Abstract
BACKGROUND
The current study characterized the selfโreported cancer screening practices of adult survivors of childhood cancer.
METHODS
A cohort of 9434 longโterm survivors of childhood cancer and a comparison group of 2667 siblings completed a 289โitem survey that included items regarding cancerโscreening practices.
RESULTS
Overall, 27.3% of female respondents reported performing breast selfโexamination (BSE) regularly, 78.2% reported undergoing a Papanicolaou smear within the previous 3 years, 62.4% underwent a clinical breast examination (CBE) within the last year, and 20.9% had gotten a mammogram at least once in their lifetime. Approximately 17.4% of male respondents reported performing regular testicular selfโexamination (TSE). Women age โฅ 30 years who had been exposed to chest or mantle radiation therapy were more likely to report undergoing CBE (odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.32โ1.92) and mammography (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.47โ2.56). Compared with the sibling comparison group, survivors demonstrated an increased likelihood of performing TSE (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.22โ1.85) or BSE (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.10โ1.52), of having undergone a CBE within the last year (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02โ1.35), and of ever having undergone a mammogram (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.52โ2.17).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the current study demonstrate that the cancer screening practices among survivors of childhood cancer are below optimal levels. Primary care physicians who include childhood cancer survivors among their patients could benefit these individuals by informing them about future cancer risks and recommending appropriate evidenceโbased screening. Cancer 2004. ยฉ 2003 American Cancer Society.