Risk Factor For Cancer Research Articles

Estimating the incremental population health impact of a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test to complement existing screening among elevated risk populations with multiple cancer risk factors: a mathematical modeling study

BackgroundThe added benefits of a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test among individuals with multiple risk factors will help policy decision-makers allocate limited healthcare resources. This study sought to estimate the population health implications of adding an MCED test to standard-of-care (SOC) cancer screening tests among individuals aged 50–79 years with additional cancer risk factors (i.e., tobacco use, family history of cancer, and/or obesity).MethodsA mathematical model was developed to assess the potential screening efficiency of an MCED test in addition to current guideline-recommended screenings. Among the US population of 107 million adults aged 50–79 years, the size of, and cancer risk among specific subgroups (i.e., smokers, obese individuals, those with a family history of cancer) as well as the general population were estimated from the literature. Published estimates of screening uptake and/or performance were used to model the number of cancers detected by SOC screening alone, and the number of incremental cancers that could be detected by an MCED test. Screening efficiency outcomes included the true-positive:false-positive (TP:FP) ratio, diagnostic yield (DY), and cancer detection rate (CDR). Sensitivity analyses were conducted by varying the values of key parameters.ResultsAmong all subgroups, the TP:FP ratios were higher with an MCED test than with SOC screening alone, and higher than in the general population, suggesting improved screening efficiency with an MCED test. The estimated TP:FP ratios were 1:43.3 (SOC)/1:1.1 (MCED), 1:40.4/1:0.8, 1:36.9/1:0.5 among former, ever, and current smokers, respectively, 1:38.3/1:0.9 (those with a family history of cancer), and 1:39.3/1:1.1 (obese individuals). Among the general population, the TP:FP ratios were 1:43.5/1:1.1. Across all subpopulations, the DY and CDR increased by up to threefold with an MCED test, when compared to SOC screening alone, with up to 75% of cancers detected with an MCED test lacking a screening paradigm. These results were robust in sensitivity analyses.ConclusionsAdding an MCED test could improve screening efficiency among individuals with multiple risk factors, as well as the general population.

The Intersection of Psoriasis and Neoplasia: Risk Factors, Therapeutic Approaches, and Management Strategies

The association between psoriasis and increased cancer risk is gaining recognition as studies reveal shared inflammatory and immune pathways. This review examines the relationship between psoriasis and neoplasia, focusing on cancer risk factors in psoriasis patients, the biological pathways underlying this connection, and the impact of various psoriasis treatments on cancer development. Psoriasis patients have a heightened incidence of certain cancers, such as lymphomas, skin cancers, and urological malignancies, potentially linked to immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation. Immunomodulatory treatments for psoriasis, including conventional systemic therapies and biologics, present varied cancer risks, with others, such as phototherapy, associated with an elevated risk of skin cancers. For oncologic patients with psoriasis, management necessitates a tailored approach, balancing effective psoriasis control with minimizing cancer progression risks. The emergence of IL-17 inhibitors, IL-23 inhibitors, and small-molecule therapies offers promising therapeutic alternatives with favorable safety profiles for these patients. This review underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize care for patients managing both psoriasis and malignancy.

Incidence, risk factors, and epidemiological trends of tracheal cancer: a global analysis

BackgroundTracheal cancer is a rare malignancy with limited research but high mortality rates. This study aims to analyse recent data to understand the global burden, trends, and risk factors for tracheal cancer, facilitating improved prevention and treatment strategies.MethodsWe conducted a study on tracheal cancer using data from the Global Cancer Observatory and the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents databases. We collected information on the incidence of tracheal cancer, risk factors, and the Human Development Index (HDI) at the country level. The univariate linear regression was used to explore the relationship between tracheal cancer and the various risk factors. We utilised joinpoint regression analysis to calculate the Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) in tracheal cancer incidence.ResultsThe global age-standardised rate of incidence of tracheal cancer was 2.9 per 10 million (3,472 cases in total) in 2022, with the highest regional incidence observed in Central and Eastern Europe (ASR = 9.0) and the highest national incidence in Hungary (12.5). Higher incidence was found among the males (3.8) than females (2.0); among the older adults aged 50-74 (11.9) than the younger population aged 15-49 (1.2). A higher tracheal cancer incidence ratio was associated with higher levels of smoking, alcohol drinking, diabetes, lipid disorders, and HDI. Despite the overall decreasing trends for all population groups (highest decrease in Thailand; AAPC: -15.06, 95% CI: -21.76 to -7.78, p = 0.002), there was an increase in some female populations (highest increase in Colombia, AAPC: 19.28, 95% CI: 16.48 to 22.15, p < 0.001) and younger populations (highest increase in Ireland; AAPC: 29.84, 95% CI: 25.74 to 34.06, p < 0.001).ConclusionThis study provides a comprehensive analysis of tracheal cancer, focusing on risk factors and population-level trends. There has been an overall decreasing trend in the incidence of tracheal cancer, particularly among males and older adults, while the decline is less pronounced in females and younger individuals. Further research is needed to explore the underlying drivers of these epidemiological trends.

Comprehensive Mendelian randomization analysis of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and multiple cancers

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the causal relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and five cancers (breast, cervical, thyroid, prostate and colorectal) using the Mendelian Randomization (MR) method, with a view to revealing the potential role of LDL-C in the development of these cancers.MethodsWe used gene variant data and disease data from the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) database to assess the causal relationship between LDL-C and each cancer by Mendelian randomisation analysis methods such as inverse variance weighting and MR-Egger. Specifically, we selected Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), genes associated with LDL-C levels, as instrumental variables, extracted the corresponding single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data and analysed the associations of these SNPs with five cancers.In addition, sensitivity analyses and heterogeneity tests were performed to ensure the reliability of the results.ResultsThe analyses showed that when using HMGCR gene, LDL-C were significantly and positively associated with breast (OR:1.200, 95% CI:1.082–1.329, p = 0.001), prostate (OR:1.198, 95% CI:1.050–1.366, p = 0.007), and thyroid cancers (OR:8.291, 95% CI:3.189- 21.555, p = 0.00001) were significantly positively correlated, whereas they were significantly negatively correlated with colorectal cancer (OR:0.641, 95% CI:0.442–0.928, p = 0.019); the results for cervical cancer were not significant (p = 0.050). When using the PCSK9 gene, LDL-C levels were significantly and positively associated with breast (OR:1.107, 95%:CI 1.031–1.187, p = 0.005) and prostate (OR:1.219, 95%:CI 1.101–1.349, p = 0.0001) cancers, but not with cervical (p = 0.294), thyroid cancer (p = 0.759) and colorectal cancer ( p = 0.572).ConclusionAnalyses using both the HMGCR and PCSK9 genes have shown that LDL-C may be a potential risk factor for breast and prostate cancer, while analyses of the HMGCR gene have also suggested that LDL-C may increase the risk of thyroid cancer and decrease the risk of colorectal cancer.

Unraveling the causal relationship and potential mechanisms between osteoarthritis and breast cancer: insights from mendelian randomization and bioinformatics analysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of osteoarthritis (OA) on the development of breast cancer (BC), and reveal the potential mechanisms underlying the association between them.MethodsA two-step, multivariable Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis was performed, using statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), to determine the effect of OA on BC and explore the role of major depressive disorder (MDD) in mediating it. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were utilized to establish a prognostic model and explore the underlying mechanisms. Additionally, BC cells and nude mice were used to verify the role of RTN4 in BC.ResultsThe two-sample MR analysis implied a causal relationship between OA and BC at the genetic level, and the mediating MR analysis identified that MDD may play a potential role in mediating it, accounting for approximately 12.20%. Then, we constructed a prognostic model (OA-score) with six genes screened out from datasets and selected RTN4 as the representative gene for validation study. It was demonstrated that high OA-score was an independent risk factor for breast cancer, and patients with low OA-score were more likely to have better OS, higher infiltration level of DC and CD 4 + T cells, and higher expression of some immune checkpoints. Moreover, the knockdown of RTN4 inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion.ConclusionOur study identified the causal influence of OA on BC mediated by MDD at the genetic level. OA-Score may potentially serve as a new prognostic biomarker for OA related BC patients.

Identification and validation of the nicotine metabolism-related signature of bladder cancer by bioinformatics and machine learning

BackgroundSeveral studies indicate that smoking is one of the major risk factors for bladder cancer. Nicotine and its metabolites, the main components of tobacco, have been found to be strongly linked to the occurrence and progression of bladder cancer. However, the function of nicotine metabolism-related genes (NRGs) in bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) are still unclear.MethodsNRGs were collected from MSigDB to identify the clusters associated with nicotine metabolism. Prognostic differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were filtered via differentially expression analysis and univariate Cox regression analysis. Integrative machine learning combination based on 10 machine learning algorithms was used for the construction of robust signature. Subsequently, the clinical application of signature in terms of prognosis, tumor microenvironment (TME) as well as immunotherapy was comprehensively evaluated. Finally, the biology function of the signature gene was further verified via CCK-8, transwell migration and colony formation.ResultsThree clusters associated with nicotine metabolism were discovered with distinct prognosis and immunological patterns. A four gene-signature was developed by random survival forest (RSF) method with highest average Harrell’s concordance index (C-index) of 0.763. The signature exhibited a reliable and accurate performance in prognostic prediction across TCGA-train, TCGA-test and GSE32894 cohorts. Furthermore, the signature showed highly correlation with clinical characteristics, TME and immunotherapy responses. Suppression of MKRN1 was found to reduce the migration and proliferation of bladder cancer cell. In addition, enhanced migration and proliferation caused by nicotine was blocked down by loss of MKRN1.ConclusionsThe novel nicotine metabolism-related signature may provide valuable insights into clinical prognosis and potential benefits of immunotherapy in bladder cancer patients.

Obesity, Physical Activity, and Cancer Incidence in Two Geographically Distinct Populations; The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and the United Kingdom—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The relationship between obesity, physical activity, and cancer has not been well studied across different countries. The age-standardized rate of cancer in the UK is double–triple that in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCCCs). Here, we study the association between obesity, physical activity, and cancer incidence with the aim to elucidate cancer epidemiology and risk factors in two geographically, ethnically, and climatically different parts of the world. Methods: Our systematic search (from 2016 to 2023) in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and APA PsycINFO databases resulted in 64 studies totaling 13,609,578 participants. The Cochrane risk of bias tool, GRADE, R programming language, and the meta package were used. Results: Significant associations between obesity and cancer were found in both regions, with a stronger association in the UK (p ≤ 0.0001) than the GCCCs (p = 0.0042). While physical inactivity alone did not show a statistically significant association with cancer incidence, the pooled hazard ratio analysis revealed that the presence of both obesity and physical inactivity was associated with a significantly higher cancer incidence. The most common types of cancer were breast cancer in the UK and colorectal cancer across the GCCCs. Conclusion: Although both regions share similarities, advanced healthcare systems, genetic characteristics, dietary habits, and cultural practices may influence cancer incidence and types.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF CAUSING FACTORS WITH THE EVENT CERVICAL CANCER IN WOMEN

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix. The cervix is the lowest part and end of the uterus or uterus. The cervix connects the uterus and the vaginal canal, and cervical cancer is caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Objective: To describe the association between the incidence and causative factors of cervical cancer in women. Methodology: Methodological literature review. Results: The most major risk factors for cervical cancer are hormonal contraception and age. There are also other characteristic social factors, such as low education level, economic status, smoking, cleanliness, physical activity, place of residence, and family history, and most of these factors are risk factors that can be modified to take preventive measures.

Chemical exposomics in biobanked plasma samples and associations with breast cancer risk factors.

The chemical exposome includes exposure to numerous environmental and endogenous molecules, many of which have been linked to reproductive outcomes due to their endocrine-disrupting properties. As several breast cancer risk factors, including age and parity, are related to reproduction, it is imperative to investigate the interplay between such factors and the chemical exposome prior to conducting large scale exposome-basedbreast cancer studies. This pilot study aimed to provide an overview of the chemical exposome in plasma samples from healthy women and identify associations between environmental exposures and three risk factors for breast cancer: age, parity, and age at menarche. Plasma samples (n = 161), were selected based on reproductive history from 100 women participating in the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study, between 1987 and 2006. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) for 77 priority target analytes including contaminants and hormones, with simultaneous untargeted profiling of the chemical exposome and metabolome. Linear mixed effects models were applied to test associations between risk factors and chemical levels. Fifty-five target analytes were detected in at least one individual and over 94,000 untargeted features were detected across all samples. Among untargeted features, 430 could be annotated and were broadly classified as environmental (246), endogenous (167) or ambiguous (17). Applying mixed effect models to features detected in at least 70% of the samples (16,778), we found seven targeted analytes (including caffeine and various per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) and 38 untargeted features, positively associated with age. The directionality of these associations reversed for parity, decreasing with increasing births. Seven separate targeted analytes were associated with age at menarche. This study demonstrates how a comprehensive chemical exposome approach can be used to inform future research prioritization regarding associations between known and unknown substances, reproduction, and breast cancer risk. This study illustrates how chemical exposomics of long-term stored blood samples offers valuable insights to discover chemical exposures and their potential links to disease in humans, particularly those related to reproduction and breast cancer risk factors.

Validation of salivary proteomic biomarkers for early detection of oral cancer in the Egyptian population.

The present study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of important proteomic salivary biomarkers; IL-6, IL-8, and sCD44 in the early detection of oral cancer, and any possible associations with risk factors of oral cancer in an Egyptian population. The present investigation was conducted on 100 individuals; 25 healthy controls, 25 patients having oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) with dysplasia; 25 patients having OPMDs without dysplasia, and 25 oral cancer patients. Demographic data modified gingival index, oral hygiene level, and salivary levels of the biomarkers were assessed. Salivary levels of IL-6, IL-8, and sCD44 progressively increased with increased disease severity. Salivary IL-8 and IL-6 levels possess a discriminating potential from normal tissue through different degrees of dysplasia to oral cancer, sCD44 levels had a discriminating power between normal and dysplastic tissues with high sensitivity and specificity. A positive correlation was found between the three biomarkers and the grade of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and with different risk factors. This is the first study that evaluated multiple salivary proteomic biomarkers in the Egyptian population, and the results validate the ability of IL-6, IL-8, and sCD44 to be used as sensitive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for screening and early detection of oral cancer.

Equivocating and Deliberating on the Probability of COVID-19 Infection Serving as a Risk Factor for Lung Cancer and Common Molecular Pathways Serving as a Link

The COVID-19 infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 posed unprecedented global health challenges of massive proportions. The persistent effects of COVID-19 have become a subject of significant concern amongst the medical and scientific community. This article aims to explore the probability of a link between the COVID-19 infection and the risk of lung cancer development. First, this article reports that SARS-CoV-2 induces severe inflammatory response and cellular stress, potentially leading to tumorigenesis through common pathways between SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer. These pathways include the JAK/STAT3 pathway which is activated after the initiation of cytokine storm following SARS-CoV-2 infection. This pathway is involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and immune homeostasis. The JAK/STAT3 pathway is also hyperactivated in lung cancer which serves as a link thereof. It predisposes patients to lung cancer through myriad molecular mechanisms such as DNA damage, genomic instability, and cell cycle dysregulation. Another probable pathway to tumorigenesis is based on the possibility of an oncogenic nature of SARS-CoV-2 through hijacking the p53 protein, leading to cell oxidative stress and interfering with the DNA repair mechanisms. Finally, this article highlights the overexpression of the SLC22A18 gene in lung cancer. This gene can be overexpressed by the ZEB1 transcription factor, which was found to be highly expressed during COVID-19 infection.

Research on the correlation between different dietary habits and chronic diseases in China

Among all chronic disease risk factors, an unhealthy diet is the first and most widely affected risk factor. Although there have been many studies on eating behavior, there is a lack of quantitative studies on the association between dietary taste differences and chronic diseases in different regions of China. Therefore, this paper utilizes crowd-sourced online recipe data to extract multi-dimensional flavor information from cuisine, combined with geo-tagged restaurant-type interest points data from different regions, to quantitatively analyze the flavor preferences of different groups of people. From the perspective of spatial heterogeneity, we established the association between the 7 flavors and three chronic diseases (hemorrhagic stroke, pancreatic cancer, and upper respiratory infection), and obtained the measure of the explanation ability of dietary flavor on the spatial distribution of chronic diseases. The results show that salty is the primary flavor risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke; sweet to a certain extent is the primary flavor risk factor for pancreatic cancer, and the degree of sweetness is not simply linearly related to the risk of pancreatic cancer; spicy is the primary flavor risk factor for upper respiratory infection, and all three are statistically significant.

Teach back educational strategy on knowledge about breast cancer among low health literate women

BackgroundThis randomized controlled trial examines the effectiveness of a “teach-back” educational strategy in increasing knowledge about breast cancer among women with low health literacy.MethodsData collection for this study was conducted at the Farabi Comprehensive Health Services Center in Sanandaj, Iran, between December 2020 and October 2022. In this randomized controlled trial, 84 women who had low health literacy were randomly allocated into groups of the study (teach back, and control groups). The educational intervention focused on increasing knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, early detection methods (including breast self-examination), and the importance of regular screening. The intervention group received 3 face to face education within three weekly sessions, each lasting 20 min. The Health Literacy Instrument for Adults (HELIA), breast cancer knowledge was measured by valid tool and compared in the two groups before and eight weeks after the interventions.ResultsMean scores of breast cancer knowledge revealed significant differences between intervention group and control group (P < 0.001) eight weeks after intervention. There were significant differences between baseline and follow-up measurement scores demonstrating that there were differences in the participants’ breast cancer knowledge (P < 0.001), and diagnosis technique knowledge (P < 0.008), between the intervention and control groups.ConclusionTeach Back educational strategy increased knowledge breast cancer among low health literacy women. Teach Back educational strategy seems to be effective for women with low health literacy.

Trends in the Disease Burden and Risk Factors of Women's Cancers in China From 1990 to 2019.

To examine age-specific trends and risk factors in the burden of women's cancers (WCs) in China from 1990 to 2019 to inform strategies. Data were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 and World Population Prospects 2019. Time trends, age differences, and key factors for breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers (BC, CC, and OC) were analyzed based on age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate. ASIRs for BC and CC increased over the study period, with a slower growth rate for CC after 2005, likely due to targeted HPV prevention. OC showed the highest ASIR and DALY increases, indicating a growing concern. Peak ASIR for BC and CC was in women aged 50-55, while OC showed a higher burden in women aged 70-79. Lower DALYs in women born after 1985 suggest improved healthcare access. This study highlights significant trends in cancer burden among Chinese women, driven by age and reproductive health policies. Future efforts should enhance screening, health literacy, and age-targeted risk reduction for specific cancer types.

Life-style and metabolic factors do not affect risk for glioma: a prospective population-based study (The Cohort of Norway)

BackgroundThe identification of modifiable risk factors for intracranial glioma remains a significant challenge. While lifestyle factors and metabolic syndrome are well-established risk factors for various other cancers, their association with glioma risk remains unclear.ObjectivesThis study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of lifestyle factors and metabolic factors in relation to glioma risk.MethodsThe Cohort of Norway (CONOR) is a prospective, population-based health survey encompassing anthropometric measurements, blood tests and health questionnaires. CONOR data were linked to the National Cancer Registry to identify incident glioma cases. Follow-up time was calculated in person-years from the baseline examination until the date of glioma diagnosis, death, or the end of the follow-up period. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR).ResultsThe study cohort included 160,938 women and men. Over 2.8 million person-years of follow-up, 319 intracranial gliomas were diagnosed. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and marital status were not associated with glioma risk. There was no increased glioma risk among participants with diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Furthermore, metabolic syndrome in both women and men was not associated with an elevated risk of glioma. Blood lipids, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL, were not linked to glioma risk. However, increasing LDL levels were associated with a decreased risk of glioma in men (HR per category 0.84; 95% CI 0.74-0.96), but not in women.ConclusionThis is the first comprehensive prospective cohort study to evaluate potentially modifiable risk factors for glioma. Our findings do not support previously suggested associations between smoking, alcohol consumption, or metabolic syndrome and glioma risk.

Plasma Metabolomic Signatures of H. pylori Infection, Alcohol Drinking, Smoking, and Risk of Gastric Cancer.

Circulating metabolic profiles have shown promising potential in identifying high-risk populations for various diseases, while metabolic perturbation plays an important role in gastric cancer. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional study with 1800 participants to identify plasma metabolite signatures associated with environmental risk factors of gastric cancer. Subsequently, we evaluated the association between these signatures and gastric cancer risk in a nested case-control study involving 326 gastric cancer cases and 326 matched cancer-free controls. We conducted mediation analyses to elucidate the potential impact of metabolites on the association between environmental factors and gastric cancer. In the cross-sectional study, we identified 46 metabolites associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, 365 with alcohol drinking, and 154 with smoking status. In the nested case-control study, 60 plasma metabolites, comprising 30 lipids, 15 amino acids, 6 xenobiotics, 3 nucleotides, 2 cofactors and vitamins, 2 carbohydrate, 1 energy, and 1 peptide, were associated with gastric cancer risk. A one-standard deviation increment in the H. pylori infection-related metabolomic signature was associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.32-2.09, p = 1.62 × 10-5). Furthermore, the effect of H. pylori infection on gastric cancer was partially mediated by the metabolomic signature (23.28%, 95% CI: 0.09-0.56) or adenine (13.69%, 95% CI: 0.05-0.31). In conclusion, we have identified metabolites associated with environmental factors and demonstrated the association between the H. pylori infection signature and gastric cancer risk. The findings provide novel insights into characterizing high-risk population for gastric cancer.

Alcohol consumption trajectories and risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women: a Danish cohort study.

Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for breast cancer (BC), yet little is known about longitudinal alcohol consumption patterns and risk of BC. This study aimed to investigate whether trajectory profiles of alcohol consumption across adulthood were associated with risk of first primary malignant BC in postmenopausal women. At baseline, 28,720 pre-and postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Cohort reported their average alcohol intake over the past 12 months and their average alcohol intake at the ages of 20, 30, 40, and 50 years. Alcohol consumption trajectories were estimated using latent class mixed models. BC cases were identified through record linkage to the Danish Cancer Registry. To examine associations between alcohol consumption trajectories and BC, we fitted a proportional hazard model adjusted for potential confounding factors using data from 24,543 postmenopausal women without missing covariate information. We identified 4 alcohol consumption trajectory profiles. During a median follow-up of 16.5 years, 1,591 cases of BC occurred. A mean alcohol consumption trajectory of > 10g/day was associated with higher risk of BC (HR: 1.65, 95%CI: 1.35-2.03) compared to a mean alcohol consumption trajectory of < 6g/day. We found no association between trajectory profiles characterized by lower alcohol intakes in early adulthood followed by increasing consumption of alcohol in adulthood compared to a consistently low intake of alcohol. Postmenopausal women drinking consistently high amounts of alcohol throughout adulthood had a higher risk of BC compared to women with a consistently low intake of alcohol.

Machine learning techniques for breast cancer diagnosis

In the last few years, machine learning techniques have been attracting even greater attention in the field of diagnostics, particularly when detecting breast cancer. Relevant studies dedicated to machine learning techniques in breast cancer diagnosis were analyzed in three areas: solving secondary problems that occur in modern-day breast cancer diagnostics, role in an intelligent assessment of the patient’s condition for preliminary diagnostic decisions, and capability to detect breast cancer risk factors. The results revealed that machine learning techniques applied in breast cancer diagnosis have great potential for improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency and solving secondary problems. The medical literature analysis has determined the parameters that are used as input data in machine learning techniques. Furthermore, the collected information will be applied to create a parameter system for breast cancer diagnosis using machine learning techniques.

Assessment of Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes Toward Prostate Cancer and Its Screening Among Men Aged 40 Years and Older in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men globally and the fifth greatest cause of cancer-related mortality. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), prostate cancer has been on the rise due to population aging. However, knowledge deficits and screening barriers do exist because of cultural, social, and psychological factors. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of prostate cancer and its screening among men aged 40 years and above in the UAE. A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 5and October 31, 2024,using a self-administered online questionnaire distributed through social media platforms. Data collected from the questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). A total of 471 responses were analyzed. The median age of participants was 51 ± 12. Most of the respondents were non-healthcare workers with at least a bachelor's degree. Most of the participants were moderately aware of prostate cancer risk factors and symptoms. However, there was a severe lack of awareness of genetic predisposition and racial risk factors. While 80.3% of participants were aware of the role of prostate-specific antigen test in prostate screening, 62.8% recognize the role of a digital rectal examination. The most important barriers to screening were lack of perceived risk, time constraint, and fear of diagnosis. Significant knowledge gaps and barriers to prostate screening exist. Health education initiatives targeting cultural stigma with the use of culturally appropriate and accurate information through credible online platforms are necessary.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and risk of four intrahepatic and extrahepatic diseases: MASLD and risk of four related diseases

Introduction and ObjectivesRecently, Delphi consensus proposed an overarching term steatotic liver disease (SLD), with various subcategories such as MASLD, MetALD and ALD. Our aim was to investigate the association between MASLD/MetALD/ALD and four intrahepatic and extrahepatic diseases (liver diseases, renal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers) in the UK Biobank cohort. Patients and MethodsBy defining hepatic steatosis as image-derived phenotype (IDP)-PDFF >5.21%, we used data from the UK Biobank to diagnose MASLD/ MetALD/ALD. The odd ratio (OR) and the hazard ratio (HR) were calculated using the logistic regression modals and Cox regression models, respectively. ResultsAmong 39,230 eligible individuals, 6,865 MASLD subjects, 2,379 MetALD subjects and 884 ALD subjects were diagnosed. The last follow-up time was October 13, 2023. Consistent with the logistic analyses, MASLD/MetALD/ALD were significantly associated with a higher risk of liver diseases (HR=3.04 [95%CI:2.60∼3.56], HR = 2.69 [95% CI: 2.12∼3.42] and HR =3.99 [95%CI:2.92∼5.45], respectively). Subjects with MASLD also had an increased higher risk of renal diseases (HR = 1.40 [95%CI:1.20∼1.64]) and subjects with ALD had an increased higher risk of cancers (HR = 1.36 [95%CI:1.15∼1.60]). ConclusionIt is the first study to report the association between MASLD, MetALD, ALD and common intrahepatic and extrahepatic diseases based on magnetic resonance imaging data—PDFF. We found that MASLD, MetALD and ALD were risk factors for liver diseases. Meanwhile, MASLD was also a risk factor for renal diseases and ALD was a risk factor for cancers.