IMR Press / EJGO / Volume 34 / Issue 5 / pii/1630906442641-1989242422

European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology (EJGO) is published by IMR Press from Volume 40 Issue 1 (2019). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.

Original Research
Nationwide screening program for breast and cervical cancers in Hungary: special challenges, outcomes, and the role of the primary care provider
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1 Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Debrecen
2 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Budapest (Hungary)
Eur. J. Gynaecol. Oncol. 2013, 34(5), 419–424;
Published: 10 October 2013
Abstract

Introduction: Breast and cervical cancers are both common malignancies in Hungarian women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of nationwide screening programs on the incidence and mortality of breast and cervical cancers and to assess the role of primary care providers in this context. Materials and Methods: Published records from 2000-2011 on breast and cervical cancer screening activities in Hungary were reviewed. Previously unpublished data from the Hungarian National Cancer Registry were also included in this review. Hungarian outcomes were compared to international results. Results: A nationwide screening program for breast cancer was established in Hungary in 2001. A similar program for cervical cancer was subsequently initiated in 2003. As of 2009, 50% of the population at risk took advantage of breast cancer screening, while the exact participation rate for cervical cancer screening could not be established due to deficiencies of reporting by private gynecologists. The Health Visitors Cervical Screening Program, a new initiative within the context of the nationwide cervical screening program, based on involvement of local primary care providers, had encouraging results which substantially raised participation rates. However, deficiencies were identified regarding flow of information between service providers, patients, and family physicians. There was a slight reduction in the incidence of breast cancer and a more pronounced reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer, as well as a reduction in mortality for both breast and cervical cancers associated with these screening initiatives. Conclusion: The inclusion of primary care providers may benefit nationwide screening programs by raising participation rates in the target population.
Keywords
Breast cancer
Cervical cancer
Hungary
Screening program
Public health
Primary care
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