Effects of nonparticipation at previous screening rounds on the characteristics of screen-detected breast cancers.

PURPOSE: We determined the incidence and effects of different screening intervals prior to a true positive recall on the tumour characteristics of screen-detected cancers (SDC) and interval cancers (ICs) at biennial screening mammography. METHODS: A consecutive series of 553020 subsequent screens was included, obtained in a Dutch screening region between January 2009 and July 2019. During 2-year follow-up, we obtained data on radiological procedures, pathology and surgical interventions of all recalled women. RESULTS: A total of 13,221 women were recalled (2.4% recall rate), yielding 3662 women with a SDC (6.6 SDCs per 1000 screen). Of these, 3477 (94.9%) had attended their two most recent screens as scheduled (i.e., 2-year screening interval), whereas the interval between the two most recent screens was four years or at least six years in respectively 132 (3.6%) and 53 (1.4%) women. There was a trend of higher cancer detection rates in case of longer screening intervals. The proportions of DCIS versus invasive cancer, as well as tumour histology, tumour size, axillary lymph node status, B&R grading, hormone receptor status and type of surgical treatment (breast conserving surgery or mastectomy) were comparable for women with a 2-year or 4-year interval between their two latest screens. SDCs in women with at least six years between their two latest screens were more frequently estrogen receptor negative or triple negative and were more frequently treated by mastectomy. All tumour characteristics mentioned above were less favourable for ICs than SDCs. CONCLUSIONS: A vast majority of women with a SDC had a 2-year screening interval between their two latest screens. A screening interval of at least six years had a slight negative influence on the tumour characteristics and treatment of SDCs.

The Impact of Preoperative Breast MRI on Surgical Margin Status in Breast Cancer Patients Recalled at Biennial Screening Mammography: An Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the association between preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgical margin involvement, as well as to determine the factors associated with positive resection margins in screen-detected breast cancer patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery (BCS). METHODS: Breast cancer patients eligible for BCS and diagnosed after biennial screening mammography in the south of The Netherlands (2008-2017) were retrospectively included. Missing values were imputed and multivariable regression analyses were performed to analyze whether preoperative MRI was related to margin involvement after BCS, as well as to examine what factors were associated with positive resection margins, defined as more than focally (>4 mm) involved. RESULTS: Overall, 2483 patients with invasive breast cancer were enrolled, of whom 123 (5.0%) had more than focally involved resection margins. In multivariable regression analyses, preoperative MRI was associated with a reduced risk of positive resection margins after BCS (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-0.96). Lobular histology (adjusted OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.68-4.87), large tumor size (per millimeter increase, adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.07), high (>75%) mammographic density (adjusted OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.07-12.12), and the presence of microcalcifications (adjusted OR 4.45, 95% CI 2.69-7.37) and architectural distortions (adjusted OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.01-3.40) were independently associated with positive resection margins after BCS. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative MRI was associated with lower risk of positive resection margins in patients with invasive breast cancer eligible for BCS using multivariable analysis. Furthermore, specific mammographic characteristics and tumor characteristics were independently associated with positive resection margins after BCS.

Ovarian metastasis from primary renal cell carcinoma: report of a case and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian metastasis from renal cell adenocarcinoma is quite rare. They are often mistaken for primary clear cell tumours of the ovary because of histological similarity and propensity to appear years before or after the renal primary is detected. CASE: A case of ovarian metastasis from renal cell adenocarcinoma is reported. Patient developed bilateral ovarian metastasis 7 years after diagnosis of renal primary. She is alive 2 years after removal of ovarian tumours, with evidence of metastases to pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes. Review of literature with analysis of 11 such reported cases in English literature is included. CONCLUSION: Although rare, possibility of metastasis from renal cell adenocarcinoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of clear cell ovarian tumours. Imaging studies are warranted in such cases to rule out renal tumour. It is important to differentiate between the two because of therapeutic and prognostic implications. Careful histological and histochemical analysis may help to differentiate between the two.

Appropriate prescribing in asthma and its related cost in east London.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the patterns of preventive to reactive prescribing for asthma among general practices in the City and East London Family Health Services Authority area and their relation to prescribing cost. DESIGN: Descriptive study of asthma prescribing during April 1992 to March 1993. Prescribing data were linked with general practice and population data on one database. SETTING: City and East London Family Health Services Authority area, including all general practices in contract with the authority, which covers the inner city London Boroughs of Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Newham and the Corporation of the City of London. SUBJECTS: All 163 general practices as at 1 June 1993. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ratios of prescribed inhaled corticosteroids plus cromoglycates (prophylactic treatment) to bronchodilators; distribution of the cost of asthma prescribing; distribution of overall generic prescribing; proportion of asthma generic prescribing; distribution of cost of overall drugs prescribed per prescribing unit. RESULTS: Practices approved for band 3 health promotion or asthma surveillance and those with a general practitioner trainer had on average higher ratios of prophylactic to bronchodilator treatment and significantly higher asthma drug costs than other practices. Those practices with high levels of overall generic prescribing had significantly higher prophylactic to bronchodilator ratios than those with lower levels of generic prescribing. Practices with higher levels of asthma drug generic prescribing also had significantly higher prophylactic prescribing. However, the proportion of generically prescribed asthma drugs was lower than overall generic prescribing. There was no correlation between the ratio of prophylactic to bronchodilator asthma prescribing and the proportion of overall drugs expenditure, but high spending practices spent significantly more on asthma drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Pressure to reduce the cost of asthma prescribing may lead to a lowering of the ratio of prophylactic to bronchodilator treatments. However, reducing prophylactic prescribing would run contrary to the British Thoracic Society guidelines and might worsen the quality of asthma care.

Registration health checks: inverse care in the inner city?

BACKGROUND: Attendance at health checks of patients already registered with a general practitioner is known to be poor, with those in need least likely to attend. Little is known of the efficacy of such checks for newly registered patients. AIM: This study set out to determine the characteristics of attenders and non-attenders at health checks for patients registering with a general practitioner in east London, and the effect of health checks on motivation to change unhealthy lifestyles. METHOD: A questionnaire analysis was carried out of patients aged 16 years and over at registration and after a health check in seven east London training practices. Questionnaires asked about personal background and lifestyle including smoking status, alcohol intake, diet, weight, exercise, cervical smear uptake, and motivation to change unhealthy aspects of lifestyle. RESULTS: Questionnaires were offered to 356 patients registering with the practices, of whom 101 declined or returned inadequate data. Of the remaining 255 patients, 118 (46%) attended a health check with 113 completing a second questionnaire after the check. Non-attenders were significantly more likely than attenders to be of lower social class, unemployed, of African origin and to be heavy smokers. Women who did not attend were significantly less likely than attenders to have had a cervical smear within the last three years. Non-attending mothers were significantly more likely than attending mothers to be single parents. Motivation among attenders to stop smoking and drink less alcohol was increased significantly after the health check. CONCLUSION: Attendance at registration health checks at these practices was poor and non-attenders tended to be more socially deprived than attenders and had relatively unhealthy lifestyles. Although the health checks increased the attenders' motivation to alter smoking and drinking habits, inviting all new patients to a health check would appear to result in poor targeting of health promotion resources and may widen inequalities in health.

Justice for gatekeepers.

Fundholding schemes in UK general practice force doctors to consider the moral implications of gatekeeping. The view that doctors can avoid involvement in rationing is unrealistic and ignores the doctor's duty to act justly. Rather, doctors need to cultivate the virtue of justice, while health-care systems should encourage just action and not create temptations.