Critical analysis of the framing of trafficking in human beings in European Parliament discourse

This pro gradu thesis sets out to examine how discourse on trafficking in human beings sets conditions by which trafficked people are subjectified, whether willingly or not, while crossing EU borders. It seeks to critically analyse the discoursive constructions of the victims, their origins and the EU, in European Parliament documents and debates on human trafficking from 2004-2009. Trafficking as a phenomenon is defined in versatile ways, presented in a five-fold typology, depending on the purpose for the definition. Thereafter, the legal and policy solutions to human trafficking pertain naturally to the skewed definition. And problematically, while these modes of representation are opened up, other possible modes are denied. Within the researched material it becomes apparent that the trafficked human beings are treated both as unfortunate victims and as threats, but most of all as sexual slaves. This sub-alternate condition, finds itself spoken for in a manner that locates few of the potential victims of trafficking. Rather, this frame for the trafficking victim distinguishes itself from victim reality, and controls both those who could be classified as trafficked, as well as those searching from them. These “others” can be granted, or recognized in, eurocentrically constructed identities solely through their border entering context or even their gender. And further, through containing underlying fears of migration (and female sexuality) the discourse operates in interpelating its subjects and ultimately in containing the movement of people. The research also shows how simplistic mythical constructions of women as poor, helpless victims, can work in perpetuating imperialistic policies of European normative power in which the situation of the trafficked victim can becomes precarious. Due to the complexity and wide political entanglements of the phenomenon I have tailored a methodological approach embedded in hermeneutics; applying discourse analytic tools informed both by frame theory and rhetoric. Thus, in understanding, cross-referencing and analysing EU representations of “trafficking identities” and the power relations that they entail, the aim of the thesis is to through the performative power of hegemonic discourse bring forth and critically examine the hierarchical constucts placed upon people entering EU borders and the strategic priorities they entail

Prostate Cancer Patients Under Active Surveillance with a Suspicious Magnetic Resonance Imaging Finding Are at Increased Risk of Needing Treatment: Results of the Movember Foundation’s Global Action Plan Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance (GAP3) Consortium

BackgroundThe inclusion criterion for active surveillance (AS) is low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The predictive value of the presence of a suspicious lesion at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the time of inclusion is insufficiently known.ObjectiveTo evaluate the percentage of patients needing active treatment stratified by the presence or absence of a suspicious lesion at baseline MRI.Design setting and participantsA retrospective analysis of the data from the multicentric AS GAP3 Consortium database was conducted. The inclusion criteria were men with grade group (GG) 1 or GG 2 prostate cancer combined with prostate-specific antigen <20 ng/ml. We selected a subgroup of patients who had MRI at baseline and for whom MRI results and targeted biopsies were used for AS eligibility. Suspicious MRI was defined as an MRI lesion with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS)/Likert ≥3 and for which targeted biopsies did not exclude the patient for AS.Outcome measurements and statistical analysisThe primary outcome was treatment free survival (FS). The secondary outcomes were histological GG progression FS and continuation of AS (discontinuation FS).Results and limitationsThe study cohort included 2119 patients (1035 men with nonsuspicious MRI and 1084 with suspicious MRI) with a median follow-up of 23 (12-43) mo. For the whole cohort, 3-yr treatment FS was 71% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 69-74). For nonsuspicious MRI and suspicious MRI groups, 3-yr treatment FS rates were, respectively, 80% (95% CI: 77-83) and 63% (95% CI: 59-66). Active treatment (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.0, p < 0.001), grade progression (HR = 1.9, p < 0.001), and discontinuation of AS (HR = 1.7, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the suspicious MRI group than in the nonsuspicious MRI group.ConclusionsThe risks of switching to treatment, histological progression, and AS discontinuation are higher in cases of suspicious MRI at inclusion.Patient summaryAmong men with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer who choose active surveillance, those with suspicious magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the time of inclusion in active surveillance are more likely to show switch to treatment than men with nonsuspicious MRI

Personalised biopsy schedules based on risk of Gleason upgrading for patients with low-risk prostate cancer on active surveillance

Objective: To develop a model and methodology for predicting the risk of Gleason upgrading in patients with prostate cancer on active surveillance (AS) and using the predicted risks to create risk-based personalised biopsy schedules as an alternative to one-size-fits-all schedules (e.g. annually)

Reasons for Discontinuing Active Surveillance: Assessment of 21 Centres in 12 Countries in the Movember GAP3 Consortium

BackgroundCareful assessment of the reasons for discontinuation of active surveillance (AS) is required for men with prostate cancer (PCa).ObjectiveUsing Movember's Global Action Plan Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance initiative (GAP3) database, we report on reasons for AS discontinuation.Design, setting, and participantsWe compared data from 10296 men on AS from 21 centres across 12 countries.Outcome measurements and statistical analysisCumulative incidence methods were used to estimate the cumulative incidence rates of AS discontinuation.Results and limitationsDuring 5-yr follow-up, 27.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.4-28.6%) men showed signs of disease progression, 12.8% (95% CI: 12.0-13.6%) converted to active treatment without evidence of progression, 1.7% (95% CI: 1.5-2.0%) continued to watchful waiting, and 1.7% (95% CI: 1.4-2.1%) died from other causes. Of the 7049 men who remained on AS, 2339 had follow-up for >5yr, 4561 had follow-up for <5yr, and 149 were lost to follow-up. Cumulative incidence of progression was 27.5% (95% CI: 26.4-28.6%) at 5yr and 38.2% (95% CI: 36.7-39.9%) at 10yr. A limitation is that not all centres were included due to limited information on the reason for discontinuation and limited follow-up.ConclusionsOur descriptive analyses of current AS practices worldwide showed that 43.6% of men drop out of AS during 5-yr follow-up, mainly due to signs of disease progression. Improvements in selection tools for AS are thus needed to correctly allocate men with PCa to AS, which will also reduce discontinuation due to conversion to active treatment without evidence of disease progression.Patient summaryOur assessment of a worldwide database of men with prostate cancer (PCa) on active surveillance (AS) shows that 43.6% drop out of AS within 5yr, mainly due to signs of disease progression. Better tools are needed to select and monitor men with PCa as part of AS