Researchers from Hebrew University-Hadassah in Jerusalem and Cardioinfantil Foundation, Cardiology Institute in Bogota, Colombia, conducted a repeated, cross-sectional study to examine whether breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screening rates in women differed by age and socioeconomic position , and whether screening rates and socioeconomic disparities changed following the introduction of a primary care-based national quality indicator program.

The study was published in the journal Annals of Family Medicine.

The study included all female Israeli residents in age ranges appropriate for each screening assessed, in 2002-2017, with a cohort of more than 1.5 million records.

Screening rates were highest for breast cancer (70.5%), followed by colorectal (64.3%) and cervical cancer (49.6%).

Following the introduction of relevant quality indicators, breast and colorectal cancer screening rates increased, with greater reductions in disparities for breast cancer.

In contrast, the rates for cervical cancer screening showed no change because this cancer was not included in the initial quality indicators.

The authors note that the recent introduction of a cervical cancer screening indicator may increase participation and reduce disparities, as was seen in breast and colorectal cancer screenings.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians