Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T G Hislop

Publications and source records attributed to T G Hislop.

65 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Improving the time to diagnosis after an abnormal screening mammogram.

INTRODUCTION: Five community-specific interventions to reduce the time to diagnosis after an abnormal breast screen have been evaluated. METHODS: Subjects with abnormal screening mammograms in 1998 were assessed through five community pilot projects (N = 1137) and a control random sample assessed elsewhere in BC (N = 1053). The number, types, dates and physician costs of breast-related interventions after an abnormal screen were compared between pilots and control. RESULTS: The median time to diagnosis for women without a biopsy was reduced from 23 days to 7 days (p = 0.001) in the pilot with facilitated referral to diagnosis. The median time to diagnosis for women with a biopsy was reduced from 57 days to 22-43 days in the pilots. Median physician costs per subject were lower (p = 0.02) in pilots that more frequently used core biopsy to obtain a diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Process changes can improve the time to diagnosis after an abnormal breast screen, with similar or lower physician costs per subject. Facilitating the referral process had the greatest impact.

Adult↗

Facilitators and barriers to cervical cancer screening among Chinese Canadian women.

BACKGROUND: Chinese Canadian women have higher cervical cancer incidence, and lower Pap testing, rates than the general Canadian population. Predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors associated with ever having a Pap test, and having a recent Pap test within the last 2 years, were assessed in Chinese women in British Columbia using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. METHOD: Chinese women (n=512) between the ages of 20 and 79 years and residing in Greater Vancouver were interviewed about Pap testing, health care, traditional health beliefs, acculturation and sociodemographic characteristics. Two analyses were done, comparing women who had ever and never had a Pap test, and comparing women who had and had not received a recent Pap test. Focus groups and qualitative interviews ensured cultural sensitivity in the survey questionnaire. RESULTS: Seventy-six percent reported ever having a Pap test and 57% reported having a Pap test within the last 2 years. Traditional health beliefs were not associated with ever or recent Pap testing. However, belief that Pap testing prevented cancer and general knowledge about the Pap test were associated with screening. Concern about pain/discomfort with the test, availability of time, culturally sensitive health care services and recommendation for Pap testing by a physician were also associated with screening. Factors differed for ever, and recently, having a Pap test. INTERPRETATION: Pap testing is less common among Chinese Canadian women. Continuing education about Pap testing is recommended for physicians serving underscreened Chinese women. Culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials are needed for the Chinese community.

Adult↗

The Screening Mammography Program of British Columbia: pilot study.

A government-funded pilot project of high volume screening mammography was conducted in Vancouver, British Columbia. 7,100 women were screened over a 9-month period, averaging 43 women per day at a cost of $33.81 per woman screened. 722 (10%) had abnormal mammograms; 144 received breast biopsies; and 29 were diagnosed with cancer. The overall cancer detection rate was 4.1 per 1,000 (0.8 and 4.8 for incident and prevalent cases, respectively). The staging distribution for the 29 cancer cases was 5, 15, 8 and 1 for in situ, stage I, II and III, respectively.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Cervical cancer screening in Canadian Native women. Adequacy of the Papanicolaou smear.

Cervical cancer mortality remains high in Canadian Native women in British Columbia. Underutilization of the Provincial Cytology Screening Program by Canadian Native women has been documented. Another potential factor is the quality of specimens obtained. Proportions of unsatisfactory smears and smears lacking endocervical cells, which reflect the sampling technique, were compared between Canadian Native and other British Columbian women. The findings suggest that differences in the quality of cytologic smears do not explain the observed discrepancy in cervical cancer mortality between Canadian Native and non-Native populations.

Adolescent↗

Compliance with the screening mammography program of British Columbia: will she return?

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with compliance in the Screening Mammography Program of British Columbia (SMPBC). METHOD: Factors associated with rescreening within 18 months (annual compliers) and between 18 to 36 months later (late compliers) were identified in a cohort of SMPBC screenees using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Fewer than half of women initially screened within the SMPBC were annual compliers, nearly 40% not returning by 3 years. In women age 50+ years, annual compliers tended to have no prior mammography, no prior breast pain, a physician referral to SMPBC, and a normal initial SMPBC mammogram. Late compliers also tended to have no prior mammography, a physician referral, and a normal initial SMPBC mammogram. CONCLUSIONS: Several modifiable factors associated with compliance were identified: a physician referral to the program and possibly subsequent referral back to the program after workup for an abnormal mammogram.

Adult↗

Variations in breast conservation surgery for women with axillary lymph node negative breast cancer in British Columbia.

A population-based study was conducted including all women diagnosed in British Columbia in 1991 with invasive node negative breast cancer (n = 942) in order to identify factors associated with variation in use of breast conserving surgery (BCS) and to determine if provincial practice guidelines were followed. Patient, disease, treatment and physician-specific information was abstracted from medical records and original source documents. 413 (44%) patients received BCS (51% and 23% in surgical candidates and non-candidates, respectively). Significant independent factors associated with BCS included patients' age, residence, family income, tumour size, tumour location, and extent of ductal carcinoma in-situ. Age and income had a significant interaction with stronger income effects in older women. A strong surgeon effect was observed which was not explained by measured surgeon attributes. Expansion of radiation treatment facilities may help address access issues. Further examination of the patient-physician relationship and of ways to assist patients in decision making is needed.

Aged↗