MMWR News Synopsis for January 26, 2017

Invasive Cancer Incidence and Survival — United States, 2013

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The burden of cancer can be reduced by following guidelines for such preventive services as appropriate cancer screening, vaccination against cancer-causing viruses (human papillomavirus and hepatitis B virus) as well as screening — with counseling and intervention as needed — for tobacco use and excessive alcohol use. Health care providers play an important role in ensuring that all children, adolescents, and adults receive the clinical preventive services they need at the right time. Approximately 1.5 million new cases of cancer were reported in the United States in 2013 according to national cancer registry data. Overall, there were 439 cases per 100,000 persons, with rates higher among men (479) than women (413). Cancer incidence rates ranged by state from 364 per 100,000 persons in New Mexico to 512 per 100,000 persons in Kentucky. Incidence rates were highest for cancers of the female breast (124 cases per 100,000 women), prostate (102 cases per 100,000 men), lung (59 cases per 100,000 persons), and colon and rectum (38 cases per 100,000). To determine the potential burden associated with common risk factors, cancer sites were grouped by association with tobacco use, alcohol use, or human papillomavirus (HPV). The incidence rates per 100,000 persons for cancers associated with tobacco use, alcohol use, and HPV were 187, 130, and 11, respectively. About 2 of 3 people diagnosed with cancer survived five or more years after diagnosis, but there were differences by age, sex, race, and type of cancer.

Cluster of an Unusual Amnestic Syndrome — Massachusetts, 2012–2016

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This report describes a cluster of cases of an unusual, rarely reported syndrome that may be related to substance use. Increased alertness to other cases may establish whether this cluster represents a new emerging disease and, if so, whether it is related to substance use. Researchers identified a unique cluster of 14 cases of amnesia with unusual findings on brain imaging in Massachusetts during 2012–2016. At time of initial evaluation, 13 of 14 case patients tested positive for opioids or had opioid use recorded in their medical history. The apparent clustering, relatively young age at onset (19–52 years), and substance use associated with this group of patients suggests the need for broader surveillance to determine whether this represents an emerging disease  related to substance use or other causes, such as exposure to a toxic substance.

Prevalence of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in Sexually Experienced Women of Reproductive Age — United States, 2013–2014

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Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the female reproductive tract often associated with STDs, is putting millions of women at risk for infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain. An analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows an estimated 4.4 percent of sexually-experienced women aged 18-44, or approximately 2.5 million woman nationwide, reported a history of PID. PID can result from bacterial infections and it is often associated with untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea. According to the analysis, there were no significant differences in PID prevalence by age, race/ethnicity, or socioeconomic factors. However, PID prevalence was substantially higher among women engaging in sexual behaviors that put them at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Lifetime self-reported PID prevalence among women with 10 or more lifetime sex partners was more than three times that of women with a single partner and was more prominent among women with previous STIs than among women with no history of STIs. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most commonly reported STIs in the United States with more than 1.5 million cases of chlamydia and nearly 400,000 cases of gonorrhea reported in 2015. Because chlamydia and gonorrhea are often asymptomatic and may go undiagnosed or untreated, screening of all sexually active women younger than 25 is critical for reducing the burden of disease and potential long-term consequences such as PID.

Association Between Infant Mortality Attributable to Birth Defects and Payment Source for Delivery—United States, 2011–2013

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Infants whose deliveries were paid by Medicaid had higher rates of death before their first birthday than infants whose deliveries were paid by private insurance. Infant mortality is the death of a baby before his or her first birthday. Birth defects are a leading cause of infant death in the United States, accounting for about 1 in 5 infant deaths. This report analyzed birth and infant death data for 2011-2013 and found that infants whose deliveries were paid by Medicaid had higher rates of death related to birth defects than infants whose deliveries were paid by private insurance. This was true for babies with birth defects who were born preterm (before 37 weeks) and those who were born full term (between 37 and 44 weeks). Strategies to ensure that all pregnant women and their infants have access to quality health care might reduce the difference in infant mortality between deliveries paid by Medicaid and those paid by private insurance. CDC works to address birth defects through tracking, research and education..

Notes from the Field:

• Multistate Outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Dough Mix — United States, 2016
• Impact of Increasing the Number of Ebola Surveillance Officers — Kambia District, Sierra Leone, September 2014–September 2015

QuickStats:

• Prevalence of Edentulism in Adults Aged ≥65 Years by Age Group and Race/Hispanic Origin — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2014  

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