Higher Cancer Mortality Research Articles

Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening and Associated Factors among Women in Bhaktapur, Nepal

Background Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Nepal causing highest cancer mortality among women of reproductive age. However, it can be prevented through early and regular screening.
 Objective To assess utilization of cervical cancer screening, its awareness and perception among women, and associated factors.
 Method A cross-sectional study was conducted where 360 women of age 30-60 years were randomly selected and interviewed from five administrative wards of Bhaktapur municipality.
 Result Utilization of cervical cancer screening through Pap test or Visual Inspection with Acetic acid was found in 32.2% women and 47.8% were aware of cervical cancer and its screening tests. 100% of them had high level of perceived benefits and facilitators. More than 80% of them had low level of perceived barriers and susceptibility. Women of age group 51-60 years were more likely to perform the screening test (AOR=13.14) whereas unemployed women were at higher odds of performing the test (AOR=3.29). Women who were aware of cervical cancer and its screening were more likely to perform the screening (AOR=53.65). Women having low level of perceived barriers (AOR=5.83) and high level of perceived seriousness (AOR=6.67) were more likely to perform the screening.
 Conclusion Only one third of women had performed Pap test/VIA and those who were aware of cervical cancer and had high level of perception were more likely to perform the screening. Thus, more rigorous and tailor-made awareness programs should be developed by health program planners to increase the screening rate among younger and working women.

Site-Specific Polyplex on CCR7 Down-Regulation and T Cell Elevation for Lymphatic Metastasis Blocking on Breast Cancer.

Tumor metastasis contributes to high cancer mortality. Tumor cells in lymph nodes (LNs) are difficult to eliminate but underlie uncontrollable systemic metastasis. The CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is overexpressed in tumor cells and interacts with CC chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) secreted from LNs, potentiating their lymphatic migration. Here, a site-specific polyplex is developed to block the CCR7-CCL21 signal and kill tumor cells toward LNs, greatly limiting their lymphatic infiltration. A CCR7-targeting small interfering RNA (siCCR7) is condensed by mPEG-poly-(lysine) with chlorin e6 (Ce6) modification (PPLC) to form PPLC/siCCR7. The knockdown of CCR7 by siCCR7 in tumor cells significantly reduced their response on CCL21 and LN tropism. Additionally, photodynamic therapy-mediated immune activation precisely targets and kills tumor cells released from the primary foci before they reaches the LNs, reducing the number of tumor cells entering the LNs. Consequently, the PPLC/siCCR7 polyplexes inhibited up to 92% of lung metastasis in 4T1 tumor bearing mice and reduced tumor cell migration to LNs by up to 80%. This site-specific strategy optimized anti-metastasis efficacy and promotes the clinical translational development of anti-metastatic therapy.

Racial Disparity in Quadruple Negative Breast Cancer: Aggressive Biology and Potential Therapeutic Targeting and Prevention.

Simple SummaryQuadruple negative breast cancer (QNBC), a subgroup of triple negative BC, has emerged as a highly aggressive BC subtype that disproportionately afflicts and impacts Black/African-American (AA) women. In this article, we review molecular distinctions in Black/AA and White/European-American (EA) QNBC biology as well as address potential non-genetic risk factors that could be underlying this racially disparate burden. We aim to provide deeper insight and provide a framework for novel discovery of actionable therapeutic targets and identify lifestyle changes to improve outcomes for Black/AA QNBC patients.Black/African-American (AA) women, relative to their White/European-American (EA) counterparts, experience disproportionately high breast cancer mortality. Central to this survival disparity, Black/AA women have an unequal burden of aggressive breast cancer subtypes, such as triple-negative breast cancer (ER/PR-, HER2-wild type; TNBC). While TNBC has been well characterized, recent studies have identified a highly aggressive androgen receptor (AR)-negative subtype of TNBC, quadruple-negative breast cancer (ER/PR-, HER2-wildtype, AR-; QNBC). Similar to TNBC, QNBC disproportionately impacts Black/AA women and likely plays an important role in the breast cancer survival disparities experienced by Black/AA women. Here, we discuss the racial disparities of QNBC and molecular signaling pathways that may contribute to the aggressive biology of QNBC in Black/AA women. Our immediate goal is to spotlight potential prevention and therapeutic targets for Black/AA QNBC; ultimately our goal is to provide greater insight into reducing the breast cancer survival burden experienced by Black/AA women.

Fatalistic cancer beliefs and self-reported cancer screening behaviors among diverse urban residents.

Cancer fatalism-the belief that death is inevitable when cancer is present-has been identified as a barrier to cancer screening, detection, and treatment. Our study examined the relationship between self-reported cancer fatalism and adherence to cancer screening guidelines of the breasts, cervix, colon, and prostate among a diverse sample of urban-dwelling adults in Brooklyn, New York. Between May 2019 and August 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of adults 40 + years of age (n = 2,341) residing in Brooklyn neighborhoods with high cancer mortality. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the odds of reporting cancer screening completion across three fatalistic cancer belief categories (low, med, high). Participants' median age was 61 (IQR 51, 71) years, 61% were women, 49% self-identified as non-Hispanic black, 11% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 6% more than one race. There were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of low, some, or high fatalistic beliefs identified among male respondents compared to women. Among women, we observed that high fatalistic cancer beliefs were associated with higher odds (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.10-3.65) of completing breast but not cervical (1.04; CI 0.55-1.99) or colon (1.54; CI 0.88-2.69) cancer screening. Men with high fatalistic cancer beliefs had a trend towards lower odds of prostate screening (OR 0.53: 95% CI 0.18-1.57) compared to men with low fatalistic beliefs, but neither was statistically significant. Findings suggest that high fatalistic cancer beliefs may be an important factor in cancer screening utilization among women. Further examination in longitudinal cohorts with a larger sample of men may be needed in order to identify any significant effect.

Медико-статистичний аналіз структури онкозахворюваності населення в містах промислового видобування урану

Objective: The aim of work is to study the structure of cancer morbidity in the population of Ukraine living in cities of industrial uranium mining. Materials and methods: Kropyvnytskyi and Kirovohrad oblasts were selected as the scientific basis of the research. Kropyvnytskyi produces uranium raw materials, which are transported to Zhovti Vody, the only city in Ukraine where primary uranium enrichment is carried out. The data of cancer morbidity observations with using materials of the regional center of medical statistics, reports of Kirovohrad regional oncology dispensary, materials «Comprehensive Environmental Protection Program in Kirovohrad region for 2016-2020 years» were used to analyze the environmental and radiation situation. Results: Studies have shown that the concentration of radon in the air of residential buildings, especially one-story, often exceeds the permissible level set for uranium miners. Uranium is also no less harmful to the human body. Enterprises extract uranium ore, carry out its primary processing, and its mines pass simply under residential areas. Radon dissolves quickly in the air, but accumulates in closed, basement areas. Thus, it was found that the main dose a person receives in the premises where the city dweller spends 80% of his time. The content of radon in the indoor air is determined by the specifics of the geological structure of the area, the location on its territory of rock massifs with high uranium content. Conclusions: The analysis of Kirovohrad region’s characteristics shows the effects of radiation in the cancer’s structure. Analyzing the indicators of the Kirovohrad region, we can see the effects of radiation in the structure of the cancer. A large number of houses in Kropyvnytskyi are built of building materials, which include granite with high content of radon and uranium, which negatively affects the health of residents of the city and region. Kropyvnytskyi is one of the three cities in Ukraine with the highest cancer mortality rate. One of the reasons is radon, a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is released from faults in the earth's crust and has a significant effect on the appearance of cancerous tumors.

Medicaid expansion increases survival for patients with cancer.

Medicaid expansion increases survival for patients with cancer.

Increasing cervical cancer screening in Iran: effectiveness of a theory-based educational intervention

Purpose of studyThe high mortality rate of cervical cancer in developing countries is mainly related to inefficient screening programs. The aim of the present study was, thus, to determine the effect of an educational intervention based on BASNEF (Belief, Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Enabling Factors) model on increasing the rate of cervical cancer screening (CCS) in Bandar Deir in the south of Iran.MethodsA quasi-experimental educational intervention was made with 202 women participants (101 in the intervention group (IG) and 101 in the control group (CG)) in 2019–20. The sampling was convenience in type. The data were collected using a reliable and valid tripartite questionnaire (demographic information, knowledge, BASNEF constructs). A total number of 14 training sessions were held each taking 60 min, at two levels, personal and interpersonal (for family members, health workers and healthcare givers). Finally, there was a three-month follow-up held in December 2021.ResultsAfter the training, a statistically significant difference was found between the IG and CG in all model constructs (p < 0.001). Before the intervention, in the IG, the personal health score was 4.35 ± 2.52, which was increased to 5.25 ± 0.753 after the training (p < 0.001). However, in the CG, the difference was not statistically significant (p < 0.030). 63.4% of women in the IG and 32.7% in the CG performed the CCS and the between-group difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Attitude, enabling factors and behavioral intention were the main predictors of CCS.ConclusionThe present findings showed though the training intervention based on the BASNEF model had limited resources and was run in a short time, it managed to motivate women to perform the CCS. It could maximally remove barriers at both personal and interpersonal levels and suggest strategies in the light of these barriers to achieve a successful screening program.

Impact of Anesthesia Method on Immune Response in Patients Undergoing Radical Surgery for Breast Cancer (a Meta-Analysis of Comparative Clinical Studies)

Introduction and aim. Recent evidence suggests that inhalation anesthesia (IA) is associated with higher cancer mortality than total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), possibly due to a modulation of the immune response.The aim of this study was to determine the impact of anesthesia techniques on selected parameters of patient immunity considering the evidence of relationship between the anesthesia methods and immune status and, consequently, the incidence of cancer recurrence.Methods. We performed a meta-analysis of clinical studies published in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases, aimed at assessing the impact of anesthesia on the postoperative immune status of patients undergoing breast cancer (BC) surgery. Five randomized and three observational studies were included (a total of 637 patients, of which 320 (50.2%) in the TIVA group). Data on leukocyte counts, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 9 and 3, interleukins (IL) 6 and 10 levels, and neutrophil-lymphocyte index (NLI) values were retrieved.Results. Patients after breast cancer surgery who underwent TIVA had significantly lower white blood cell counts (standardized mean difference (SMD)=–0.32; 95% CI: –0.58 to –0.06; I2=58%, P=0.020) and MMP-9 (SMD=–0.35; 95% CI: –0.67 to –0.03; P=0.030; I2=0%) in the postoperative period compared with patients receiving IA. No significant differences in the levels of MMP-3, IL-6, IL-10, and NLI values were found between the two groups.Conclusion. The patients who underwent breast cancer surgery under TIVA had lower blood leukocyte counts and levels of MMP-9, which is involved in the remodeling of extracellular matrix, compared with those operated on under IA, suggesting that the anesthesia method may have an impact on the immunity of breast cancer patients.

Levels of Vitamin D and Expression of the Vitamin D Receptor in Relation to Breast Cancer Risk and Survival.

Previous research suggests associations between low systemic levels of vitamin D and poor breast cancer prognosis and between expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in breast cancers and survival. This study aimed to study associations between pre-diagnostic systemic levels of vitamin D and expression of VDR in subsequent breast tumors, and interactions between vitamin D and VDR on breast cancer mortality. Systemic vitamin D levels were measured in women within the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study. The expression of VDR was evaluated immunohistochemically in a tissue microarray of subsequent breast cancers. Statistical analyses followed. Women with high levels of vitamin D had a smaller proportion of VDR negative breast tumors compared to women with low levels of vitamin D (odds ratio: 0.68; 95% confidence interval: 0.41–1.13). Vitamin D levels were not found to modify the association between low VDR expression and high breast cancer mortality. To conclude, there was no statistical evidence for an association between pre-diagnostic levels of vitamin D and the expression of VDRs in breast cancer, nor did vitamin D levels influence the association between VDR expression and breast cancer mortality. Further studies are needed in order to establish the effects of vitamin D on breast cancer.

Facilitators of Multisector Collaboration for Delivering Cancer Control Interventions in Rural Communities: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

Purpose and ObjectivesMultisector collaboration is a widely promoted strategy to increase equitable availability, access, and use of healthy foods, safe places for physical activity, social supports, and preventive health care services. Yet fewer studies and resources exist for collaboration among governmental and nongovernmental agencies to address public problems in rural areas, despite an excess burden of risk factors for cancer morbidity and mortality. We aimed to learn about cancer prevention activities and collaboration facilitators among rural informal interagency networks.Evaluation MethodsIn 2020, researchers conducted semistructured interviews with staff from rural public health and social services agencies, community health centers, and extension offices. Agency staff were from 5 service areas across 27 rural counties in Missouri and Illinois with high poverty rates and excess cancer risks and mortality. We conducted a thematic analysis to code interview transcripts and identify key themes.ResultsExchanging information, cohosting annual or one-time events, and promoting other agencies’ services and programs were the most commonly described collaborative activities among the 32 participants interviewed. Participants indicated a desire to improve collaborations by writing more grants together to codevelop ongoing prevention programs and further share resources. Participants expressed needs to increase community outreach, improve referral systems, and expand screenings. We identified 5 facilitator themes: commitment to address community needs, mutual willingness to collaborate, long-standing relationships, smaller community structures, and necessity of leveraging limited resources. Challenges included lack of funding and time, long travel distances, competing priorities, difficulty replacing staff in remote communities, and jurisdictional boundaries. Although the COVID-19 pandemic further limited staff availability for collaboration, participants noted benefits of remote collaborative meetings.Implications for Public HealthRural areas need consistent funding and other resources to support health-improving multisector initiatives. Existing strengths found in the rural underresourced areas can facilitate multisector collaborations for cancer prevention, including long-standing relationships, small community structures, and the need to leverage limited resources.

Long-term Mammography Utilization after an Initial Randomized Intervention Period by all Underserved Chilean Women in the Clinics.

Simple SummaryChile has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in Latin America. In Chile, underserved women have lower rates of mammography screening than their medium-to-high-level counterparts and higher morbidity and mortality rates of breast cancer. After a successful randomized controlled trial of low-socioeconomic-status women in a primary care clinic, we used the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Maintenance) framework to establish the long-term effects of that intervention. After ten years, women at the low-SES intervention clinic continued to show higher mammography rates compared to women at middle-SES clinics; further, these results continued to be above the national rates for low-socioeconomic-status peers. The RE-AIM framework indicates some of the factors that may have contributed to this successful long-term effect among marginalized women in Chile.Chile has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in Latin America. Mammography rates among women, especially those of low socioeconomic status (SES), are thought to contribute to high breast cancer morbidity and mortality. A successful randomized controlled trial among women aged 50 to 70 in a low-SES primary care clinic in Chile led to a significant increase in mammography screening rates in a two-year intervention trial. This study assesses the sustainability of the intervention after ten years and identifies factors that might have been associated with a long-term effect using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework. The mammography rates among women aged 50 to 70 in the low-SES intervention clinic were compared to two populations of women aged 50 to 70 from middle-SES clinics and to national data. Qualitative data were used to answer questions of adoption, implementation, and maintenance, while quantitative data assessed the reach and effectiveness. After ten years, low-SES women at the intervention clinic maintained significantly higher mammography screening rates vs. middle-SES women at the comparison clinics (36.2% vs. 30.1% and 19.4% p < 0.0001). Women of a low SES at the intervention clinic also had significantly higher screening rates compared to women of a low SES at a national level (44.2% vs. 34.2% p < 0.0001). RE-AIM factors contributed to understanding the long-term difference in rates. Mailed contact, outreach interventions, and the integration of health promoters as part of the Community Advisory Board were important factors associated with the effects observed. This study provides information on factors that could contribute to reducing the social gap on breast cancer screening.

Establishment and Analysis of an Individualized EMT-Related Gene Signature for the Prognosis of Breast Cancer in Female Patients.

Background The current high mortality rate of female breast cancer (BC) patients emphasizes the necessity of identifying powerful and reliable prognostic signatures in BC patients. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was reported to be associated with the development of BC. The purpose of this study was to identify prognostic biomarkers that predict overall survival (OS) in female BC patients by integrating data from TCGA database. Method We first downloaded the dataset in TCGA and identified gene signatures by overlapping candidate genes. Differential analysis was performed to find differential EMT-related genes. Univariate regression analysis was then performed to identify candidate prognostic variables. We then developed a prognostic model by multivariate analysis to predict OS. Calibration curves, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves, C-index, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to test the veracity of the prognostic model. Result In this study, we identified and validated a prognostic model integrating age and six genes (CD44, P3H1, SDC1, COL4A1, TGFβ1, and SERPINE1). C-index values for BC patients were 0.672 (95% CI 0.611–0.732) and 0.692 (95% CI 0.586–0.798) in the training cohort and test set, respectively. The calibration curve and the DCA curve show the good predictive performance of the model. Conclusion This study offered a robust predictive model for OS prediction in female BC patients and may provide a more accurate treatment strategy and personalized therapy in the future.

The association of dietary intake and plasma fatty acid panel in pancreatic cancer patients: Results from Golestan cohort study.

High mortality rate of pancreatic cancer (PC) as one of the most common cancers worldwide made it a center of attention for recent researches on its pathology, etiology, screening and early diagnosis. In previous researches, association of dietary intake and plasma levels of fatty acids with risk of pancreatic cancer was investigated. In this study we aimed to evaluate the correlation between dietary and plasma fatty acids in case and control groups. From 50,045 adults between 40-75 years old participated in Golestan cohort study, fifty incident cases of PC were diagnosed and 150 controls matched by age, sex and residence place were randomly selected. Dietary intakes and plasma levels of fatty acids was evaluated by validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and Gas Chromatography - Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID), respectively. Then, Spearman's correlation was used to measure the correlation between dietary and plasma levels of fatty acids in case and control groups. Among all the fatty acids, there was a significant association between plasma and dietary intake of a few fatty acids including trans fatty acids (TFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), 22:6n-3 and 14:0 only in control group. Only total PUFA intake modified plasma level of some fatty acids in case group. There was no difference between association of desaturase enzymes and fatty acids in case and controls. Since, plasma levels of fatty acids might be influenced by recent diet, we did not find any specific differences between the associations of plasma levels of fatty acids with dietary intake of fats in case and control groups.

Probing Iron-Mediated Synergistic Change of Cl- and HClO in Liver Cancer Cells with a Dual-Color Fluorescence Reporter.

The ambiguous molecular mechanism remains a leading cause for the high mortality rate of liver cancer. An evident iron overload has been unveiled in liver cancer cell proliferation, which is closely related to oxidative stress. However oxidative stress-regulated chloride intracellular channel protein 1 (CLIC1) obviously increases in liver cancer cells. Cl- is also involved in cell proliferation, and its downstream product, HClO, can induce cell carcinoma when over-generated. However, whether iron overload could mediate the variation of intracellular Cl- and HClO is still uncharted. Herein, we present a dual-responsive fluorescence reporter MQFL-NH2 for simultaneously visualizing the fluctuation of Cl-/HClO at the same spot in living cells. Electrostatic binding to Cl- effectively gave an attenuated signal with blue fluorescence, and HClO induced a sharp green fluorescence. In HL-7702 cells stimulated with iron, the blue/green dual fluorescence of MQFL-NH2 displayed that Cl- and HClO were elevated. In contrast, they were both reduced in iron-removed SMMC-7721 cells. Further results revealed that iron overload could promote the levels of Cl- and HClO by up-regulating CLIC1 and myeloperoxidase. Altogether, the work will energetically contribute to grasp the molecular mechanism in iron overload-mediated pathogenesis of liver cancer.

Surgical Oncological Mortalities: A Fifteen Year Analysis in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Introduction: Cancer is the leading cause of death in economically developed countries and second leading cause of death in developing countries. Despite the high cancer mortality rates in developing countries the contribution of cancer to death in surgicalpractice has not been determined in our institution. An analysis of cancer deaths in the department of surgery at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is presented.Methods: All cases of cancer deaths from 1st January 1998 to 31st December 2013 were retrieved and retrospectively reviewed. The sex, age, primary tumour site, period of admission prior to death, cause of death and post-mortem findings formed the primary data for the analysis.Results: There were 113,960 admissions in the surgical department of KBTH over the fifteen year period, with 4,979 overall deaths, of which 1,637 were cancer mortalities, representing 32.85% of the total mortality and a cancer mortality rate of 1.44%. The commonest cancer deaths were from breast (14.48%), prostate (12.52%), colorectal (9.65%), gastric (8.74%) and pancreas (8.67%). Brain tumoursand Wilm’s tumours accounted for 37% and 21% respectively of cancer mortalities in the paediatric age group. Cancer mortalities in the adolescent age group showed many cases of nasopharyngeal cancers (15.85%). Lung cancers accounted for only 1.16% of cancer mortalities in the institution.Conclusion: Cancer accounted for a third of the deaths in the surgical department of KBTH with breast and prostate cancers being the leading overall causes of cancer deaths. Deaths due to lung cancer were low contrasting with the world trend.

Evaluation of the Effect of Yoga on Symptom Burden and Quality of Life Impairment in Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy

Introduction: Psychological stress has been implicated in the onset and exacerbations of several diseases, including cancer. Psychosocial factors have been associated with a higher cancer incidence, poorer survival, and higher cancer mortality. The present study aimed to see the relationship of symptom burden and quality of life (QoL) impairment in head-and-neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy with perceptions of yoga intervention. Methodology: The present study was a one-time survey conducted on 53 patients with HNC. The main outcome variables of the study were symptom severity and burden, which were assessed by The MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) QoL impairment by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer H and N 35 questionnaire and survey questions were prepared and administered to elicit the perceptions of patients toward a yoga. Results: The mean age of the study population was 56.5 ± 12.34 years. The perceived benefit of yoga among the yoga practitioners was 66%, and on the other hand, the perceived benefit of conventional treatment among nonyoga practitioners was only 23%. The HNC patients performing yoga along with conventional treatment experienced significantly less distress as compared to the nonyoga practitioners. Conclusion: The study has shown that the yoga practitioners experience less psychological distress as compared to the nonyoga practitioners and their perceived benefits were higher. Yoga also reinforced beliefs in conventional treatment. This may be probably useful in improving compliance with conventional treatment. Therefore, adding yoga to the conventional treatment can prove to be an important and useful adjunct.

Kaempferol-3-O-Rhamnoside Inhibits the Proliferation of Jurkat Cells Through Jun Amino-Terminal Kinase Signaling

Background: Indonesian herbal medicine has become target of new drugs against diseases, including cancer. The high incidence and mortality rate of cancer, anticancer resistance, and side effects of chemotherapy contribute to the urgency of researching novel anticancer drugs. A natural product from Schima wallichii Korth., an Indonesian herbal medicine empirically used for many diseases, has shown anticancer activity in MCF-7 and LNCaP cells. Objective: In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative mechanism of the active compound of S. wallichii, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, against Jurkat cells. Methods: Treated cells were analyzed using a proliferation assay and real time-reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for IL-2 mRNA measurement. The mechanism of antiproliferative activity was assesed by western blotting analysis for Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs). Results: Kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside has an antiproliferative activity at IC50 of 76.3 μM and slightly inhibited IL-2 mRNA expression. The mechanism to inhibit Jurkat cells proliferation was through the stimulation of phosphorylated Jun amino-terminal kinase. Conclusions: The present study observed the molecular mechanism of antiproliferative activity of kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside.

Polyphenols as Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Metastatic Cancers: Current and Future Perspective

Cancer is the world's biggest cause of death as a whole. The higher cancer mortality rate is related to metastasis, which is a major stumbling block in cancer treatment. Polyphenols are a diverse set of antioxidant-rich natural compounds that are often used in cancer treatments as chemopreventives and adjuvants. To find publications that highlight the topic of this review paper, a thorough literature search was conducted in several electronic databases such as PubMed Central, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Medline. Many signaling pathways are involved in the metastatic cascade, including the tyrosine kinase pathway. Tyrosine kinases are a group of enzymes involved in the control of cancer spread. Polyphenols' true role in cancer metastasis remains unappreciated, despite a large body of research proving their antimetastatic effects. As a result, the current work lays out cancer metastasis signaling pathways, stressing the importance of tyrosine kinases in the metastatic process. Polyphenols can suppress tyrosine kinase activity, which contributes to their antimetastatic characteristics. The importance of polyphenols in preventing cancer metastasis by interfering with the tyrosine kinase signaling cascade is highlighted in this work, which could lead to the development of future antimetastatic drugs.

Abstract 6347A: Promotion of low-dose computed tomography for early-stage lung cancer detection

Abstract Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In 2021, it is anticipated that there will be 235,760 cases and 131,880 deaths due to lung cancer in the US, accounting for close to 22% of all cancer related deaths. Lung cancer's high mortality rate is largely due to the fact that approximately 75% of new cases are diagnosed in late stages. On a local level, Winnebago County has 17% higher incidence and mortality rates due to lung cancer than the corresponding national rates. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is a valuable lung screening technique that utilizes 90% less ionizing radiation than a conventional chest CT scan. Hypothesis/Aims: Increased awareness of LDCT in clinical and community settings will lead to increased detection of lung cancer at its early stages and decreased mortality rates attributed to the disease. Study Design: This project harnessed the power of education, specifically through informational seminars and booths at community events, to promote LDCT screening in our community. We spread information on the new U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines to both smokers and physicians in Winnebago County. We evaluated the number of LDCT screenings in Winnebago County between June 2015 and October 2021, and we recorded the number and stage classifications of lung cancer cases detected as a result of these screenings. Lastly, we created a Facebook page (Northern Illinois Lung Cancer Screening Project) to continue promoting LDCT screening in a socially distanced manner. Results: 16 seminars and 42 public awareness booths targeting an estimated 400 physicians and 2,000 smokers were conducted to increase knowledge of LDCT. 4,170 patients underwent LDCT screening at local hospitals during the timeframe of our study. 90 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer, with 50 cases being early stage. 1,264 additional individuals were found to have small lung nodules and are being followed up on in accordance with Lung RADS Criteria on pulmonary nodules detected using LDCT. These studies are being done in Boone, Ogle, and Stephenson Counties, which are also characterized by alarmingly high incidence and mortality rates attributed to lung cancer. In an alternative effort to promote lung cancer screening in Northern Illinois, we created a Facebook page where we publish posts weekly and have reached over 2,177 people and garnered 176 engagements from Facebook users. Conclusions: 50 local community members were diagnosed with early stage lung cancer, thus improving their prognosis and increasing therapy options. Physicians and smokers in the community are more educated on the clinical benefits of LDCT. These community-based studies are being expanded to surrounding areas, and new screening techniques are being implemented to expand the reach and effectiveness of our studies. Citation Format: Shruti Gautam, Roberto E. DeVera IV, Meet Patel, Neelu Puri. Promotion of low-dose computed tomography for early-stage lung cancer detection [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 6347A.

Abstract 3684: Using key informants to guide community outreach for cancer topics and areas of focus for Filipino communities

Abstract Since 2003, the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center (UHCC) and the University of Guam (UoG) have worked in partnership to explore health disparities/inequalities for different Pacific Island Populations (PIP). Investigators explore health behaviors and sources of health disparities and equity among Micronesian and Filipino community members in Hawai‘i, Guam, and the neighboring U.S. Associated Pacific Islands (USAPI) through the Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity (PIPCHE). The Community Outreach Core of the partnership works towards objectives that include assisting and promoting PIPCHE research, ensuring inclusion PIP and Filipino community perspectives in research, and building healthcare providers’ competencies. This work aims to directly address the disproportionately high rates of cancer incidence and mortality found amongst these groups in Hawai‘i and Guam. Currently, few cancer control initiatives are designed to specifically address Micronesians and Filipinos, which comprise 40% of Hawai‘i’s population and 70% of Guam’s population. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death for men and the third leading cause of death for Filipinos in Hawai‘i. Also, Micronesians and Filipinos are highly underrepresented among cancer researchers and cancer health care professionals; culturally-grounded approaches to achieve parity in cancer control are sorely needed which remains a focus of the COC. To address the needs of the Filipino community in Hawai‘i, we conducted five semi-structured interviews with Filipino community members to facilitate community engagement, build relationships, and direct future areas for cancer control. Another goal was to establish a relationship-building process to recruit members for the COC Outreach Advisory Council to guide future community efforts. Participants ranged in age; however, all five identified as female were born in various parts of the Philippines, and migrated to Hawai'i at different ages. Some findings from the interviews included the need for culturally tailored and translated cancer materials and resources, a charge to focus on colorectal and breast cancer initiatives, and provide translated health communications utilizing local radio and faith-based organizations. These members were then asked to serve on our Outreach Advisory Council for a period of 5 years to help shape the COC’s efforts towards community engagement with the Filipino community. These planned community-focused efforts should be modeled to ensure shared community-based decision-making for this minority population. Citation Format: Mark Lee Willingham, Kevin Cassel, Angela Sy, Munirih R. Ta'afaki, Reyna Bodnar, Lilnabeth P. Somera, Tressa P. Diaz, Angelina G. Mummert, Harmony C. Palaganas. Using key informants to guide community outreach for cancer topics and areas of focus for Filipino communities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3684.