Independent Risk Factor For Cancer Research Articles

Effects of Interpatient Variance on Microwave Breast Images: Experimental Evaluation.

Microwave breast imaging has seen significant developments in recent years, including new clinical trials and formation of a number of spin-out companies. Although many algorithms for microwave breast imaging have been developed, there are significant challenges in translating these algorithms to the clinic. For example, movement due to patient breathing can affect the scan, and both the breast and breast abnormalities vary significantly from patient to patient. As breast density is a known independent risk factor for cancer and cancerous tumours have different shapes and margins to benign tumours, the effect of interpatient variance on the microwave image is important. This work analyses the effect on image quality of tumour shape, size and breast density. Using the diverse and representative BRIGID experimental dataset, images of a variety of tumours are compared to images without tumours present. This work suggests that it is difficult to distinguish images with and without tumours present using existing metrics.

Alcohol-Derived Acetaldehyde Exposure in the Oral Cavity.

Alcohol is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a human carcinogen and its consumption has been associated to an increased risk of liver, breast, colorectum, and upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers. Its mechanisms of carcinogenicity remain unclear and various hypotheses have been formulated depending on the target organ considered. In the case of UADT cancers, alcohol’s major metabolite acetaldehyde seems to play a crucial role. Acetaldehyde reacts with DNA inducing modifications, which, if not repaired, can result in mutations and lead to cancer development. Despite alcohol being mainly metabolized in the liver, several studies performed in humans found higher levels of acetaldehyde in saliva compared to those found in blood immediately after alcohol consumption. These results suggest that alcohol-derived acetaldehyde exposure may occur in the oral cavity independently from liver metabolism. This hypothesis is supported by our recent results showing the presence of acetaldehyde-related DNA modifications in oral cells of monkeys and humans exposed to alcohol, overall suggesting that the alcohol metabolism in the oral cavity is an independent cancer risk factor. This review article will focus on illustrating the factors modulating alcohol-derived acetaldehyde exposure and effects in the oral cavity.

Enoyl-CoA hydratase-1 regulates mTOR signaling and apoptosis by sensing nutrients

The oncogenic mechanisms of overnutrition, a confirmed independent cancer risk factor, remain poorly understood. Herein, we report that enoyl-CoA hydratase-1 (ECHS1), the enzyme involved in the oxidation of fatty acids (FAs) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), senses nutrients and promotes mTOR activation and apoptotic resistance. Nutrients-promoted acetylation of lys101 of ECHS1 impedes ECHS1 activity by impairing enoyl-CoA binding, promoting ECHS1 degradation and blocking its mitochondrial translocation through inducing ubiquitination. As a result, nutrients induce the accumulation of BCAAs and FAs that activate mTOR signaling and stimulate apoptosis, respectively. The latter was overcome by selection of BCL-2 overexpressing cells under overnutrition conditions. The oncogenic effects of nutrients were reversed by SIRT3, which deacetylates lys101 acetylation. Severely decreased ECHS1, accumulation of BCAAs and FAs, activation of mTOR and overexpression of BCL-2 were observed in cancer tissues from metabolic organs. Our results identified ECHS1, a nutrients-sensing protein that transforms nutrient signals into oncogenic signals.

The association of lifetime physical inactivity with head and neck cancer: a hospital-based case-control analysis.

Despite mounting epidemiological evidence suggesting an inverse association between recreational physical activity and cancer risk, evidence associated with head and neck cancer is scant. We conducted a case-control analysis to examine the associations of lifetime physical inactivity with the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We utilized data from the Patient Epidemiology Data System at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI). Participants included 246 patients with HNSCC and 504 cancer-free controls who received medical services at RPCI between 1990 and 1998. Participants were considered physically inactive if they did not participate in any regular, weekly recreational physical activity throughout their lifetime, prior to diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) representing the association between lifetime physical inactivity and HNSCC risk. We observed a significant positive association between recreational physical inactivity and HNSCC risk (OR=2.73, 95% CI 1.87-3.99, p<0.001). In subgroup analyses by body mass index (BMI) (underweight/normal-weight: OR=3.40, 95% CI 1.89-6.12, p<0.001; overweight/obese: OR=2.40, 95% CI 1.43-4.02, p<0.001) and smoking status (former smoker: OR=3.12, 95% CI 1.89-5.14, p<0.001; never smoker: OR=2.71, 95% CI 1.21-6.05, p=0.020; current smoker: OR=1.61, 95% CI 0.66-3.95, p=0.300), significant positive associations were also observed. Results of the current analyses suggest that lifetime physical inactivity associates with HNSCC independent of BMI. In addition, physical inactivity may be a modifiable risk factor among never smokers. These data add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that physical inactivity may be an independent risk factor for cancer.

The association of lifetime physical inactivity with bladder and renal cancer risk: A hospital-based case-control analysis

ObjectivesRecreational physical inactivity has been gaining recognition as an independent epidemiological exposure of interest in relation to cancer endpoints due to evidence suggesting that it may associate with cancer independent of obesity. In the current analyses, we examined the associations of lifetime recreational physical inactivity with renal and bladder cancer risk. MethodsIn this hospital-based case-control study, we identified N=160 renal cancer patients, N=208 bladder cancer patients, and N=766 age frequency-matched controls without cancer. Participants self-reporting never participating in any regular/weekly recreational physical activity throughout their lifetime were classified as physically inactive. Utilizing unconditional multivariable logistic regression analyses, we estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to represent the associations between lifetime physical inactivity and renal and bladder cancer risk. ResultsIn multivariable logistic regression models, we observed significant positive associations between lifetime recreational physical inactivity and renal cancer and bladder cancer risk: odds ratio=1.77 (95% CI: 1.10–2.85) and odds ratio=1.73 (95% CI: 1.13–2.63), respectively. Similar associations also persisted among individuals who were not obese for both renal and bladder cancer: odds ratio=1.75 (95% CI: 1.03–2.98) and odds ratio=1.70 (95% CI: 1.08–2.69), respectively. ConclusionsIn this case-control study, we observed evidence of a positive association between renal and bladder cancer with lifetime recreational physical inactivity. These data add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that physical inactivity may be an important independent risk factor for cancer. However, additional studies using a larger sample and prospectively collected data are needed to substantiate the current findings.

Novel risk factors related to cancer in scleroderma.

Emerging data have shown an increased risk of malignancy among patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc) so identification of risk factors linking both disorders might have prognostic implications. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and treatment-related risk factors for cancer in a single-center cohort of patients with SSc. Demographic, clinical, capillaroscopic, immunological and treatment-related data from 432 consecutive SSc patients were retrospectively analyzed. Variables that reached significant association in the univariate analysis were entered into a logistic regression in order to identify independent risk factors for cancer. Malignancy was diagnosed in 53 patients (12.2%). Fifty-eight neoplasms were identified, among which breast (n=15), lung (n=10) and hematologic (n=9) malignancies were the most prevalent. In 19 patients the diagnosis of both scleroderma and tumour was made in <3years apart. Cancer significantly decreased the probability of survival (OR=2.61; 95%CI 1.46-4.69; p=0.001). No association with age, sex, smoking, cutaneous subset or RNA polymerase-III antibodies was found. However, risk of cancer was directly associated with the presence of anti-PM/Scl antibodies (OR=3.90; 95%CI 1.31-11.61; p=0.014), and inversely related to aspirin use (OR=0.33; 95%CI 0.12-0.90; p=0.031), which remained as independent risk factors for cancer on multivariate analysis. PM/Scl antibodies seem to be associated with a higher risk of cancer in scleroderma. In contrast, the use of aspirin is related to a lower risk of cancer in our series. More studies are needed to ascertain the role of anti PM/Scl antibodies and aspirin in the development of malignancy among patients with SSc.

Obesity, physical activity and cancer risks: Results from the Cancer, Lifestyle and Evaluation of Risk Study (CLEAR)

IntroductionPhysical activity (PA) has been associated with lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, but the evidence linking PA with lower cancer risk is inconclusive. We examined the independent and interactive effects of PA and obesity using body mass index (BMI) as a proxy for obesity, on the risk of developing prostate (PC), postmenopausal breast (BC), colorectal (CRC), ovarian (OC) and uterine (UC) cancers. MethodsWe estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for cancer specific confounders, in 6831 self-reported cancer cases and 1992 self-reported cancer-free controls from the Cancer Lifestyle and Evaluation of Risk Study, using unconditional logistic regression. ResultsFor women, BMI was positively associated with UC risk; specifically, obese women (BMI≥30kg/m2) had nearly twice the risk of developing UC compared to women with healthy-BMI-range (<25kg/m2) (OR=1.99;CI:1.31–3.03). For men, BMI was also positively associated with the risk of developing any cancer type, CRC and PC. In particular, obese men had 37% (OR=1.37;CI:1.11–1.70), 113% (OR=2.13;CI:1.55–2.91) and 51% (OR=1.51;CI:1.17-1.94) higher risks of developing any cancer, CRC and PC respectively, when compared to men with healthy-BMI-range (BMI<25kg/m2).Among women, PA was inversely associated with the risks of CRC, UC and BC. In particular, the highest level of PA (versus nil activity) was associated with reduced risks of CRC (OR=0.60;CI:0.44–0.84) and UC (OR=0.47;CI:0.27–0.80). Reduced risks of BC were associated with low (OR=0.66;CI:0.51–0.86) and moderate (OR=0.72;CI:0.57–0.91) levels of PA. There was no association between PA levels and cancer risks for men.We found no evidence of an interaction between BMI and PA in the CLEAR study. ConclusionThese findings suggest that PA and obesity are independent cancer risk factors.

Higher concentrations of serum iron and transferrin saturation but not serum ferritin are associated with cancer outcomes

Background: Although the carcinogenic potential of iron has been shown, evidence from observational studies that have linked serum iron variables and cancer outcomes has been inconsistent.Objective: We investigated whether higher iron concentrations increased risk of cancer outcomes.Design: A prospective examination of iron biomarkers as independent risk factors for cancer was assessed in 1597 men and 1795 women aged 25–79 y who participated in the 1994/1995 Busselton Health Survey and had relevant data, no history of cancer before the survey, and serum ferritin concentrations ≥20 μg/L. Follow-up for incident cancers and death from cancer was available to 2010. Proportional hazards regression modeling was performed to investigate if iron status predicted cancer incidence and mortality.Results: After adjustments for age, smoking, drinking, anthropometric and biochemical variables, or menopausal status (breast cancer), higher serum iron concentrations and transferrin saturation were associated with increased risks of incident nonskin cancer [HR for iron: 1.83 (95% CI: 1.21, 2.76; P < 0.01); HR for transferrin saturation: 1.68 (95% CI: 1.18, 2.38; P < 0.01)] including breast cancer [HR for iron: 2.45 (95% CI:1.12, 5.34; P < 0.05); HR for transferrin saturation: 1.90 (95% CI:1.02, 3.56; P < 0.05)] in women. Transferrin saturation was also associated with a greater risk of cancer death (HR: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.28, 4.82; P < 0.01). In men, higher iron concentrations were associated with reduced risks of incident nonskin cancer (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.99; P < 0.05) including colorectal cancer (HR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.95; P < 0.05). There was no association between serum iron and colorectal cancer risk in women. Serum ferritin was not associated with cancer risk or cancer death.Conclusions: Higher transferrin saturation or serum iron concentrations were associated with increased nonskin cancer risk and increased risk of cancer death. Conversely, in men, higher serum iron concentrations were associated with decreased risk of nonskin cancer. The molecular basis for the observed differences in the association between serum iron and nonskin cancer risk is unclear.

The Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and Neoplasms of the Oral Cavity: A Review Article

Context: Oral cavity is one of the most common sites for neoplasms with a multifactorial etiology. Tobacco and alcohol are the main risk factors. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease affecting periodontal tissues such as gingiva, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Periodontal disease is linked to many systemic diseases. Recently a link between periodontal disease and cancer is suggested. The current review article aimed to evaluate the association between periodontal disease and risk of cancer in the oral cavity and some related factors. Evidence Acquisition: Evidence suggests that oral cavity cancer is significantly more prevalent in patients with periodontal disease, poor oral hygiene or more missing teeth. Clinically, gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC) usually appears as an exophytic mass with a granular, papillary or verrucous surface or presents as an ulcerative lesion. Some reported cases of GSCC mimicking periodontal disease include gingival enlargement with no bone invasion, dentoalveolar abscess, erosive erythematosus lesion with keratotic papules, root exposure and tooth mobility, verrucous leukoplakia, verruciform xanthoma and development of hyperplastic granulation tissue after tooth extraction. Greater burden of oral flora that produce carcinogenic metabolites, human papilloma virus (HPV) and other viruses that are residents of periodontal pocket, increased amount of inflammatory mediators and markers and some periodontal pathogens affecting cell cycle leading to mutation and dysplasia are considered as the rational for the relationship between malignant lesions of oral cavity and periodontal disease. Results: Cancer of the oral cavity and periodontal disease are related from different aspects. Periodontal disease and tooth loss are considered as independent risk factors for cancer. Gingival squamous cell carcinoma can also mimic periodontal disease leading to misdiagnosis and delayed commencement of appropriate treatment. Conclusions: Based on evidence, dentists and dental health care professionals should consider periodontal disease as a risk factor for the development of neoplasms in the oral cavity. It also seems a good idea to provide periodontal therapy for patients with cancer to achieve ideal therapeutic results.

Chronic Recreational Physical Inactivity and Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Risk: Evidence from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium.

Despite a large body of literature evaluating the association between recreational physical activity and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) risk, the extant evidence is inconclusive, and little is known about the independent association between recreational physical inactivity and EOC risk. We conducted a pooled analysis of nine studies from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium to investigate the association between chronic recreational physical inactivity and EOC risk. In accordance with the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, women reporting no regular, weekly recreational physical activity were classified as inactive. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to estimate the ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between inactivity and EOC risk overall and by subgroups based upon histotype, menopausal status, race, and body mass index. The current analysis included data from 8,309 EOC patients and 12,612 controls. We observed a significant positive association between inactivity and EOC risk (OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.14-1.57), and similar associations were observed for each histotype. In this large pooled analysis examining the association between recreational physical inactivity and EOC risk, we observed consistent evidence of an association between chronic inactivity and all EOC histotypes. These data add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that inactivity is an independent risk factor for cancer. If the apparent association between inactivity and EOC risk is substantiated, additional work via targeted interventions should be pursued to characterize the dose of activity required to mitigate the risk of this highly fatal disease. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(7); 1114-24. ©2016 AACR.

Secondary Solid Organ Neoplasm in Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan.

BackgroundAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is more common in children than in adults. Secondary neoplasms (SNs) in childhood ALL have been widely reported. However, only one study has demonstrated SNs in adult ALL. Because of the poorer survival of adult ALL, the incidence might be underestimated.ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence and risk factors of secondary solid organ neoplasms among adult and child ALL patients.MethodsNewly diagnosed ALL patients between 1997 and 2011 were recruited from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database. Those who had antecedent or combined malignancies were excluded. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were analyzed to compare the risk of our cohort to general population in the same age, sex and calendar year. Risk factors for SN development were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards models. Effects of treatments were treated as time-dependent variables.ResultsThe 15-year cumulative incidence of SN was 1.9% and 8.4% in 1,381 child and 2,154 adult ALL patients, respectively. The SIR was significantly increased in child ALL (SIR 6.06), but not in adult ALL (SIR 1.16). The SIRs of follow-up periods were 5.14, 2.24, .87 and .71 at ≥ 10 years, 5–10 years, 1–5 years and 0–1, respectively. Overall, 15 SNs developed, and CNS tumors (SIR 11.56) were the most common type. Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥ 20 years (hazard ratio [HR] 5.04), end-stage renal disease (HR 18.98) and cranial irradiation (HR 8.12) were independent risk factors for cancer development.ConclusionsWhen compared with the general population, child ALL shows a increased risk of developing SNs. CNS tumors are the most common type, and cranial irradiation is an independent risk factor. With longer follow-up, the risk of SNs increases. Hence, physicians need to pay more attention on the risk of developing SNs in long-term ALL survivors with risk factors.

Diabetes as Independent Risk Factor for Cancer after Heart and Lung Transplantation

Purpose: De novo malignancies are feared complications after heart- or lung- transplantation and patients are at increased risk compared with the non-immunosuppressed population. Recent epidemiologic data suggest that diabetes might also be a risk factor for the development of de novo malignancies, but its role in transplanted patients is yet unknown. We hypothesized that transplanted patients with diabetes are at greater risk of developing cancer compared with non-diabetic transplant patients.

Duration of ovarian hormone exposure and gynecological cancer risk in Korean women: the Korean Heart Study

BackgroundAlthough reproductive and hormonal factors – such as early menarche and late menopause – have been reported as independent risk factors for cancer, few studies have examined these factors in East Asian populations. MethodsWe performed a large prospective cohort study of 66,466 women. Ovarian hormone exposure was defined as length of time between menarche and menopause. Incidence rates for breast, ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancers were examined separately in relation to reproductive lifespan defined as age at menopause minus age at menarche. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model. ResultsWomen with early menarche were at increased risk for developing breast cancer (HR, 1.57, 95% CI, 1.17–2.10) for age at menarche ≤12 years compared to women with age at menarche ≥17 years. Women with late age at menopause (≥52 years) had increased risks for cancers of the breast (HR, 1.59, 95%CI, 1.11–2.28) and ovary (HR, 3.22, 95% CI, 1.09–9.55) compared to women with early menopause (≤45 years of age). Women with longer duration of ovarian hormone exposure (≥40 years) were at increased risk for developing breast cancer (HR, 2.23, 95% CI, 1.35–3.68) as well as endometrial cancer (p for trend, 0.0209). ConclusionsWe showed that longer reproductive spans are associated with an increased risk of breast and endometrial cancer in Korean women.

Initial clinical validation of Health Heritage, a patient-facing tool for personal and family history collection and cancer risk assessment.

Personal and family health histories remain important independent risk factors for cancer; however they are currently not being well collected or used effectively. Health Heritage was designed to address this need. The purpose of this study was to validate the ability of Health Heritage to identify patients appropriate for further genetic evaluation and to accurately stratify cancer risk. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 100 random patients seen at an adult genetics clinic presenting with concern for an inherited predisposition to cancer. Relevant personal and family history obtained from the patients' medical records was entered into Health Heritage. Recommendations by Health Heritage were compared to national guidelines of eligibility for genetic evaluation. Agreement between Health Heritage referral for genetic evaluation and guideline eligibility for genetic evaluation was 97% (sensitivity 98% and specificity 88%). Risk stratification for cancer was also compared between Health Heritage and those documented by a geneticist. For patients at increased risk for breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer as determined by the geneticist, risk stratification by Health Heritage agreed 90, 93, and 75%, respectively. Discordances in risk stratification were attributed to both complex situations better handled by the geneticist and Health Heritage's adherence to incorporating all information into its algorithms. Health Heritage is a clinically valid tool to identify patients appropriate for further genetic evaluation and to encourage them to confirm the assessment and management recommendations with cancer genetic experts. Health Heritage also provides an estimate of cancer risk that is complementary to a genetics team.

The Role of Inflammation in Mediating Risk for Medical Disorders in Depressed Patients

Depression, cancer, and cardiovascular disease are highly comorbid and prevalent medical conditions that account for leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that chronic inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and interplay of these conditions. Notably, chronic depression is an independent risk factor for incident cancer and cardiovascular disease, and is associated with disease progression and increased mortality. Successful depression treatment is associated independently with normalization of systemic proinflammatory cytokine levels and improved medical outcome. This article highlights the studies that identify depression as an independent risk factor for cancer and cardiovascular disease, and discusses the inflammatory-mediated biological mechanisms by which depression is hypothesized to influence the progression and outcome of these medical conditions. Research regarding the efficacy and impact of depression treatment on the medical outcome are also discussed. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2015;45(5):249–254.]

Endoscopic resection as a first therapy for gastric epithelial atypia: is it reasonable?

Gastric atypical cell (GAC), an indefinite pathologic finding, often requires repeated biopsy or other diagnostic treatments, such as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), or operation (OP). The aim of this study was to analyze the initial endoscopic and histologic findings of GAC and to discuss the necessity of EMR/ESD at establishing a correct diagnosis. This retrospective study enrolled 96 patients proven as GAC on index forceps biopsy. ESD (17/96, 17.7%), EMR (5/96, 5.2%), OP (20/96, 20.8%), and other treatment or follow-up (54/96, 56.3%) were performed. We analyzed the initial endoscopic and histologic characteristics of GAC lesions, predictive of neoplasm. After diagnostic modalities, the final pathologic diagnoses were cancer (36/96, 37.6%), dysplasia (9/96, 9.4%), and non-neoplasm (51/96, 53.0%). In univariate analysis, age [odds ratio (OR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.07], lesion size of 10 mm or greater (OR 3.94, 95% CI 1.61-9.61), lesion with depressed type (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.09-5.72), and presence of H. pylori (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.11-7.25) were risk factors for neoplasm. In multivariate analysis, lesion size of 10 mm or greater (OR 3.63, 95% CI 1.23-10.66), lesion with depressed type (OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.11-7.38) were independent risk factors for cancer. Considering the neoplastic risk of GAC, which could be missed on biopsy, more comprehensive tissue sampling via EMR/ESD might be necessary to establish a definite diagnosis.

Circadian gene variants in cancer

Humans as diurnal beings are active during the day and rest at night. This daily oscillation of behavior and physiology is driven by an endogenous circadian clock not environmental cues. In modern societies, changes in lifestyle have led to a frequent disruption of the endogenous circadian homeostasis leading to increased risk of various diseases including cancer. The clock is operated by the feedback loops of circadian genes and controls daily physiology by coupling cell proliferation and metabolism, DNA damage repair, and apoptosis in peripheral tissues with physical activity, energy homeostasis, immune and neuroendocrine functions at the organismal level. Recent studies have revealed that defects in circadian genes due to targeted gene ablation in animal models or single nucleotide polymorphism, deletion, deregulation and/or epigenetic silencing in humans are closely associated with increased risk of cancer. In addition, disruption of circadian rhythm can disrupt the molecular clock in peripheral tissues in the absence of circadian gene mutations. Circadian disruption has recently been recognized as an independent cancer risk factor. Further study of the mechanism of clock-controlled tumor suppression will have a significant impact on human health by improving the efficiencies of cancer prevention and treatment.

No evidence of correlation between p53 codon 72 G > C gene polymorphism and cancer risk in Indian population: a meta-analysis.

p53 is a tumor suppressor gene, which is activated in response to several forms of cellular stress and exerts multiple antiproliferative functions, making it the most frequent target for genetic alteration in cancer. Various studies have evaluated the association between p53 codon 72 G > C (rs1042522) polymorphism and risk of cancer. However, results from the published studies remained inconclusive. The aim of this study is to investigate the precise association between this variant and a risk of cancer in a large-scale meta-analysis. We searched the PubMed (MEDLINE) and Google Scholar web databases for studies regarding the association of p53 codon 72 G > C polymorphism and risk of cancer in the Indian population. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated by using random effect model to assess the association. Twenty studies with 3,258 cancer cases and 4,260 healthy controls were included. Overall, no significant association was detected for C allele carrier (C vs. G: OR = 1.135, 95 % CI = 0.930 to 1.386, p = 0.211) and homozygous (CC vs. GG: OR = 1.200, 95 % CI = 0.810 to 1.779, p = 0.364), heterozygous (CG vs. GG: OR = 1.204, 95 % CI = 0.921 to 1.575, p = 0.175), dominant (CC + CG vs. GG: OR = 1.231, 95 % CI = 0.932 to 1.625, p = 0.144), and recessive (CC vs. GG + GC: OR = 1.078, 95 % CI = 0.792 to 1.468, p = 0.632) genetic models, respectively. No significant publication bias was observed by using Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test. Present meta-analysis indicated that the p53 codon 72 G > C polymorphism was not associated with cancer risk. This suggests that this polymorphism may not be an independent risk factor for cancer in the Indian population.

Risk of colon cancer after computed tomography-diagnosed acute diverticulitis: is routine colonoscopy necessary?

Current guidelines recommend computed tomography (CT) for diagnosing diverticulitis and for routine follow-up colonoscopy to rule out cancer. Scientific data to support routine colonoscopy after acute diverticulitis are scarce and conflicting. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of colon cancer mimicking diverticulitis, and hence the need for routine colonoscopy after CT-diagnosed acute diverticulitis. This study was a retrospective analysis of patients treated for acute diverticulitis in a single academic institution during 2006-2010. Data regarding age, sex, laboratory parameters, prior diverticulitis, surgical operations, pathology reports, and CT characteristics were collected. Risk factors for finding colon cancer after CT-diagnosed acute diverticulitis were identified by multivariate analysis. The study enrolled 633 patients with CT-diagnosed acute diverticulitis. Of these patients, 97 underwent emergency resection, whereas 536 were treated conservatively, 394 of whom underwent colonoscopy. The findings showed 17 cancers (2.7 %) in patients with an initial diagnosis of acute diverticulitis. As shown by CT, 16 cancer patients (94 %) had abscess, whereas one patient had pericolic extraluminal air but no abscess. Of the patients with abscess, 11.4 % had cancer mimicking acute diverticulitis. No cancer was found in the patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis. Besides abscess, other independent risk factors for cancer included suspicion of cancer by a radiologist, thickness of the bowel wall exceeding 15 mm, no diverticula observed, and previously undiagnosed metastases. Routine colonoscopy after CT-proven uncomplicated diverticulitis seems to be unnecessary, but colonoscopy should be performed for patients with a diagnosis of diverticular abscess.

Correlates of Perceived Risk of Developing Cancer Among African-Americans in South Los Angeles

There are differences in cancer-risk perception among racial/ethnic groups that may affect health risk behaviors. Using a community partnered-participatory research approach, we conducted a survey on cancer screening, risk behaviors, and related knowledge/attitudes within 11 churches in South Los Angeles with predominantly African-American parishioners. This analysis examines correlates of perceived risk of developing cancer among 755 African American adults. Almost 15% of participants indicated higher perceived risk for cancer compared to the average man/woman of the same age, 38% indicated same risk, whereas 48% perceived lower risk. Sixty-nine individuals (9%) reported a cancer history and 63% reported at least one blood relative with cancer. Controlling for demographic characteristics and healthcare access, participants who reported higher risk of cancer had higher level of cancer-related knowledge; were current and ex-smokers; had poorer health status; had a blood relative with cancer; had a cancer history; and had discussed their risk of cancer with their doctor. The bivariate association between high perceived cancer risk and lack of exercise and obesity disappeared after adjusting for demographic characteristics and perceived health status. Our data suggest that a substantial proportion of African Americans in South Los Angeles may underestimate their cancer risk. Additionally, lack of exercise and obesity are not recognized as independent cancer risk factors as much as smoking and personal and family history of cancer. Next steps will be to inform participating churches about our findings and explore their interest in taking steps to reduce health risk behaviors among their parishioners.