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PubMed2000

Early detection of HIV: assessing the legislative context.

Early detection of HIV has important implications for both prevention and treatment. Promoting HIV testing, and thereby early detection, however, is a complicated task that must balance the interests of public health, personal privacy, and legislative efforts to curb transmission. This article assesses the legislative context within which public health officials must operate to promote early HIV identification. Specifically, the article reviews United States laws regarding HIV testing passed over the course of 3 years, 1997 to 1999, at the state-not the federal-level. The new laws demonstrate such major themes as limiting confidentiality of HIV test results, mandating name-based HIV reporting, partner notification and newborn testing, and criminalizing nondisclosure of HIV status in sexual and needle-sharing situations. The article evaluates these new laws and their potentially negative impact on early detection, and assesses implications for practices such as informed consent for HIV testing. Outcome evaluations of newly implemented state laws are recommended. Policy makers must be aware that these policy changes can either encourage or discourage HIV testing.

Confidentiality↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Early detection of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Early detection and treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are keys to patient survival after hepatic resection. In attempts at early detection, we make use of the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test every month and abdominal ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) are carried out every three months after hepatectomy. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the most appropriate interval for follow-up re-examinations after resection for HCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-five patients with recurrent HCC were divided into two groups according to the state of the tumor when recurrence was detected: Group I (n = 70); tumor size < or = 2.0 cm, and group II (n = 15); tumor size > or = 2.1 cm. Clinicopathological comparisons were made between the two groups. RESULTS: AFP positivity in group I was significantly lower than group II at the time of recurrence. Rates of extrahepatic intra-abdominal recurrences, i.e. recurrence at the surgical stump and in the abdominal cavity and lymph nodes around the liver, were more frequent in group II than in group I (47% vs 4%; p < 0.001). The average tumor size was larger in 10 patients with extrahepatic intra-abdominal recurrence than in 75 patients with intrahepatic recurrence (3.4 +/- 2.0 vs 1.6 +/- 0.6 cm; p < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant difference regarding the histological grade of initial HCC between the two patterns of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of AFP were seen to have limited value for detecting recurrence, at an early stage. Close postoperative follow-up, including bedside US in the outpatient clinic, should be carried out when the initial HCC is histologically less differentiated HCC.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2000

[Early detection of prostate carcinoma. What diagnosis is of value when?].

Early detection of carcinoma of the prostate is based on digital rectal examination of the gland (DRE), transrectal ultrasonic exploration of the gland (TRUS) and determination of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the serum. The sensitivity of DRE along, but also in conjunction with TRUS is inadequate for early detection. Furthermore, two-thirds of all palpable prostate carcinomas have already breached the organ (T3), and are no longer curable by such local measures as radical prostatectomy or radio-therapy. Nevertheless, DRE is mandatory, since, when an induration is palpable, a prostate biopsy should be obtained even when the PSA is normal (< 4 ng/ml). Imaging procedures, such as TRUS or endorectal NMR have only a secondary role in early detection, while TRUS is indispensable for a controlled biopsy of the prostate. The most important early detection measure is the annual determination of PSA (syn. traditional or total PSA), during which both bound and free PSA is determined using an immunoassay. A chronic problem with the evaluation of serum levels of this organ marker - which is not an antigen specific for prostate carcinoma - is the fact that although it has an acceptable sensitivity (> 90%),its specificity is low (40% false positive findings). Attempts have been made to reduce the rate of unnecessary biopsies by measuring free PSA, PSA-density, age-corrected PSA or bound PSA. However, such attempts have failed to improve the efficacy of traditional PSA measurement in the individual case. In the guidelines relating to the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma established by the German urologists, the present recommendation requires PSA measurement once a year from the age of 45 onwards.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A comparison of short wavelength automated perimetry with frequency doubling perimetry for the early detection of visual field loss in ocular hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Achromatic automated perimetry (AAP) is limited in its ability to detect very early visual field loss in ocular hypertensive patients. Tests targeting axons that are selectively damaged, or have low redundancy, may detect visual field losses before they are seen on AAP. It has been claimed that short wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) and frequency doubling perimetry (FDP) are two tests that provide early detection. METHODS: Patients (n = 62) were selected on the basis that they had raised intraocular pressure but normal visual fields detected by AAP. A SWAP and an FDP was performed on each of the patients and the results compared. Fields were scored as either normal or abnormal based on criteria used in previous studies. RESULTS: On comparing FDP with SWAP as the 'gold standard', a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 96.2% was found, showing a high concordance between the two tests. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that as SWAP may be predictive of AAP visual field loss, FDP may be similarly predictive.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Early detection of pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis: diagnostic utility of a K-ras point mutation in the pancreatic juice.

OBJECTIVE: Point mutations of the K-ras oncogene at codon 12 have been described several months before the onset of pancreatic cancer in isolated cases of chronic pancreatitis (CP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the interest of a prospective follow-up of patients with CP and K-ras mutations at codon 12 in the detection of early pancreatic cancer. METHODS: From February 1996 to March 1998, 36 patients (mean age 52.6 yr, 31 men, five women) with CP (alcoholic: 61.1%, pancreas divisum: 5.6%, autoimmune: 5.6%, unknown origin: 27.7%) were included and then prospectively monitored (median duration of 22 months) for detection of pancreatic carcinoma. K-ras point mutations were examined by two-step polymerase chain reaction combined with restriction enzyme digestion in pancreatic juice collected during endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. RESULTS: Ten patients (27.8%) were positive for K-ras mutation. Patients with and without the mutation were not different with respect to age and sex ratio. K-ras mutations were homogeneously distributed according to the etiology (alcoholic vs nonalcoholic) and morphological characteristics (ductal stricture or mass vs none) of CP. A pancreatic carcinoma was discovered at an invasive stage in two patients, respectively at 7 and 17 months after disclosure of a K-ras mutation, versus none in patients without the mutation (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of a K-ras gene mutation is not rare in patients with CP and represents an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. However, its utility for the detection of early pancreatic cancer remains doubtful in clinical practice.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Does computer-aided detection assist in the early detection of breast cancer?

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether breast cancers detected at screening are visible in previous mammograms, and to assess the performance of a computer-aided detection (CAD) system in detecting lesions in preoperative and previous mammograms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Initial screening detected 67 women with 69 surgically verified breast cancers (Group A). An experienced screening radiologist retrospectively analyzed previous mammograms for visible lesions (Group B), noting in particular their size and morphology. Preoperative and previous mammograms were analyzed with CAD; a relatively inexperienced resident also analyzed previous mammograms. The performances of CAD and resident were then compared. RESULTS: Of the 69 lesions identified, 36 were visible in previous mammograms. Of these 36 "missed" lesions, 14 were under 10 mm in diameter and 29 were mass lesions. The sensitivity of CAD was 81% in Group A and 64% in Group B. Small mass lesions were harder for CAD to detect. The specificity of CAD was 3% in Group A and 9% in Group B. Together, CAD and the resident found more "missed" lesions than separately. CONCLUSION: Of the 69 breast cancers, 36 were visible in previous mammograms. CAD's sensitivity in detecting cancer lesions ranged from 64% to 81%, while specificity ranged from 9% to as low as 3%. CAD may be helpful if the radiologist is less subspecialized in mammography.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The national program for the early detection and treatment of premalignant and malignant diseases of the lower genital system in women].

Lower genital tract malignancies are often seen in our female population; their detection is often delayed and treatment fails frequently. Latest scientific data on their etiology and newer methods of their detection and treatment in the early stages opens roads in the field of primary and secondary prevention and for the effective therapy, as well. In order to improve current status of the women's health in this field, on October 10, 1995 year, the Section for cervical pathology and colposcopy in addition to Yugoslav Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (UGOJ), has been established. One of the most important aims of the Section is introduction of premalignant and malignant diseases of female lower genital tract. So far, the Section has: 1. Submitted the Program proposal to the Ministry of Health of Serbia; on the basis of that proposal, on April 10, 1996 year, the Ministry issued: "Expert instruction for the conduction of assignments aimed at early detection of the cancer of the uterine cervix". In that act obligatory for all health institutions, that have gynecology depts, all activities and goals for National Program introduction are prescribed. 2. The Yugoslav School for pathology of the cervix, vagina, vulva and colposcopy, opened in 1996, year, under the patronage of the Ministry of Health of the Republic Serbia provides the theoretical and practical training for the Program carriers and medical doctors receiving their training in gynecology and obstetrics. The first generation, the School attendees consisted of 149 doctors from the entire country. 3. Creation and submission of a draft common Health Form intended for the computerized and professional use, to provide for more efficient introduction of the National Program. The Form, should be introduced by the Health Ministry as an Official Health Document, to be used by all OBG institutions. 4. Submitted proposal of the activities and tasks in the field of Program realisation according to Health institutions' profiles. 5. Creation of the draft Protocol for actual activities and procedures in order to provide for an early detection and treatment of premalignant and malignant diseases of the female lower genital tract. Having the future mandatory character of this Protocol, the Section will divulge it to the professional audience. 6. Created a project of the National program and submitted it at the beginning of 1996 year, to the Republic Bureau of Health protection, with a request for its financial support in that program. In addition to the activities mentioned, the section management undertook and is taking measures for faster achievement of the aim-of the National Program introduction. Official Health institutions are assigned responsibilities of the Program introduction, the funding and a resolve all the legal, organisational and financial issues. Results that we are expected from this Program include introduction of the primary and secondary measures aimed at disease prevention; early detection of the diseases and its treatment; reduction of the numbers of cases in the advanced stages; significant improvement of gynecological status, and reduction of costs of the treatment of advanced stages of disease. The results should stimulate all, and become must for all subjects involved in the National Program realisation. The Program introduction into the daily OBG practice is a prerequisite of already well established practice in a number of countries, saving life and limb of most women affected by the lower genital tract malignancies.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Early detection of breast cancer in countries with limited resources.

Breast cancer is commonly diagnosed at late stages in countries with limited resources. Efforts aimed at early detection can reduce the stage at diagnosis, potentially improving the odds of survival and cure, and enabling simpler and more cost-effective treatment. Early detection of breast cancer entails both early diagnosis in symptomatic women and screening in asymptomatic women. Key prerequisites for early detection are ensuring that women are supported in seeking care and that they have access to appropriate, affordable diagnostic tests and treatment. We therefore propose the following sequential action plan: 1) promote the empowerment of women to obtain health care, 2) develop infrastructure for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, 3) begin early detection efforts through breast cancer education and awareness, and 4) when resources permit, expand early detection efforts to include mammographic screening. Public education and awareness can promote earlier diagnosis, and these goals can be achieved in simple and cost-effective ways, such as dissemination of messages through mass media. All women have the right to education about breast cancer, but it must be culturally appropriate and targeted and tailored to the specific population. When resources become available for screening, they should be invested in screening mammography, as it is the only modality that has thus far been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality. Clinical breast examination (CBE) and breast self-examination (BSE) are important components of routine breast care in countries with access to mammography and are important for general breast health education in all countries. However, the evidence does not support the use of CBE and BSE as lifesaving screening methods at this time, recognizing that data from countries with very limited resource are lacking. When widespread screening is not possible, screening can begin in an institution, city, or region, or by targeting screening to women at highest risk. A pilot program can be an ideal way to define the best approach to screening. To succeed, early detection efforts must include the health care providers with whom women have contact; these providers may be physicians, nurses, midwives, traditional healers, or others. There are tremendous differences among and within countries, and a program to promote early detection must be tailored to each country's unique situation.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

[Early detection of hearing disorders. 10 years experience with screening more than 8,000 infants].

Prevention and early detection of deficits of the developing human being demand more and more complex solutions. Screening programmes have been developed to detect deficits and diseases before they cause symptoms. A well-organised and accurately performed screening programme can detect preliminary signs of diseases and may prevent irreversible damage. Early detection of deficits only makes sense if it is followed by consequences. Not only early detection of impairment or of children which are threatened by impairment is a very important medical task, but also the interdisciplinary cooperation in therapy. The most serious impact of hearing deficits in newborn is on the lack of speech-acquisition. It is an indisputable fact that the early detection of hearing impairment in newborn markedly improves the prognosis for further language development if early medical and/or rehabilitative therapy takes place. The following description of 10 years of experience with a newborn hearing screening programme that is effected in cooperation with the maternity ward and the ENT-clinic since 1981, can supply further arguments in favour of the need for early detection, the discussion on reflex audiometry, and to emphasise the need for cooperation of all relevant specialists.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2001

Effect of periodic endoscopy for gastric cancer on early detection and improvement of survival.

BACKGROUND: Increases in the detection of early gastric cancer have indisputably, improved long-term survival. The aim of this study was to establish the value of periodic gastric endoscopy and the appropriate intervals for its performance. METHODS: We compared, retrospectively, the clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of two groups of patients who had undergone surgical treatment for gastric cancer. Of a total of 361 patients, 106 had undergone endoscopic examination within 2 years before the detection of gastric cancer (group 1), and 255 had either undergone no endoscopic examination or had had endoscopic examination more than 2 years before the detection of gastric cancer (group 2). For the evaluation of survival rate, the patients in each group were classified into two subgroups: group 1a, endoscopic examination within 1 year before detection; group 1b, endoscopic examination more than 1 year and within 2 years; group 2a, endoscopic examination more than 2 years and within 4 years before detection; and group 2b, endoscopic examination more than 4 years before detection, or no endoscopic examination. RESULTS: Gastric cancer in group 1 was characterized by small tumor size, no tumor invasion beyond the submucosa, few instances of lymphatic and vascular permeation, and few lymph node metastases. The 5-year survival rate for group 1 patients (96.5%) was significantly higher than that for group 2 patients (71.0%; P < 0.01). The survival rates for group 1a patients and group 1b patients were not significantly different (P = 0.4595). The survival rate for patients in group 2a was significantly lower than that for those in group 1a (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Periodic gastric endoscopy enables early detection of cancer, thereby improving survival. The optimal interval for periodic examination appears to be 2 years.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Nurses' practice of breast cancer screening and early detection: results of a pilot survey.

Nursing has a professional responsibility to participate in cancer screening and early detection. Nurses represent the largest professional group in the health care workforce and are presently an underutilized potential resource for implementing breast cancer screening and early detection. Development of a reliable and valid instrument which could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of mechanisms designed to increase nursing's role in breast cancer screening and early detection is needed. The questionnaire tested in this pilot study represents an initial attempt at fulfilling this need. This questionnaire in its present form may be used to evaluate the results of intervention studies aimed at increasing nurses' practice of breast cancer screening and early detection. For example, the questionnaire could be used as an evaluation tool to examine the effectiveness of educational programs regarding breast cancer screening and early detection. It may also be used as an outcome measure to evaluate change in practice activities such as the effect on nursing practice of including questions on the nursing history and assessment form related to BSE, clinical breast exam and mammography. Results of nursing action in breast cancer screening and early detection could have a significant impact on the achievement of the NCI's year 2000 goal of a 30% reduction in breast cancer mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Life expectancy and the value of early detection.

This paper presents a model of the benefits and costs of early detection of asymptomatic disease as they vary by age. The benefits of early detection tend toward zero as the risk of death from competing causes increases. Costs per detected case also decline with age, assuming that disease incidence rises with age, but are always strictly positive. On balance, there is always an age limit beyond which the costs associated with early detection outweigh the benefits. Application of the model to prostate cancer screening suggests that early detection above age 70 or so is not cost-effective.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Ovarian cancer screening. The use of serial complementary tumor markers to improve sensitivity and specificity for early detection.

BACKGROUND: The use of serum tumor markers for the early detection of ovarian cancer has been limited because of their low sensitivity and low positive predictive value. CA 125 levels are elevated in only about one half of women with Stage I ovarian cancer, thus researchers have focused on using the serial measurement of complementary markers to improve the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of this approach for screening. METHODS: Multiple serum markers have been analyzed in women with early stage epithelial ovarian cancer. CA 125, CA 15-3, C19-9, CA 54-61, CA 72-4, CEA, HMFG2, IL-6, IL-10, LSA, M-CSF, NB70K, OVX1, PLAP, TAG72, TNF, TPA, and UGTF have been studied alone and in combination in this setting. Complementarity and logistic regression analyses have been performed to assess those markers with the highest likelihood of improving sensitivity and specificity for early detection. Serial analysis of a second-generation CA 125 measuring the intercept (initial level) and slope (change of levels over time) can be used to discriminate malignant cases from benign and normal cases. RESULTS: Analyses have shown that the serial measurement of the new, more sensitive CA 125 has a high sensitivity (83%), specificity (99.7%), and positive predictive value (16%) for the early detection of ovarian cancer. OVX1 used in combination with CA 125 provides the best complementarity. Serial measurements of the two markers have sensitivities in the range of that for transvaginal ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: The serial measurement of complementary serum markers can improve the use of marker screening for epithelial ovarian cancer. With the use of several different methods of analysis, it has been shown that this approach improves the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of serum markers CA 125 and OVX1. A procedure that measures complementary serum markers over time can be used as a primary screening technique followed by transvaginal ultrasonography. This could provide a cost-effective means of early detection and could significantly decrease the probability of surgical intervention for false-positive test results.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2005

Multiplexed immunobead-based cytokine profiling for early detection of ovarian cancer.

Early detection of ovarian cancer might improve clinical outcome. Some studies have shown the role of cytokines as a new group of tumor markers for ovarian cancer. We hypothesized that a panel comprised of multiple cytokines, which individually may not show strong correlation with the disease, might provide higher diagnostic power. To evaluate the diagnostic utility of cytokine panel, we used a novel multianalyte LabMAP profiling technology that allows simultaneous measurement of multiple markers. Concentrations of 24 cytokines (cytokines/chemokines, growth, and angiogenic factors) in combination with cancer antigen-125 (CA-125), were measured in sera of 44 patients with early-stage ovarian cancer, 45 healthy women, and 37 patients with benign pelvic tumors. Six markers, i.e., interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and CA-125, showed significant differences in serum concentrations between ovarian cancer and control groups. Out of this group, IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, EGF, and CA-125, were used in a classification tree analysis that resulted in 84% sensitivity at 95% specificity. The receiver operator characteristic curve created using the combination of markers produced sensitivities between 90% and 100% in the area of 80% to 90% specificity, whereas the receiver operator characteristic curve for CA-125 alone resulted in sensitivities of 70% to 80%. The classification tree analysis for discrimination of benign condition from ovarian cancer used CA-125, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), IL-6, EGF, and VEGF resulting in 86.5% sensitivity and 93.0% specificity. The presented data show that simultaneous testing of a panel of serum cytokines and CA-125 using LabMAP technology may present a promising approach for ovarian cancer detection.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Early detection of cerebral palsy: sensitivity and specificity of two motor assessment tools.

The early detection of cerebral palsy is an important goal of NICU follow-up clinics, and a variety of different neuromotor assessment tools are used to assess its presence. This study aimed to examine retrospectively the sensitivity and specificity of the Bayley Motor Scale and the Movement Assessment of Infants (MAI) in correctly identifying infants at four months' corrected age as either "normal" or "suspect/abnormal." The MAI was more than twice as sensitive as the Bayley Motor Scale at detecting early signs of cerebral palsy. However, the Bayley Motor Scale had fewer "false positives" for cerebral palsy than the MAI. Sensitivity and specificity for these two instruments were compared to those of other neurological assessment tools in previously published studies.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed2006

[Screening programs for early detection of psychosis?].

Programs for the early detection of psychosis are currently underway in most developed countries. Their aim is to improve the outcome of subjects with psychotic disorders, but neither their feasibility nor their usefulness was assessed before their implementation. The postulate underlying these programs - that early treatment improves the prognosis of psychosis - has not yet been demonstrated. The absence of effective and adequately specific screening tests implies that a substantial number of the subjects evaluated may be incorrectly diagnosed with and treated for psychoses (false positives). Development of facilities specializing in the assessment and care of subjects with early psychosis often implies a decrease in funding for facilities caring for patients with chronic psychoses. Educational and information campaigns aimed at the general public and health professionals, on the other hand, may help reduce the stigma associated with psychosis and improve access to care for subjects in early stages of psychosis. Risk/benefit and cost/benefit analyses of programs for the early detection of psychosis must be evaluated before promoting their development.

Anxiety↗