Shama Virani1,2, Hutcha Sriplung1, Surichai Bilheem1, Patumrat Sripan3,4,5, Puttachart Maneesai4, Narate Waisri4, Imjai Chitapanarux6,7,8. 1. Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand. 2. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 3. Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intrawarorose road, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand. 4. Chiang Mai Cancer Registry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 5. Northern Thai Research Group of Radiation Oncology (NTRG-RO), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 6. Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intrawarorose road, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand. imjai@hotmail.com. 7. Chiang Mai Cancer Registry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. imjai@hotmail.com. 8. Northern Thai Research Group of Radiation Oncology (NTRG-RO), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. imjai@hotmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Cervical cancer has posed a serious problem in Thailand for decades. In 2002, a systematic screening program was implemented under universal healthcare coverage for all Thai women. However, there has been little research on how screening affected particular aspects of cervical cancer, such as stage distribution. This screening program has a target group; therefore, it is necessary to assess stage and incidence trends by age of those within and outside the screening target group. METHODS: Using trend analysis, we assess in situ and malignant cervical cancers in Northern Thailand to measure changes after implementation of the national screening program. RESULTS: While incidence of malignant cancers is decreasing and incidence of in situ tumors is increasing across all age groups, women above age 60 still experience a high incidence of malignant tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The screening program is successful in the target group at downshifting the stage distribution of malignant tumors and reducing incidence of malignant tumors with in situ cases being captured. However, the high incidence of malignant tumors in women over age 60 will continue to be clinically relevant for cervical cancer management until younger generations undergoing screening enter this age group.
OBJECTIVES:Cervical cancer has posed a serious problem in Thailand for decades. In 2002, a systematic screening program was implemented under universal healthcare coverage for all Thai women. However, there has been little research on how screening affected particular aspects of cervical cancer, such as stage distribution. This screening program has a target group; therefore, it is necessary to assess stage and incidence trends by age of those within and outside the screening target group. METHODS: Using trend analysis, we assess in situ and malignant cervical cancers in Northern Thailand to measure changes after implementation of the national screening program. RESULTS: While incidence of malignant cancers is decreasing and incidence of in situ tumors is increasing across all age groups, women above age 60 still experience a high incidence of malignant tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The screening program is successful in the target group at downshifting the stage distribution of malignant tumors and reducing incidence of malignant tumors with in situ cases being captured. However, the high incidence of malignant tumors in women over age 60 will continue to be clinically relevant for cervical cancer management until younger generations undergoing screening enter this age group.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cervical cancer; In situ; Malignant; Screening; Thailand
Authors: Oresto Michael Munishi; Valerie McCormack; Bariki Mchome; Glory Mangi; Leah L Zullig; John Bartlett; Oscar Mapunda; Pilli Nyindo; Theresia Namwai; Charles Muiruri; Frank Kimaro; Francis Karia; Blandina T Mmbaga Journal: J Cancer Educ Date: 2020-08 Impact factor: 2.037