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Introduction. Cancer screening programmes for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer have successfully reduced mortality rates among target groups. However, a large proportion of women and men are unscreened. Aim. This review aims to provide an overview of the literature regarding the determinants of cancer screening participation among target groups in Queensland. Methods. Electronic databases were searched for studies on determinants of cancer screening participation in Queensland. Retrieved studies were screened, and eligible articles were selected for data extraction. Both peer-reviewed and grey literature studies were included. The determinants of cancer screening participation were classified according to the I-Change model. Results. Sixteen out of 75 articles were selected and analysed. Information factors, such as the lack of tailored strategies, determined cancer screening participation. Age, gender, cultural beliefs, fear and past experiences were the most reported predisposing factors to cancer screening participation. Lack of knowledge, misconceptions, low awareness, timely access to service, privacy and confidentiality were mainly reported awareness and motivation factors. Encouragement from health professionals, providing more information and interactions with communities would result in different effects on cancer screening participation among the target groups. Discussion. The I-Change model is a valuable tool in mapping the current determinants of cancer screening participation programs. Further research may be needed to fully understand the barriers and facilitators of cancer screening programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine urban-rural differences and individual risk factors for a late stage of breast cancer at diagnosis in Australian women. Design Individual-level longitudinal data were linked with cancer registry data from New South Wales (New South Wales Cancer Registry linked by the Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL)), Queensland (Queensland Cancer Registry) and Victoria (The Cancer Council Victoria). Setting Participants were drawn from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health 1946-1951 cohort (n = 13 715). Participants The sample included 195 women identified from the linked cancer registry data with a breast cancer diagnosis. Interventions Rural or urban residence was measured using Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia Plus (ARIA+). Individual characteristics and socio-demographic variables examined included survey year, menopausal status, country of birth, education and marital status. Main outcome measures A late stage of breast cancer at diagnosis was defined based on the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours. Results A late stage of breast cancer diagnosis was observed in 36% of women residing in urban areas and 40% of women residing in rural areas. After adjusting for individual characteristics, we found that obesity was the strongest risk factor for a late stage of breast cancer at diagnosis. Conclusions Given that women are becoming increasingly obese, and that the rate of obesity is higher in the Australian rural population, this paper provides further evidence for targeting interventions for obesity, particularly in rural Australia, as a public health priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among adolescent and young adult (AYA) females worldwide, but epidemiological patterns unique to this group are often obscured when results are combined with older patients. This study investigates breast cancer incidence and survival among AYA females, including differences by broad stage at diagnosis. Methods: A retrospective, population-based cohort study was conducted using de-identified data for females in Queensland, Australia, aged 15–39 diagnosed with a first primary breast cancer between 1997 and 2014 with follow-up to December 31, 2016. Incidence rate trends were examined with Joinpoint analysis. Cause-specific survival was calculated for key characteristics, and 5-year adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated from a multivariable flexible parametric model. Results: The study cohort comprised 2337 patients, of whom two-thirds (n = 1565, 67%) were diagnosed with advanced disease (tumor diameter >20 mm, lymph node involvement or presence of distant metastases at diagnosis). Incidence rates of localized tumors decreased by 1.9% per year (95% confidence interval [CI] −3.5% to −0.4%) over the study period, whereas the trend for advanced breast cancers remained stable. Five-year cause-specific survival increased from 85% to 92% for 2011–2014 compared to 1997–2001 (adjusted HR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.29–0.65). Patients who were Indigenous from disadvantaged areas or diagnosed with advanced stage experienced significantly worse survival. Conclusion: The high proportion of younger females diagnosed with advanced breast cancer should be the focus of future campaigns to improve awareness and earlier detection. While survival has increased over time, further work is required to ensure that this progress is experienced equitably by all patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue addressed: Screening for cancer of the cervix, breast and bowel can reduce morbidity and mortality. Low participation rates in cancer screening have been identified among migrant communities internationally. Attempting to improve low rates of cancer screening, the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland developed a pilot Cancer Screening Education Program for breast, bowel and cervical cancer. This study determines the impact of education sessions on knowledge, attitudes and intentions to participate in screening for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities living in Brisbane, Queensland.Methods: Seven CALD groups (Arabic-speaking, Bosnian, South Asian (including Indian and Bhutanese), Samoan and Pacific Island, Spanish-speaking, Sudanese and Vietnamese) participated in a culturally-tailored cancer screening education pilot program that was developed using the Health Belief Model. A pre- and post-education evaluation session measured changes in knowledge, attitudes and intention related to breast, bowel and cervical cancer and screening. The evaluation focussed on perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness and the target population's beliefs about reducing risk by cancer screening.Results: There were 159 participants in the three cancer screening education sessions. Overall participants' knowledge increased, some attitudes toward participation in cancer screening became more positive and intent to participate in future screening increased (n=146).Conclusion: These results indicate the importance of developing screening approaches that address the barriers to participation among CALD communities and that a culturally-tailored education program is effective in improving knowledge, attitudes about and intentions to participate in cancer screening.So what?: It is important that culturally-tailored programs are developed in conjunction with communities to improve health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Reducing disparities in cancer outcomes is a major priority for cancer-control agencies. The authors examine the relationships between geographic remoteness, area disadvantage and risk of advanced breast cancer among women. Methods Multilevel models were used to assess the area and individual-level contributions to the risk of advanced breast cancer among women aged 30-79 years diagnosed as having breast cancer in Queensland, Australia between 1997 and 2006 (n=18 658). Results Women who resided in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas were significantly more likely (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.37) than residents of the most advantaged areas to be diagnosed as having advanced breast cancer after adjustment for individual-level factors. When geographic remoteness and area-disadvantage (and all the individual-level factors) were simultaneously adjusted, the rates of advanced breast cancer were significantly higher for women residing in Outer Regional areas (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.24) and those who lived in the most disadvantaged areas (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.32). There was no statistically significant interaction between geographic remoteness and area disadvantage. Conclusions A woman's risk of being diagnosed as having advanced breast cancer depends on where she lives, separate from the individual characteristics of the woman herself. Both the rurality and socio-economic characteristics of the geographical area in which women lived were important. The socio-economic factors contributing to advanced breast cancer, existing in both urban and rural environments, need to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tattoo is defined as the intentional or accidental deposit of pigment into the skin. The phenomenon of skin tattooing is on the rise worldwide and complications of tattooing are increasingly being recognised in diagnostic and clinical medicine. We describe a case of calcification-like changes on mammography resembling that of breast malignancy as a result of tattoo pigment deposition in an axillary lymph node. Recognition of such changes in routine breast screening is crucial to avoid further unnecessary invasive investigations and surgery in such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]