Publication
Title
Relationship between health-related determinants and adherence to breast and colorectal cancer screening : a population-based study in Flanders, Belgium
Author
Abstract
Background Despite the recognized benefits of structured cancer screening, tests outside organized screening programs are common. Comprehensive reports on outside program screening in Europe are lacking, but the Flemish breast cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs monitor data on non-organized tests prescribed by GPs and specialists. Methods Using data at aggregated level, logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between health care utilization and screening coverage in 308 Flemish municipalities during 2015–18. Results With regards to BC, municipalities with higher rates of gynecologists’ visits had lower odds of coverage inside (−8%) and higher odds of coverage outside (+17%) the program. By contrast, municipalities with higher rates of GP visits, had higher odds of coverage inside (+6%) and lower odds of coverage outside (−7%) the program. As for CRC, municipalities with higher rates of visits gastroenterologists’ visits had lower odds of coverage inside (−3%). Instead, municipalities with higher rates of GP visits, had higher odds of coverage both inside (+2%) and outside (+5%) the program. Municipalities with higher percentages of people with chronic conditions had higher odds of coverage within both the BC and CRC programs (+5% and +3%), and lower odds of outside screening (−7% and −6%). Municipalities with higher percentages of people 65+ with dementia and with mood disorders had, respectively, higher odds (+13% and +5%) and lower odds (−3% and −4%) of coverage inside both the BC and CRC programs. Conclusion Our findings underscore the impact of healthcare utilization on cancer screening coverage at the municipal level in Flanders.
Language
English
Source (journal)
European journal of public health. - Oxford, 1991, currens
Publication
Oxford : 2024
ISSN
1101-1262 [print]
1464-360X [online]
DOI
10.1093/EURPUB/CKAD206
Volume/pages
34 :2 (2024) , p. 347-353
ISI
001187638900001
Pubmed ID
38006217
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 27.11.2023
Last edited 08.05.2024
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