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Rao S, Rao P, Shetty R, Kulal Y, Gatty NC, Prabhu N, Suresh S, D'souza RK, Baliga MS. Usefulness of walkathon in improving knowledge on cancer: A cross-sectional study with the participants. J Cancer Res Ther 2023; 19:1760-1765. [PMID: 38376275 DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1675_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
AIM Globally, walkathon, a type of community event involving walking a determined distance to raise awareness and/or collect donations for a social cause is gaining a lot of public attention. This study was conducted to understand the usefulness of walkathon in creating cancer awareness among the participants. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a pre- and post-test study and was carried out on World Cancer Day on February 4, 2019 in Mangalore, Karnataka, India. The study subjects were the walkathon participants willing to be volunteers for the study. Differences in the answers were calculated by ascertaining the difference between the pretest and posttest using McNemar, Chi-square, or Fisher's exact test. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Pretest scores indicated most volunteers were aware of the role of tobacco and alcohol in cancer, while most were unaware of the importance of fruits and consumption of vegetables and sedentary lifestyle in the development of cancer. Posttest showed a significant increase in knowledge gain (P = 0.003 to <0.001). CONCLUSIONS For the first time, this study shows Walkathon to be helpful in improving cancer knowledge in the participants. Walkathon is an inexpensive and joyful way to educate people and warrants further study on a range of medical and social themes affecting society to establish its usefulness in public health education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Rao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Pratima Rao
- Cancer Education and Awareness Cell, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajesh Shetty
- Cancer Education and Awareness Cell, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Yathish Kulal
- Cancer Education and Awareness Cell, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Nitish Chandra Gatty
- Cancer Education and Awareness Cell, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Nagraj Prabhu
- Cancer Education and Awareness Cell, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sucharitha Suresh
- Department of Community Medicine, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Rhea Katherine D'souza
- Cancer Education and Awareness Cell, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
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Jovanović M, Kovačević S, Brkljačić J, Djordjevic A. Oxidative Stress Linking Obesity and Cancer: Is Obesity a 'Radical Trigger' to Cancer? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098452. [PMID: 37176160 PMCID: PMC10179114 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is on the rise worldwide, and consequently, obesity-related non-communicable diseases are as well. Nutritional overload induces metabolic adaptations in an attempt to restore the disturbed balance, and the byproducts of the mechanisms at hand include an increased generation of reactive species. Obesity-related oxidative stress causes damage to vulnerable systems and ultimately contributes to neoplastic transformation. Dysfunctional obese adipose tissue releases cytokines and induces changes in the cell microenvironment, promoting cell survival and progression of the transformed cancer cells. Other than the increased risk of cancer development, obese cancer patients experience higher mortality rates and reduced therapy efficiency as well. The fact that obesity is considered the second leading preventable cause of cancer prioritizes the research on the mechanisms connecting obesity to cancerogenesis and finding the solutions to break the link. Oxidative stress is integral at different stages of cancer development and advancement in obese patients. Hypocaloric, balanced nutrition, and structured physical activity are some tools for relieving this burden. However, the sensitivity of simultaneously treating cancer and obesity poses a challenge. Further research on the obesity-cancer liaison would offer new perspectives on prevention programs and treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Jovanović
- Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sanja Kovačević
- Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Brkljačić
- Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Djordjevic
- Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
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Paczkowska A, Hoffmann K, Raakow J, Pross M, Berghaus R, Michalak M, Bryl W, Marzec K, Kopciuch D, Zaprutko T, Ratajczak P, Nowakowska E, Kus K. The Impact of Health Policy on Patients' Awareness of the Risks Associated with Obesity: An International Multicenter Study in Poland and Germany. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2022; 15:723-732. [PMID: 35264866 PMCID: PMC8901419 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s348088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies indicate that the treatment of obesity is unsuccessful. The cause of this situation is that patients are not sufficiently educated about therapeutic methods and the health consequences of not treating obesity. Moreover, obesity prevention strategies differ significantly between EU countries. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study was to examine and compare the level of obesity-related knowledge and illness perception among obese patients from Poland and Germany. METHODS A prospective cross-sectional international multicentre study was conducted. The study included 564 subjects above 18 years old (210 German patients and 354 Polish patients) with obesity. A validated custom-made questionnaire was used to evaluate obesity-related knowledge. Patient illness perception was evaluated using Polish and German language versions of the standardized Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ). RESULTS Obese patients from Germany had significantly higher level of obesity-related knowledge than patients from Poland (22.01 ± 4.68 vs 19.17 ± 6.59, p<0.0001). Obesity-related knowledge was associated with the patient's education, patient participation in therapeutic educational programs, patient's perception of the illness, age and the number of healthcare professionals involved in the patient's treatment process. CONCLUSION The level of obesity-related knowledge among both Polish and German patients is unsatisfactory. This study suggests that health education is required to facilitate informed choices and support the use of cognitive approaches educating patients on the health consequences of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Paczkowska
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: Anna Paczkowska, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 7 Street, Poznan, 60-806, Poland, Tel +48 507 975 635, Fax +48 618546894, Email
| | - Karolina Hoffmann
- Department of Internal Diseases, Metabolic Disorders and Arterial Hypertension, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Jonas Raakow
- Department of Surgery, Campus Charité Mitte and Campus Virchow Klinikum, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Matthias Pross
- Department of Surgery, DRK Kliniken Berlin, Köpenick, Berlin, 12559, Germany
| | - Rafael Berghaus
- Department of Surgery, DRK Kliniken Berlin, Köpenick, Berlin, 12559, Germany
| | - Michał Michalak
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Wiesław Bryl
- Department of Internal Diseases, Metabolic Disorders and Arterial Hypertension, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Kinga Marzec
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Dorota Kopciuch
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Zaprutko
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Piotr Ratajczak
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Nowakowska
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Institute of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Gora, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kus
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Xing F, Zhao D, Wu SY, Tyagi A, Wu K, Sharma S, Liu Y, Deshpande R, Wang Y, Cleary J, Miller LD, Chittiboyina AG, Yalamanchili C, Mo YY, Watabe K. Epigenetic and Posttranscriptional Modulation of SOS1 Can Promote Breast Cancer Metastasis through Obesity-Activated c-Met Signaling in African-American Women. Cancer Res 2021; 81:3008-3021. [PMID: 33446575 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-4031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ethnicity is considered to be one of the major risk factors in certain subtypes of breast cancer. However, the mechanism of this racial disparity remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that SOS1, a key regulator of Ras pathway, is highly expressed in African-American (AA) patients with breast cancer compared with Caucasian-American patients. Because of the higher obesity rate in AA women, increased levels of SOS1 facilitated signal transduction of the c-Met pathway, which was highly activated in AA patients with breast cancer via hepatocyte growth factor secreted from adipocytes. Elevated expression of SOS1 also enhanced cancer stemness through upregulation of PTTG1 and promoted M2 polarization of macrophages by CCL2 in metastatic sites. SOS1 was epigenetically regulated by a super-enhancer identified by H3K27ac in AA patients. Knockout of the super-enhancer by CRISPR in AA cell lines significantly reduced SOS1 expression. Furthermore, SOS1 was posttranscriptionally regulated by miR-483 whose expression is reduced in AA patients through histone trimethylation (H3K27me3) on its promoter. The natural compound, taxifolin, suppressed signaling transduction of SOS1 by blocking the interaction between SOS1 and Grb2, suggesting a potential utility of this compound as a therapeutic agent for AA patients with breast cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings elucidate the signaling network of SOS1-mediated metastasis in African-American patients, from the epigenetic upregulation of SOS1 to the identification of taxifolin as a potential therapeutic strategy against SOS1-driven tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xing
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
| | - Dan Zhao
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Shih-Ying Wu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Abhishek Tyagi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Kerui Wu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Sambad Sharma
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Yin Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Ravindra Deshpande
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Yuezhu Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Jacob Cleary
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Lance D Miller
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Amar G Chittiboyina
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi
| | - Chinni Yalamanchili
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi
| | - Yin-Yuan Mo
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Kounosuke Watabe
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
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Hall IJ, Soman A, Smith JL, White A, Crawford A. Perceived risk of colorectal and breast cancers among women who are overweight or with obesity. Prev Med Rep 2019; 14:100845. [PMID: 31008025 PMCID: PMC6458496 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2019.100845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Many overweight women or women with obesity do not acknowledge their high weight status and may be unaware of their elevated cancer risk. We explored the relationship between weight status and women's perceived risk of colorectal (CRC) and breast cancers, overall and by race/ethnicity, in a nationally representative sample. Data was combined from NHIS 2005, 2010, and 2015 sample adult questionnaires and cancer control supplements. The analytic sample included females aged 18 years and over without reported history of cancer diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed and adjusted estimates for perceived risk of CRC and breast cancers were examined, stratified by body mass index and race/ethnicity. Data were reported using predicted marginal risk ratio (PMR). Colorectal cancer risk perception remained lowest among Non-Hispanic (NH) Black women regardless of weight status (PMR = 0.53 obesity, 0.65 overweight, 0.55 normal) compared to NH White women after adjustment for all covariates. Hispanic women who were overweight or had obesity also saw themselves at lower risk of CRC compared to NH White women, however these findings were statistically insignificant. Breast cancer risk perception also remained low for NH Blacks and Hispanics at any weight compared with NH Whites. Greater effort is needed to develop, disseminate, and widely adopt or institutionalize multilevel weight management interventions and programs. These programs increase awareness of excess weight as a risk factor for cancer and empower women in diverse communities to achieve and maintain a healthy weight by adopting healthy behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid J Hall
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States of America
| | - Ashwini Soman
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States of America
| | - Judith Lee Smith
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States of America
| | - Arica White
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States of America
| | - Anatasha Crawford
- Research fellow, Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education (ORISE), Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States of America
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Brawarsky P, Eibensteiner K, Klinger EV, Baer HJ, Getty G, Orav EJ, Colditz G, Haas JS. Accuracy of self-perceived risk for common conditions. COGENT MEDICINE 2018; 5. [PMID: 30911588 PMCID: PMC6430213 DOI: 10.1080/2331205x.2018.1463894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Accurate awareness of common disease risk is necessary to promote healthy lifestyles and to prevent unnecessary anxiety and evaluation. Our objective is to identify characteristics of patients who do not accurately perceive their risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes (DM), breast cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Using personalized disease risk reports and risk perception surveys, subjects (n = 4703) were classified as high or low/average risk and high or low/average perceived risk for each condition. Models were used to examine factors associated with risk under-estimation by high risk patients and risk over-estimation by low/average risk patients. Results: Patients at high risk for DM, BC and CRC often (60%−75% of the time) under-estimated their risk, while low/average risk patients overestimated their risk 13%−40% of the time. For CHD, under-estimation by high risk individuals approximated over-estimation by low/average individuals. Compared to normal weight patients at high risk for cancer, obese patients were more likely to under-estimate their risk for BC (OR 3.1, CI 1.9–5.0) and CRC (2.6, 1.5–4.5) as were overweight patients. Overweight and obese patients at low/average risk of DM or CHD were more likely than normal weight patients to over-estimate their risk. Low/average risk women were more likely than men to over-estimate their risk of DM (1.3, 1.1–1.5) and CHD (1.8, 1.5–2.1). Conclusions: Our data show that body mass index is the factor most consistently associated with incorrect risk perceptions for several common conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis Brawarsky
- Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham & Women's Hospital
| | | | - Elissa V Klinger
- Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham & Women's Hospital
| | - Heather J Baer
- Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham & Women's Hospital.,Harvard Medical School.,Harvard School of Public Health
| | - George Getty
- Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham & Women's Hospital
| | - E John Orav
- Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham & Women's Hospital
| | | | - Jennifer S Haas
- Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham & Women's Hospital.,Harvard Medical School.,Harvard School of Public Health
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7
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Thapa JR, Lyford C, McCool B, Pence B, McCool A, Belasco E. Improving Cancer Risk Awareness Including Obesity as a Risk Factor for Cancer in a Small U.S. Community. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2017; 32:827-835. [PMID: 27286870 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-016-1060-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a risk for certain types of cancer; however, awareness of obesity as a risk factor for cancer is low. This study evaluated increases in cancer risk awareness, including obesity as a risk factor for cancer, from a quasi-experimental intervention that provided educational materials and community reinforcement for healthy living. The study uses data on participant's awareness of cancer risk factors along with sociodemographic variables collected from in-person surveys (N = 863) at baseline (June 2011) and post intervention (June 2012). The average awareness that overweight and obesity are risk factors for cancer was low (35 %) compared to chewing tobacco (92 %), using tanning bed (73 %), and sunburn (97 %) at baseline. The intervention significantly increased participants' awareness that overweight and obesity are risk factors for cancer. Based on regression analysis, the unadjusted intervention effect on cancer risk awareness was significant: 0.392 ± 0.165 (p value = 0.020) for matched participants and 0.282 ± 0.125 (p value = 0.024) for community participants. The adjusted intervention effect was significant in the matched participants (0.528 ± 0.189, p value = 0.006). Education, income, gender, and age had a significant impact on cancer risk awareness for the community participants. The results show that community intervention that incorporates community reinforcement can have the desired effect regardless of differences at participant level. Such interventions could be used to prevent cancer risk in communities that are at high risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janani R Thapa
- Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, 100 Foster Rd., Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Conrad Lyford
- Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Barent McCool
- Restaurant Hotel and Institutional Management, College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Barbara Pence
- Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Audrey McCool
- University of Nevada Las Vegas, College of Hotel Administration, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Eric Belasco
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
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8
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Silverman KR, Ohman-Strickland PA, Christian AH. Perceptions of Cancer Risk: Differences by Weight Status. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2017; 32:357-363. [PMID: 26553326 PMCID: PMC4861687 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-015-0942-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Despite the strong link between obesity and cancer development, individuals are less likely to identify obesity as a risk factor for cancer than family history. Family history of cancer has been documented to influence perceived risk of developing cancer, yet it is unclear if excess weight impacts cancer risk perceptions. The purpose of this study was to examine absolute and relative risk perceptions for cancer by weight status. Cross-sectional data were obtained from the National Cancer Institute's 2011 Health Information National Trends Survey (n = 2585). Demographics, anthropometric data, family history of cancer, health behaviors, and absolute and relative cancer risk perceptions were evaluated. The effect of weight and family history on absolute and relative cancer risk perceptions was analyzed through weighted descriptive and logistic regression analyses. 22.8 and 28.6 % of subjects reported that they were very unlikely/unlikely to develop cancer in their lifetime (absolute risk) and when compared to others their age (relative risk), respectively. Findings indicated differences in risk perceptions between those with and without a family history of cancer (p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found between BMI categories for absolute cancer risk perceptions despite stratification by family history. Obese subjects were more likely to have an increased relative risk perception of cancer compared to healthy weight subjects (p = 0.0066); this association remained significant when stratified by family history (p = 0.0161). Educating individuals, especially those who are overweight/obese, about the impact of excess weight on cancer risk may improve risk accuracy and promote cancer risk reduction through weight management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry R Silverman
- Department of Health Education & Behavioral Science, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ, 08903, USA
| | - Pamela A Ohman-Strickland
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Somerset, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Allison H Christian
- Department of Health Education & Behavioral Science, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ, 08903, USA.
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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9
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Winston GJ, Caesar-Phillips E, Peterson JC, Wells MT, Martinez J, Chen X, Boutin-Foster C, Charlson M. Knowledge of the health consequences of obesity among overweight/obese Black and Hispanic adults. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2014; 94:123-7. [PMID: 24479156 PMCID: PMC4059523 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2013.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To measure knowledge of the health consequences of obesity among overweight/obese Black and Hispanic adults and examine the relationship to prior weight loss. METHODS Knowledge of the health consequences of obesity was assessed among 410 Black and Hispanic adults with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 enrolled in a behavior change weight loss study. The relationship between obesity risk knowledge and previous weight loss was also examined. RESULTS The majority of participants were knowledgeable of the risk of hypertension (94%), diabetes (96%), high cholesterol (91%), joint pains/arthritis (89%) and sleep apnea (89%) associated with obesity. Among post-menopausal age women, 53% were aware of the increased risk of breast cancer. There was no significant relationship between obesity risk knowledge and previous weight loss of 10 pounds or more (OR = 1.075, 95% CI: [0.808, 1.430]). CONCLUSIONS We found that knowledge of the health consequences of obesity was high, except for knowledge of the risk of breast cancer. Obesity risk knowledge was not associated with past weight loss. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Further health education is needed regarding the increased risk of breast cancer associated with obesity. Our data suggest that knowledge of the health consequences of obesity is not associated with weight loss success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ginger J. Winston
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Internal Medicine Associates, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erica Caesar-Phillips
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Internal Medicine Associates, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Janey C. Peterson
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Martin T. Wells
- Department of Statistical Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Johanna Martinez
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Internal Medicine Associates, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carla Boutin-Foster
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Internal Medicine Associates, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mary Charlson
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Soriano R, Ponce de León Rosales S, García R, García-García E, Méndez JP. High knowledge about obesity and its health risks, with the exception of cancer, among Mexican individuals. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2012; 27:306-311. [PMID: 22160851 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-011-0298-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Mexico has the second biggest prevalence in the world of obese adults (30%). We conducted a survey to determine knowledge concerning obesity co-morbidities. Three groups were surveyed with a questionnaire divided into three sections: demographic characteristics; knowledge and awareness in relation to obesity being a disease; causes of obesity and the health risks it represents; weight auto-perception and the subject's personal experiences regarding weight. In all groups we found high knowledge regarding that obesity is a disease and the causes of its development, as well as that it greatly increases the risk of presenting type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and knee osteoarthritis. However, in all groups, there was a gap in knowledge regarding the risk obesity poses for the development of breast and colon cancer. Aggressive health promotion campaigns concerning obesity, which have been implemented recently in Mexico, must emphasize cancer as a potential outcome for obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Soriano
- Obesity and Eating Disorders Clinic, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
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11
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Tehranifar P, Reynolds D, Flom J, Fulton L, Liao Y, Kudadjie-Gyamfi E, Terry MB. Reproductive and menstrual factors and mammographic density in African American, Caribbean, and white women. Cancer Causes Control 2011; 22:599-610. [PMID: 21327938 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-011-9733-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated the associations between reproductive and menstrual risk factors for breast cancer and mammographic density, a strong risk factor for breast cancer, in a predominantly ethnic minority and immigrant sample. METHODS We interviewed women (42% African American, 22% African Caribbean, 22% White, 9% Hispanic Caribbean, 5% other) without a history of breast cancer during their mammography appointment (n = 191, mean age = 50). We used a computer-assisted method to measure the area and percentage of dense breast tissue from cranio-caudal mammograms. We used multivariable linear regression analyses to estimate the associations between reproductive and menstrual risk factors and mammographic density. RESULTS Age was inversely associated with percent density and dense area, and body mass index (BMI) was inversely associated with percent density. Adjusting for age, BMI, ethnicity and menopausal status, later age at menarche (e.g., β = -7.37, 95% CI: -12.29, -2.46 for age ≥ 13 years vs. ≤ 11 years), and any use of hormonal birth control (HBC) methods (β = -5.10, 95% CI: -9.37, -0.84) were associated with reduced dense area. Ethnicity and nativity (foreign- vs. US-born) were not directly associated with density despite variations in the distribution of several risk factors across ethnic and nativity groups. CONCLUSIONS The mean level of mammographic density did not differ across ethnic and nativity groups, but several risk factors for breast cancer were associated with density in ethnic minority and immigrant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Tehranifar
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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The launch of Cancer Research UK’s ‘Reduce the Risk’ campaign: Baseline measurements of public awareness of cancer risk factors in 2004. Eur J Cancer 2009; 45:827-36. [PMID: 19054666 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2008.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2008] [Revised: 10/07/2008] [Accepted: 10/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Ragin CC, Dallal C, Okobia M, Modugno F, Chen J, Garte S, Taioli E. Leptin levels and leptin receptor polymorphism frequency in healthy populations. Infect Agent Cancer 2009; 4 Suppl 1:S13. [PMID: 19208204 PMCID: PMC2638458 DOI: 10.1186/1750-9378-4-s1-s13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The leptin receptor gene (LEPR) polymorphism Q223R is one of the most common in the general population, and is thought to be associated with an impaired signaling capacity of the leptin receptor and with higher mean circulating levels of leptin. Leptin is a hormone primarily produced in adipose tissue. Increased levels of leptin have been positively correlated with obesity. We have determined the frequency of the leptin receptor polymorphism (LEPR Q223R) in healthy populations from various ethnic groups, and compared plasma leptin levels across the LEPR Q223R polymorphism in healthy African-Caribbean and Caucasian women. RESULTS The study population consists of 1,418 healthy subjects from various ethnic groups. The LEPR Q223R homozygous variant was observed overall in 19% of subjects (n = 1,418), with significant differences based on self reported ethnicity: the proportion of subjects with the homozygous variant was lower in Caucasians (14%, n = 883) than in African-Caribbean (n = 194), African-American (n = 36) and Asian/other ethnic groups (n = 26), (35%, 33% and 34.6% respectively); the frequency in Africans (20%), was similar to the overall study population. The mean +/- standard deviation (SD), circulating leptin levels for African-Caribbean women was 44.7 +/- 31.4 ng/ml, while for Caucasian women the mean was 42.4 +/- 34.8 ng/ml. Adjusted circulating leptin levels in post-menopausal Caucasian women who were LEPR Q223R homozygous variant were marginally statistically significantly higher than in women with the wild-type genotype (p = 0.098). No significant differences in leptin levels by genotype were observed for African-Caribbean women, (heterozygous: p = 0.765, homozygous variant: p = 0.485). CONCLUSION These findings suggest an association between mean circulating leptin levels and the LEPR Q223R genotype among post-menopausal Caucasian women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille C Ragin
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, USA.
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Bowie JV, Wells AM, Juon HS, Sydnor KD, Rodriguez EM. How old are African American women when they receive their first mammogram? Results from a church-based study. J Community Health 2008; 33:183-91. [PMID: 18369711 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-008-9092-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
African American women in the U.S. have the highest breast cancer mortality though not the highest breast cancer incidence. This high mortality rate has been attributed in part to discrepancies in screening between African American and White women. Although this gap in mammography utilization is closing, little is known about what has been and is driving the screening practices of African American women, in particular age at first mammogram. This study examined the rates of breast cancer screening in an African American community sample from eight churches in greater Baltimore, Maryland and investigated the association between various factors and age at first mammogram. Participants were 213 women ages 22-89 years. About 77% of women had ever had a mammogram. Over 40% had their first mammogram before age 40. Women who first screened before age 40 had greater odds than women who had never screened of being knowledgeable about screening guidelines, of having received a physician recommendation to screen, and of having three or more female relatives who had been screened. Women who first screened at or after age 40 were more likely to have stronger religious beliefs of health than women who never had screened. These findings suggest the importance of reinforcing factors in screening behavior for African American women and have implications for physician training and public health education about breast cancer screening. A better understanding of African American women's mammography practice including early screening is needed to reduce this population's disproportionate breast cancer mortality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice V Bowie
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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