@article{feb98ddba8234698968688be8c3fc711,
title = "Timely follow-up of positive cancer screening results: A systematic review and recommendations from the PROSPR Consortium",
abstract = "Timely follow-up for positive cancer screening results remains suboptimal, and the evidence base to inform decisions on optimizing the timeliness of diagnostic testing is unclear. This systematic review evaluated published studies regarding time to follow-up after a positive screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers. The quality of available evidence was very low or low across cancers, with potential attenuated or reversed associations from confounding by indication in most studies. Overall, evidence suggested that the risk for poorer cancer outcomes rises with longer wait times that vary within and across cancer types, which supports performing diagnostic testing as soon as feasible after the positive result, but evidence for specific time targets is limited. Within these limitations, we provide our opinion on cancer-specific recommendations for times to follow-up and how existing guidelines relate to the current evidence. Thresholds set should consider patient worry, potential for loss to follow-up with prolonged wait times, and available resources. Research is needed to better guide the timeliness of diagnostic follow-up, including considerations for patient preferences and existing barriers, while addressing methodological weaknesses. Research is also needed to identify effective interventions for reducing wait times for diagnostic testing, particularly in underserved or low-resource settings. CA Cancer J Clin 2018;68:199–216.",
keywords = "breast, cervix uteri, colon, early detection of cancer, early diagnosis, lung, mass screening, neoplasm",
author = "Doubeni, {Chyke A.} and Gabler, {Nicole B.} and Wheeler, {Cosette M.} and McCarthy, {Anne Marie} and Castle, {Philip E.} and Halm, {Ethan A.} and Schnall, {Mitchell D.} and Skinner, {Celette S.} and Tosteson, {Anna N.A.} and Weaver, {Donald L.} and Anil Vachani and Mehta, {Shivan J.} and Rendle, {Katharine A.} and Fedewa, {Stacey A.} and Corley, {Douglas A.} and Katrina Armstrong",
note = "Funding Information: DISCLOSURES: This study was supported in part by awards (no. R01CA213645, U54CA163262, U54CA163261, and U54CA 164336) from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Anna N. A. Tosteson reports grants from the National Cancer Institute during the conduct of the study. Douglas A. Corley reports grants from National Cancer Institute during the conduct of the study. Katrina Armstrong reports grants from the National Institutes of Health during the conduct of the study and personal consulting fees from GlaxoSmithKline outside the submitted work. The remaining authors made no disclosures. Funding Information: The views expressed here are those of the authors only and do not represent any official position of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health. No part of this study has been presented in any form. Chyke A. Doubeni is a member of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This article does not necessarily represent the views and policies of the USPSTF. Stacey A. Fedewa is employed by the American Cancer Society, which received a grant from Merck Inc for intramural research outside the submitted work; however, her salary is solely funded through American Cancer Society funds. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 American Cancer Society",
year = "2018",
month = may,
day = "1",
doi = "10.3322/caac.21452",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "68",
pages = "199--216",
journal = "Ca-A Cancer Journal for Clinicians",
issn = "0007-9235",
publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",
number = "3",
}
