Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are active in the detoxification of wide variety of endogenous or exogenous carcinogens and genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1 and GSTP1 genes have been studied extensively to evaluate the relative risk of various cancers. In the present study, we examined associations with CYP2E1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphisms in sporadic bladder cancers from North Indian patients. The subjects were 106 bladder cancer (Ca- B) cases and 162 age-matched controls. The GSTP1 313 A/G polymorphism was determined by the PCR/RFLP method using peripheral blood DNA. Binary Logistic Regression Model was used for assessing differences in genotype prevalence and their associations between patient and the control group. We observed a non-significant association in Pst1 polymorphism of the CYP2E1 gene; though the A/G genotype (OR = 2.69, 95% CI=1.57- 4.59, P= 0.000) and G/G genotype (OR = 7.68, 95% CI=2.77- 21.26, P= 0.000) of the GSTP1 gene polymorphism alone or in combination with tobacco users were highly significant (OR=24.06; 95% CI: 4.80- 120.42; P =0.000) when compared to the controls. The results of our study demonstrated that the GSTP1 313 G/G polymorphism is a strong predisposing risk factor for bladder cancer in the North Indian population.
A total of 3,182 subjects (1,239 males and 1,943 females) aged from 39y to 79y, were recruited from the inhabitants of a rural area in Japan who participated in health check-up programs from 1988 to 1995. During the 10.5 year follow-up, 287 deaths (175 males and 112 females) from all causes, 134 (81 males and 53 females) from cancer of all sites, 31 from lung cancer, 21 from colorectal cancer, 20 from stomach cancer, and 62 from other cancers, were identified among the cohort subjects. Fasting serum samples were taken at the time of the health check-ups, and serum levels of carotenoids, retinol and tocopherols were separately determined by HPLC. Statistical analyses were performed using Cox’s proportional hazard model after adjusting for sex, age, and other confounding factors. High serum levels of á- and â- carotenes and lycopene were found to marginally significantly or significantly reduce the risk for mortality rates of cancer of all sites and of colorectal cancers. High serum levels of â-cryptoxanthin also showed an inversely relation with the risk of mortality from lung and stomach cancers, but this was not statistically significant. High intake of green-yellow vegetables contributing to serum levels of á- and â- carotenes, as well as lycopene, may reduce the risk of cancer mortality, especially from colorectal cancer, in rural Japanese.
Not only the incidence but also the mortality of female breast cancer has been steadily increasing in Korea since the 1980s. Epidemiologic evidence on changes in lifestyle and risk factors related with breast cancer, and data from migrant studies strongly suggest that breast cancer might further increase. In order to estimate the long-term trend in mortality of breast cancer in Korean women, we analyzed age-specific mortality rates for breast cancer over the past 20 years, and made a projection up to 2020 using a linear regression model with the Poisson distribution. The age-adjusted mortality rates for breast cancer per 100,000 persons were 2.84 in 1983, 4.91 in 1993, and 6.26 in 2003. The predicted expected age-adjusted mortality rates for breast cancer are 6.51 for 2005, 7.37 for 2010, 8.22 for 2015, and 9.07 for 2020, with an estimated annual increment of breast cancer mortality of 0.1704. Accordingly, 1,564 women in 2005 and 3,087 in 2020 will be expected to die of breast cancer in Korea. Compared with the rate in 1983, this indicates a more than 3-fold increase by 2020. On the basis of our results, female breast cancer in Korea will linearly increase for the forseeable future if the trend over the past 20 years continues.
The objective was to study the time trends in site-specific oral cancer incidence and to determine the age-and socio-economic profile over time in Karachi South. Oral cancer ranks second in this population, in both genders. The incidence is the highest reported worldwide. Incident oral cancer cases received at the Karachi Cancer Registry during 1st January 1995 to 30th June 2004 were reviewed. To ensure maximally complete data, cases registered between 1st January 1995 and 31st December 2002 were considered for the present study. Cases of lymphoma, leukemia and melanoma were not included. Trends were studied by grouping cases into two periods, 1995-1997 and 1998- 2002. A total of 2253 cases of oral cancer were registered in Karachi South for the 8 year study period accounting for 8.8% of all cancer cases. Overall, the most common site was the mucosa cheek (55.9%), followed by the tongue (28.4%), palate (6.8%), gum (4.4%), lip (3.1%) and floor of the mouth (1.4%). About 30% of cases occurred in patients 40 years and younger and 23% occurred in patients 65 years and older. Sub-categories of oral cancer showed variation in trends, but an earlier onset of disease in period two was evident for all categories. The incidence of lip cancer in men decreased, the rates remained level in females. An increased incidence was observed for tongue, but a more dramatic increase in the cheek was evident in both sexes, despite no improvement during the past decade in detection of early, localized lesions. A strong socio-economic factor with a poorer, low literacy profile of oral cancer was apparent in the entire study period. The evidence that the largest increase in incidence has occurred in this population may unfavorably affect the mortality rates. Oral cancer trends are an interplay of prevalent risk factors, the level of prevalence, preventive education and intervention. Cost effective and efficient cancer control focused around the target populations would be beneficial for Pakistan. Educational campaigns should include information on oral hygiene, awareness of risk factors and symptoms and the importance of seeking early professional help when any of these are recognized. Audio-visual media involvement is imperative in view of the literacy status of the target population. Capacity building is required by the Government to increase the availability and accessibility of professionals. Population screening would reduce the incidence of oral cancer, but requires careful planning, and extensive financial resources. Mobilization of general practitioners, health visitors, volunteer organizations and medical students for early detection of oral cancer is the essential need of today.
The exact etiology of cholangiocarcinoma remains undetermined. One of the related risk factors for its development might be chronic viral hepatitis infection. Concerning hepatitis B infection, a correlation with cholangiocarcinoma has been documented. Here, we summarize knowledge on the prevalence of hepatitis B seropositivity among patients with cholangiocarcinomas. According to the literature review, five reports were recruited for further metanalysis, covering 565 cases. The overall prevalence of seropositive cancer was 14.5 % (83/ 565). Further analysis revealed no correlation between prevalence rate and nationality of the studied population (P > 0.05). Therefore, hepatitis B infection might be a contributing factor for cholangiocarcinoma development.
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to assess undergraduate female student knowledge related to the Peer Education Method and Breast Self-Examination (BSE), to encourage them to refer for screening with certain intervals and to teach them the means of utilizing the health services. Design: The subjects comprised 160 undergraduate female students who were selected by simple random sampling and who accepted to participate. Methods: A survey form, which was prepared under the direction of relative literature by the researcher four 3rd graders of Ege University School of Nursing, was applied to female students. The data collected were assessed after being coded. Findings: The numbers of undergraduate female students performing BSE regularly and their information levels related to the symptoms of breast cancer were found to be very low, but their mean scores for performing BSE after training given by peer guides were increased and the peer group training was found to be effective. Conclusions: From the results we conclude that the training guide was appropriate for transmitting information to university students for peer group education purposes.
Recently the incidence rate of multiple myeloma (MM) has increased in Japan. Epidemiologic efforts have suggested that certain occupational and chemical exposures are likely to increase the risk for MM. We therefore performed a case-control study of MM, examining occupational factors. Data for 57 cases and 57 controls were obtained from Sapporo Medical University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals in Hokkaido. Controls were matched to each case by gender, age (+ 5 years) and hospital. Detailed information regarding several factors possibly related to MM was obtained by interviews in hospitals. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated with adjustment for cigarette smoking as confounding factor. The occupational category of agriculture and fishery showed a significant association with increased risk (OR = 5.89, 95%CI = 1.24-28.04). Occupational exposure to chemical products including organic solvents or petroleum showed a significant association with increased risk (OR = 8.05, 95%CI = 1.01-64.45). Medical histories of operation for appendicitis and blood transfusion were associated with decreased risk, but not significantly. Our results suggested that occupational exposure to chemicals might play a role in the risk of MM.
The goal of this research was to study breast cancer morbidity in females of reproductive age in Kyrgyzstan. Information on patients was obtained from the National Center of Oncology under the Ministry of Health and the National Statistics Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic. The research was retrospective and covered the period from 1995-2002. Cancer morbidity ratios were calculated for reproductive age according to standard methods of medicobiological statistics. The breast cancer morbidity in the country’s female population was determined as 12.3±0.2/ 100,000. The research revealed ethnic specificity: in Russians (crude rate, 32.9±2.1) was higher (p<0.001), than in Kyrgyz and Uzbek females, who demonstrated equal crude incidence rates of – 8.0±0.6. The dynamics over time showed increase in Kyrgyz and Uzbek females but decrease in Russians. Age ratios analysis showed higher morbidity in later reproductive age (40-49 years), with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) between ethnic Europeans and Asians.
Chemoprevention is considered a rational strategy for dietary approaches to prevention of cancer. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that many of our dietary principles are able to intervene in the multistage carcinogenesis process and phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate, IP6), a phytochemical present in a variety of plant species, has been shown to prevent various cancers, including those of the mammary gland, colon and liver. However, the mechanism of chemoprevention by IP6 has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we examined the effects of inositol and/ or IP6 supplementation on rat hepatocarcinogenesis initiated by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and promoted by partial hepatectomy (PH). Supplementation with either inositol or IP6, or their combination, starting one week prior to administration of DEN, resulted in a significant decrease in both the area and the number of placental glutathione Stransferase positive (GST-P+) foci, a preneoplastic marker for DEN-initiated hepatocarcinogenesis. The administration of inositol and/or IP6 in drinking water caused marked enhancement in the glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity. In addition, the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and the catalase activity were significantly reduced in rats supplemented with inositol and /or IP6. Based on these findings, it is likely that the chemopreventive effects of inositol and/or IP6 on rat hepatocarcinogenesis initiated by DEN and promoted by PH are associated with induction of GST activity and suppression of lipid peroxidation.
Esophageal cancer is a crucial cancer in China. Yanting in Sichuan Province was a key area with highest esophageal cancer mortality in China, but little evidence on esophageal cancer risk factors has been reported for this area and the etiology remains unclear. To clarify risk factors, a 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted. Totals of 185 eligible esophageal cancer patients and 185 healthy residents matched for sex and age were recruited. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for possible risk/ protective factors. All ORs were adjusted by family history of esophageal cancer and occupation, and then further adjusted by other possible confounding factors. Our results showed that smoking and alcohol drinking were risk factors for esophageal cancer with dose-response. The ORs (95% CI) compared with never smokers and drinkers were 4.06 (1.55-10.6) and 2.49 (1.06-5.85), respectively. The OR was further increased to 8.86 (95%CI, 3.82-20.5) for both smoking and drinking in combination. Eating food rapidly (OR=5.84, 95%CI, 2.05-16.7), drinking shallow ground water (OR=4.18, 95%CI, 1.30-13.4) and frequent intake of picked vegetables (OR=2.12, 95%CI, 1.00-4.49) appeared to increase the risk, while frequent intake of fresh fruit (OR=0.42, 95%CI, 0.19-0.89), fresh vegetables (OR= 0.62, 95%CI, 0.32-1.17) and eggs (OR=0.59, 95%CI, 0.25-1.39) decreased the risk. In conclusion, smoking and alcohol drinking are common in Yanting and main contributors to esophageal cancer. Consumption of fresh fruit and eggs are not common and high consumption of these two foods as well as fresh vegetables may decrease the risk of esophageal cancer in this area. In addition, drinking shallow ground water and eating food rapidly, as well as frequent intake of pickled vegetables, are also factors increasing the risk.
From a cohort of female breast cancer patients registered at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center, in Lahore, Pakistan, during the time period extending from December 1994 to December 2002, 700 subjects who were followed up in time, were selected. Those who presented with benign tumors, carcinoma in situ, or metastases were excluded from the analyses. Age, tumor size, nodal status, menopause, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) status, at the time of presentation, were determined. Tumors were classified according to the TNM classification (American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC)-sixth edition), and subsequently, grouped into T1/T2 and T3/T4. Lymph nodes were categorized as N0 (node-negative) and N1, N2, and N3 combined (node-positive). The odds ratio (OR) for developing recurrence in T3/T4 versus T1/T2 was determined to be 2.06 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39-3.05, p < 0.001); the OR for node-positive relative to node-negative was found to be 2.54 (95 % CI 1.61-4.0, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the association between the odds of developing recurrence in ER-positive compared to ER-negative was represented by an OR of 0.61, (95 % CI 0.40-0.94 (p=0.02)). These findings are consistent with the observations that ER-positive, node-negative, and T1/T2 lesions have a decreased risk of recurrence. Also, ER-positive patients may have a better response to hormonal treatment than those who are ERnegative.
Objective: To assess awareness about oral cancer and precancer among patients attending for dental treatment at a University Dental hospital. Methods and materials: A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from 410 randomly selected outpatients attended the Dental Hospital (teaching), Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. The questionnaire included questions to ascertain information on socio-demographic parameters, awareness of oral cancer and precancer, habits of betel chewing, smoking and alcohol consumption. Results: Ninety five percent of the respondents were aware of the possibility of occurrence of cancer in the mouth while only 44.9% (n=184) were aware about precancer. Of the 390 individuals who were aware of the existence of oral cancer, 80.7% were knowledgeable about the causal relationship between betel chewing habit and oral cancer. Forty-seven and 17 per cent were aware of links with tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively. However, out of those who had knowledge of oral cancer, 18 % (n= 69) were not knowledgeable about associations with habits. Conclusions: This survey revealed that the patients attending the hospital were well informed about oral cancer. However, awareness about precancer was relatively low. Knowledge about the causal relationships with tobacco smoking and use of alcohol was low compared to that for betel chewing.
High consumption of white meat (or saturated fatty acids) and alcohol has been demonstrated to have a tendency to increase the risk of colorectal cancer, according to the level of malondialdehyde-deoxyguanosine adducts derived from lipid per-oxidation in the colorectal mucosa. CD36 plays important roles as a long-chain fatty acid translocase and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) scavenger, while alcohol is metabolized by aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and decreases transiently metabolism of dietary fat and serum lipids. To examine associations between the risk of colorectal cancer and the CD36 gene A52C polymorphism according to the ALDH2 gene Glu487Lys polymorphism and drinking habit, a hospital-based case-control study was conducted with 128 colorectal cancer cases and 238 cancer-free controls. Odds ratios (ORs) for the C/C genotype relative to the A/A genotype were 1.70 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.76-4.11] and 4.24 (95% CI, 1.42-22.66) for men and women, respectively, with the low-activity (Glu/Lys + Lys/Lys) ALDH2 genotype. The high-activity (Glu/Glu) genotype for men and women had no associations. On the other hand, the OR for the C/C genotype with high frequency of drinking habit relative to the A/A genotype with low frequency of drinking habit among men was 3.63 (95% CI, 1.29-13.15). The number of women with a high frequency drinking habit was too small for any corresponding analyses. Our findings suggest a significant interaction between alcohol consumption and the CD36 gene A52C polymorphism related to the metabolism of long-chain fatty acids and oxidized LDL in the etiology of colorectal cancer.
Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of visual inspection with 5% acetic acid (VIA) when used to detect cervical cancer and its precursors. Methods: The study population included women attended Family Planning and Gynecological Clinic in Bagher Abad Health Center and Mirza Koochak Khan Hospital for regular cervical screening tests. After obtaining informed consent from each woman, VIA was performed. One hundred with a positive VIA test and 100 women with a negative VIA test were randomly selected for this study. Cytology and colposcopy examination were performed for all 200 cases and cervical biopsies were conducted for those individuals showing abnormal colposcopic findings. Results: Nine cases in VIA-positive group and two cases in VIA-negative group had an abnormal cytology. Ninety five women in the VIA-positive group and 25 in the VIA-negative group had abnormal colposcopic findings. From biopsy examination, 67 (71%) of cases in the VIA-positive group and 3 (12%) cases in the VIA-negative group had a final diagnosis of dysplasia. Among biopsied samples, only 7 cases of VIA-positive group showed abnormal result and the remaining were normal. Based on these results, VIA test sensitivity and specificity were 95.7% and 44.0% respectively, while they were 10% and 92% for cytology tests. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that although VIA is a sensitive screening test for detection of cervical dysplasia, it can not be used by itself. Applying VIA along with Pap smears helps to detect a higher number of cases with cancer precursor lesions.
Breast cancer is the most frequent tumor among Saudi women, accounting to 19.8% of female cancers. The present study was conducted to determine 5-year survival for all cases of invasive breast cancer that occurred during 1994-96 in the province of Riyadh (n=316). The overall observed survival probability of the study population at 1, 3 and 5 years was 93.9%, 79.2% and 59.6%, respectively. The 5 year survivals for the younger (< 40 years), older (50 + years) and 40-49 years patients were 60.6%, 51.6% and 69.2% respectively, the differences not reaching statistical significance. While there was not a great deal of variation in the 5-year survival between cases with regional (55.6%), distant metastasis (57.6%) and extent of disease unknown (56.7%) cases, localized (67.5%) cases had a clearly better prognosis. An increased but not significant hazard was seen for the cases with regional and distant metastasis disease, 1.40 and 1.11 respectively, compared to localized cases. The 5-year survival for duct carcinomas (62.8%) was greater than for adenocarcinomas (55.6%) and lobular carcinomas (50.0%).
The olive has a history almost as long as that of Western civilization and has been looked upon as a sign of hope, peace, and sacredness. Olive oil, extracted from the olive, is the principal source of dietary fat in the Mediterranean basin. The composition differs from that of other dietary fats in that olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. Even other than as a source of monounsaturated fats, olive oil has own unique effects. Accumulating evidence suggests that olive oil may have beneficial health effects, especially when it comes to reducing risk factors for coronary heart diseases, preventing cancer, and modifying immune and inflammatory responses. However, evidence remains limited, definitive conclusions are difficult to draw, and there remains a significant need for further studies, particularly prospective cohort and well-designed, controlled intervention studies. In this manuscript, the beneficial health effects of olive oil are reviewed, with particular attention paid to cancer prevention and immune functions.
Given the continuing increase in mammary cancer incidence and in many cases also mortality across the world, as well as the difficulty with primary prevention, the question of whether screening for early detection is effective is of prime importance. If there is a real benefit in terms of reduced mortality then attention should clearly be focused on the modality which should be recommended in different resource settings. In the developed world where mammography is generally available the results are less than conclusive. It seems possible that there is a segment of breast cancer benefited both by screening and by treatment, and that far from these effects being additive, they affect the same spectrum of cases, so that as treatment improves, the benefit we can expect to see from screening falls. In the Asian Pacific setting, randomized trials on the basis of the cost and benefit should be a high priority. However, the lesson from all programmes of breast screening, is that for success, attention has to be paid to all aspects of the programme, compliance with screening, high quality screening tests, quality in the referral, diagnosis and treatment process, as well as adequate follow-up.