A National Initiative for Women and Healthcare Providers: CDC's <i>Inside Knowledge</i>: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer Campaign

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Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer. Receipt of treatment from a gynecologic oncologist is an evidence-based recommendation to reduce mortality from the disease. We examined knowledge and application of this evidence-based recommendation in primary care physicians as part of CDC gynecologic cancer awareness campaign efforts and discussed results in the context of CDC National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP). We analyzed primary care physician responses to questions about how often they refer patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer to gynecologic oncologists, and reasons for lack of referral. We also analyzed these physicians’ knowledge of tests to help determine whether a gynecologic oncologist is needed for a planned surgery. The survey response rate was 52.2%. A total of 84% of primary care physicians (87% of family/general practitioners, 81% of internists and obstetrician/gynecologists) said they always referred patients to gynecologic oncologists for treatment. Common reasons for not always referring were patient preference or lack of gynecologic oncologists in the practice area. A total of 23% of primary care physicians had heard of the OVA1 test, which helps to determine whether gynecologic oncologist referral is needed. Although referral rates reported here are high, it is not clear whether ovarian cancer patients are actually seeing gynecologic oncologists for care. The NCCCP is undertaking several efforts to assist with this, including education of the recommendation among women and providers and assistance with treatment summaries and patient navigation toward appropriate treatment. Expansion of these efforts to all populations may help improve adherence to recommendations and reduce ovarian cancer mortality.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adherence of Primary Care Physicians to Evidence-Based Recommendations to Reduce Ovarian Cancer Mortality

Stewart

Townsend

Puckett

et al. 2016

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“…Finally, CDC’s DCPC has funded and administered a national educational awareness campaign since 2009, Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer , which includes specific messages on HPV vaccination as prevention for cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. 32 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine as an Anticancer Vaccine: Collaborative Efforts to Promote Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

TownsendJulie

Brooke

HayesNikki

et al. 2017

Background Widespread use of the HPV vaccine has the potential to reduce incidence from HPV-associated cancers. However, vaccine uptake among adolescents remains well below the Healthy People 2020 targets. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program awardees (NCCCP) are well positioned to work with immunization programs to increase vaccine uptake. Methods CDC’s chronic disease management information system was queried for objectives and activities associated with HPV vaccine that were reported by NCCCP awardees from 2013 – 2016 as part of program reporting requirements. A content analysis was conducted on the query results to categorize interventions according to strategies outlined in The Guide to Community Preventive Services and the 2014 President’s Cancer Panel report. Results Sixty-two percent of NCCCP awardees had planned or implemented at least one activity since 2013 to address low HPV vaccination coverage in their jurisdictions. Most NCCCP awardees (86%) reported community education activities, while 65% reported activities associated with provider education. Systems-based strategies such as client reminders or provider assessment and feedback were each reported by less than 25% of NCCCP awardees. Conclusion Many NCCCP awardees report planning or implementing activities to address low HPV vaccination coverage, often in conjunction with state immunization programs. NCCCP awardees can play a role in increasing HPV vaccination coverage through their cancer prevention and control expertise and access to partners in the health care community.

“…21 In 2008, CDC initiated the Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer campaign, with a main objective to increase education of the signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancers, including uterine. 22 Materials freely available from the Inside Knowledge website include uterine cancer fact sheets, and a symptoms diary that clearly indicates symptoms of uterine cancer and allows women to track any symptoms experienced over a 2-week period (www.cdc.gov/ cancer/knowledge). Informational symptoms cards are also available for providers.…”

Section: Current Gynecologic Cancer Mortality Rates and Potential Futmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gynecologic Cancer Prevention and Control in the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program: Progress, Current Activities, and Future Directions

Stewart

Lakhani

Brown

et al. 2013

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Gynecologic cancer confers a large burden among women in the United States. Several evidence-based interventions are available to reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality from these cancers. The National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) is uniquely positioned to implement these interventions in the US population. This review discusses progress and future directions for the NCCCP in preventing and controlling gynecologic cancer. Gynecologic Cancer in the United StatesA pproximately 84,000 new cases are diagnosed and about 28,000 deaths occur each year from gynecologic cancer among women in the United States.1 Five cancers account for the vast majority of gynecologic cancer cases: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. Uterine cancer diagnoses are common; uterine is the fourth highest incident cancer among women in the US after breast, lung, and colorectal cancers.1 Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer diagnosed; however, it is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among US women. Cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers are relatively less common than uterine and ovarian cancers; however, diagnoses and deaths from these three cancers still number in the thousands each year.1 The economic burden of gynecologic cancer is substantial in the US. In a single state (California) during a 1-year period, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers accounted for $624 million in direct health care costs and lost productivity due to premature death.2 Ovarian cancer was the most costly ($292 million), followed by cervical cancer ($206 million) and uterine cancer ($126 million).