Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2022
Implications of the United States recommendations for early-age-at-onset colorectal cancer screening in Canada.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently issued an updated recommendation for population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening starting at age 45, due to a sustained increase in the incidence of early-age-at-onset CRC (eoCRC). A similar increase in the incidence of eoCRC has been observed in Canada since the early 2000s. ⋯ In the meantime, we suggest that physicians and patients begin discussions about screening at age 45 by reviewing family history and alerting patients to symptoms of CRC, which may increase screening adherence at age 50. This issue will remain an active area of debate with Canada as a careful laggard in changing recommendations, while attempting to balance system considerations with eoCRC trends and patient outcomes.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2022
Does laughing with others lower the risk of functional disability among older Japanese adults? The JAGES prospective cohort study.
While laughter is evoked mainly in social contexts, the potential link between laughter in daily life and health benefits is unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between laughter in daily life and the onset of functional disability among older adults in Japan. Data were obtained from a 6-year follow-up cohort of 12,571 participants (46.1% male) in the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, aged ≥65 years, who could independently perform daily activities. ⋯ Laughing in a conversation with friends reduced the risk of functional disability by approximately 30% compared to laughing alone. Overall, laughing with others was associated with a reduced risk of functional disability. Having more situations to laugh with others or at least the situation to laugh with friends might contribute to reducing the risk of functional disability later in life.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2022
Short-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a population-based screening program for colorectal cancer in Catalonia (Spain).
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the suspension at all levels of the Catalan FIT-based CRC screening program on March 12, 2020. Screening invitations to FIT were resumed on September 1, 2020. We aimed to assess the short-term impact of the pandemic and describe strategies implemented to minimize harm by the disruption of the FIT-based CRC screening in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. ⋯ Individuals with a positive test did not report higher levels of perceived distress compared to those with a negative test. Although the disruption of screening had a temporary impact on participation and colonoscopy adherence, timing delay continues and a large backlog in the invitation of the target population remains. Thus, it is critical to implement strategies to minimize the long-term effects.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2022
Multimorbidity and simultaneity of health risk factors, from adolescence to early adulthood: 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort.
The co-occurrence of two or more diseases is called multimorbidity, and the occurrence of two or more risk factors is called simultaneity of risk factors. Multimorbidity and simultaneity of risk factors are not widely understood in adolescence and early adulthood. This paper aims to describe how multimorbidity and simultaneity of risk factors are distributed throughout adolescence and early adulthood, considering demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, among the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort members. ⋯ The presence of both multimorbidity and simultaneity of risk factors was 19.7% at 11 and 35.4% at 22y. Less than 2% have no morbidity and no risk factors at each age assessed. This study highlighted the early emergence and accelerated growth of diseases and risk factors in a young population, especially their co-occurrence.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2022
Review Meta AnalysisThe association between adherence to cancer screening programs and health literacy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The effectiveness of a cancer screening program relies on its adherence rate. Health literacy (HL) has been investigated among the factors that could influence such participation, but the findings are not always consistent. The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the evidence between having an adequate level of HL (AHL) and adherence to cancer screening programs. ⋯ The sensitivity analyses confirmed these results. Health literacy seems to be critical for an effective cancer prevention. Given the high prevalence of illiterate people across the world, a long-term action plan is needed.