scholarly journals The validity of self-reported cancer screening history and the role of social disadvantage in Ontario, Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisha Lofters ◽  
Mandana Vahabi ◽  
Richard H Glazier
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Occult Blood ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
Fecal Occult Blood Testing ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Fecal Occult Blood ◽  
Likelihood Ratios ◽  
Blood Testing ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Fecal Occult

Background Self-report may not be an accurate method of determining cervical, breast and colorectal cancer screening rates due to recall, acquiescence and social desirability biases, particularly for certain sociodemographic groups. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine the validity of self-report of cancer screening in Ontario, Canada, both for people in the general population and for socially disadvantaged groups based on immigrant status, ethnicity, education, income, language ability, self-rated health, employment status, age category (for cervical cancer screening), and gender (for fecal occult blood testing). Methods We linked multiple data sources for this study, including the Canadian Community Health Survey and provincial-level health databases. Using administrative data as our gold standard, we calculated validity measures for self-report (i.e. sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, positive and negative predictive values), calculated report-to-record ratios, and conducted a multivariable regression analysis to determine which characteristics were independently associated with over-reporting of screening. Results Specificity was less than 70% overall and for all subgroups for cervical and breast cancer screening, and sensitivity was lower than 80% overall and for all subgroups for fecal occult blood testing FOBT. Report-to-record ratios were persistently significantly greater than 1 across all cancer screening types, highest for the FOBT group: 1.246 [1.189-1.306]. Regression analyses showed no consistent patterns, but sociodemographic characteristics were associated with over-reporting for each screening type. Conclusions We have found that in Ontario, as in other jurisdictions, there is a pervasive tendency for people to over-report their cancer screening histories. Sociodemographic status also appears to influence over-reporting. Public health practitioners and policymakers need to be aware of the limitations of self-report and adjust their methods and interpretations accordingly.

scholarly journals The validity of self-reported cancer screening history and the role of social disadvantage in Ontario, Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisha Lofters ◽  
Mandana Vahabi ◽  
Richard H Glazier
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Occult Blood ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
Fecal Occult Blood Testing ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Fecal Occult Blood ◽  
Likelihood Ratios ◽  
Blood Testing ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Fecal Occult

Background Self-report may not be an accurate method of determining cervical, breast and colorectal cancer screening rates due to recall, acquiescence and social desirability biases, particularly for certain sociodemographic groups. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine the validity of self-report of cancer screening in Ontario, Canada, both for people in the general population and for socially disadvantaged groups based on immigrant status, ethnicity, education, income, language ability, self-rated health, employment status, age category (for cervical cancer screening), and gender (for fecal occult blood testing). Methods We linked multiple data sources for this study, including the Canadian Community Health Survey and provincial-level health databases. Using administrative data as our gold standard, we calculated validity measures for self-report (i.e. sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, positive and negative predictive values), calculated report-to-record ratios, and conducted a multivariable regression analysis to determine which characteristics were independently associated with over-reporting of screening. Results Specificity was less than 70% overall and for all subgroups for cervical and breast cancer screening, and sensitivity was lower than 80% overall and for all subgroups for fecal occult blood testing FOBT. Report-to-record ratios were persistently significantly greater than 1 across all cancer screening types, highest for the FOBT group: 1.246 [1.189-1.306]. Regression analyses showed no consistent patterns, but sociodemographic characteristics were associated with over-reporting for each screening type. Conclusions We have found that in Ontario, as in other jurisdictions, there is a pervasive tendency for people to over-report their cancer screening histories. Sociodemographic status also appears to influence over-reporting. Public health practitioners and policymakers need to be aware of the limitations of self-report and adjust their methods and interpretations accordingly.

scholarly journals FECAL OCCULT BLOOD: A COMPARISON OF CHEMICAL AND IMMUNOCHEMICAL TESTS

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-132
Author(s):  
Luana Vilarinho BORGES ◽  
Rejane MATTAR ◽  
Joyce Matie Kinoshita da SILVA ◽  
Ana Luiza Werneck da SILVA ◽  
Flair José CARRILHO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occult Blood ◽  
Fecal Occult Blood Testing ◽  
Warning Sign ◽  
Fecal Occult Blood ◽  
Kappa Index ◽  
Blood Testing ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Blood Tests ◽  
Fecal Occult ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Colorectal bleeding is a warning sign that may be identified by fecal occult blood testing. A positive fecal occult blood test result requires a subsequent colonoscopy, a costly and invasive examination. Therefore, the use of diagnostic tests with optimal sensitivity and specificity is warranted. In this study, we evaluated four different fecal occult blood tests in 176 patients undergoing colonoscopy and compared their results. OBJECTIVE: To assess the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of chemical and immunochemical fecal occult blood tests in patients undergoing colonoscopy and to evaluate the degree of concordance between the tests and colonoscopy. METHODS: Patients with indications for colonoscopy also underwent fecal occult blood testing by chemical (toluidine test) and immunochemical methods, employing three commercially available kits. Based on the endoscopic findings, the colonoscopy was rated as positive or negative for colorectal bleeding. The degree of concordance between the fecal occult blood tests and the colonoscopy was evaluated by the kappa index. RESULTS: Forty-four (25%) colonoscopies were categorized as positive for colorectal bleeding. The toluidine test presented lower concordance than the immunochemical tests, which showed moderate concordance with the colonoscopy. The toluidine test had the least sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. CONCLUSION: The immunochemical fecal occult blood tests showed greater sensitivity, specificity and predictive values in detecting colorectal bleeding. The immunochemical tests had superior indexes of agreement with colonoscopy compared to the toluidine test.

Lack of support for fecal occult blood testing outside of colorectal cancer screening

2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica S. Meisenheimer ◽  
Derrick J. Thiel ◽  
Bob Marshall ◽  
Ashley U. Hall ◽  
Samuel M. Tiglao
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Screening ◽  
Occult Blood ◽  
Fecal Occult Blood Testing ◽  
Fecal Occult Blood ◽  
Blood Testing ◽  
Fecal Occult
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