Screening utilization among cancer survivors: a meta-analysis.
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.



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.



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.



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.
Department of Urology, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany.|Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Annemarie
A
Uhlig
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Janet
J
Mei
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Inhye
I
Baik
Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany.
Christian
C
Meyer
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.|Department for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany.
Johannes
J
Uhlig
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D000073116:Cancer Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms