• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2829-2832
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• 2012

Background: This study aimed to research the awareness of screening colonoscopy (SC) among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and their relatives. Methodology: A questionnaire form including information and behavior about colonoscopic screening for CRCs of patients and their first-degree relatives (FDRs) was prepared. Results: A total of 406 CRC patients were enrolled into the study, with 1534 FDRs (siblings n: 1381 and parents n: 153). Positive family history for CRC was found in 12% of the study population. Previous SC was performed in 11% of patients with CRC. Mean age of the patients whose FDRs underwent SC was lower than the patients whose FDRs did not (52 vs 57 years; p<0,001). The frequency of SC in FDRs was 64% in patients diagnosed CRC under 35 years of age. Persons having a positive family history of CRC had SC more often (51 vs 22%, p<0,001). FDRs of patients having a higher educational level and income had SC more frequently. Conclusions: When screening for CRC is planned, elderly subjects, those with family history for CRC, and those with low educational and lower income should be given esspecial attention in order that they be convinced to undergo screening for CRC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3465-3470
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• 2014

Background: Previous studies have generated conflicting evidence regarding associations between family history and survival after gastric cancer surgery. In this study, we investigated this question using a meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: To identify relevant studies, PubMed and Embase databases were searched up to June 2013. Two reviewers independently assessed search results and data extraction of included studies. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS) were calculated based on fixed- or random-effects models. Homogeneity of effects across studies was assessed using $x^2$ test statistics and quantified by $I^2$. Results: A total of five studies were selected according to the inclusion criteria. The total number of patients included was 2,030, which ranged from 145 to 598 per study. There was no significant difference in OS by family history of cancer (HR=0.83, 95%CIs=0.50-1.38), but subgroup analysis of patients with a first-degree family history of cancer (HR=0.74, 95%CIs=0.60-0.93) and gastric cancer family history (HR=0.56, 95%CIs=0.41-0.76) tended to show better OS in these patients. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that a first-degree family history of cancer or gastric cancer family history is associated with better survival of gastric cancer patients after surgery, after a systematic review of five previous studies. These results can be applied by clinicians when counselling patients regarding their risk of death from gastric cancer. Further study is needed to investigate the underlying mechanism between family history and survival in gastric cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1797-1802
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• 2013

Background: The aim of this study was to assess clinical factors associated with Helicobacter pylori positivity and to evaluate the incidence of gastric carcinoma in first-degree family members of infected patients. A total of 580 patients (mean age:$38{\pm}17$) with gastrointestinal complaints underwent C-14 urea breath test (UBT). Patients were grouped as: Group-1, untreated patients (n:384); and Group-2, patients who previously treated with eradication triple therapy (n:196). C-14 UBT was performed 1-2 months after the completion of eradication therapy. Associations of H pylori positivity with age, gender, ABO and Rhesus groups, smoking, dietary habits, and history of gastric cancer in first-degree family members were evaluated. The frequency of H pylori positivity was significantly higher in group-1 (58%) compared to group-2 (20%), p=0.001. There were no correlations between H pylori positivity and age, gender, ABO groups, Rhesus subgroups, smoking and dietary habits in both patient groups. The frequency of gastric cancer in family members was significantly higher in patients with H pylori infection among group-1, compared to infected patients among group-2 (56% vs. 28.6% respectively, p=0.03). We observed a significant association between H pylori positivity and the presence of gastric cancer in first-degree relatives of group-1 patients. Our results provide some confirmation of the presence of a link between gastric cancer development and H pylori. C-14 UBT is a sensitive, reliable and a widely recommended test for the detection of H pylori infection and recurrence. We suggest that detection and eradication of H pylori may contribute to a reduced risk of gastric cancer in the family members of infected patients.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.190-198
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• 2021

Objectives: Insufficient evidence exists regarding factors that affect screening adherence among people with a family history of diabetes, who comprise roughly half of all patients with diabetes. Therefore, we aimed to identify the determinants of diabetes screening adherence in adults with a family history of diabetes who had not yet been diagnosed with diabetes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at selected urban primary healthcare facilities in Tehran, Iran. The study population was clinically non-diabetic adults above 20 years of age with a family history of diabetes in at least 1 first-degree relative. All eligible people identified on randomly-selected days of the month were invited to join the study. Results: Among 408 participants, 128 (31.4%) had received a fasting blood glucose check during the last year. Using binary logistic regression, the independent predictors of screening adherence were knowledge of adverse effects of diabetes such as sexual disorders (odds ratio [OR], 3.05) and renal failure (OR, 2.73), the impact of family members' advice on receiving diabetes screening (OR, 2.03), recommendation from a healthcare provider to have a fasting blood glucose check (OR, 2.61), and intention to have a fasting blood glucose check within the next 6 months (OR, 2.85). Other variables that predicted screening adherence were age (OR, 1.05), job (being a housekeeper; OR, 3.39), and having a college degree (OR, 3.55). Conclusions: Knowledge of the adverse effects of diabetes, physicians' and healthcare providers' advice about the benefits of early disease detection, and family members' advice were independent predictors of screening adherence.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-23
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• 2001

This study was done to provide basic data on prevention of breast cancer by identifying and analyzing risk factors for breast cancer in Korean women. The data were collected from three hospitals. The data from Jan. 1995 to Dec. 1997 was based on the patient recordings and personal contacts if possible. Data from 1998 to 1999 was collected from 280 inpatients and outpatients diagnosed as breast cancer. From this data, information about the risk factors of breast cancer could be acquired. The factors are scaled according to the degree of risk. Menstrual history, obstetrical history, family history. lactation period, life style were given 5 point, and body mass index was given 4 point. Using one-way ANOVA. the most important risk factors were identified and analyzed by multiple regression. The conclusion of this study are as follows : General factors which would show an effect on the results of the multiple regression included risk factors such as menstrual history, obstetrical history, lactation period, family history, and life style factors including mortal state, monthly income, educational level, job and age. Family history(R=0.481) was found to be the highest risk factor(23.1%) affecting breast cancer risk. The next factors were dying hair(R=0.603), drinking(R=0.846), body mass index(R=0.885), smoking(R=0.916), age of menopause(R=0.937), pregnancy age of first full-term(R=0.957), eating vegetable(R=0.980) and the number of full term pregnancies in that order. The sum total(R=0.986) of all the above factors accounted for 97.3% of the risk of breast cancer for Korean women. In conclusion, it was found that family history and dyeing hair were the highest risk factors for breast cancer. It is recommended that those with a family history of breast cancer should have regular breast examinations, and those who often dye their hair should reconsider this practice.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.247-252
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• 2009

The present study was to investigate the nutritional status and factors related to malnutrition in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients requiring hemodialysis (HD) in South Korea. Subjects were ESRD outpatients from general hospitals or HD centers in Seoul referred to the dialysis clinic for maintenance HD care. A total of 110 patients (46 men and 64 women; mean ages $58.6{\pm}1.0y$) were eligible for this study. The family history of chronic renal failure (CRF) was considered positive if a patient reported having either a first-degree or second-degree relative with CRF. Malnutrition was defined as a triceps skinfold thickness or mid-ann muscle circumference below the fifth percentile for age and sex and forty-seven of the 110 patients were malnourished. Almost all (94%) patients had anemia (hemoglobin: <13 g/dL for men and <12 g/dL for women). Energy intake was below the recommended intake levels of energy [30-35 kcal/kg ideal body weight (IBW)] and protein (1.2 g/kg IBW) in 60% of patients. The duration of HD was longer in malnourished HD patients (P=0.0095). Malnutrition was more prevalent in women (P=0.0014), those who never smoked (P=0.0007), nondiabetic patients (P=0.0113), and patients with bone diseases (P=0.0427), adequate HD (spKt/$V{\geq}1.2$) (P=0.0178), and those with a family history of CRF (P=0.0255). Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between malnutrition and potential risk factors. After adjusting for age, sex, and other putative risk factors for malnutrition, the OR for malnutrition was greater in HD patients with a family history of CRF (OR, 3.290; 95% CI, $1.003{sim}10.793$). Active nutrition monitoring is needed to improve the nutritional status of HD patients. A family history of CRF may be an independent risk factor for malnutrition in Korean HD patients. A follow-up study is needed to investigate whether there is a causal relationship between a family history of CRF and malnutrition in Korean ESRD patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2879-2886
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• 2012

In order to thoroughly analyze risk factors of breast cancer (BC) in premenopausal Uruguayan women, a case-control study was carried out at the Pereira Rossell Women's Hospital, Montevideo, where 253 incident BC cases and 497 frequency-matched healthy controls were interviewed on menstrual and reproductive story, were administered a short food frequency questionnaire and undertook a series of body measurements necessary to calculate body composition and somatotype. Odds ratio (OR) coefficients were taken as estimates of relative risk derived from unconditional logistic regression. Among the classical risk factors, only the family history of BC in first degree relatives was significantly associated with risk of premenopausal BC (OR=2.20, 95% CI 1.33-3.62). Interestingly, this risk factor was found to be stronger in women of ages >40 (OR=4.05, 95% CI 2.10-7.81), late menarche (OR= 2.39, 95% CI 1.18-4.85), early age for their first delivery (OR=3.02, 95% CI 1.26-7.22), short time between menarche and first delivery (OR=3.22, 95% CI 1.29-8.07), and with high parity (OR=4.10, 95% CI 1.79-9.36), although heterogeneity was detected only for age and parity. High consumption of red meat was positively associated with the disease risk (OR=2.20, 95% CI 1.35-3.60), in the same way as fried foods (OR=1.79, 95% CI 1.12-2.84). Conversely, a high intake of plant foods displayed a protective effect (OR=0.41, 95% CI 0.26-0.65). Except for hypertension (OR=1.55, 95% CI 1.03-2.35), none of the analyzed components of metabolic syndrome were associated to BC risk. Particular increases of risk for premenopausal BC were found for family history in first degree relatives in certain subsets derived from the menstrual-reproductive history. Preventive strategies could broaden their scope if new studies confirm the present results, in view of the limited prevention measures that premenopausal BC currently has.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1779-1782
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• 2012

Background & Objectives: In patients with gastric cancer, the most frequently reported family history of cancer also involves the stomach. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of gastric precancerous lesions in first-degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer and to compare the obtained results with those of individuals with no such family history. Methods: Between 2007 and 2009, 503 consecutive persons more than 30 years old were enrolled in the study covering siblings, parents or children of patients with confirmed adenocarcinoma of stomach. The control group was made up of 592 patients who were synchronously undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for evaluation of dyspepsia without gastric cancer or any family history. All subjects were endoscopically examined. Results: The overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was 77.7% in the cancer relatives and in 75.7% in the control group. Chronic gastritis was found in 90.4% vs. 81.1% (P<0.001). Regarding histological findings, 37(7.4%) of the study group had atrophy vs. 12(1.7%) in the control group (P<0.001), while no difference was observed for intestinal metaplasia (20.3%vs. 21.6%, P=0.58). Dysplasia were shown in 4% of cancer relatives but only 0.4% of the control group (P<0.001). There was no gender specificity. Conclusions: Findings of our study point to great importance of screening in relatives of gastric cancer patients in Iran.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.20-23
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• 2018

Point mutations in the human cardiac homeobox gene NKX2.5 are associated with familial atrial septal defect (ASD), atrioventricular (AV) conduction disturbance, as well as sudden cardiac death. To date, more than 60 NKX2.5 mutations have been documented, but there are no reports in Korea. We are reporting the first Korean family with ASD and AV block associated with a novel mutation in the NKX2.5 coding region. A 9-year-old boy presented with a slow and irregular pulse, and was diagnosed with secundum ASD and first degree AV block. The boy's father, who had a history of ASD correction surgery, presented with second degree AV block and atrial fibrillation. The boy's brother was also found to have secundum ASD and first degree AV block. There were two sudden deaths in the family. Genetic testing revealed a novel mutation of NKX2.5 in all affected members of the family.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2841-2846
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• 2014

Background: When dealing with breast cancer, early detection is closely associated with determining and closely monitoring high risk groups. The aim of this study was to determine the preventable risk factors that are specific for our country, and to understand which risk factors were most predominant. Materials and Methods: The study was planned as a case-control design. Women diagnosed with breast cancer who visited the Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Radiation Oncology outpatient clinics of the Izmir Dokuz Eylul University (DEU) School of Medicine were accepted as the case group. Then a control group matched for age was established among females who visited the outpatient clinics on the same days. A questionnaire prepared by the researchers was implemented using a face-to-face interview technique. The Mann-Whitney U test was used in the comparisons of the group averages, and the Pearson chi-square test in the comparisons between groups. In order to determine the dominant risk factors, binary logistical regression test was implemented. Results: A total of 138 patients, 69 cases and 69 controls, were included in the study. A significant difference can be detected between the groups in terms of BMI, smoking, breast cancer prevalence among first degree family members, presence of breast cancer among distant family members, existence of other types of cancers among family members and the age of onset of menopause (p<0.05). Logistical regression analysis revealed that the presence of breast cancer among first degree relatives increased the risk of developing breast cancer 5.7 times. Conclusions: Although some results of this study are compatible with findings in the literature, some are not. In order to determine unique risk factors, there is a clear need for large-scale studies.