Publications by authors named "Julie S Townsend"

Bilateral oophorectomy has been linked to numerous health outcomes, some of which can have a long latency period. Limited data are available on bilateral oophorectomy prevalence among U.S.

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Community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly addressing health disparities in primary care settings; however, there is little information about how primary care practitioners (PCPs) interact with CHWs or perceive CHW roles. We examined PCP engagement with CHWs in adult primary care settings. Overall, 55% of 1504 PCPs reported working with CHWs; involvement with CHWs differed by some PCP demographic and practice-related factors.

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Importance: Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native people have the second highest incidence rate of invasive cutaneous melanoma in the US after non-Hispanic White people.

Objective: To examine invasive cutaneous melanoma incidence rates and trends over time among non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native people.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This descriptive, observational cross-sectional study used population-based cancer registry data (US Cancer Statistics AI/AN Incidence Analytic Database) linked to the Indian Health Service administrative database to examine incidence rates by age, sex, region, histology, tumor site, stage, and other demographic and clinical characteristics.

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Context: Opportunities to reduce the risk of cancer, including cervical, liver, and skin cancer, start early in life. To encourage adoption of primary prevention activities in childhood to reduce cancer risk later in life, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a demonstration project with 3 National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) recipients.

Program: Iowa, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB), and Pennsylvania NCCCP recipients implemented evidence-based primary prevention activities for cervical, liver, and skin cancer among children using health care provider education, patient education, and policy development.

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Background: National organizations have issued comprehensive cancer survivorship care guidelines to improve care of cancer survivors, many of whom receive care from primary care providers (PCPs).

Methods: We analyzed Porter Novelli's 2019 fall DocStyles survey to assess use of cancer survivorship care guidelines, receipt of survivorship training, types of survivorship services provided, and confidence providing care among PCPs in the United States. We grouped PCPs by use of any guideline ("users") versus no guideline use ("nonusers").

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Unlabelled: The complexity of decision science models may prevent their use to assist in decision making. User-centered design (UCD) principles provide an opportunity to engage end users in model development and refinement, potentially reducing complexity and increasing model utilization in a practical setting. We report our experiences with UCD to develop a modeling tool for cancer control planners evaluating cancer survivorship interventions.

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Cervical cancer is highly preventable when precancerous lesions are detected early and appropriately managed. However, the complexity of and frequent updates to existing evidence-based clinical guidelines make it challenging for clinicians to stay abreast of the latest recommendations. In addition, limited availability and accessibility to information technology (IT) decision supports make it difficult for groups who are medically underserved to receive screening or receive the appropriate follow-up care.

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Public health agencies have played a critical role in addressing the complex health and mental health needs of cancer survivors. We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation via a Web-based survey ( = 51) and focus groups ( = 11) with National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) recipients and interviews ( = 9) with survivors, health care providers (HCPs), and patient navigators to explore these audiences' cancer survivorship information needs and strategies to improve resource dissemination. Participants revealed a need for tailored resources and support for survivors on healthy lifestyle, post-treatment survivorship concerns, psychosocial health, and navigating the health system.

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Electronic health records (EHRs) are increasingly being used to support public health surveillance, including in cancer, where many population-based registries can now accept electronic case reporting. Using EHRs to supplement cancer registry data provides the opportunity to examine in more detail emerging issues in cancer control, such as the increasing incidence rates of early onset colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a public health organization partnering with a health system to examine risk factors for early-onset CRC in a community cancer setting, and to further understand challenges with using EHRs to address emerging topics in cancer control.

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Introduction: Pain is one of the most common symptoms that people with cancer experience. Identification of demographic, physiologic, and behavioral correlates of pain among cancer survivors could help identify subgroups most in need of pain management.

Methods: We analyzed data from the 2012, 2014, and 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Cancer Survivorship Optional Module, which was completed by 18 states and territories, to describe demographic and physiologic characteristics of cancer survivors reporting physical pain caused by cancer or cancer treatment.

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Purpose: Over a decade ago, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) recommended that states develop, implement, and evaluate plans that include consideration of survivorship care. The purpose of this study was to review comprehensive cancer control plans in the USA, specifically to identify the inclusion of cancer survivorship-focused goals and objectives and examine alignment of survivorship-focused objectives with the NAM recommendations.

Methods: Plans from 50 states, 7 territories, 5 tribal organizations, and the District of Columbia were reviewed to assess inclusion of survivorship goals and objectives.

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Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports the implementation of evidence-based interventions to prevent and control cancer, including patient navigation (PN); however, PN lacks standardized tools to measure effectiveness and aggregate data across programs. Using a mobile application (app) could provide a systematic infrastructure for cataloging PN activities and measuring patient outcomes.

Objective: Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility of using a mobile app to assist with PN services within cancer control programs.

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Health disparities persist across the cancer care continuum. Patient navigator (PN) and community health worker (CHW) interventions are designed to increase health equity. National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) awardees develop and implement plans to coordinate cancer prevention and control activities, including supporting PN and CHW interventions.

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Achieving health equity requires addressing social determinants of health. Promoting health equity as it relates to cancer control is one of six priorities of the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP). This article describes recent activities implemented by three NCCCP awardees (North-west Portland Area Indian Health Board, Kansas, Michigan) and the CDC-funded National Behavior Health Network (NBHN), whose aim is to reduce health disparities among those with mental health and/or substance disorders.

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Policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) approaches are commonly used to improve population health. Cancer-related examples include providing data and education to stakeholders about policies that support healthy living, or health systems changes such as universal reminders about recommended cancer screening. The National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) funds health departments to form cancer coalitions that develop and implement cancer plans.

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Development and implementation of policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change is a commonly used public health approach to reduce disease burden. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program conducted a demonstration with 13 programs to determine whether and to what extent dedicated resources would enhance the adoption of PSE strategies. This paper describes results of the qualitative portion of a longitudinal, mixed-methods evaluation of this demonstration.

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Background: Over 16,000 women are diagnosed with a human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated gynecologic cancer every year. Because most of these cancers are preventable, correct and appropriate information about the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer screening can help reduce incidence.

Materials And Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer campaign materials, which were used by seven National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program recipients in tailored educational sessions on gynecologic cancer with women and healthcare providers in the community setting.

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Background: Overall, cervical cancer survival in the United States has been reported to be among the highest in the world, despite slight decreases over the last decade. Objective of the current study was to describe cervical cancer survival trends among US women and examine differences by race and stage.

Methods: This study used data from the CONCORD-2 study to compare survival among women (aged 15-99 years) diagnosed in 37 states covering 80% of the US population.

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Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) victims often experience substantial and persistent mental and physical health problems, including increased risk for chronic disease and barriers to healthcare access. This study investigated the association between IPV and cancer screening.

Materials And Methods: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from the eight states and one U.

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Because no effective methods for preventing or screening for ovarian cancer exist, symptom recognition is integral to its early detection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts about Gynecologic Cancer campaign was developed to raise awareness and educate women and providers about risk factors, symptoms, recommended screening, and prevention strategies for the five main gynecologic cancers, including ovarian cancer. Inside Knowledge campaign materials were utilized by CDC's National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program grantees to educate women and providers about gynecologic cancer from 2014 to 2015.

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Widespread use of the human papillomavirus (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) National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) awardees are well positioned to work with immunization programs to increase vaccine uptake.

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Approximately 11% of all new breast cancer cases in the USA occur in women aged 45 years or younger. In 2011, CDC funded seven organizations to develop or enhance programs for young breast cancer survivors (YBCS). This paper analyzed program evaluation data collected by one of these organizations to gain a more nuanced understanding of how recipients used the newly developed program and resources for YBCS.

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Article Synopsis
  • Many studies on cancer screening among adults with disabilities often overlook differences within specific disability subgroups; this study aimed to highlight those differences.
  • Using 2013 National Health Interview Survey data, the researchers analyzed the prevalence of cancer screening tests and barriers faced by individuals with various disabilities compared to those without disabilities.
  • Results showed that women with disabilities had significantly lower rates of Pap tests and mammograms, and the most common barrier identified was difficulty in scheduling appointments; targeted interventions are needed to improve screening rates among these populations.
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