Timing of two versus three doses of quadrivalent HPV vaccine and associated effectiveness against condyloma in Sweden: a nationwide cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess incidence of condyloma after two doses of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine, by time since first vaccine dose, in girls and women initiating vaccination before age 20 years. DESIGN: Register-based nationwide open cohort study. SETTING: Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Girls and women initiating qHPV vaccination before age 20 years between 2006 and 2012. The study cohort included 264 498 girls, of whom 72 042 had received two doses of qHPV vaccine and 185 456 had received all three doses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of condyloma estimated by time between first and second doses of qHPV in months (m) and age at vaccination, adjusted for attained age. RESULTS: For girls first vaccinated with two doses before the age of 17 years, the IRR of condyloma for 0-3 months between the first and second doses was 1.96 (95% CI 1.43 to 2.68) as compared with the standard three-dose schedule. The IRRs were 1.27 (95% CI 0.63 to 2.58) and 4.36 (95% CI 2.05 to 9.28) after receipt of two doses with 4-7 months and 8+ months between doses, respectively. For women first vaccinated after the age of 17 years, vaccination with two doses of qHPV vaccine and 0-3 months between doses was associated with an IRR of 2.12 (95% CI 1.62 to 2.77). For an interval of 4-7 months between doses, the IRR did not statistically significantly differ to the standard three-dose schedule (IRR=0.81, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.84). For women with 8+ months between dose 1 and dose 2 the IRR was 3.16 (95% CI 1.40 to 7.14). CONCLUSION: A two-dose schedule for qHPV vaccine with 4-7 months between the first and second doses may be as effective against condyloma in girls and women initiating vaccination under 20 years as a three-dose schedule. Results from this nationwide study support immunogenicity data from clinical trials.

Assessing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia as an indicator disease for HIV in a low endemic setting: a population-based register study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse whether the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV among (1) all women in Sweden and (2) migrant women, diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse CIN2+ reaches the threshold of 0.1%, which has been suggested to be cost-effective for HIV testing. DESIGN: Population-based register study. SETTING: Counties of Stockholm and Gothenburg, Sweden, 1990-2014. POPULATION: All women, born between 1940 and 1990, with at least one cervical cytology or histology registered in the Swedish National Cervical Screening Register (NKCx). METHODS: Data were collected from the NKCx and the Swedish National HIV register. The proportion of women with undiagnosed HIV among women with CIN2+ compared with women with a normal/mildly abnormal cytology/histology was assessed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of women with undiagnosed HIV. RESULTS: The proportion of undiagnosed HIV was higher among all women with CIN2+ than among those without CIN2+ : 0.06% (95% CI 0.04-0.08) versus 0.04% (95% CI 0.04-0.04); P = 0.017). Among migrant women, the proportion of undiagnosed HIV was higher among those with CIN2+ than among those without [0.30% (95% CI 0.20-0.43) versus 0.08% (95% CI 0.07-0.10); P < 0.001] and exceeded 0.1%, suggesting the cost-effectiveness of HIV testing. Women with undiagnosed HIV at the time of CIN2+ had a significantly lower nadir CD4+ T-cell count, as a measure of immunosuppression, compared with women without CIN2+ before HIV diagnosis (median nadir CD4, 95 cells/mm3 versus 210 cells/mm3 ; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: HIV testing should be performed in migrant women with unknown HIV status diagnosed with CIN2+ . TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: HIV testing should be performed in migrant women with unknown HIV status diagnosed with CIN2+ .

Incidence and occupational variation of ovarian granulosa cell tumours in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden during 1953-2012: a longitudinal cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and occupational variation of granulosa cell tumours (GCTs) in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden over a 60-year period, 1953-2012. DESIGN: A longitudinal cohort study. SETTING AND POPULATION: Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and a total of 249 million women over a 60-year period (1953-2012). The NOCCA (Nordic Occupational Cancer Study) included 6.4 million women with 776 incident GCT cases diagnosed until the end of follow up. METHODS: Incidence rates were calculated from the national cancer registries and compared using quasi-Poisson regression models. Occupation-specific standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated from the Nordic Occupational Cancer (NOCCA) database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence rates and standardised incidence ratios. RESULTS: The age-adjusted (World Standard) incidence rates remained quite constant: about 0.6-0.8 per 100 000 for most of the study period. The age-specific incidence was highest at 50-64 years of age. There were no occupations with significantly increased risk of GCT. Major changes in the use of oral contraceptives, postmenopausal hormonal therapy, fertility rate and lifestyle in general during the study period and among different occupational categories do not appear to have a marked effect on the incidence of GCT. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the concept of GCT as a primarily sporadic, not exposure-related, cancer. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: The Nordic incidence rates of GCTs show stability over time and among different occupational categories.

Short-term effects of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and rainfall on notification rate of community-acquired Legionnaires' disease in four European countries.

Legionnaires' disease (LD) is caused by the inhalation of aerosols containing Legionella, a Gram-negative bacteria. Previous national- or regional-level studies have suggested an impact of climate on LD incidence. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of temperature, rainfall, and atmospheric pressure on short-term variations in LD notification rate. EU/EEA Member States report their LD surveillance data to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Community-acquired LD cases reported by Denmark, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands with onset date in 2007-2012 were aggregated by onset week and region of residence. Weather variables were extracted from the European Climate Assessment & Dataset project. We fitted Poisson regression models to estimate the association between meteorological variables and the weekly number of community-acquired LD cases. Temperature, rainfall and atmospheric pressure were all associated with LD risk with higher risk associated with simultaneous increase in temperature and rainfall. Temperatures >20 °C were not associated with a higher risk for LD. LD cases occurring during wintertime may be associated with sources less influenced by meteorological conditions.

Suicide and suicide attempt after a cancer diagnosis among young individuals.

BACKGROUND: Data are scarce on the potential change in suicidal behavior among adolescents and young adults after receiving a cancer diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study including 7 860 629 Swedes at the age of ≥15 during 1987-2009. Among the cohort participants, 12 669 received a first diagnosis of primary cancer between the age of 15 and 30. We measured the relative risks (RRs) of suicidal behavior (defined as completed suicides or suicide attempts) after cancer diagnosis. We also carried out a case-crossover study nested within the cohort to adjust for unmeasured confounders. RESULTS: Twenty-two completed suicides (versus 14 expected) and 136 suicide attempts (versus 80 expected) were identified among the cancer patients. The RR of suicidal behavior was 1.6 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-1.9] after a cancer diagnosis, compared with cancer-free individuals. Risk increase was greatest immediately after diagnosis; the RR was 2.5 (95% CI 1.7-3.5) during the first year after diagnosis and was 1.5 (95% CI 1.2-1.8) thereafter. This pattern was similar for completed suicide and suicide attempts. The elevated risks were evident for majority of the main cancer types, except for cancer in thyroid, testis and melanoma. The case-crossover analysis of suicidal behavior during the first year after cancer diagnosis revealed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents and young adults receiving a cancer diagnosis are at substantially increased risk of suicidal behavior, particularly during the first year after diagnosis. Although the absolute excess risk is modest, these findings emphasize the need to support and carefully monitor this vulnerable population.

Occupation and risk of primary fallopian tube carcinoma in Nordic countries.

The aetiology of primary Fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is poorly understood. Occupational exposures may contribute to PFTC risk. We studied incidence of PFTC in occupational categories in the Nordic female population aged 30-64 years during the 1960, 1970, 1980/1981 and/or 1990 censuses in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for the years following inclusion in the study up to 2005 were calculated for 53 occupations; the expected numbers of cases were based on PFTC incidence in the national populations. Altogether 2,206 PFTC cases were detected during follow up via data linkages with the Nordic cancer registries. Significantly increased risks of PFTC were observed for smelting workers (SIR 3.99, 95% confidence interval 1.46-8.68, Obs = 6), artistic workers (2.64, 1.44-4.43, Obs = 14), hairdressers (2.18, 1.41-3.22, Obs = 25), packers (1.62, 1.11-2.29, Obs = 32), nurses (1.49, 1.14-1.92, Obs = 60), shop workers (1.25, 1.07-1.46, Obs = 159) and clerical workers (1.20, 1.07-1.35, Obs = 271) and these sustained over times and different Nordic countries. There was a nonsignificant increased risk for PFTC among welders, printers, painters and chemical process workers. The risk was significantly and consistently low for women working in farming (0.68, 0.47-0.95, Obs = 34) and among economically inactive women (0.88, 0.82-0.94, Obs = 833). The possible role of occupational exposures to the PFTC risks found in this study must be further evaluated in studies with a possibility to adjust for possible confounding factors, such as reproductive and life-style factors, which was not possible in our study.

Endometriosis as a prognostic factor for cancer survival.

Studies have shown an increased risk of malignancies in women with endometriosis. Little is known about the impact of endometriosis on cancer survival. We investigated whether the survival after a diagnosis of a malignancy differs in women with a previously diagnosed endometriosis compared to other women. Women with a first time diagnosis of a malignancy in 1969-2005, were identified using the National Swedish Cancer Register (NSCR). By use of the National Swedish Patient Register (NSPR) we identified all women with a diagnosis of endometriosis during the same period and linked these patients with the data from the NSCR. The cohort comprised 4,278 women with endometriosis and a malignancy, and 41,831 randomly selected matched women without endometriosis. Cox regression was used for all calculations to obtain crude and adjusted cause specific mortality rates, measured as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 46,109 women entered the study. There was a statistically significant better survival for women with endometriosis for all malignancies combined (HR=0.92) and for breast cancer (HR=0.86) and ovarian cancer (HR=0.81) specifically. For breast cancer the survival enhancing effect in women with endometriosis decreased with increasing parity. There was poorer survival in malignant melanoma for women with endometriosis (HR=1.52). The survival in a malignancy is better in women with a previously diagnosed endometriosis compared to women without endometriosis especially for breast and ovarian cancers. The prognosis of malignant melanoma is poorer in women with endometriosis.

Effects of occupation on risks of avoidable cancers in the Nordic countries.

Knowledge of cancer risk according to occupational affiliation is an essential part of formatting preventive actions aimed at the adult population. Herein, data on 10 major cancer sites amenable by life style exposures from the Nordic Occupational Cancer Study (NOCCA) are presented. All subjects aged 30-64 years participating in one or more national censuses in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden between 1960 and 1990 were included in the cohort and followed up for cancer from inclusion until 2003/2005 via a linkage with the national cancer registries, and standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) were computed. Variation in risk across occupations was generally larger in men than in women. In men, the most consistent cluster with high risk of numerous cancer types included waiters, cooks and stewards, beverage workers, seamen, and chimney sweeps. Two clusters of occupations with generally low cancer risks were seen in both men and women. The first one comprised farmers, gardeners, and forestry workers, the second one included groups with high education, specifically those in health and pedagogical work. Although cancer risk varies by occupation, only a smaller part of the variation can be attributed to occupational exposures in the strict sense. Preventive measures at the work place are important to avoid established and new occupational health hazards. This study also indicates that the work place in addition should be seen as a useful arena for reaching groups of adults with more or less similar habits and attitudes for general health promotion.

Risk of suicide among operated and non-operated patients hospitalised for peptic ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Some small studies have reported high risk of suicide after surgical treatment for peptic ulcer. The aim of the present study was to explore the risk of suicide in hospitalised gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer patients separately among operated and non-operated cohorts. METHODS: Retrospective cohorts of 163,579 non-operated patients with gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer and 28,112 patients with surgical treatment for ulcer, recorded in the Swedish Inpatient Register since 1965, were followed from the first hospitalisation, or operation for the surgery cohort, until death, any cancer, emigration, or 31 December 2003. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated, and Poisson regression produced adjusted relative risk estimates among operated and non-operated patients. RESULTS: Non-operated patients hospitalised for peptic ulcer showed a 70% excess risk of suicide (SMR 1.7, 95% CI 1.6 to 1.9) and those who underwent operation had a 60% increased risk (SMR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 1.8). The risk of suicide was very high during the first year after hospitalisation (SMR 4.0, 95% CI 3.4 to 4.7) and more marked among women, patients under 70 and patients hospitalised without complications of ulcer. Both gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer patients had high risk of suicide completion. CONCLUSION: Hospitalised patients with gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer have an increased risk of suicide regardless of surgical treatment. These patients, especially women, are at very high risk during the first year after first hospitalisation/operation. The evaluation and management of suicidal thoughts in patients in medical settings should be further considered.

Risk factors for uterine rupture and neonatal consequences of uterine rupture: a population-based study of successive pregnancies in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: Uterine rupture is a rare but a catastrophic event. The aim of the present study was to explore the risk factors for uterine rupture and associated neonatal morbidity and mortality among a cohort of Swedish women attempting vaginal birth in their second delivery. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: Sweden. POPULATION: A total of 300,200 Swedish women delivering two single consecutive births between 1983 and 2001. METHODS: Swedish population-based registers were used to obtain information concerning demographics, pregnancy and birth characteristics, and neonatal outcomes. Logistic regression was used to analyse potential risk factors for uterine rupture and risk of neonatal mortality associated with uterine rupture. Odds ratios were used to estimate relative risks using 95% CI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Uterine rupture and neonatal mortality in the second pregnancy. RESULTS: Compared with women who delivered vaginally in their first birth, women who underwent a caesarean delivery were, during their second delivery, at increased risk of uterine rupture (adjusted OR 41.79; 95% CI 29.73-57.00). Induction of labour, high (> or = 4000 g) birthweight, postterm (> or = 42 weeks) births, high (> or = 35 years) maternal age, and short (< or = 164 cm) maternal stature were also associated with increased risk of uterine rupture. Uterine rupture was associated with a substantially increased risk in neonatal mortality (adjusted OR 65.62; 95% CI 32.60-132.08). CONCLUSION: The risk of uterine rupture in subsequent deliveries is not only markedly increased among women with a previous caesarean delivery but also influenced by induction of labour, birthweight, gestational age, and maternal characteristics.

The risk of cancer and the role of parity among women with endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Several epidemiological studies have shown an increased cancer risk among women with endometriosis, especially ovarian cancer. Infertility and nulliparity are also known risk factors for different types of cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate cancer risk among women with endometriosis, stratifying for parity. METHODS: Women discharged from a hospital, with the diagnosis of endometriosis from 1969 to 2002, were identified using the National Swedish Inpatient Register. Data were linked to the National Swedish Cancer Register to identify cases of cancer and to the Swedish Multi-Generation Register to calculate parity and age at first birth. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 63,630 women entered the study. To exclude cancers already present at the time of endometriosis diagnosis, the first year of follow-up was excluded, leaving a number of 3,822 cases of cancer. There was no increased overall risk of cancer (SIR 1.01) among women with endometriosis. Endometriosis was associated with elevated risks for endocrine tumours (SIR 1.38), ovarian cancer (SIR 1.37), renal cancer (SIR 1.36), thyroid cancer (SIR 1.33), brain tumours (SIR 1.27), malignant melanoma (SIR 1.23) and breast cancer (SIR 1.08), as well as a reduced risk for cervical cancer (SIR 0.71). There were no significant differences between nulliparous and parous women with endometriosis regarding cancer risk for any of the cancer types. There was a non-significant decrease in risk of ovarian cancer with increasing parity for women with endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: Women with endometriosis have an increased risk for several malignancies. The increased risks do not seem to be related to parity.

Endometriosis and the risk of cancer with special emphasis on ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Several observations of the coexistence of endometriosis and cancer have been published. One study concerning endometriosis patients from 1969 to 1986 showed an overall relative cancer risk of 1.2 and relative risks for breast cancer, ovarian cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to be 1.3, 1.9 and 1.8, respectively. The aim of this study was to see whether these risk ratios stand in an extended study with longer follow-up. METHODS: Women discharged from a hospital, with a diagnosis of endometriosis from 1969 to 2000, were identified using the National Swedish Inpatient Register. Data were linked to the National Swedish Cancer Register to identify cases of cancer. Data on hysterectomies and oophorectomies were available. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated. RESULTS: 64 492 women entered the study. First year of follow-up was excluded, leaving 3349 cases of cancer. There was no increased overall risk of cancer [SIR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.07]. Elevated risks were found for ovarian cancer (SIR 1.43, 95% CI 1.19-1.71), endocrine tumours (SIR 1.36, 95% CI 1.15-1.61), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (SIR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02-1.49) and brain tumours (SIR 1.22, 95% CI 1.04-1.41). Women with early diagnosed and long-standing endometriosis had a higher risk of ovarian cancer, with SIR of 2.01 and 2.23, respectively. The average age at endometriosis diagnosis was 39.4, indicating that there are the moderate/severe cases that are included in this study. Women who had a hysterectomy before or at the time of the endometriosis diagnosis did not show an increased risk of ovarian cancer. CONCLUSION: Women with endometriosis have an increased risk of some malignancies, particularly ovarian cancer, and the risk increases with early diagnosed or long-standing disease. Hysterectomy may have a preventive effect against ovarian cancer.

Association between sigmoid diverticulitis and left-sided colon cancer: a nested, population-based, case control study.

BACKGROUND: An increased risk of left-sided colon cancer in patients with diverticular disease of the sigmoid colon has been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent patients with diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon differ in long-term risk of colon cancer compared to patients with diverticulosis of the colon without any clinical signs of diverticulitis. METHODS: A total of 7159 patients (2478 M, 4681 F) discharged with a diagnosis of diverticulosis or diverticulitis in 1965-83 in the Uppsala Health Care Region were followed-up with the Swedish Cancer Registry. Sixty-four cases with colon cancer were identified and compared with 123 controls without cancer matched for sex, age and year of first discharge. Based on information from the patients' charts, an independent observer blinded to the outcome assigned a clinical diagnosis of diverticulitis or not diverticulitis to cases and controls. RESULTS: In patients classified as having sigmoid diverticulitis there was an increased risk of left-sided colon cancer compared with patients with diverticulosis without any clinical signs of diverticulitis (odds ratio = 4.2, 95% CI 1.3-13.0) which remained after mutually adjusting for several clinical parameters in a multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate a causal association between sigmoid diverticulitis and a long-term increased risk of left-sided colon cancer.

Urinary bladder cancer in Wegener's granulomatosis: risks and relation to cyclophosphamide.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and characterise the risk of bladder cancer, and its relation to cyclophosphamide, in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis. METHODS: In the population based, nationwide Swedish Inpatient Register a cohort of 1065 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, 1969-95, was identified. Through linkage with the Swedish Cancer Register, all subjects in this cohort diagnosed with bladder cancer were identified. Nested within the cohort, a matched case-control study was performed to estimate the association between cyclophosphamide and bladder cancer using odds ratios (ORs) as relative risk. In the cohort the cumulative risk of bladder cancer after Wegener's granulomatosis, and the relative prevalence of a history of bladder cancer at the time of diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis, were also estimated. RESULTS: The median cumulative doses of cyclophosphamide among cases (n = 11) and controls (n = 25) were 113 g and 25 g, respectively. The risk of bladder cancer doubled for every 10 g increment in cyclophosphamide (OR = 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8 to 4.9). Treatment duration longer than 1 year was associated with an eightfold increased risk (OR = 7.7, 95% CI 0.9 to 69). The absolute risk for bladder cancer in the cohort reached 10% 16 years after diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis, and a history of bladder cancer was (non-significantly) twice as common as expected at the time of diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis. CONCLUSION: The results indicate a dose-response relationship between cyclophosphamide and the risk of bladder cancer, high cumulative risks in the entire cohort, and also the possibility of risk factors operating even before Wegener's granulomatosis.

Childhood indicators of susceptibility to subsequent cervical cancer.

Common warts could indicate cervical cancer susceptibility, as both are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Eczema was also investigated, as atopic eczema has been negatively associated with warts, but non-atopic eczema may be associated with compromised host defences, as observed in patients with HIV, suggesting increased susceptibility to HPV infection and cervical cancer. 'Cervical cancer' was self-reported during an interview by 87 of 7594 women members of two longitudinal British birth cohorts. The accuracy of the diagnoses is limited by lack of confirmation using medical records. Odds ratios are adjusted for common warts and eczema in childhood; and cigarette smoking, number of cohabiting partners and social class in early adult life. The odds ratios of warts and eczema with cervical cancer are 2.50 (95% confidence interval 1.14-5.47) and 3.27 (1.95-5.49), respectively. The association of eczema with cervical cancer is independent of hay fever as a marker of atopy, suggesting the importance of non-atopic eczema. Both heavier smoking compared with non-smoking and four or more cohabiting partners compared with one/none have odds ratios for cervical cancer of 8.26 (4.25-15.10) and 4.89 (1.39-17.18), respectively. Common warts in childhood may indicate cervical cancer susceptibility; this and the relationship with eczema deserves investigation.

Excess mortality in bipolar and unipolar disorder in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Selected groups of patients with bipolar and unipolar disorder have an increased mortality rate from suicide and natural causes of death. However, there has been no population-based study of mortality of patients followed up from the onset of the illness. METHODS: All patients with a hospital diagnosis of bipolar (n = 15 386) or unipolar (n = 39 182) disorder in Sweden from 1973 to 1995 were identified from the inpatient register and linked with the national cause-of-death register to determine the date and cause of death. Overall and cause-specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and numbers of excess deaths were calculated by 5-year age classes and 5-year calendar periods. RESULTS: The SMRs for suicide were 15.0 for males and 22.4 for females with bipolar disorder, and 20.9 and 27.0, respectively, for unipolar disorder. For all natural causes of death, SMRs were 1.9 for males and 2.1 for females with bipolar disorder, and 1.5 and 1.6, respectively, for unipolar disorder. For bipolar disorder, most excess deaths were from natural causes, whereas for unipolar disorder, most excess deaths were from unnatural causes. The SMR for suicide was especially high for younger patients during the first years after the first diagnosis. Increasing SMR for suicide during the period of study was found for female patients with unipolar disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study of patients treated in the hospital documented increased SMRs for suicide in patients with bipolar and unipolar disorder. The SMR for all natural causes of death was also increased, causing about half the excess deaths.

Attitudes to screening for cervical cancer: a population-based study in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate how attitudes and beliefs about Pap smear screening affect women's choice to participate in organized or opportunistic screening. METHODS: Telephone interviews were conducted with 430 (69.0%) non-attenders and 514 (80.7%) attenders to Pap smear screening, sampled from a population-based database. The interviews were conducted during 1998 in Uppsala County, Sweden. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Non-attendance was negatively associated with perceived severity of cervical cancer compared to other malignancies (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.4) as well as with satisfactory benefits (OR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.6-0.8), but positively associated with time-consuming and economical barriers (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.5 and OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5, respectively). Non-attendance was also negatively associated with anxiety, but was of borderline significance (OR = 0.9, 95% CI 0.8-1.0). The results were strengthened with increasing time since last smear or if self-reported attendance status was used instead of true attendance. Non-attenders kept holding harder to their preferences than did attenders, stating they would not participate if their preferences were not met. CONCLUSIONS: Important differences in attitudes and beliefs exist between non-attenders and attenders in Pap smear screening. Rather than being emotional, the main barriers are either practical or rooted in misunderstandings and lack of relevant information. These insights offer opportunities to increase attendance rates considerably.

Reasons women do not attend screening for cervical cancer: a population-based study in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: With an improved compliance with screening a larger reduction of cervical cancer incidence would be within reach. We aimed at investigating why certain women do not attend Pap smear screening and at validating the reliability of self-reported screening. METHODS: In 1998 in the county of Uppsala, Sweden, information was collected through telephone interviews with 430 nonattendees and 514 attendees to Pap smear screening, who were all sampled from a population-based database. The women's recall of attendance was validated against the database. The main outcome measures used were odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Non-attendance was positively associated with nonuse of oral contraceptives (OR = 3.56, 95% CI 2.18-5.83), seeing different gynecologists (OR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.34-2.70), and seeing a physician very often (OR = 3.12, 95% CI 1.45-6.70) or not at all (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.09-2.90). Frequent condom use (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.02-3.47), living in rural/semirural areas (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.07-2.21), and not knowing the recommended screening interval (OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.20-3.89) were all associated with nonattendance, whereas socioeconomic status was not, when tested in a multivariate model. Among the nonattendees, 57% underestimated the time lapse since last smear. CONCLUSIONS: Seeing a gynecologist on a regular basis and information guiding women to have a Pap smear on their own initiative are important factors for recurrent screening. Therefore, information should be given to all women about the purpose and benefits of Pap smear testing. Self-reports on screening should be treated with caution.