• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6055-6059
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• 2013

The current study determines the knowledge of female course attendees of the "Municipality Cultural Center for Women", located in the city center of Sivas, Turkey, and their attitudes regarding gynecological cancer prevention. The participants of the study include 497 women attending one of the two Municipality Cultural Centers situated in the city center of Sivas. In this study, the sample was not selected; all participants were encompassed within the scope of our research. A total of 418 female course attendees who volunteered to participate in the research were identified as the sample. The data were collected during the months March-June 2011, by a questionnaire developed by the researchers. To compare the distribution of the collected data "Anova", "two independent t test examples" and "chi square test" were used. The research indicates that 45.1% of the women had had gynecological examination as a consequence of a physical disorder. The reason for 54.9% of the women to have gynecological examination is to have been scanned to check for gynecological cancer, 51.2% had a pap smear test. Some 34.9% of them had obtained information about cervical cancer, 39.7% via radio, television or internet and 36.3% from a doctor. Age, education level and marital status of the women participating in this study demonstrated statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) with gynecological examination and undergoing a pap smear test.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2707-2710
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• 2013

Background: This study used pre-hepatitis A vaccination era data in U.S. to study the relationship between serum hepatitis A antibody positivity with pancreas cancer mortality in adults. Patients and Methods: Public use National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) data were employed. NHANES III uses complex probabilistic methods to sample nationally representative samples. Household adult laboratory and mortality data were merged. Sample persons who were available to be examined in the Mobile Examination Center (MEC) were included in this study. All results were obtained by using specialized survey software taking into account the primary sampling unit and stratification variables and the weights assigned to the sample persons examined in the MEC. Thus they are representative of the U.S. population. Results: The mean risk (95%CI) of death in the study population for pancreas cancer was 0.0014 (-0.000069 -.0029); their mean age (95%CI) at the mobile examination center (MXPAXTMR) was 473.43 (463.85-482.10); the follow up in months from their medical examination (permth_exm) was 170.12 (164.17-176.07). The odds ratios (S.E.) of the statistically significant univariables were: age, 1.007 (1.005-1.009); serum anti-hepatitis antibody status, 0.038 (0.004-0.376); and drinking hard liquor, 1.014 (1.004-1.023). The coefficients (S.E.) of the statistically significant variables after multivariate analysis were 0.006 (0.002-0.010) for age and -2.528 (-4.945--0.111) for serum anti-hepatitis A antibody negativity (using serum anti-hepatitis A antibody positivity as a reference). Conclusion: Serum hepatitis A antibody positivity correlates with higher pancreas cancer mortality in adults.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4741-4743
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of testicular self-examination (TSE) among male university students from low income (Bangladesh, Madagascar), middle income (South Africa, Turkey) and emerging economy (Singapore) countries. Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 2,061 male undergraduate university students aged 16-30 (mean age 21.4, SD=2.4) from 5 universities in 5 countries across Asia and Africa. Overall, 17.6% of the male students indicated that they knew how to perform TSE; this knowledge proportion was above 20% in Bangladesh and Singapore, while it was the lowest (12.2%) in Madagascar. Among all men, 86.4% had never practiced TSE in the past 12 months, 7.1% 1-2 times, 3.5% 3-10 times, and monthly TSE was 3.1%. The proportion of past 12 month TSE was the highest (17.6%) among male university students in South Africa and the lowest (7.3%) among students in Singapore. Logistic regression found that TSE importance or positive attitude was highly associated with TSE practice. TSE practices were found to be inadequate and efforts should be made to develop programmes that can increase knowledge related to testicular cancer as well as the practice of testicular self-examination.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8637-8640
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) among female university students from 24 low, middle income and emerging economy countries. Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 10,810 female undergraduate university students aged 16-30 (mean age 20.7, SD=2.9) from 25 universities in 24 countries across Asia, Africa and the Americas. Overall, 50.4% of the female students indicated that they knew how to conduct BSE. Among all women, 59.3% had never practiced BSE in the past 12 months, 21.3% 1-2 times, 10.3% 3-10 times, and 9.1% monthly. The proportion of monthly BSE was above 20% in Nigeria and Laos and below 2% in Bangladesh, India, Singapore, Russia, and South Africa. Logistic regression found that BSE importance or positive attitude was highly associated with BSE practice. BSE practices were found to be inadequate and efforts should be made to develop programmes that can increase knowledge related to breast cancer as well as the practice of breast self-examination.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3773-3779
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• 2012

Objective: Despite government efforts to increase participation in gastric cancer screening, the rate is still suboptimal in Korea. Therefore, we explored barriers to and predictors of gastric cancer screening participation among a nationally representative sample. Methods: We used the Health Interview Survey sub-dataset derived from the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 (KNHANES IV) to evaluate participation in gastric cancer screening and factors associated with attendance in individuals age ${\geq}40$ years. We enrolled 4,464 subjects who completed the questionnaire and were not previously diagnosed with gastric cancer. Four groups of factors were considered potential predictors of gastric cancer screening in a multivariate analysis: sociodemographic, health behavior, psychological and cognitive, and dietary factors. Results: Overall, 41.3% complied with the gastric cancer screening recommendations. Younger age, lower education level, living without a spouse, frequent binge drinker, and current smoker were significantly associated with less participation in gastric cancer screening. Conclusions: To improve participation in gastric cancer screening, more focused interventions should be directed to vulnerable populations, such as groups with low socioeconomic status or unhealthy behavior. In addition, there should be new promotional campaigns and health education to provide information targeting these vulnerable populations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3369-3373
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• 2013

Oral cancer is a global health burden with high mortality and morbidity. Advances in treatment have failed to improve the relatively poor survival rate due to late-stage diagnosis. Early detection and screening have been shown to be effective in reducing mortality and morbidity of most common cancers. Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of oral cancer screening programs but clear results were not obtained. This narrative commentary aimed to give a critical insight into the dilemma of oral cancer screening and to suggest recommendations for future trends. Conventional oral examination still constitutes the gold standard screening tool for potentially malignant oral lesions and cancer. Interestingly, the findings of the most lasting (15-year) randomized controlled trial on oral cancer screening using visual examination (Kerala) supported the introduction of a screening program in high-risk individuals. Several screening adjuncts exist but are still not at the introduction stage. Further research to find an appropriate adjunct reliable tool for oral cancer screening is needed. In conclusion, oral cancer fulfills most of the essential principles of cancer screening but still many points need to be clarified. Therefore, there is a striking need to establish a global consortium on oral cancer screening that will oversee research and provide recommendations for health authorities at regular intervals.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 1973

Two-hundred and eighteen patients were taken bronchoscopy to evaluate the value of bronchoscopic diagnosis in the lung cancer patient at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Kyung-pook University Hospital. Ninety-eight eases of these patients were studied for possible lung cancer by bronchoscopic examination, biopsy and bronchial cytologv. The results were obtained as follows: Two-hundred and eighteen patients were taken bronchoscopy to evaluate the value of bronchoscopic diagnosis in the lung cancer patient at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Kyung-pook University Hospital. Ninety-eight eases of these patients were studied for possible lung cancer by bronchoscopic examination, biopsy and bronchial cytologv. The results were obtained as follows: 1) Forty-five (55.5%) of 81 cases impressed as definitive, and six (35. 3%) of 17 cases impressed as probable lung cancer were subsequently proved to have lung cancer. This represents a total of 51 cases (52. 0%) of 98 patients. 2) Twenty-six (51.0%) of 51 patients were proved by bronchoscopic biopsy and cytology. 3) The positive rates of bronchoscopic biopsy were higher in the lesions on tile intermediate bronchus, carina and main stem bronchi by bronchoscopy, and also in the hilar than in peripheral lesions by X-ray finding and in histologically undifferentiated cell carcinoma than in adenocarcinoma. 4) The positive diagnosis rates of bronchoscopic aspirate were not correlated to the locations of cancer lesions. 5) Thirty- nine percent of 51 case3 were visualized definitive tumor mass and obstructive lesions under bronchoscopy. 6) Patient of lung cancer varied in age from 27 to 77 years, with highest concentration lying in the 5th decade (43.0%). Forty-seven patients were men and 4 were women giving a proportion of men to women, 12: 1 7) Sixty-five percent of proved lung cancer patients were diagnosed as operable cases. Fifty-three percent of explored patients were resected. These results conclude that bronchoscopy is of a considerable value as a diagnostic procedure in these lung cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2013

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in females in Sri Lanka and early detection can lead to reduction in morbidity and mortality. Aim: To evaluate selected aspects of breast cancer early detection services implemented through well woman clinics (WWCs) in the Gampaha District. Methods: The study consisted of two components. A retrospective descriptive arm assessed clinical breast examination (CBE) coverage of target age group women (TGW) of 35-59 years in all the WWCs in Gampaha district over 2003-2007. A cross sectional descriptive study additionally assessed quality of breast cancer early detection services. The Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) technique was used to decide on the lot size and threshold values, which were computed as twenty and six clinics. Checklists were employed in assessing coverage, physical facilities and clinic activities. Client satisfaction on WWC services was assessed among 200 TGW attending 20 WWCs using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: CBE coverage in the Gampaha district increased only from 1.1-2.2% over 2003-2007. With regard to physical facilities, the number of clinics that were rated substandard varied between 7-18 (35-90%). The items that were lacking included dust bins, notice boards, stationary, furniture and linen, and cleanliness of outside premises and toilets. With regard to clinic activities, punctuality of staff, late commencement of clinics, provision of health education, supervision, CBE and breast self-examination (BSE) were substandard in 7-20 clinics (35-100%). Client satisfaction for WWC services was 45.2% (IQR: 38.7-54.8%) and only 11% had a score of ${\geq}70%$, the cut off set for satisfaction. Conclusions: Breast cancer early detection service coverage in the Gampaha district remained low (2.2%) in 2007, 11 years after commencing WWCs. All 20 clinics were substandard for overall CBE and BSE.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2075-2081
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing in North-Eastern Brazil and the patients with the disease often presented at advanced stages. The present study was focused on identifying variables that affect women's frequency of breast self- examination (BSE) performance. Materials and Methods: Data on BSE, socio-economic parameters and risk factors for breast cancer were obtained from 417 women from a community in North-Eastern Brazil by a self-informant method. To identify independent variables that affect frequency of BSE, nominal logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Of 417 women, 330 (79.3%) reported performing BSE. Compared to high-income women, BSE performance by low-income women every month was 7.69 (OD=0.130; CI 95%: 0.044- 0.0386; p=0.000) times lower. Women who did not live in a stable union performed BSE each month 2.73 (OD=0.366; CI 95%: 0.171-0.782; p=0.010) less often than those living in a stable union. BSE performance every month and every six months or every year by women with poor knowledge about risk factors for breast cancer was 3.195 (OD=0.313; CI 95%: 0.141- 0.695; p=0.004) times and 2.028 (OD=0.493; CI 95%: 0.248- 0.979; p=0.043) times lower, compared to women with good knowledge. Participants who had a close relative with cancer performed BSE every month and every six months or every year 2.132 (OD=0.469; CI 95%: 0.220-0.997; p=0.049) times and 2.337 (OD=0.428; CI 95%: 0.219-0.836; p=0.013) times less often, compared to those women without close relatives with cancer. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that income, marital status, knowledge about risk factors and having a close relative with breast cancer, affect the frequency of BSE performance. Information about risk factors in public health campaigns could additionally strengthen avoidance behaviour and also motivate BSE performance.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3105-3108
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• 2013

Background: This study used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III to study the relationship between blood lead concentration and all cause, all cancer and lung cancer mortality in adults. Patients and Methods: Public use National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) data were used. NHANES III uses stratified, multistage probabilistic methods to sample nationally representative samples. Household adult, laboratory and mortality data were merged. Sample persons who were available to be examined in aMobile Examination Center (MEC) were included in this study. Specialized survey analysis software was used. Results: A total of 3,482 sample participants with complete information for all variables were included in this analysis. For all cause death, the odds ratios (S.E.) for statistically significant variables were body mass index, 1.03 (1.01-1.06); 1.01 (1.01-1.01); blood lead concentration, 1.05 (1.01-1.08); poverty income ratio, 0.823 (0.76-0.89); and drinking hard liquor, 1.01 (1.00-1.02). For all cancer mortality, the odds ratios (S.E.) of the statistically signigicant variables were: age, 1.01 (1.01-1.01); blood lead concentration, 1.07 (1.04-1.12), black race, using non-Hispanic white as reference, 1.69 (1.12-2.56); and smoking, 1.02 (1.01-1.04). For lung cancer mortality, the odds ratios (S.E.) of the statistically significant variables were: age, 1.01(1.01-1.01); blood lead concentration, 1.09 (1.05-1.13); Mexican Americans, using non-Hispanic white as refrence, 0.33 (0.129-0.850); other races, 1.80 (0.53-6.18); and smoking, 1.03 (1.02-1.05). Conclusion: Blood lead concentration correlated with all cause, all cancer, and lung cancer mortality in adults.