• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.479-482
• /
• 2012

Aim: Soy foods are the major source of isoflavones, which are believed to play important roles in genesis of breast cancer and its progression. We here conducted a prospective study to evaluate the association of soy isoflavone food consumption with breast cancer prognosis. Methods: A prospective study was performed from January 2004 and January 2006 in China. Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire to collect information on dietary habits and potential confounding factors. The relative risk [hazard ratio (HR)] and 95% CI were calculated from the Cox regression model for all significant predictors from cancer diagnosis to the endpoint of the study (event). Results: After a median follow up of 52.1 months (range, 9-60 months), a total of 79 breast cancer related deaths were recorded in our study, risk being inversely associated with a high intake of soy isoflavone. With an average intake of soy isoflavone above 17.3 mg/day, the mortality of breast cancer can be reduced by about 38-36%. We also found the decreased breast cancer death with high soy protein intake, with a HR (95% CI) of 0.71 (0.52-0.98). Stratified analysis with reference to the ER status, further demonstrated a better prognosis of ER positive breast cancer with a high intake of soy isoflavone (HR 0.59, 0.40-0.93). Conclusion: Our study shows the soy food intake is associated with longer survival and low recurrence among breast cancer patients. A cohort study with a larger sample size and long term follow-up is now needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.9
• /
• pp.4491-4499
• /
• 2012

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer among women in the world and the most common cause of deaths from cancer in females. In Turkey, breast cancer comes first in the list of the most frequent ten cancer types seen in women. As the incidence rate of breast cancer is high, many women having breast cancer in the family experience the breast cancer at secondhand. This study was carried out in an attempt to determine the information and support needs of women whose first-degree relatives have breast cancer and to what extent these needs are met. Methods: The research sample consisted of 156 women. Questionnaire Form and Information and Support Needs Questionnaires were used as the data collection tools. Results: Information need score averages ($x^-:3.72{\pm}0.19$) of women included in the research sampling were found to be higher than their score averages of support needs ($x^-:3.24{\pm}0.41$). Conclusion: Information needs which were indicated by women as very important were related to treatment, symptoms of breast cancer and breast self examination (BSE), while support needs which were indicated by women as very important were learning how to perform BSE, women's anxiety for themselves and their relatives regarding breast cancer and having their breasts examined by a health professional. It is recommended that nurses and other medical staff should give information to women whose first-degree relatives have breast cancer about the disease, its etiology, scanning, diagnosis, treatment options and protection as well as prevention.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.11
• /
• pp.4429-4436
• /
• 2014

Background: Although the nutritional may exert effect on the breast cancer risk, it is not clear whether the role diet is the same in sedentary and physically active women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between fruit, vegetable and carbohydrate intake and the risk of breast cancer among Polish women considering their physical activity level. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted that included 858 women with histological confirmed breast cancer and 1,085 controls, free of any cancer diagnosis, aged 28-78 years. The study was based on a self-administered questionnaire to ascertain physical activity, dietary intake, sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive factors, family history of breast cancer, current weight and high, and other lifestyle factors. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated in unconditional logistic regression analyses including a broad range of potential confounders. Results: With comparison of the highest vs lowest quartile of intake, strong significant associations were observed for total vegetables (OR=0.37, 95%CI=0.20-0.69 P for trend <0.01 and OR=0.53, 95%CI=0.29-0.96, P for trend <0.02), and total fruits (OR=0.47, 95%CI=0.25-0.87, P for trend <0.05 and OR=0.47, 95%CI=0.24-0.90, P for trend <0.02) among women characterized by the lowest and the highest quartile of physical activity. No associations were observed for total carbohydrate intake. Additional analysis showed a positive association for sweets and desert intake among women in the lowest quartile of physical activity (OR=3.49, 95%CI=1.67-7.30, P for trend <0.009) for extreme quartiles of intake comparing to the referent group. Conclusions: The results suggest that a higher consumption of vegetable and fruit may be associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer, especially among women who were low or most physically active throughout their lifetimes. These findings do not support an association between diet high in carbohydrate and breast cancer. However, a higher intake of sweets and deserts may by associated with an increased risk of breast cancer among women who were less physically active.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.486-495
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study was to develop a Quality of Life(QOL) scale for breast cancer patients in Korea and to test the validity and reliability of the instrument. To achieve the purpose of the study, a questionnaire was developed to interview 10 breast cancer patients and distributed to 155 patients with breast cancer in Korea. For data analysis, SPSS WIN 8.0/PC were used. Item analysis and factor analysis were carried out to test validity of the QOL scale. Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ and Guttman split half coefficient were used to test reliability of the scale. The results were as follows; As a result of the item analysis, 27 items were selected from the total of 34 items. 6 factors were selected by factor analysis. Six factors were labeled as 'response to cancer diagnosis and treatment', 'family well-being', 'physical concerns', 'psychological well-being', 'spiritual well-being', and 'economic concerns'. Six factors were explained by 72.236% out of the total variance. The first factor explained 20.738% and the second factor explained 16.593%, which were major factors for Korean breast cancer patients. Chronbach's ${\alpha}$ coefficient of the tool was .9120, and Guttman split-half coefficient was .8148. The scale was identified to be a tool with a high degree of reliability and validity. Therefore, this scale can be effectively utilized for assessment of Quality of Life of patients with breast cancer in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.10
• /
• pp.4729-4733
• /
• 2016

Objectives: Lung cancer is a major public health problem and one of the most costly illnesses. The study aimed to estimate the economic burden of lung cancer in Iran in 2014. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the direct and indirect costs for patients with lung cancer using a prevalence-based approach. A human capital approach was employed to estimate the indirect costs. Data were obtained from several sources such as through patient interview using structured questionnaire, medical records, the GLOBOCAN databases, the Iranian Statistical Center, the Iranian Ministry of Cooperation, Labor and Social Welfare, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Results: The economic burden of lung cancer in Iran in the year 2014 was 3,225,998,555,090 IR. The main components of the cost were associated with mortality (81.9 %) and hospitalization (7.6 %). The costs of direct medical care, non-medical aspects, patient time, and mortality accounted for 10.8%, 2.7%, 4.5%, and 81.5% of the total cost, respectively. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicated that the economic burden of lung cancer is substantial both to Iran's health system and to society as a whole. Early diagnosis, strengthening cancer prevention, implementing new cancer therapy and medical technology, and effective smoking-cessation interventions could offset some of the costs associated with lung cancer in Iran.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.141-149
• /
• 2015

Objectives Recently the fuzzy logic is widely used in the decision making, identification, pattern recognition, optimization in various fields. In this study, we propose the fuzzy logic as the objective method of distinguishing hot and cold, the basis of diagnosis in Korean medicine. Methods We developed fuzzy inference system to distinguish whether the subjects had hot or cold. The cold and hot questionnaire of Korean traditional university textbook, the pulse rate and the DITI value of face used in the system. These three kinds of information were defined as 'fuzzy sets,' and 54 fuzzy rules were established on the basis of clinical practitioners' knowledge. The fuzzy inference was performed by using the Mamdani's method. To evaluate the usefulness of the fuzzy inference system, 200 cases of data measured in the Woosuk university hospital of oriental medicine were used to compare the determining hot, normal, cold results obtained from the experts and from the proposed system. Results As a result, 100 cases of "cold", 54 cases of "normal", and 34 cases of "hot" were matched between the experts and the proposed system. This fuzzy system showed the conformity degree of 94%(${\kappa}=0.853$). Conclusions In this study, we could express the process of distinguishing hot-cold using the fuzzy logic for objectification and quantification of hot-cold identification. This is the first study that introduce a fuzzy logic for distinguish pattern identification. The degree of the heat characteristic of the patients inferred by this system could provide a more objective basis for diagnosing the hot-cold of patients.

• Journal of the Speleological Society of Korea
• /
• no.64
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2004

Caves have the values of learning sites and tourism resources. But show caves are at risk of being ravaged, destroyed, and Polluted. The Purpose of this study is to analyse the management condition and the problems of the show caves, and to suggest the alternative improvement for the cave management. The research of the Cultual Properties Administration revealed many Problems including the management system, safety diagnosis, the demand for comprehensive academic research and so on. An analyzing of the questionnaire about cave manager demanded to reform working conditions, tourist education, an amendment of the Cultural Properties Protection Act, expert education for cave manager. In conclusion, It is necessary that construct the mutual cooperation system of an administrative organization, cave manager and tourist, and the Cave Management information System to manage database of cave environment.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.613-621
• /
• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between dietary quality and the risk of coronary heart disease (CBD) among Korean men by a case-control study. Methods: The cases were 108 male patients with a first acute myocardial infarction or a new diagnosis of angina pectoris who were admitted to a university teaching hospital in Seoul. Controls were 142 age-matched patients admitted to the departments of ophthalmology and orthopedic surgery at the same hospital. Dietary information was assessed by a nutritionist using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and dietary quality index (DQI) scores were calculated. Results: The intakes of total fat and cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) in cases were significantly higher than those in controls. The mean DQI scores were 8.6 for the cases and 9.4 for the controls. A higher DQI, which was indicative of a better quality diet, was inversely associated with the risk of CHD when comparing the highest to lowest quatiles, but borderline significant (odd ratios 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.25-1.39, P for trend ＝ 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that better dietary quality may reduce the risk of CHD among Korean men.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.148-158
• /
• 2006

Purpose : Sanhupung(産後風) is not completed golden standards of diagnosis therefore doctors diagnose through symptoms and signs of patients in clinic same as progress of treatments. We polled oriental gynecologic specialists and non-specialisst to find out cognitive differences on Sanhupung. Subjects : We surveyed 83 specialists and 87 non-speciailist from May 15 2005 to Oct 15. We analyzed the result of respondants, 39 (47%) specialists and 65 (75%) nono-specialits). Methods : We sorted all symptoms in previous studies then we categorized them into 4 fields. The results are analyzed by frequency, importance and impact(frequency percentage${\times}$average importance). Results : Except back pain, all pain symptoms were lower evaluated in non-specialist on frequency. Except inguinal region pain, pain of lower limbs and back pain, all pain symptoms were lower evaluated in non-specialist on importance. Except the numbness of limbs, all items of whole body were lower evaluated in non-specialist on frequency. Except edema, numbness of hand and foot and discharge from the uterus, all items were lower evaluated in non-specialist on importance. All items of neuropsychotic symptoms were lower evaluated in non-specialist on frequency and importance.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-23
• /
• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate the activities and job satisfaction of public health doctors in charge of community health programmes. Subjects were 138 public health doctors charged with community health project, registered in the roll of public health doctors, made out by Central Supporting Team for the District Health Work in 2002. Data was obtained from Ninety-six public health doctors. The response rate was 70%. The survey was conducted from March to April in 2003 bye-mail. The items of the questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of participants, understanding of their activities, support system, job satisfaction, and suggestions to improve the system. Collected data was analyzed using PC-SPSS 10.1. Descriptive analysis, t-test, and ANOVA test were used. The results are as follows: Most of the respondents showed a low participation rate in community health services, but they agreed to the importance of their activities and the necessity to modify and improve the system. 70% of the respondents were dissatisfied with their jobs. The participation in health planning and programmes of health center, and the degree of acceptance of their opinion from health center workers were significantly related to their job satisfaction. The participation rate of the public health doctors having specialty, in community health services is higher than that of the others. In terms of the supports for system operation, the reflection of one's intention in job arrangement process, education and public relation of this system, and the administrative and financial supports made significant differences in the job satisfaction and the accomplishment of their duty. The respondents hoped that the administrative and financial supports for public health doctors in charge of community health programmes should be reinforced to motivate them. They also wanted that they could keep from being overloaded with clinical services. They favored to conduct home visit, community diagnosis, health planning, and health promotion programs as their appropriate activities. From these results, we suggest some strategies to motivate and empower the public health doctors in charge of community health programmes.