A Nationwide Exploration of Social Inequalities in Cancer Mortality Amidst the COVID‐19 Pandemic in Belgium

Cancer Medicine, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Background The COVID‐19 pandemic disrupted global health systems, impacting cancer care and potentially increasing mortality, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. We aimed to assess changes in mortality from March 1 December 31, 2020 relative the same period 2019, examine potential shifts mortality's social disparities during time frame. Methods used nationwide individually linked data Belgian National Register, Census 2011, tax register. Analyses were stratified by age group (45–59 years, 60–74 75+ years) sex across all types, including breast, colorectal, lung, pancreatic, prostate. Direct age‐standardized rates calculated 2019 calculate absolute indicators. Relative inequalities groups for both frames using Poisson regression. Sensitivity analysis considered any mention of specified on death certificate. Results For overall site‐specific cancers, our study found decreases pandemic's early stages, particularly individuals aged 75 older. These did not significantly alter established socioeconomic patterns mortality. Conclusions Reductions reported deaths may reflect prioritization cause‐of‐death coding its role as a competing risk, rather than true declines. Persistent educational emphasize need continued policy healthcare collaboration, with future research focused long‐term effects inequalities.

Language: Английский

Recommendations for a Communication Strategy to Support Informed Decision‐Making About Self or Clinician Sampling for Cervical Screening in the UK: Qualitative Study

Health Expectations, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(2)

Published: March 27, 2025

Cervical screening for high-risk Human Papillomavirus subtypes is offered to those eligible in the UK via NHS cervical programmes. However, uptake of continues remain below national target 80%. Groups less likely participate include people from low socioeconomic groups, ethnic minority backgrounds, younger/older age and/or LGBTQ group identity. The screening-eligible population could soon, first time UK, have a choice mode between clinician taken or self-sampling. To understand information and decision-support needs diverse individuals when presented with develop recommendations communication strategy support informed decision-making. Qualitative co-production explored preferences sample using semi-structured interviews (n = 30) stakeholders 23). Interviews were transcribed, thematically analysed mapped behavioural decision-making theories inform offering UK. Four main themes across both participant groups identified: misunderstanding screening, attitudes towards choice, launch needs. Logic models preparation future developed. can interventions if HPV self-sampling incorporated into Two public partners involved study inception completion. They advised on recruitment, facing documents analysis.

Language: Английский

Why Cancer Care Systems are Insufficient for People with Disabilities? A Middle Eastern Perspective

Seminars in Oncology Nursing, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 151881 - 151881

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский