West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Primary Cancer Prevention in the Post-Genomic Era18318424120ENJournal Article19700101https://journal.waocp.org/article_24120_7783dbd25dcb9897ce7ee566e629cc10.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301The Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, RIRBM, HiroshimaUniversity18518824121ENJournal Article19700101https://journal.waocp.org/article_24121_8e01abc46b5445328cca04b0cfa83881.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301The 4th JICA Training Course, Community-based Cancer Prevention (Epidemiological Approach)18919424122ENJournal Article19700101The present training course was programmed by the Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan, and has been annually conducted since 1999, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (Takezaki 2001). This course targets doctors and public health workers who are responsible for communitybased cancer prevention in developing countries to promote comprehensive procedures focusing mainly on primary but also including secondary prevention of cancer.
Cancer is the leading cause of deaths in developed countries, while communicable diseases are still major causes of mortality in developing countries (WHO 2000). However, the relative burdenn of cancer deaths is also increasing in developing countries, with economic development and elongation of the life span (Walgate 1984; Chackiel 1999). Boffetta and Parkin have estimated cancer to account for 13 percent of the annual deaths in adults of developing countries (Boffetta and Parkin 1994). Limitations of medical facilities and equipment in developing countries underly the necessity to stress prevention as an indispensable measure for cancer control (Mikheev et al. 1994). However, human resources concerning cancer prevention are limited, and encouragement should be given as the first priority as regards to cancer prevention. The Japanese Government extends official development assistance (ODA) to developing countries to support self-help efforts that will lead to economic progress and a better life for their citizens. Since its foundation in 1974, JICA has implemented Japan's technical cooperation under the ODA programme. Currently, JICA conducts such activities as training, dispatch of experts, provision of equipment, project-type technical cooperation, development studies, dispatch of cooperation volunteers (JOCV), and survey and administration of capital grant aid programs.
The present training program for overseas participants is one of JICA's fundamental technical cooperation activities for developing countries. Participants come from overseas in order to obtain knowledge and technology in a wide variety of fields. The objectives of the JICA training programs are: 1) to contribute to the development of human resources who will promote the advancement of developing countries, and 2) to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship.
The present report concentrates on revised contents with this 4th course and includes a commentary on its advantages and disadvantages. https://journal.waocp.org/article_24122_4aa016c7272ea441187fed8cd0835bc1.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Joint 9th Cancer Prevention/ 25th Cancer Epidemiology Association Meeting19519624123ENJournal Article19700101https://journal.waocp.org/article_24123_96b42da93af5d053db343d71011e04e5.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Allele Frequencies of 25 Polymorphisms Pertaining to Cancer Risk for Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese19720624124ENJournal Article19700101Allele frequencies are rather constant among different ethnic groups in many genetic polymorphisms, but some polymorphisms vary in the allele frequency depending on the time when the germ-line base exchanges occurred in the history of humans and on the adaptability of the phenotypes to given environment. This review documented the allele frequencies of polymorphisms pertaining to cancer risk for Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese. Twenty-five polymorphisms of 21 genes whose allele frequencies were available for at least two out of the three ethnic groups were selected. They were ALDH2 Glu487Lys, COMT Val158Met, CYP1A1 MspI and Val/Ile, CYP1B1 Leu432Val, CYP2E1 RsaI, CYP17 T-34C, ER C975G, GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 Ile105Val, IL-1B C-511T, IL-1RN 86-bp VNTR (variable number of tandem repeats), MTHFR C677T and A1298C, NAT1, NAT2, NQO1 Pro187Ser, OGG1 Ser326Cys, p21 Ser31Arg, p53 Arg72Pro, TNF-A G-308A and G-238A, and XRCC1 Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln. The allele frequencies were found for 24 in Japanese, 16 in Koreans, and 24 in Chinese. All of the polymorphisms had similar allele frequencies for these ethnic groups, except the following polymorphisms; ALDH2 Glu487Lys whose Lys allele was more common for Japanese and Taiwanese, COMT Val158Met whose Met allele was more common for Japanese, and NAT2 rapid/slow whose slow alleles were more common for Chinese. When compared with the allele frequencies among Caucasians, the following minor alleles were more frequent among Japanese/Koreans/Chinese; ALDH2 478Lys, CYP1A1 m1 and m2, CYP2E1 c2, ER 975G, GSTT1 null, NAT1 *10, NQO1 187Ser, OGG1 326Cys, p21 31Arg, and XRCC1 194Trp, and less frequent in COMT 158Met, GST-P1 105Val, IL-1RN non-4R, MTHFR 1298C, and TNF-A - 308A. The differences in genetic background may affect the impact on the lifestyle factors and/or genotypes examined in epidemiological studies. However, the influences of the variations in the allele frequency seemed to be limited among Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese. The substantial differences in the allele frequency from Caucasians could modify the influences of lifestyle factors and polymorphism genotypes, resulting in the inconsistent results of epidemiologic studies. https://journal.waocp.org/article_24124_fa54b9b31ca69767ddc2e3a8edbceff5.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Cervical Cancer: Etiology, Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Future Vaccines20721424125ENJournal Article19700101Cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV-16 and -18. Of the half million new cases of cervical cancer reported yearly, 20% occur in India. Mass cancer screening programs to detect and treat cervical cancer and its precursor lesions are not available in India and most other developing countries because of the lack of resources. Curative and palliative treatments are not the same for all patients with cervical cancer because the result depends on the immunological response of the patient. This article describes the natural history of cervical carcinogenesis and the rational behind various modalities of prevention and treatment for the practising gynecological oncologist. Prophylactic vaccines against HPV-16 and -18 and therapeutic vaccines against cervical cancers should be able to overcome the logistical problems that now exist to screen, diagnose and treat cervical cancer and its precursor lesions. https://journal.waocp.org/article_24125_7d92697fc90ce69d7a20991b41f1c2b1.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Suppressive Effects of Edible Thai Plants on Superoxide and Nitric Oxide Generation21522324126ENJournal Article19700101We screened ethanol extracts from a total of 134 species of edible Thai plants for their suppressive effects on superoxide (O2 -) generation using a xanthine (XA)-xanthine oxidase (XOD) assay system. When the extracts were tested at a concentration of 500 ìg/ml, 28.4% significantly suppressed O2 - generation. Of these active extracts, it was found that in 17.9% of cases the action was due to XOD inhibition, in 1.5% due to O2 - scavenging activity, and in 9% due to both XOD inhibition and O2 - scavenging. In addition, some plant extracts (25 species) which had been known to possibly possess anti-tumor promoting activity were tested for O2 - and NO generation in cellular systems. In this test, 13 species exhibited strong inhibitory activity toward both O2 - and NO generation. From the fruit pods of Oroxylum indicum (Bignoniaceae), a traditional vegetable in Thailand, two flavones, oroxylin A and chrysin, and a triterpene carboxylic acid, ursolic acid (UA), were identified as inhibitors of O2 - generation in XA/XOD system. These compounds also showed marked inhibitory effects on the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate (TPA)-induced O2 - generation in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-differentiated HL-60 cells. Our results suggest that, as we have reported earlier, edible Thai plants are promising sources of antioxidants with chemopreventive potential.https://journal.waocp.org/article_24126_1b884b7044d35fecec48e0e52273d95b.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Elimination of Deleterious Effects of Free Radicals in Murine Skin Carcinogenesis byBlack Tea Infusion, Theaflavins & Epigallocatechin Gallate22523024127ENJournal Article19700101In recent years, numerous reports have been published on the identification of novel, naturally occurring antioxidants from plants, animals, microbial sources and processed food products. Most natural antioxidants are phenolic compounds, which have a modulatory role on physiological functions and biotransformation reactions involved in the detoxification process, thereby affording protection from cytotoxic, genotoxic and metabolic actions of environmental toxicants. As part of our program on evaluation of food, beverage and traditional medicinal plants for their anticarcinogenic activity, the present report deals with the evaluation of aqueous infusion of Black tea (Camellia sinensis), Black tea extract (80% Theaflavins) & EGCG on mice exposed to the chemical carcinogen DMBA. All the four detoxification enzymes studied viz, GST, GPx, SOD and CAT were found to be activated to different degrees following treatment with black tea and two of its active compounds. The activation of the enzymes was accompanied by significant reduction in lipid peroxidation. The effect on apoptosis and cell proliferation was also studied in mice skin following administration of DMBA. Theaflavins, and EGCG significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. The observation suggests chemopreventive potential of black tea infusion, black tea extract Theaflavins and the compound EGCG.https://journal.waocp.org/article_24127_a05992c9cff8ed4eef8518f598504efb.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Chemopreventive Potential of Neem Flowers on Carcinogen-induced Rat Mammary and Liver Carcinogenesis23123824128ENJournal Article19700101We have previously reported that dietary neem flowers (Azadirachta indica A. Juss var. siamensis Valeton) caused a marked increase in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the liver, while resulting in a significant reduction in the activities of some hepatic P450-dependent monooxygenases. These results strongly indicate that neem flowers may have chemopreventive potential. In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effects of neem flowers on 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary gland carcinogenesis in female Sprague Dawley rats and on aflatoxin B 1 (AFB1)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. Young animals were fed with AIN-76 purified diets containing either 10-12.5% ground freeze-dried neem flowers for 1 week prior to, during, and for 1 week after the administration of each carcinogen. Interestingly, it was found that neem flowers resulted in a marked reduction of the incidence of mammary gland (about 35.2%) and liver tumors (61.7% and 80.1% for benign and malignant tumors, respectively). Furthermore, the multiplicity of tumors per rats was also lower in the neem flower groups, i.e. those for mammary gland tumors and benign and malignant liver tumors were reduced to 44.0%, 87.9% and 88.9%, respectively. These results clearly demonstrated that neem flowers contain some chemopreventive agents capable of inhibiting AFB1 and DMBA induced liver and mammary gland carcinogenesis in rats.https://journal.waocp.org/article_24128_3f196baddca1506e34aef07c70c065eb.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Trends of Cancer Prevalence in Some Districts of West Bengal23924224129ENJournal Article19700101An attempt has been made to understand the cancer prevalence in eight districts of West Bengal. Special emphasis was on the types of cancer most prevalent among the male and female populations. In this study we have represented the frequency by age and sex of different tumors among 9034 cancer cases registered over five years. Our findings indicate that liver cancer is predominant among males and cancer of the cervix uteri is most prevalent among females. The valuesby age indicate that cancer incidence increased during this study period, especially in Kolkatta.https://journal.waocp.org/article_24129_09e705706b235574cacbe2eb44edcf86.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301White Ginseng, but not Red Ginseng, Inhibits Progression of Intestinal Carcinogenesis in Rats24325024130ENJournal Article19700101Ginseng is a well known traditional medicine in Asian countries which has attracted attention as a potential chemopreventive agent. In the present study, inhibitory effects of white and red ginseng on tumor development were examined using medium-term liver and multi-organ carcinogenicity bioassay systems. No modifying potential of the ginseng preparations were evident in terms of the numbers or areas of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci in rat livers. However, white ginseng, although not its red counterpart, was found to decrease the incidences of adenocarcinoma of the small intestine and colon in the medium-term multi-organ carcinogenesis model, without any affect on the numbers of aberrant crypt foci (ACF). These results indicate that white ginseng may have inhibitory effects on the progression stage of rat intestinal carcinogenesis, but the influence is not strong. Ginseng did not appear to have promoting or inhibitory effects in other organs under the present experimental conditions. Possible application on ginseng for chemoprevention of colon cancer in humans, can be concluded given the lack of obvious adverse effects.https://journal.waocp.org/article_24130_69e653b04bc62e2f7733c69b5a104183.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Prevention of Endometrial Cancer in Breast Cancer Patients Taking Tamoxifen : The Gynecologists' Role25125524131ENJournal Article19700101Breast cancer is among the commonest malignant diseases in women. Over the past two decades tamoxifen has been generally accepted as an endocrine therapy of choice for prevention of breast cancer recurrence. Although tamoxifen was thought to have only a few adverse effects, several reports indicate that it is associated with an increase incidence of proliferative and neoplastic changes in the endometrium, with a 1.3 to 7.5 relative risk of developing endometrial carcinoma. The increased risk of endometrial cancer following the use of tamoxifen has stimulated studies on endometrial diagnostic screening methods. During the past ten years several reports have shown the benefits of transvaginal ultrasonography in detecting endometrial pathologies in patients receiving tamoxifen. Sonohysterography has been claimed to be a useful diagnostic tool on differentiating space-occupying lesion, eg. endometrial polyp, from abnormal endometrial-myometrial junction while the contribution of pulsed flow velocity in diagnosis of endometrial pathologies seems to be inconclusive. More recently a few factors have been identified as risk of developing endometrial cancer after tamoxifen use. These include pre-existing endometrial pathologies, obesity, and prior ERT use. This information provides us a more sensible way in following breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen. It is proposed here that postmenopausal breast cancer patients intend to have tamoxifen treatment should receive a “two - step evaluation”. The pretreatment evaluation is aimed to classify patients at risk of later development of endometrial pathologies after being exposed to tamoxifen while the ongoing evaluation is designed to closely follow the patents after the initiation of tamoxifen in hope that this will provide a tool for early diagnosis or hopefully a protective measure against endometrial carcinoma associated with tamoxifen therapy.https://journal.waocp.org/article_24131_f4b7fe62f97d7824167cc2bbb60da995.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Evaluation of the Geographical and Family Background of Student Nurses and Midwives and their Knowledge of Cancer and Nutrition25726124132ENJournal Article19700101Plant foods are the custodians of numerous dietary constituents, including vitamins, minerals, fibre, and other potentially anticarcinogenic agents. Eating habits are influenced by many biological, social, psychological, and cultural factors. Despite the relative paucity of definite evidence relevant to prevention in cancer and the tools available for early detection of cancer, people should be informed about the protective factors (dietary influence, life-style and exercise) continuously to develop new habits which will protect against cancer. A descriptive study was here designed to examine the effects of geographical and family background on nutrition of nursing students and their knowledge of recommended dietary guidelines for health promotion and cancer prevention. Most of students and their families lived in Aegean and Marmara regions, and in general they regularly consumed vegetables, fruits and cereals. Fresh vegetable and fruit consumption is rather high in Thrace, Aegean, Marmara and Mediterranean regions of Turkey. Students were found to be well informed during courses on dietary guidelines for health promotion and cancer prevention. The greatest promise for cancer prevention rests on our ability to change multiple and often interrelated behaviours that have been shown to increase the risk of cancer. https://journal.waocp.org/article_24132_c14f5421225b90e3f051405a6b01652b.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Programs for Asian Pacific Cancer Prevention in Response to the Four Strategic Directions of UICC for the New Millennium26326624133ENJournal Article19700101The final goal of epidemiology is the establishment of prevention measures and the promotion of better human health. The information we obtain through research needs to be substantially supplemented by comprehensive knowledge of the standardized “global strategy”. To establish regional cancer control programs, we need basic data on cancer incidence and mortality in the general populace gained from well-organized cancer registration and collection of vital statistics. Cancer is a typical lifestyle related disease and we should define the risk and protective factors for cancer in particular peoples. In general, lifestyle is established by long-term acquired culture in each ethnic group and area, and we cannot easily transfer established cancer control programs from developed countries to other states with a very different cultural background. We need to establish our own cancer control strategy that would be accommodating our own physical and social environments. This was the reason why the Asia Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention ( APOCP) was set up to promote all aspects of cancer prevention across our own area of the globe. The idea of a Practical Prevention Program (PPP) pilot center in Asia was a well-timed proposal and to now promote the PPP, continuous grass route activity by core persons and institutions, accompanied by positive participation of the general populace, is indispensable. The APOCP and the UICC should play central roles in providing rear-area logistic support to promote local activities on cancer control. What we learn here in the Asian Pacific will also be of great assistance to efforts in other areas of the world. https://journal.waocp.org/article_24133_d8415ba0c1169fd21f9189d09b6b67dd.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Social Responsibility in Cancer Prevention Research: IARC as a 'Global Science Force'26727224134ENJournal Article19700101Ten million new cancer patients are diagnosed each year worldwide. Many specific causes of cancer are known, ranging from factors related to lifestyle, diet and chronic infections to occupational exposures. Primary and secondary prevention continue to be of major importance in cancer control globally. The global burden of cancer, especially the part attributable to infectious diseases, disproportionally affects populations in developing countries. Inadequate access to treatment (pharmaceuticals and other modern technology) plays a role in perpetuating this disparity. Drugs and vaccines may not be accessible because of excessive cost or because development of the required products has been neglected. The remarkable advances in molecular understanding of the carcinogenesis process over the past 25 years have transformed the approaches to cancer control. Promising new tools in preventive oncology, such as immunization (vaccines) and chemoprevention, have emerged. Vaccines are currently being tested in trials e.g., against hepatitis B virus and human papillomaviruses. Chemoprevention has been successfully achieved in animal experiments, and has been validated in several clinical trials. The current agents and strategies should not be regarded as a panacea; more effective and safer vaccines and chemopreventive agents are needed. Future enhanced efforts on an international basis are needed to coordinate the prevention and intervention research efforts in a costefficient and affordable manner. Cancer prevention deserves continuing high priority in terms of both research and application, also in the developing countries. New ventures may be built on possible expansion of IARC’s role in prevention and intervention research into a “Global Science Force” by following the examples of e.g., the Gambia Hepatitis Intervention Study and the cervix cancer screening trials in India. WHO’s support with its regional offices would be beneficial, together with further national funding and support, and research collaboration and funding from more wealthy countries.https://journal.waocp.org/article_24134_4dbfd949510da55071b9a7a0d1f31325.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301Coordinated Research and the Question of an 'IARC' for the Asian-Pacific?27327824135ENJournal Article19700101The stated goal of the APOCP/APJCP is to promote an increased awareness in all areas of cancer prevention and stimulate practical intervention approaches. Whether this should be targeted solely through the publication of the APJCP or also through activities in institutions independently capable of research has yet to be decided by the membership. This will in fact be debated at the forthcoming First General Assembly Conference but we have already argued earlier for an APOCP Training Centre/Practical Prevention Program Pilot Centre and indeed made a practical start. Since the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Union International Contra Cancrum (UICC) are already active in the Asian Pacific the question arises as to what relationship the APOCP should aim for with these international bodies. If they had local offices sited conveniently for efforts specific to this region of the world, coordination and the search for financial support would be greatly facilitated. In particular, one could then envisage an expanded Asian country base for the IARC which would allow greatly enhanced promotion of collaborative projects in our region, with a balanced mix of primary and secondary prevention activities appropriate to the prevailing socioeconomic environments. Possibly under the auspices of the Asian Pacific Federation of Organizations for Cancer Control and Research (APFOCC) through the UICC, the APOCP could act as a local partner to an ‘IARC’ institute for the Asian Pacific. If this idea is ever to be realised we must promote debate and establish concensus so that our voices can be heard. The question we ask now is whether it should indeed be official policy of the APOCP?https://journal.waocp.org/article_24135_2b6dd17daa3236ae005ddf3ded5d6a46.pdfWest Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73683320020301First General Assembly APOCP Conference/UICC Symposium29729824136ENJournal Article19700101