• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2000

Objectives: To demonstrate effective diagnostic method and proper management of recurrent thyroid cancer through to compare treatment and surveillance of $I^{131}$ scanning detected recurrence and clinically detected recurrence. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical information about 46 patients who has recurrent thyroid cancer of 298 patients who have been primarily operated due to thyroid cancer in PMC at the over 10 years between 1986 and 1995. We examine incidence of recurrence due to pathologic types, site of recurrence, disease free interval, detection method of recurrence, and also treatment and progression of recurrence. A patients in which the clinical examination was entirely negative and the $I^{131}$ scan demonstrated either a new area of $I^{131}$ uptake or an increased area of concentration, compared to the previous scan, was designated as a recurrence detected by $I^{131}$ scan only. Recurrences that were obviously by physical examination or chest x-ray, etc were considered clinically detected recurrence, regardless of the the results of the thyroid scan. Results: Mean of disease tree interval(DFI) is 36months. When mean DFI of $I^{131}$ scan detected recurrence is 28months, whereas mean DFI of clinically detected recurrence is 47months. In statiscal analysis, p-value is 0.043 as significantly. In progression of recurrent patient, NED is 28case, AWD is Sease, DOD is 13case. Among the 13case, scan detected recurrence is lease of 20 patients(5%), whereas clinically detected recurrence is l2case of 26 patient(46%). In statiscal analysis, p-value is 0.003 as significantly. Conclusion: Early detection of the recurrent thyroid cancer by $I^{131}$ scanning leads to good progress compare with detection by clinical examination. NED: No Evidence of Disease AWD : Alive With Disease DOD : Dead Of Disease DOC: Dead of Other Cause

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.69-80
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to identify the factors associated with colorectal cancer screening behaviors. Methods: The nation-wide representative samples of 2,928 adults aged ${\geq}50$ years for colorectal cancer screening were derived from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV). This study investigated socio-demographic, health behavioral and contextual factors associated with colorectal cancer screening using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: In terms of socio-demographic factors, gender, age, marital status, occupation, monthly income, and resident region were significantly different between screening group and non-screening group. Among health behavioral and contextual factors, regular physical checkup, weight control, physical activity, smoking, drinking and having other cancers were significantly different. From the multivariate logistic regression analysis, marital status, education level, regular physical checkup and weight control were associated with colorectal cancer screening behavior. Conclusions: It is necessary to understand the importance of early detection and cancer screening. Appropriate health education and active promotion about the cancer screening should be developed based on the study findings in order to motivate people to have cancer screening. Also, these findings should be reflected in the health policy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.4019-4023
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in women and the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 792 female undergraduate students in public universities in Klang Valley, Malaysia, from January to April 2011. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire developed for this study. Results: The mean age of respondents was $21.7{\pm}1.2$ years. Most of them were single (96.8%), Malay (91.9%) and 150 (19.6%) claimed they had practiced BSE. There was a significant differences between performers and non-performers correlated to age, marital status, check breast by doctor, and being trained about BSE. Performers had lower mean scores for perceived barriers and susceptibility and higher mean score for confidence. Stepwise logistic regression analysis yielded four significant predictor variables. Conclusions: Overall our findings indicate that the practice of BSE while perceived as being important is not frequently practiced among female in Malaysia. Targeted education should be implemented to improve early detection of breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7175-7180
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Malaysia, about one in 19 women being at risk. This study aimed to investigate knowledge and practice of breast self-examination (BSE), as well as knowledge of risk factors for breast cancer amongst female adolescents in Malaysia. Subsequently, relationships between demographic characteristics and knowledge level of BSE, risk factors for breast cancer and BSE practice were assessed. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional survey was conducted using a sample of 500 Malaysian adolescents from the age of 15 to 19 years. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of BSE, knowledge of risk factors for breast cancer and BSE practices. Results: The findings of this study indicated that female adolescents in Malaysia demonstrated an inadequate knowledge level of BSE and risk factors for breast cancer. Only 27.8% of female adolescents performed BSE regularly. BSE practice, knowledge of BSE and knowledge of risk factors for breast cancer showed significant positive relationships. Conclusions: The study highlighted the importance of planning and implementing breast health education programs for female students in secondary schools in Malaysia. It will also provide the health care providers an avenue to stress on the importance of imparting breast health education to adolescents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1627-1632
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• 2012

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Malaysia. Barriers for practicing breast self examination (BSE) await exploration. Objective: To assess the practice of BSE and its correlated factors and particularly barriers amongst urban women in Malaysia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 222 Malaysian women using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The mean (SD) age was 28.5 (${\pm}9.2$) years, 59.0% were university graduates. Of the total, 81.1% were aware of breast cancer and 55% practiced BSE. Amongst 45% of respondents who did not practice BSE, 79.8% did not know how to do it, 60.6% feared being diagnosed with breast cancer, 59.6% were worried about detecting breast cancer, 22% reported that they should not touch their bodies, 44% and 28% reported BSE is embarrassing or unpleasant, 29% time consuming, 22% thought they would never have breast cancer or it is ineffective and finally 20% perceived BSE as unimportant. Logistic regression modeling showed that respondents aged ${\geq}45$ years, being Malay, married and having a high education level were more likely to practice BSE (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study sample, a significant proportion of respondents was aware of breast cancer but did not practice BSE. Knowledge, psychological, cultural, perception and environmental factors were identified as barriers. BSE practice was associated significantly with socio-demographic factors and socioeconomic status.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3829-3833
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• 2012

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the practice and associated factors of breast self-examination (BSE) among Malaysian women. Methods: For this cross-sectional study 250 women were selected by a simple random sampling technique. The questionnaire was consisted of three parts: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about BSE, and practice of BSE. Obtained data was analyzed using SPSS version 13. T-test and ANOVA test were used to explore the relation between socio-demographic characteristics and the practice of BSE. Results: About 32% of the participants reported that they have had family history of cancer and about 20% of the participants reported that they have had family history of breast cancer. The majority of the participants (88.8%) have heard about breast cancer and 78.4% of the participants have heard about BSE. Race, marital status, residency, regular exercise, awareness about breast cancer, belief that breast cancer can be detected early, belief that early detection improves the chance of survival, family history of cancer, family history of breast cancer, awareness about BSE, and belief that BSE is necessary, significantly influenced the practice of BSE among women. Practice of BSE on monthly basis was found to be 47.2% among the study participants. Conclusions: The socio-demographic characteristics significantly influence the practice of BSA among women in Malaysia. The findings of this study might not only influence the planning of specific screening interventions and strategies in Malaysia but might also be important for the relevant international communities, interested in the peculiarities of BSE incidence in different countries.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7707-7711
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• 2013

Aims: To evaluate breast self examination (BSE) practice and the effect of a training program conducted by healthcare professionals on BSE. Materials and Methods: Women were randomized into control and test groups with both groups completing a questionnaire and three independent interviews where their BSE practices were evaluated. Results: In all, 39.5% of the participants were previously provided information on BSE by healthcare professionals while 25.8% had no knowledge of BSE prior to enrollment. Compared to those informed about BSE through other means such as television, radio, and the internet, the scores of the first, second, and third visits were higher (p<0.05) in individuals who received BSE education from healthcare professionals and hospitals. Conclusions: BSE training provided by healthcare professionals may increase early breast cancer diagnosis and treatment rates by improving BSE awareness and practice.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.72-85
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• 2008

Cytologic examination of the body cavity fluid is very important because the specimens represent a significant percentage of nongynecologic samples and this cytologic examination may be the first, best or only chance for making the diagnosis of an underlying malignancy. The purposes of body cavity fluid examination are to correctly identify cancer cells and if possible, to identify the tumor types and primary sites when presented with unknown primary tumor sites. The most important basic differential diagnosis is that of benign and reactive disease vs malignant disease. Reactive mesothelial cells are a consistent population in body cavity fluid, and these are the most versatile cells in the body. Due to the specific environment of the body cavity, the exfoliated reactive mesothelial cells may show significant morphologic overlap with the morphology of cancer cells. With a focus on the differential points between reactive mesothelial cells and metastatic adenocarcinoma cells, the practical diagnostic approaches, the diagnostic clues and the pitfalls to achieve a correct diagnosis are presented in this review.

• Journal of Menopausal Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.188-195
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• 2018

Objectives: This study investigated the association between menopausal-specific quality of life (MENQOL) and breast cancer screening beliefs among Hong Kong Chinese menopausal and postmenopausal women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed to collect data. The questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of 218 women aged above 45. The outcome variables were breast cancer screening beliefs and breast examination. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the effect of 4 domains in MENQOL (vasomotor, psycho-social, physical, and sexual symptom) and the health behaviors on the 2 outcome variables. Results: This study found that the overall MENQOL scores (in particular psycho-social, and physical aspects) were significantly associated with positive attitudes toward health check-ups and better knowledge and perceptions in breast cancer. Regular exercise was also significantly related to breast examination. Conclusions: MENQOL (especially psycho-social and physical domain) and regular exercise are important factors associated with breast cancer screening beliefs. The results of this study illuminate health care professionals to develop primary health care strategies to improve the quality of life of mid-life women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.351-354
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• 2013

Objective: To assess the practical utility of pleural fluid carbonic anhydrase XII (CAXII) quantification for differential diagnosis of effusions. Materials and Methods: Fluid was collected prospectively from fifty patients presenting with lymphocytic pleural effusions for investigation and CAXII was quantified by ELISA. Results: Pleural fluid CAXII concentrations were significantly higher in lung cancer patients (n=30) than in tuberculous controls (n=20). The sensitivity and specificity of this biomarker were 60%and 75%, respectively. CAXII measurement was not inferior to cytological examination in the diagnosis and exclusion of pleural effusions from lung cancer patitents (sensitivity 60% vs. 57%; specificity 75% vs. 100%; positive predictive value 77%; negative predictive value 54%). In patients with negative cytology, it offered a sensitivity of 54%. Conclusions: Pleural fluid CAXII is elevated in pleural effusions from lung cancer patients. Measurement of CAXII may be used in the future as a valuable adjunct to cytology in the diagnostic assessment of patients with pleural effusions related to lung cancer, especially when cytological examination is inconclusive.