential of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2003-05-07

Total Pages: 564

ISBN-13: 0309170133

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Cancer ranks second only to heart disease as a leading cause of death in the United States, making it a tremendous burden in years of life lost, patient suffering, and economic costs. Fulfilling the Potential for Cancer Prevention and Early Detection reviews the proof that we can dramatically reduce cancer rates. The National Cancer Policy Board, part of the Institute of Medicine, outlines a national strategy to realize the promise of cancer prevention and early detection, including specific and wide-ranging recommendations. Offering a wealth of information and directly addressing major controversies, the book includes: A detailed look at how significantly cancer could be reduced through lifestyle changes, evaluating approaches used to alter eating, smoking, and exercise habits. An analysis of the intuitive notion that screening for cancer leads to improved health outcomes, including a discussion of screening methods, potential risks, and current recommendations. An examination of cancer prevention and control opportunities in primary health care delivery settings, including a review of interventions aimed at improving provider performance. Reviews of professional education and training programs, research trends and opportunities, and federal programs that support cancer prevention and early detection. This in-depth volume will be of interest to policy analysts, cancer and public health specialists, health care administrators and providers, researchers, insurers, medical journalists, and patient advocates.

Improving Breast Imaging Quality Standards
Improving Breast Imaging Quality Standards

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2005-09-27

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 0309165113

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Mammography is an important tool for detecting breast cancer at an early stage. When coupled with appropriate treatment, early detection can reduce breast cancer mortality. At the request of Congress, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioned a study to examine the current practice of mammography and breast cancer detection, with a focus on the FDA's oversight via the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), to identify areas in need of improvement. Enacted in 1993, MQSA provides a general framework for ensuring national quality standards in facilities performing screening mammography, requires that each mammography facility be accredited and certified, and mandates that facilities will undergo annual inspections. This book recommends strategies for achieving continued progress in assuring mammography quality, including changes to MQSA regulation, as well as approaches that do not fall within the purview of MQSA. Specifically, this book provides recommendations aimed at improving mammography interpretation; revising MQSA regulations, inspections, and enforcement; ensuring an adequate workforce for breast cancer screening and diagnosis; and improving breast imaging quality beyond mammography.

Health Disparities with Mammogram and Pap Test Utilization Among Low Income African American Women
Health Disparities with Mammogram and Pap Test Utilization Among Low Income African American Women

Author: Aarathi Kallur

Publisher:

Published: 2023

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Black women and other minority women have high mortality rates from breast cancer and cervical cancer. Mortality from both of these cancers are highly preventable through routine mammograms, which are x-rays of breast tissue, and Pap smear tests, which study the cells in the cervix. Both of these tests can detect cancerous cells before the cancer progresses to later stages, and detecting cancer early can give a patient the best chance for survival. If cancer is caught in the later stages, then there is a lower chance for survival and higher treatment costs (World Health Organization, 2023). A systemic literature review and quantitative analysis was done to understand the various factors that affect the utilization of these preventative tests. The purpose of this study is to analyze the utilization rates of mammograms and Pap smear tests among low-income Black women and other minority women. The study also aims to identify some of the factors that are associated with utilization rates such as education, income, and insurance status. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2018 was used to observe the different rates of utilization among white, African American, Asian, Indigenous, Hispanic, and mixed-race women of various age groups. The utilization was also broken down into race and then further into education level, income level, and insurance status. A linear regression analysis was done to look at the correlation between race and insurance status, education, and income. The results showed that mammogram utilization among Black women 40 years old and older was 42.37%. Mammogram utilization was lower for those in poor, near-poor, and low-income categories, whereas Black women aged 65 and older those with Medicare and private insurance had the highest utilization. Pap smear utilization among Black women from ages 21 to 64 was 49.45%. The near-poor category had the lowest utilization of Pap smears. The results indicate that income and insurance status have a significant impact on the utilization of these preventative tests among minority women. However, further research must be done to better understand the policy implications of these barriers in order to increase utilization.

Breast Cancer Screening
Breast Cancer Screening

Author: Nehmat Houssami

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2016-04-05

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780128022092

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Breast Cancer Screening: Making Sense of Complex and Evolving Evidence covers broad aspects of breast cancer screening specifically focusing on current evidence, emerging evidence, and issues that will be critical for future breast screening practice such as tailored screening and shared decision-making in breast screening. The scope of the book is relevant to a global audience. This book provides balanced perspectives on this increasingly controversial topic, using scientific evidence to explain the evolution of knowledge relating to breast cancer screening. Breast Cancer Screening covers the key points related to this debate including the context of increasingly complex and conflicting evidence, divergent opinions on the benefits and harms of breast screening, and variability in screening practice and outcomes across settings around the world.

Speaking of Health
Speaking of Health

Author: Institute of Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2002-12-11

Total Pages: 377

ISBN-13: 0309072719

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We are what we eat. That old expression seems particularly poignant every time we have our blood drawn for a routine physical to check our cholesterol levels. And, it's not just what we eat that affects our health. Whole ranges of behaviors ultimately make a difference in how we feel and how we maintain our health. Lifestyle choices have enormous impact on our health and well being. But, how do we communicate the language of good health so that it is uniformly received-and accepted-by people from different cultures and backgrounds? Take, for example, the case of a 66 year old Latina. She has been told by her doctor that she should have a mammogram. But her sense of fatalism tells her that it is better not to know if anything is wrong. To know that something is wrong will cause her distress and this may well lead to even more health problems. Before she leaves her doctor's office she has decided not to have a mammogram-that is until her doctor points out that having a mammogram is a way to take care of herself so that she can continue to take care of her family. In this way, the decision to have a mammogram feels like a positive step. Public health communicators and health professionals face dilemmas like this every day. Speaking of Health looks at the challenges of delivering important messages to different audiences. Using case studies in the areas of diabetes, mammography, and mass communication campaigns, it examines the ways in which messages must be adapted to the unique informational needs of their audiences if they are to have any real impact. Speaking of Health looks at basic theories of communication and behavior change and focuses on where they apply and where they don't. By suggesting creative strategies and guidelines for speaking to diverse audiences now and in the future, the Institute of Medicine seeks to take health communication into the 21st century. In an age where we are inundated by multiple messages every day, this book will be a critical tool for all who are interested in communicating with diverse communities about health issues.

Testing Treatments
Testing Treatments

Author: Imogen Evans

Publisher: Pinter & Martin Publishers

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 187

ISBN-13: 1905177488

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This work provides a thought-provoking account of how medical treatments can be tested with unbiased or 'fair' trials and explains how patients can work with doctors to achieve this vital goal. It spans the gamut of therapy from mastectomy to thalidomide and explores a vast range of case studies.