Purpose: The association between comprehensive health literacy (HL) and participation in mammography (MMG) screening remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between comprehensive HL and MMG screening participation.

Methods: An online survey targeting women in their 40s without a history of breast cancer was conducted, and data were collected from 1,068 respondents. The survey included items on HL, the number of MMG screenings, demographic characteristics, self-rated health (SRH), and breast cancer risk factors. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to analyze the association between HL and MMG screening. The dependent variables were 1) MMG screening history (0 times vs. one or more times) and 2) repeated MMG screenings (1 time vs. two or more times), and the independent variables included HL and other factors. Participants were also categorized into two groups based on their HL level, allowing for an examination of differences in screening-related factors.

Results: The number of valid responses was 612, with HL levels of "insufficient" at 36%, "problematic" at 30%, and "adequate" at 35%. The adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for HL and screening attendance, with "adequate" as the reference category, were 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82–2.00) for "inadequate" and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.55–1.36) for "problematic". For repeated screenings, the aORs were 0.72 (95% CI: 0.43–1.20) for "insufficient" and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.59–1.82) for "problematic". No significant association was found between HL and screening. When comparing HL levels, significant associations were observed between SRH and HL in the low HL group for screening participation, and between education and HL in the same group for participation in repeated screenings.

Conclusions: Comprehensive HL did not directly affect MMG screening participation. However, different factors influenced participation based on HL levels, so tailored interventions targeting the characteristics of each HL level may enhance screening participation rates.

 Objective: To detect chronic kidney disease (CKD) at an early stage, we introduced the determination of urinary albumin/creatinine (A/C) as a basic item of a comprehensive medical check-up in 2023. This study aimed to compare A/C results with those of conventional qualitative urine protein test strips.

 Methods: The results obtained from both methods were compared based on (1) urine protein positive/negative test results, (2) concordance rate between the two in the CKD severity classification, and (3) the relationship between abnormalities in CKD-related items and urinary protein abnormalities judged by each method. A total of 18,310 individuals who underwent comprehensive medical checkups at our institution were examined.

 Results: (1) All cases of urine protein (3+) and (2+), excluding three cases, were positive for A/C. The positivity rates for (1+), (±), and (-) were 47.1%, 9.6%, and 3.3%, respectively. (2) In the comparison of the CKD severity classification, the concordance rate of the classification was 71.0%, and the proportion of false negatives and positives was 2.3% and 24.9%, respectively. (3) In the Chi-square test with abnormalities in CKD-related items and proteinuria judged by both methods, P was<0.0001 for all items by A/C. Test strip positivity was not significantly related to systolic blood pressure and blood glucose or HbA1c abnormalities. (P=0.1871 and 0.9960, respectively).

 There was a discrepancy between the A/C and urine protein qualitative results, and many false-positive and -negative cases were included in the test strip evaluation. Additionally, a study of CKD-related items showed that the A/C was more relevant than test strips.

 Conclusion: The introduction of A/C in comprehensive medical check-ups may contribute to the early detection of CKD.

 Gastric hyperplastic polyps are associated with atrophic gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and possess a low but notable malignant potential. In the absence of malignant transformation, H. pylori eradication therapy is typically performed, often resulting in regression or disappearance of the polyps. However, in some cases, polyps may enlarge or undergo morphological changes despite successful eradication. The "scarf-ring sign" is a rare endoscopic finding in which a gastric polyp prolapses into the duodenum, with its stalk passing through the pyloric ring. When accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting due to obstruction, it is diagnosed as ball valve syndrome.

 We report the case of a 57-year-old man who was found to have atrophic gastritis and a 5-mm Yamada type II hyperplastic polyp in the pyloric region during a health checkup six and a half years ago. As his serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibody was positive, he underwent successful eradication therapy after a second-line regimen. At follow-up endoscopy one and a half years later, the polyp had enlarged to 10 mm and changed to a pedunculated Yamada type IV polyp. Subsequently, the scarf-ring sign and further enlargement were observed, although no obstructive symptoms developed. The patient remains under endoscopic surveillance while treatment options are being considered.

 Introduction: This study examined factors influencing breast cancer screening behavior, while focusing on illness perception, attitudes toward mammography, and tolerance for ambiguity in daily life.

 Aims & Method: A web-based survey was conducted among 300 women aged 40 and above. Participants were categorized into Screened and Unscreened groups based on their screening history. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify predictors of screening behavior, whereas qualitative analysis of open-ended responses examined each group's illness perception of breast cancer.

 Results: The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that three illness perception factors, positive impressions of screening, and enjoyment of ambiguity in daily life were positively associated with screening behavior. The negative impressions of screening was negatively associated with screening behavior. Qualitative analysis identified key themes, such as fear, negative impressions of cancer, and a fatalistic outlook.

 Conclusion: Findings suggest that individuals who undergo breast cancer screening generally have a certain level of understanding of breast cancer and its treatment. They also appear to mentally prepare themselves for a potential diagnosis and its psychological impact. Despite holding negative impressions of mammography, they demonstrate greater tolerance for ambiguity in daily life and a willingness to engage with uncertain situations.

 Although most cardiovascular abnormalities detected in health screenings are asymptomatic, some of them may indicate clinically significant valvular heart disease. We present a case of mitral regurgitation due to mitral valve prolapse identified through routine cardiac auscultation. A 60-year-old asymptomatic man presented with a newly detected systolic murmur at the apex. Echocardiography confirmed severe mitral regurgitation, and exercise stress echocardiography revealed exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension. Given these clinical findings, surgical intervention was recommended. Based on literature-based considerations, this case highlights a viable role for auscultation in health checkups to identify valvular heart disease and guide treatment.