• Yonsei Medical Journal
• /
• v.59 no.9
• /
• pp.1034-1040
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate inequalities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates in Korea and trends therein using the slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) across income and education groups. Materials and Methods: Data from the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey, an annually conducted, nationwide cross-sectional survey, were utilized. A total of 17174 men and women aged 50 to 74 years were included for analysis. Prior experience with CRC screening was defined as having either a fecal occult blood test within the past year or a lifetime colonoscopy. CRC screening rates and annual percentage changes (APCs) were evaluated. Then, SII and RII were calculated to assess inequality in CRC screening for each survey year. Results: CRC screening rates increased from 23.4% in 2005 to 50.9% in 2015 (APC, 7.8%; 95% CI, 6.0 to 9.6). Upward trends in CRC screening rates were observed for all age, education, and household income groups. Education inequalities were noted in 2009, 2014, and overall pooled estimates in both indices. Income inequalities were inconsistent among survey years, and overall estimates did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Education inequalities in CRC screening among men and women aged 50 to 74 years were observed in Korea. No apparent pattern, however, was found for income inequalities. Further studies are needed to thoroughly outline socio-economic inequalities in CRC screening.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.2165-2168
• /
• 2014

Background: Today, survival rate of patients with chronic renal failure/hemodialysis has increased so that chronic illnesses are more likely to occur. Cancer is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in such patients. Aim: In this study, physician attitudes were examined about cancer screening in patients with renal failure. Materials and Methods: This study was done by face to face questionnaire in the $27^{th}$ National Nephrology Congress to determine if the physicians dealing with chronic renal failure, hemodialysis or renal transplanted patients, recommend cancer screening or not and the methods of screening for cervix, prostate, breast and colon cancer. Results: One hundred and fifty six physicians were included in the survey. A total of 105 (67%) participants were male and the age of responders was $48{\pm}9$ years. About 29% were specialists in nephrology, 28% internal medicine, and 5% were other areas of expertise. Some 48% of participants were hemodialysis certified general practitioners. Patients were grouped as compensated chronic renal failure, hemodialysis or renal transplanted. Of the 156 responders, 128 (82%) physicians recommended breast cancer screening and the most recommended subgroup was hemodialysis patients (15%). The most preferred methods of screening were combinations of mammography, self breast examination and physicianbreast examination. 112 (72%) physicians recommended cervix cancer screening, and the most preferred method of screening was pap-smear. Colon cancer screening was recommended by 102 (65%) physicians and prostate screening by 109 (70%) physicians. The most preferred methods of screening were fecal occult blood test and PSA plus rectal digital test, respectively. Conclusions: It is not obvious whether cancer screening in renal failure patients is different from the rest of society. There is a variety of screening methods. An answer can be found to these questions as a result of studies by a common follow-up protocol and cooperation of nephrologists and oncologists.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.19-31
• /
• 2021

This study aimed at comparing the performance of imported LX detergent cleaning solution (LX-CS) and the self-manufactured OC cleaning solution (OC-CS), based on functional and quantitative analysis. The functional analysis was carried out using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. For quantitative analysis, precision, linearity, and carry-over rates were measured with commercial control materials according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Using OC-Sensor PLEDIA (Eiken Chemical, Japan), the ADC value of all cuvettes satisfied the acceptance criteria. For quantitative analysis, precision was less than 5.0% for the two products, and carry-over rates were less than ±1.00%. The linearity slopes and r2 values were 1.0017 and 0.9982 in the LX-CS, and 0.9924 and 0.9996 in the OC-CS, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) was found to be 0.9997. Also, the percent difference in correlation with 40 artificial-stool specimens was less than 10% and the p-value was less than 0.1. The result of standard deviation ratio (D: ±1 SD ratio) was similar for both products. In conclusion, the functional and quantitative analyses of the two products were compared and showed similar results. In the future, the self-manufactured OC-CS will be able to provide a much more stable and faster supply than the imported LX-CS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.5023-5029
• /
• 2013

Background: To evaluate knowledge about screening tests and tests without proven screening value in a Greek Breast Unit population undergoing benign vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB). Materials and Methods: This study included 81 patients. Three knowledge-oriented items (recommended or not, screening frequency, age of onset) were assessed. Regarding screening tests two levels of knowledge were evaluated: i). crude knowledge (CK), i.e. knowledge that the test is recommended and ii). advanced knowledge (AK), i.e. correct response to all three knowledge-oriented items. Solely CK was evaluated for tests without proven screening value. Risk factors for lack of knowledge were assessed with multivariate logistic regression. A second questionnaire was administered 18 months after VABB to assess its impact on the performance of tests. Results: Concerning screening tests considerable lack of AK was noted (mammogram, 60.5%; Pap smear, 59.3%; fecal occult blood testing, 93.8%; sigmoidoscopy, 95.1%). Similarly lack of CK was documented regarding tests without proven screening value (breast self-examination, 92.6%; breast MRI, 60.5%; abdominal ultrasound, 71.6%; barium meal, 48.1%; urine analysis, 90.1%; chest X-Ray, 69.1%; electrocardiogram, 74.1%; cardiac ultrasound, 75.3%). Risk factors for lack of AK were: place of residence (mammogram), age (Pap smear), personal income (sigmoidoscopy); risk factors for lack of CK included number of offspring (breast MRI, chest X-Ray), BMI (abdominal ultrasound), marital status (urine analysis), current smoking status (electrocardiogram). VABB's only effect was improvement in mammogram rates. Conclusions: A considerable lack of knowledge concerning screening tests and misperceptions regarding those without proven value was documented.