Abstract
Background: This study examined age distributions and age-specific incidence of screened cancers by Aboriginal status in New South Wales (NSW) to consider the appropriateness of screening target age ranges. Methods: The NSW Cancer Registry identified invasive (female) breast, cervical and bowel cancers in people diagnosed in 2001–2014. Results: Aboriginal people were younger at diagnosis with higher proportions of breast and bowel cancers diagnosed before the screening target age range (<50 years) compared with non-Aboriginal people (30.6% vs. 22.8%, and 17.3% vs. 7.3%, respectively). Age-specific incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were lower/similar for breast and bowel cancers in younger and higher in older Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal people. All age-specific cervical cancer IRRs were higher for Aboriginal compared with non-Aboriginal people. Conclusion: Although higher proportions of breast and colorectal cancers were diagnosed before screening commencement age in Aboriginal people, this does not necessarily indicate a need for earlier screening commencement. Other aspects needing consideration include benefits, harms and cost-effectiveness.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 102-105 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Cancer Epidemiology |
Volume | 60 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Australia
- Cancer screening
- Early detection of cancer
- Indigenous
- Neoplasms