Screening utilization among cancer survivors: a meta-analysis

Background: Studies have been published showing both increased and decreased utilization of cancer screening services in cancer survivors compared with cancer-free counterparts. This study synthesizes existing evidence in a meta-analysis.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in August 2016. Studies were included if they compared the utilization of screening services for cervical, breast and colorectal cancer among adulthood cancer survivors to cancer-free controls. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to pool estimates.

Results: Of 3538 studies, 19 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Cancer survivors were more likely to utilize screening services for breast cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.42, P < 0.001), colorectal cancer (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.15-1.37, P < 0.001) and cervical cancer (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.08-1.75, P < 0.001) than cancer-free controls.

Conclusions: Overall, cancer survivors were more likely to utilize cancer screening services when compared with cancer-free controls. Future studies should evaluate, whether the utilization of screening services translates into prolonged survival.