West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101APOCP/APJCP Up-date and Projections for the Future1224220ENJournal Article19700101West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies: Past, Present and the Future Scenario31424221ENJournal Article19700101Use of complementary and alternative therapies is widespread among cancer patients. Throughout the world cancer patients try many questionable or unproven treatment methods. The reasons for adopting these therapies are complex and are related to the social and cultural contexts of their geographical locations. In case of severe illness, the desire to leave no stone unturned is a powerful motivator. In developing countries, ignorance, socioeconomics, and inadequate access to mainstream medical facilities are major factors that play an important role for patients opting for alternative therapies that are replacements for mainstream treatment. Whereas in developed countries a significant proportion of cancer patients try complementary therapies as adjuncts to mainstream care for management of symptoms and to improve quality of life. Many alternative therapies, including pharmacological and biological treatments, remain highly controversial but at the same time are very popular. Evidence from randomized trial supports the value of hypnosis for cancer pain and nausea; relaxation therapy and massage for anxiety; and acupuncture for nausea. This article reviews the different popular alternative cancer therapies practiced in India and neighboring south east Asian countries to project the current international scenario on complementary and alternative cancer therapies. West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101The Models for Assessment of Chemopreventive Agents: Single Organ Models152324222ENJournal Article19700101Research in cancer chemoprevention involves a number of activities, the first and foremost of which is acquisition of detailed knowledge concerning the process of carcinogenesis and identification of points of intervention whereby the process can be reversed or stalled. Parallel to this is the search for ideal chemopreventive agents – natural or synthetic - and screening for their activity and efficacy in vitro and in vivo. For ethical reasons it is not possible to test new agents on humans, so preclinical studies are dependent on results first being obtained with suitable animal models. Since it is not possible for a single model to reflect the diversity and heterogeneity of human cancers, it is necessary to have as many different models as possible, depending on the requirement of the studies on different aspects of cancer biology. Advances in research on carcinogenesis and chemoprevention therefore have to be accompanied by development of appropriate laboratory animal models using a variety of carcinogens that produce tumours at different sites. Animal models have contributed significantly to our understanding of carcinogenesis and ways to intervene in the underlying processes. Many animal carcinogenesis and tumour models have been found to mirror corresponding human cancers with respect to cell of origin, morphogenesis, phenotype markers and genetic alteration. In spite of the fact that interpolation of data from animal studies to humans is difficult for various reasons, animal models are widely used for assessment of new compounds with cancer chemopreventive potential and for preclinical trials. So despite the movements of animal rights activists, animal models will continue to be used for biomedical research for saving human lives. In doing so, care should be taken to treat and handle the animals with minimal discomfort to them and ensuring that alternatives are used whenever possible. West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Breast Cancer in Iran: Results of a Multi-center study242724223ENJournal Article19700101<br/><b>Introduction</b>: Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in Iranian women. This study aims to demonstrate the characteristics of breast diseases- and especially breast cancer- according to pathologic records in Tehran, Iran. <br/><b>Methods</b>: In this cross-sectional study, all records of pathologic specimens (biopsy or mastectomy) categorized as “breast diseases” from 1996 to 2000 in five teaching hospitals in Tehran were studied. For each patient, sex, age, breast pathology, pathological staging of malignant lesions, side and location of the tumor and the type of surgery were reviewed by a trained general practitioner. SPSS version 10 was used for statistical analysis. <br/><b>Results</b>: The mean age of women with breast cancer was 48.8. The highest frequency of malignancies was observed in the 40-49 age group (31.8%). Twenty-three percent of breast cancers were observed in women younger than 40 years. About 83 percent of malignant lesions in women were in T2, T3 or T4 at diagnosis. Only about 4 percent of women with breast cancers had tumors in stage I or in-situ carcinomas. Nearly 70 percent of the cancers were detected only after lymph node involvement. Only 4.3 percent of our female cases had the chance of conservative mastectomy. Twenty-eight percent of specimens from biopsies in women were malignant. Discussion and <br/><b>Conclusion</b>: In Iran, breast cancer affects women at least one decade younger than their counterparts in developed countries. A considerable proportion of our cases (96%) were in stage II or III at diagnosis. These results show advanced cases at presentation in Iran which further mandate a national cancer detection program involving more effective public education and encouragement of women for breast self-examination and participation in screening campaigns. West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Association between Type II Diabetes and Colon Cancer among Japanese with Reference to Changes in Food Intake283524224ENJournal Article19700101Many epidemiological studies have provided support for the hypothesis that type II diabetes can increase the risk of colorectal cancer, but time trends, geographical distributions and host factors for the two diseases remain largely to be clarified. To address these issues, we investigated the epidemic pattern of colon cancer and type II diabetes among Japanese in Japan (J-Japanese), with consideration of the westernization of dietary habits. Over the last three decades, the increase in crude mortality rates of colon cancer from the Vital Statistics has closely paralleled the increment in prevalence rates (PRs) from hospital based surveys of diabetes. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) for colon cancer among Japanese in the United States (US-Japanese) were higher than those among J-Japanese and almost the same as those among US-Whites, while PRs for type II diabetes among US-Japanese were the highest in the three populations. Correlation analysis showed that PRs for type II diabetes had a positive association with ASIRs for colon cancer among the combination of Japanese and US-Japanese (r=0.79, p<0.01). Since 1950, intake of milk, meat, eggs and fat/oil has increased, while that of rice and potatoes has gradually decreased. Our findings indicate that the increment of ASIRs for colon cancer among J-Japanese might be closely associated with the increment of PRs for type II diabetes, reflecting the westernization of food intake. West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Epidemiologic Analysis of the Tehran Cancer Institute Data System Registry (TCIDSR)363924225ENJournal Article19700101<br/><b>Objective</b>: To review epidemiological data on thyroid cancer in Iran. <br/><b>Methods</b>: The Tehran Cancer Institute Data System Registry (TCIDSR) was used to identify patients with different histological types of thyroid cancer (TC) in Iran. Data were analysed from 438 thyroid cancer cases identified by the TCIDSR in 1998-99. Disease prevalence was calculated with reference to age, time and place. <br/><b>Results</b>: The TCIDSR recorded 438 primary malignancies of the thyroid gland: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic carcinomas accounted for 67.1%, 10.7%, 5.3% and 4.3% of cases, respectively. The remaining 12.6% were classified as OD (other diagnoses). The prevalence of TC was highest in ethnic Farsis. The age range of patients was 8-85 years. Mean patient age was 44.52±17.03 years (mean ± SD) overall, 47.74±18.10 years in female patients and 43.04±16.34 years in male patients. Anaplastic (6.5% vs. 3.3%) and medullary (10.0% vs. 3.0%) cancers were more common in men than women. <br/><b>Conclusion</b>: This study was undertaken to define the epidemiological aspects of thyroid carcinoma in Iran, an area of endemic iodine deficiency until fairly recently. Against expectation for an iodine-deficient area, the frequency distribution of tumours in our study was closer to that seen in iodine-rich areas. Additional research on the risk factors for thyroid cancer – genetic, ethnic, geographic and environmental – is needed to explain the high incidence of PTC overall, and among ethnic Farsis in particular, in Iran. West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Development of a Data-based Short Food Frequency Questionnaire for Assessing Nutrient Intake by Middle-aged Japanese404324226ENJournal Article19700101<br/><b>Objective</b>: Development of a data-based short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for evaluating intake of nutrients by middle-aged Japanese. <br/><b>Methods</b>: Of 102 foods listed in the formerly developed semi-quantitative FFQ, foods having similar nutrient contents were combined into 72 foods/food groups by research dietitians. Nutrient contents were computed by multiplying the weight of foods consumed and its nutrient contents. Next, a cumulative multiple regression coefficient up to 0.85 was applied, and 47 foods/food groups were chosen for a brief FFQ for assessing intake of 21 nutrients including energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers. <br/><b>Results</b>: The 47 foods/food groups comprised rice, bread and noodles (3), margarine/butter (2), eggs (1), milk and dairy products (2), soybean and soybean products (3), miso-soup (1), meat including beef, pork and chicken (4), fish (3), other fish, shellfish and fish products (4), green-yellow vegetables (5), other vegetables and mushrooms (3), edible roots (4), seaweeds (1), mayonnaise (1), fried dishes (2), seeds (1), fruit (2), beverages, including alcohol (3), and confectioneries (2). <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: The evidence-based short FFQ efficiently covered the intake of 21 nutrients, and may be competent to rank the middle-aged general public Japanese according to intake of nutrients. West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Expression of Cyclooxygenase-1 and –2 and Clinicopathologic Features of Colorectal Cancer in Northern Thailand444924227ENJournal Article19700101Two isoforms of cyclooxygenase, COX-1 and COX-2, have been identified and shown to be involved in tumorigenesis. Although, overexpression of COX-2 in human cancers has been repeatedly reported, no data have hitherto been available for Thai patients. To cast light on the role(s) of COX enzymes in the development and progression of colorectal cancers and to determine the incidence of COX-2 overexpression, the expression levels of COX-1 and COX-2 proteins using Western blot analysis in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues obtained from 44 Thai patients with colorectal cancer. Compared with paired normal tissues, COX-2 was overexpressed in 13 of 44 colorectal tumor tissues (29.5%). Overall, COX-2 levels in colorectal tumor specimens were significantly correlated with histological differentiation, in particular in the tumors with poor differentiation (p<0.05). In addition, overexpression of COX-2 was found more frequently in colorectal tumors with lymphatic invasion, regional lymph node metastasis and larger size, althoughwithout statistical significance. In contrast to the relatively consistent alteration in COX-2 expression, the level of COX-1 expression was quite varied in tumor tissues. Forty-eight percent of colorectal tumors exhibited a decreased level of COX-1 in comparison to normal tissues and overexpressed in 23%. Thus both isoforms may both play roles in promoting tumorigenesis. However, there was no significant relationship between the alteration of COX-1 protein levels and any pathological features of tumors. West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Lack of HTLV-I Carriers in the Sami, an Ethnic Group Living in the Arctic Area in Norwa505324228ENJournal Article19700101The Sami is an ethnic group with ill-defined genetic origins, living in the northern areas of the Scandinavian Peninsula and Russia. Distinct from other European populations in culture and language, they are generally deemed to be remote from the Caucasian lineage. In order to ascertain whether the Sami are genetically linked to Asiatic Mongoloids, we investigated serological markers of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) infection. Particle agglutination tests for serum HTLV-I antibody were performed for 400 Sami living in Finnmark, the northernmost county of Norway, and in 380 Caucasians (or Norse) in the same region, using serum samples collected for the purpose of studying cardiovascular disease among Northland people in 1974-75. One sample from a Sami showed a tentatively positive reaction, and 4 sera from Sami and 4 from Norse individuals exhibited non-specific agglutination. However, none of the 9 sera showed a positive result in western blotting for HTLV-I proteins, namely, gp46, p53, p24, and p19. Since HTLV-I is distributed most prevalently among northern and southwestern Japanese in Asia and Andeans in South America, the absence of HTLV-I in the Sami might suggest their genetic remoteness from these ethnic groups.West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Serum g-glutamyl Transpeptidase and Alkaline Phosphatase of People in Khon Kaen, the Northeastern Thailand545724229ENJournal Article19700101Serum ã-glytamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of the normal population in Northeastern Thailand were measured. The median serum GGP and ALP levels of females was significantly lower than the values for males, i.e., 21 (range=9-260) versus 32 (range=9-459) and 73 (range= 20-428) versus 83 (range=13-171) U/L, respectively. Serum ALP level tended to increase with age in both male and female populations, whereas serum GGT level did not show any age dependence. Serum GGT and ALP levels of cigarette smokers were significantly higher than those of the non-smokers. Alcohol, coffee or tea drinking also resulted in higher serum GGT value whereas serum ALP values were not changed. Betal nut chewing caused only lower serum GGT but not serum ALP values. The total population in Ban Fang district seemed to have lower serum GGT than those in Chonnabot district. The results from our study give the base line data of serum GGT and ALP in a Thai population. We also confirm the association of serum GGT with cigarette smoking, alcohol and coffee/tea drinking which are risk factors of cancer. West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Dietary Habits and Cancer Mortality Among Middle Aged and Older Japanese Living in Hokkaido, Japan by Cancer Site and Sex586524230ENJournal Article19700101Dietary factors are thought to be closely associated with the development of human cancers and hence numerous studies in this area have already been conducted in the United States and other Western countries. Comparatively few prospective studies have been published in Japan, especially for Hokkaido people. The present investigation was therefore performed to assess links between four leading cancers and some of the Japanese common dietary factors through a cohort study (1984- 2002) in Hokkaido by analyzing 1,524 men and 1,634 women separately aged 40 and over. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate the relative risk (RR) for each dietary factor. For men, two dietary factors, miso soup (RR=0.2, 95% confidence interval (95%CI)=0.1-0.8) and pickled vegetables (RR=0.2, 95%CI=0.1-0.8) were associated with lower risk for stomach and colorectal cancer respectively. For women, three factors, namely salty confectionary (RR=3.5, 95%CI=1.1-10.9), black tea (RR=3.8, 95%CI=1.1-13.6), and carbonated drink/juice (RR=3.9, 95% CI=1.4-11.1) appeared related to an elevated risk of stomach cancer. However, further analysis simultaneously with all other adjusted factors indicated only carbonated drink/juice (RR=3.1, 95%CI=1.1-8.9) to present a significant risk factor for stomach cancer. One factor, namely wild edible plants (RR=3.3, 95%CI=1.1-9.8), increased the risk for colorectal cancer in women. None of the dietary components were significantly associated with lung or pancreatic cancers. This study also indicated a wide variation in the impact of dietary factors by sex and cancer site, in line with earlier work, poonting to a necessity for careful interpretation. Further epidemiological investigations by sex with more study subjects and confounding factors will be useful for determining the contribution of individual dietary factors to development of human cancers in Hokkaido, Japan.West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Analysis of Smoking Behaviour among Iranian Population: a Cohort and Period Analysis666924231ENJournal Article19700101this study is to describe the patterns of smoking among Iranian population. <br/><b>Methods</b>: Data from cross-sectional surveys of Health and Disease Survey (HDS) in Iran were utilized. Smoking was categorized as no smoker, light smoker (less than 10 cigarettes a day), moderate smokers (10 to 20 cigarettes a day), and heavy smoker (more than 20 cigarettes a day). Age group cohorts were constructed by following each age group to the next age group in two consecutive surveys. The change in smoking behavior was express as the difference of smoking prevalence and 95% confidence interval around the difference were constructed. Three birth cohorts of 1930, 1960, and 1975 were constructed among smoker and their age at initiation of smoking were assessed for the three cohorts. <br/><b>Results</b>: Smoking was more prevalent among age group 25-39 in males and age group 40-60 in females. Smoking prevalence increased in all categories of smoking behavior among male cohort of 15-25 year age-group and stayed stable afterward up to their 40’s. After age 40, the prevalence of smoking decreased in heavy smokers and stayed stable in light and moderate smokers. A different pattern was seen among female smokers. Age at initiation of smoking decreased in the last decades. Among the male birth cohort of 1930, just 32.6% of smokers started smoking before age 20 compared with 48.7% in birth cohort of 1975, P value <0.0001. Similar pattern was seen among the female smokers. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: The pattern of smoking in Iranian population high lights the fact that smoking behavior is highly age dependent. West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Saffron Can Prevent Chemically Induced Murine Skin Carcinogensis In Swiss Albino Mice707624232ENJournal Article19700101One of the most promising strategies for cancer prevention today is chemoprevention using readily available natural substances from vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices . Among the spices, saffron (Crocus sativus, L) a member of the large family Iridaceae, has drawn attention because apart from its use as a flavouring agent, pharmacological studies have demonstrated many health promoting properties including radical scavenging, anti- mutagenic and immuno-modulating effects. In the present study the effects of an aqueous infusion of saffron on two stage skin papillogenesis / carcinogenesis in mice initiated by 7-12 dimethyl benz[a] anthracin (DMBA) and promoted with croton oil were investigated. Significant reduction in papilloma formation was found with saffron application in the pre-initation and post-initation periods, and particular when the agent was given both pre- and post-initation. The inhibition appeared to be at least partly due on modulatory effects of saffron on some phase II detoxifying enzymes like glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutahinoe peroxidase (GPx), as well as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Karachi Cancer Registry Data – Implications for the National Cancer Control Program of Pakistan778224233ENJournal Article19700101Cancer registries play a major role in providing the data to justify establishment, implementation and monitoring of cancer control programs, therefore stability in cancer registration is of pivotal importance. An erroneous assessment of the cancer burden can have long-term negative implications for the limited health resources of a country. Thus, registries starting simultaneously with cancer control programs clearly cannot be adequate for the purpose. The Karachi Cancer Registry (KCR) is the first population-based registry of Pakistan, with 9 years proven data stability (1995-2003) for Karachi South (KS), a location with a population distribution similar to that for the country in general as regards age, gender, and religion. It also has the distinction of being the only district in the country with representation of all ethnic and socioeconomic groups of the country. The primary recommended strategy for the ‘National Cancer Control Program’ (NCCP), Pakistan based on the assessment of eight common cancers in Karachi and the WHO estimates would be identical. A curb on the epidemic levels of tobacco and areca nut use would reduce malignancies in males by 43.7% and in females by 17.8% . WHO estimates put these figures at 45% and 18.5% for males and females respectively. Primary prevention in the form of diet control, checks on preservatives, dyes, and pesticides; protection from occupational hazards, control of biological agents and solar UV protection would help control of another half of the malignancies. Resource restrictions put high technology methods beyond the scope of Pakistan today. Early detection of cancers of accessible sites, though not an urgent requirement, would be warranted for oral, cervical and breast cancer, after sufficient capacity building, initially in the high-risk groups. In females, this could help target 47.6% (approximately half) of the malignancies and in men 13% of the total. Establishment of equitable pain control and a palliative care network throughout the country is an urgent and essential measure as more than 70% of cancer patients report with very advanced stages of malignancy. The estimated annual incident cancer cases for Pakistan, year 2000 on the basis of KCR data were 138,343 for males and 135,054 for females; approximately twice the number cited by WHO for the same year. The argument that higher KCR estimates reflect an urban catchment population may be justified, the urban: rural ratio being 2:1 in Pakistan. Evidencebased strategies, however ,support the counter argument, that the rising incidence of cancer in Pakistan is primarily attributable to risk factors equally prevalent in the rural and urban areas viz. increasing tobacco use, low socio-economic conditions, dietary deficiencies and prevalence of oncogenic viruses. Pakistan has a significant cancer burden and rising trends of risk factors - it is a country in dire need of a Cancer Control Program. KCR data along with WHO estimates can form the initial framework of a NCCP in Pakistan; the lack of a national cancer registration should not deter initiatives. Benefits of an immediate, prompt and targeted implementation established today will be realized after 20–30 years. Otherwise the country should be prepared to face epidemic proportions of the disease in the next decade or two. Prerequisite ‘qualification criteria’ or ‘sincerity of intent test’ for NCCP funding by international donors should be legislation against tobacco and areca nuts in Pakistan and stringent evaluative criteria.West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Precise Definition of Anonymization in Genetic Polymorphism Studies838824234ENJournal Article19700101Anonymization is an essential tool to protect privacy of participants in epidemiologiocal studies. This paper classifies types of anonymization in genetic polymorphism studies, providing precise definitions. They are: 1) unlinkable anonymization at enrollment without a participant list; 2) unlinkable anonymization before genotyping with a participant list; 3) linkable anonymization; 4) unlinkable anonymization for outsiders; and 5) linkable anonymization for outsiders. The classification in view of accessibility to a table including genotype data with directly identifiable data such as names is important; if such tables exist, staff may obtain genotype information about participants. The first three modes are defined here as anonymization unaccessible to genotype data with directly identifiable information for research staff. Anonymization with a key code held by participants is possible with any of the above anonymization modes, by which participants can access to their own genotypes through telephone or internet. A guideline issued on March 29, 2001 with collaboration of three Ministries in Japan defines “anonymization in a linkable fashion” and “anonymization in an unlinkable fastion”, “for the purpose of preventing the personal information from being divulged externally in violation of law, the present guidelines or a research protocol”, but the contents are not clear in practice. The proposed definitions will be useful when we describe and discuss the preferable mode of anonymization for a given polymorphism study.West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-73685120040101Seaweed as a Beneficial Iodine Food Source899024235ENJournal Article19700101West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention1513-7368512004010126th Annual Meeting of the International Association of Cancer Registries - Cancer Institute/Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 14th-16th September, 2004, Beijing, China Second APOCP General Assembly Conference - Seoul National Un909124236ENJournal Article19700101