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Nichols HB, Wernli KJ, Chawla N, O’Meara ES, Gray MF, Green LE, Baggett CD, Casperson M, Chao C, Jones SMW, Kirchhoff AC, Kuo TM, Lee C, Malogolowkin M, Quesenberry CP, Ruddy KJ, Wun T, Zebrack B, Chubak J, Hahn EE, Keegan TH, Kushi LH. Challenges and Opportunities of Epidemiological Studies to Reduce the Burden of Cancers in Young Adults. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2023; 10:115-124. [PMID: 37700859 PMCID: PMC10495081 DOI: 10.1007/s40471-022-00286-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
There are >1.9 million survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers (AYA, diagnosed at ages 15-39) living in the U.S. today. Epidemiologic studies to address the cancer burden in this group have been a relatively recent focus of the research community. In this article, we discuss approaches and data resources for cancer epidemiology and health services research in the AYA population. We consider research that uses data from cancer registries, vital records, healthcare utilization, and surveys, and the accompanying challenges and opportunities of each. To illustrate the strengths of each data source, we present example research questions or areas that are aligned with these data sources and salient to AYAs. Integrating the respective strengths of cancer registry, vital records, healthcare data, and survey-based studies sets the foundation for innovative and impactful research on AYA cancer treatment and survivorship to inform a comprehensive understanding of diverse AYA needs and experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel B. Nichols
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Karen J. Wernli
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Neetu Chawla
- Veterans Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles, CA
| | - Ellen S. O’Meara
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Laura E. Green
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Christopher D. Baggett
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | - Chun Chao
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA
| | | | - Anne C. Kirchhoff
- Huntsman Cancer Institute and Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Tzy-Mey Kuo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Catherine Lee
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Marcio Malogolowkin
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of California Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA
| | | | | | - Ted Wun
- Center for Oncology Hematology Outcomes Research and Training (COHORT), University of California Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA
| | - Brad Zebrack
- University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jessica Chubak
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Erin E. Hahn
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA
| | - Theresa H.M. Keegan
- Center for Oncology Hematology Outcomes Research and Training (COHORT), University of California Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA
| | - Lawrence H. Kushi
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
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Shandley LM, Spencer JB, Kipling LM, Hussain B, Mertens AC, Howards PP. The Risk of Infertility After Surgery for Benign Ovarian Cysts. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2023; 32:574-582. [PMID: 36971598 PMCID: PMC10171942 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2022.0385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: There is a growing body of evidence that ovarian cystectomy may negatively impact ovarian reserve. However, it is unclear whether ovarian cyst surgery puts women at risk of future infertility. This study investigates whether surgery for benign ovarian cysts is associated with long-term infertility risk. Methods: Women aged 22-45 years (n = 1,537) were invited to participate in an interview about their reproductive histories, including whether they ever had infertility or ovarian cyst surgery. Each woman reporting cyst surgery was randomly matched to a comparison woman, who was assigned an artificial surgery age equal to that of her match. Matching was repeated 1,000 times. Adjusted Cox models were fit to examine time to infertility after surgery for each match. A subset of women was invited to participate in a clinic visit to assess markers of ovarian reserve (anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH], antral follicle count). Results: Approximately 6.1% of women reported cyst surgery. Infertility after surgery was more common for women reporting cyst surgery than those without surgery after adjusting for age, race, body mass index, cancer history, parity before assigned surgery age, history of infertility before surgery age, and endometriosis (median-adjusted hazard ratio 2.41, 95% simulation interval 1.03-6.78). The estimated geometric mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) AMH levels of those who reported a history of ovarian cyst surgery were 1.08 (95% CI: 0.57-2.05) times those of women who reported no history of surgery. Conclusions: Those with a history of ovarian cyst surgery were more likely to report having a history of infertility compared with age-matched women who reported no history of cyst surgery. It is possible that both ovarian surgery to remove cysts and the conditions that lead women to develop cysts requiring surgery may affect subsequent successful conception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Shandley
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jessica B. Spencer
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lauren M. Kipling
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Banna Hussain
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ann C. Mertens
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Penelope P. Howards
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Shandley LM, Kipling LM, Spencer JB, Morof D, Mertens AC, Howards PP. Factors Associated with Unplanned Pregnancy Among Cancer Survivors. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2021; 31:665-674. [PMID: 34860591 PMCID: PMC9133970 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2021.0176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Approximately half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. However, women who are diagnosed with cancer in their reproductive years may be a unique population. This study examines the prevalence of and identifies factors associated with unplanned pregnancy among cancer survivors. Methods: Female cancer survivors aged 22-45 years, diagnosed between ages 20-35 years and at least 2 years postdiagnosis, and women with no history of cancer were interviewed about their reproductive histories, including pregnancy intention. Using a random matching process, comparison women were assigned an artificial age at cancer diagnosis equal to that of her cancer survivor match. An adjusted Cox model was fit examining time to unintended pregnancy after cancer for each of 1,000 matches. Cox proportional hazards models were also fit to assess associations between participant characteristics and unplanned pregnancy after cancer among survivors. Results: Cancer survivors (n = 1,282) and comparison women (n = 1,073) reported a similar likelihood of having an unplanned pregnancy in models adjusted for race, income, history of sexually-transmitted infection, and history of unplanned pregnancy before diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.06, 95% simulation interval 0.85-1.36). After adjusting for confounders, unplanned pregnancy among survivors was associated with age <30 years at diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32-2.44), black race (HR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.13-2.12; referent: white), receiving fertility counseling (aHR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.04-1.92), and having at least one child before diagnosis (aHR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.05-1.97). Conclusion: Cancer survivors and comparison women had similar likelihood of unplanned pregnancy. Rates of unplanned pregnancy after cancer were not higher for cancer survivors compared with comparison women, but 46.4% of survivors with a postcancer pregnancy reported an unplanned pregnancy. Cancer patients may benefit from patient-centered guidelines and counseling before cancer treatment that covers both risks of infertility and risks of unplanned pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Shandley
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lauren M Kipling
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jessica B Spencer
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Diane Morof
- Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Ann C Mertens
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Penelope P Howards
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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