Objectives: The aim of this study was to present the baseline results of a pilot project conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of lung cancer screening using low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) in regions with excessive radon levels in the Republic of Kazakhstan.Methods: In total, 3671 participants were screened by low-dose chest CT. Current, former, and never-smokers who resided in regions with elevated levels of radon in drinking water sources and indoor air, aged between 40 and 75 with no history of any cancer, and weighing less than 140 kg were included in the study. All lung nodules were categorized according to the American College of Radiology Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS 1.0).Results: Overall, 614 (16.7%) participants had positive baseline CT findings (Lung-RADS categories 3 and 4). Seventy-four cancers were detected, yielding an overall cancer detection rate of 2.0%, with 10.8% (8/74) stage I and a predominance of stage III (59.4%; 44/74). Women never-smokers and men current smokers had the highest cancer detection rates, at 2.9% (12/412) and 6.1% (12/196), respectively. Compared to never-smokers, higher odds ratios (ORs) of lung cancer detection were found in smokers (OR,2.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52 to 4.05, <i>p</i><0.001) and former smokers (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.06 to 5.06, <i>p</i>=0.003). The most common histologic type of cancer was adenocarcinoma (58.1%).Conclusions: Implementation of low-dose CT screening for lung cancer in regions with elevated radon levels is an effective method for both smokers and never-smokers.

INTRODUCTIONColorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently di-agnosed malignancies worldwide, in both men and women. The highest incidence rates were registered in West European countries (up to 51.2/100,000), Australia/New Zealand (36.9/100,000), and North America (31.5/100,000). 1 However, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in some Asian countries (e.g., Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore), the incidence rate might be as high as that in Western Europe. 2 In addition, a mortality rate of 17.3 cases per 100,000 people is reported in Asia, which is higher than those in North America (10.1/100,000) and Australia (10.9/100,000). High mortality rates have been reported even in some Asian countries with relatively low incidences of CRC (

Invasive cervical cancer is the most common form of gynecological cancer in Kazakhstan, which occupies the 5th position among all neoplasias and the 10th place in mortality of the general population. The national cervical screening program in the Republic of Kazakhstan uses cytology (Pap test) from 2008, which is free of charge for women aged 30 to 60 years with an interval of 5 years. In the analysis of intensive incidence rates of cervical cancer it is noted an increase in the detection rate of this disease in the period from 2007 to 2016: in 2007 the incidence was 15.3 per 100 000 female population, and in 2016 to 19.1 per 100 000 female population. The analysis of age in incidence rates showed a significant risk of the disease at a young age and a noticeable increase it to 4044 years. In the analysis of cervical cancer in the context of the stages it is marked an increase in the detection rate of the disease in the first stage, for the period from 2007 to 2016.

Relevance: Cervical cancer is a socially significant disease in the development of which the human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a central role. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus, affecting 80% of sexually active men and women by age 45. Since 2017, the World Health Organization has recommended that all countries implement HPV vaccination programs to reduce and eliminate сervical cancer.The study aimed to examine the role of HPV vaccination in eliminating сervical cancer over the past decade. Methods: The literature search was done in the PUBMED, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases for the last ten years using the keywords "cervical cancer", "vaccination", and "human papillomavirus". The review included the results of randomized studies and meta-analyses. Results:The literature provides evidence of the effectiveness and safety of HPV vaccination in countries that have introduced HPV vaccine immunization. The compelling evidence for the effectiveness of HPV vaccination in preventing HPV urges to move from control to elimination of HPV-related diseases.Conclusion: Сervical cancer is the only cancer that can be prevented by vaccination. The development of HPV vaccines and the introduction of HPV immunization into national vaccination schedules helped many countries reduce HPV prevalence and thus reduce HPV incidence.

Relevance: Currently, in the world, including Kazakhstan, the increasing number of new cervical cancer cases among women of reproductive age is a socio-demographic problem. The increase in cervical cancer incidence among young women, the high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among young sexually active women, the lack of screening programs for the early detection of cervical cancer in young women, the need to take urgent measures to increase awareness of young women about risk factors for cervical cancer and methods of prevention and determined the relevance of this study. The study aimed to estimate the awareness, identify risk factors for cervical cancer, and assess the state of reproductive health of young women of Almaty by questioning. Methods: The article presents an analytical study of the intermediate results of a survey of young women aged 18 to 32 years and living in Almaty. Participants received full information on the upcoming survey. The questionnaire collected information on socio-demographic data, awareness of cervical cancer prevention, and women’s gynecological history. The questionnaire contained 30 questions in total and took 10 minutes to complete. Results: Among young women in Almaty, low awareness of primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer was revealed in all age groups. The most common risk factors for cervical cancer among young women in Almaty were an early onset of sexual activity, smoking, and hormonal contraceptive uptake. Conclusion: The survey showed the problem of low awareness of girls about cervical cancer and the risk factors for developing cervical cancer. Based on these data, we can state the need for educational work on these issues among young people.