Cancer epidemiology
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Cancer epidemiology · Dec 2013
Trends and inequities in colorectal cancer screening participation in Ontario, Canada, 2005-2011.
Participation in screening tests for colorectal cancer (CRC) is generally low in Ontario, Canada. In addition, inequities in participation exist including lower participation among low-income individuals, males and individuals living in rural areas. In April 2008, Colon Cancer Check (CCC) program, the province-wide CRC screening program, was launched in Ontario. This study describes the trends and inequities in CRC screening participation three years before and three years after the CCC, and assesses the effect of the program on CRC screening participation, overall and among certain population groups. ⋯ CRC testing was increasing in Ontario from 2005. An immediate increase in CRC testing, FOBT in particular, occurred after the launch of the CCC program, followed by a return to its pre-CCC increase rate thereafter. Future efforts are needed to improve screening participation and address inequities.
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Cancer epidemiology · Oct 2013
Sex differences in the proportion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases attributable to tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption.
Alcohol and tobacco are the two major established environmental factors associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (ESCC). However, the prevalence of these exposures differs substantially between men and women. Moreover, the prevalence of smoking has declined in recent years, whereas per capita consumption of alcohol has remained steady in both sexes. Quantifying the burden of ESCC attributable to these causal factors is necessary to inform potential preventive strategies. ⋯ The burden of ESCC attributable to smoking combined with heavy alcohol consumption is remarkably high in men. In women, the burden of ESCC due to these factors is lower, and poor nutrition may also play a role.
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Cancer epidemiology · Oct 2013
Association of p53 and MDM2 polymorphisms with risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
Though polymorphisms of the tumor suppressor gene p53 have been extensively investigated in numerous tumors, particularly tumors associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, the results remain controversial. Our previous study showed that HPV serostatus is not an independent risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in nonsmokers and nondrinkers. Given the roles of p53 and HPV E6 as well as MDM2 oncoproteins in p53 degradation, we validated the association of p53 and MDM2 polymorphisms with ESCC risk stratified by HPV16 sero-status. ⋯ HPV16 seropositivity synergized with p53 Arg/Arg or Arg/Pro and increased ESCC risk, especially in smokers or drinkers.
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Cancer epidemiology · Oct 2013
Norms of vagal nerve activity, indexed by Heart Rate Variability, in cancer patients.
Recent research has begun to show the role of the activity of the vagus nerve in cancer prognosis. However, it remains unknown whether cancer severity can impair vagal nerve activity. This study combined data (N=657) of five different cancers (colorectal, pancreas, prostate, lung and ovarian) concerning patients' Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a vagal nerve activity index. ⋯ While age and gender did not significantly affect HRV, cancer patients with advanced stages had significantly lower HRV than those with early stages (p=0.011). A possible bi-directional relation between cancer and vagal nerve activity is discussed. These findings are of importance for prognostication since they provide researchers and clinicians with expected values of vagal nerve activity in cancer patients.
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Cancer epidemiology · Jun 2013
Incidence of bone metastases in breast cancer patients in the United Kingdom: results of a multi-database linkage study using the general practice research database.
Bone is a frequent site for metastases among women with breast cancer. We conducted a study using the General Practice Research Database (GPRD), with linkage to the National Cancer Registry (NCR) and Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), to estimate the incidence of bone metastases in women with breast cancer in the United Kingdom. ⋯ This is the first time the GPRD has been linked to HES and NCR to study the epidemiology of bone metastases, adding important information on the burden of bone metastasis.