• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.1093-1098
• /
• 2014

Background: Cancer is a major public health problem both in our country and worldwide due to its disease burden, fatality and tendency for increased incidence. In Turkey, breast cancer ranks first with an incidence of 41.6% and cervical cancer is the tenth most common cancer with an incidence of 4.4%. Objectives and Design: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 240 women aged from 15 to 65 years admitted to a gynecology-obstetrics outpatient clinic of a private hospital in Gaziantep. Study data were collected by the investigators through a 36-item questionnaire form which was generated using information gathered from similar surveys in the literature. Results: It was determined that 34.6% of women were high-school graduates, and 64.2% had a medium income level. The majority (79.2%) stated that they never performed BSE and 49.5% of them said that they did not know how to do it. Some 79.2% did not know what a Pap smear was and 73.3% had not experienced a smear test ever. Conclusions: In this study, we found that most of the women had insufficient knowledge of breast and cervical cancer, while knowledge and practices increased with the education level. Based on these findings, we suggest that there is a need for planning, implementation and assessment of health policies and healthcare services at the national and regional level and we believe that nurses working in the field of protective health services should develop educational programmes for women with a primary focus on cancer in order to increase awareness among the female population in Turkey.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.18
• /
• pp.7971-7975
• /
• 2014

Background: From our previous study, we established that cyclin A1 (CCNA1) promoter methylation is strongly correlated with multistep progression of HPV-associated cervical cancer, suggesting potential use as a diagnostic maker of disease. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence of CCNA1 promoter methylation in residual cervical cells isolated from liquid-based cytology that underwent hrHPV DNA screening for cervical cancer, and then to evaluate this marker for diagnostic accuracy using parameters like sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratio. Methods: In this retrospective study, histopathology was used as the gold standard method with specimens separated into the following groups: negative (n=31), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL, n=34) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse (HSIL+, n=32). The hrHPV was detected by Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) and CCNA1 promoter methylation was examined by CCNA1 duplex methylation specific PCR. Results: The results showed the frequencies of CCNA1 promoter methylation were 0%, 5.88% and 83.33%, while the percentages of hrHPV were 66.67%, 82.35% and 100% in the negative, LSIL and HSIL+ groups, respectively. Although hrHPV infection showed high frequency in all three groups, it could not differentiate between the different groups and grades of precancerous lesions. In contrast, CCNA1 promoter methylation clearly distinguished between negative/LSIL and HSIL+, with high levels of all statistic parameters. Conclusion: CCNA1 promoter methylation is a potential marker for distinguishing between histologic negative/LSIL and HSIL+using cervical cytology samples.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.2545-2549
• /
• 2013

Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in women worldwide. Persistent infection with a human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause for cervical cancer. Vaccination and Pap smear screening are the best methods for prevention of the disease. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the knowledge and views of upper secondary school female students in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, toward prevention of cervical cancer. This study was conducted from April 2009 to September 2009 in 8 schools in Kuala Lumpur area using pre-tested and validated questionnaires. Results indicated that the respondents had low knowledge of cervical cancer and its prevention although the majority of students (80.4%) had heard about the disease. The level of knowledge of cervical cancr and its prevention was significantly higher among students from the science stream (p<0.001) compared to students from the art stream. Most students (69.3%) agreed to take the vaccination if the service was available in schools. A high percentage of students (82.2%) agreed that the vaccination should be compulsory to the students. In conclusion, most students had low knowledge of cervical cancer and its prevention but they had positive attitude toward vaccination and agreed that vaccination should be compulsory. Therefore, suitable educational programmes should be developed to improve the knowledge of secondary school students on the prevention of cervical cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.269-273
• /
• 2012

We aimed to estimate the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in women of high socioeconomic status (SES) in Seoul, Republic of Korea and to identify risk factors. This study included 13,386 women visiting a prestigious healthcare center located in Seoul between 2003 and 2008. High-risk HPV infections were detected in 994 (7%) and the age-standardized prevalence was 8%. Abnormal Pap smear results ${\geq}$ atypical squamous cells of unknown significance (ASCUS) were observed in 280 of 12,080 women (2%). Based on univariate analysis, age, level of education and number of children were associated with high-risk HPV infections. Based on multivariate analysis, age and high-risk HPV infections had an inverse relationship. In women with high SES in Seoul, the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection was 7% and the age-standardized prevalence was 8%. Age was a strong determinant of high-risk HPV infection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.9
• /
• pp.4487-4490
• /
• 2012

This study aimed to screen for anal cancer and to determine its cytomorphology using liquid-based cytology (LBC) with specimens preserved in 95% ethyl alcohol. Anal swabs were collected for cytological examination from 177 adult, HIV-infected patients. After collection, sample slides were reviewed and classified according to their cytomorphology using the modified Bethesda 2001 system. An abnormal anal Pap smear was found in 26.0% of the patients. The diagnoses were: 66.7% negative for intraepithelial lesions (NIL), 14.1% with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), 10.7% (19) with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), and 1.13% with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). The cytological evaluation was an unsatisfactory result only with 6.67%. The present modified LBC using 95% ethyl alcohol as the preservative could thus be used for anal cancer screening. The number of SILs in Thai HIV-infected patients is lower than that in Western countries. We found anal cytology a satisfactory tool for early screening and detection of anal dysplasia commonly found in high-risk, HIV-infected patients.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.225-233
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study Is to report the effect of Paljeongsangami(八正散加味) on the female urethral syndrome(FUS). Methods: A subject was a 29-year-old woman who suffered from FUS even after the treatment of western medicine. We evaluated the routine blood test. U/A, Pap smear and N.gonorrhoeae PCR, but there were no abnormal findings. We gave her Paljeongsangami 3 times a day for 10 days with acupuncture and moxibustion. During the treatment, we asked her complete a urinary dairy. Results: After the treatment, the symptoms of FUS was disappeared and her condition was maintained for 2 months at least. Conclusion: This case report showed that Paljeongsangami is efficacious for FUS and could prevent chronic progress and relapse of symptoms. More clinical data and studies are to be done for the effective application of the various oriental medicinal therapy on FUS.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.13 no.8
• /
• pp.308-313
• /
• 2013

Among 179 specimen diagnosed with ASCUS but did not go through biopsy or other tests, 26 cases (14.52%) showed positivity in HPV Hybrid Capture II Test. There were 25 cases of HPV high risk factor(+), marking 13.96%, and 3 cases of low risk factor(+) at 1.67%. According to cytology manifestation, patients with over LSIL can increase their complete recovery rate with continuous tests, but most patients diagnosed ASCUS do not go through any tests at all. It is considered that in order to prevent and start early treatment on cervical cancer, the HPV Hybrid Capture II Test must be enforced to patients diagnosed with ASCUS. Negative patients should go through routine screening, and positive patients should receive treatment after colposcopy.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.67-80
• /
• 2000

This study was described as midwife's role and obstacle of midwife's role expansion. Midwife as primary medical personal who practices for a mother and infant health care and promotion of mother infant interaction. As the trend of increasing natural childbirth, midwifery has to provide childbearing care those who want delivery in a midwifery center. This study conducted to survey for 44 midwives who work at the midwifery center. The results of the study as fellows. 1. Most of the midwives role was care of pregnancy, delivery, postpartum women and babies. Another role was conducted educational classes childbirth, breast feeding, contraception and sexual education. 2. Some midwives role perform breech, vaccum delivery, episiotomy and suture, pitocin induction and augmentation, ultrasonogram, giving medication, anesthesia, collecting specimen from Pap smear and vaginal discharge. Midwife perform these roles without medical law support. 3. Most of the obstacles of the midwife role was the medical law limitation. Midwives want revise medical law to perform simple treatment for childbearing women and babies. 4. Half of the midwives refer cases to medical doctor in case of complication of women and newborns. 5. Current frequency of home birth rate is slightly higher than before and me cases like to have delivery under water. Finally, midwife and midwifery have to prepare to meet childbearing woman, baby and family's need. For activation and expansion of midwife's role, every midwife has to be aware of medical law accurately and they must know what practice they can do and what practice they can not do.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.14
• /
• pp.5733-5739
• /
• 2015

The primary objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of medical students and determine variation between different cultural groups. A secondary aim was to find out the willingness to pay for cervical cancer vaccination and the relationships between knowledge and attitudes towards Human Papillomavirus vaccination. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a private medical university between June 2014 and November 2014 using a convenient sampling method. A total of 305 respondents were recruited and interviewed with standard questionnaires for assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practice towards human papilloma virus and their willingness to pay for HPV vaccination. Knowledge regarding human papilloma virus, human papilloma virus vaccination, cervical cancer screening and cervical cancer risk factors was good. Across the sample, a majority (90%) of the pupils demonstrated a high degree of knowledge about cervical cancer and its vaccination. There were no significant differences between ethnicity and the participants' overall knowledge of HPV infection, Pap smear and cervical cancer vaccination. Some 88% of participants answered that HPV vaccine can prevent cervical cancer, while 81.5% of medical students said they would recommend HPV vaccination to the public although fewer expressed an intention to receive vaccination for themselves.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.2267-2272
• /
• 2014

Background: Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in Turkey. Nurses are essential providers of preventive care for patients, especially breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening as part of routine preventive practice. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge of these cancers among nurses in Karabuk State Hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed from April 1 to July 30, 2013. The study sample consisted of 226 nurses working in Karabuk State Hospital. Results: Mean age of the nurses was $32.07{\pm}8.39$. 62.4% of nurses practiced breast self examination when they remembered it, while 39.8% of them did not take a Pap smear test since they did not think it was necessary. 64.2% of nurses would like to receive information about cancer and screening tests. Majority of them had given true answers to questions on breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. There were significant relationships between cancer knowledge scores and marital status, working experience, and level of education. Conclusions: Nurses possess adequate knowledge about breast cancer but they need more information on cancer risk estimation. Awareness may be raised in nurses by establishing continuing education programs regarding the risk factors, symptoms, protection methods, early diagnosis, and scanning of breast, cervix and colon cancers.