scholarly journals Identifying Novel Causes of Cancers to Enhance Cancer Prevention: New Strategies are Needed

Author(s):  
Paul Brennan ◽  
George Davey Smith

Abstract The burden of cancer from a clinical, societal, and economic viewpoint continues to increase in all parts of the world, along with much debate regarding how to confront this. Projected increases in cancer indicate a 50% increase in the numbers of cases over the next two decades, with the greatest proportional increase in low- and medium-income settings. In contrast to the historic high cancer burden due to viral and bacterial infections in these regions, future increases are expected to be due to cancers linked to ‘westernization’ including breast, colorectum, lung, and prostate cancer. Identifying the reasons underlying these increases will be paramount to informing prevention efforts. Evidence from epidemiological and laboratory studies conducted in high income countries over the last 70 years have led to the conclusion that about 40% of the cancer burden is explained by known risk factors, the two most important being tobacco and obesity in that order, raising the question of what is driving the rest of the cancer burden. International cancer statistics continue to show that about 80% of the cancer burden in high income countries could be preventable in principle, implying that there are important environmental or lifestyle risk factors for cancer that have not yet been discovered. Emerging genomic evidence from population and experimental studies points to an important role for non-mutagenic promoters in driving cancer incidence rates. New research strategies and infrastructures that combine population-based and laboratory research at a global level are required to break this deadlock.

Author(s):  
Salma Younes ◽  
Muthanna Samara ◽  
Rana Al-Jurf ◽  
Gheyath Nasrallah ◽  
Sawsan Al-Obaidly ◽  
...  

Preterm birth (PTB) and early term birth (ETB) are associated with high risks of perinatal mortality and morbidity. While extreme to very PTBs have been extensively studied, studies on infants born at later stages of pregnancy, particularly late PTBs and ETBs, are lacking. In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors, and feto-maternal outcomes of PTB and ETB births in Qatar. We examined 15,865 singleton live births using 12-month retrospective registry data from the PEARL-Peristat Study. PTB and ETB incidence rates were 8.8% and 33.7%, respectively. PTB and ETB in-hospital mortality rates were 16.9% and 0.2%, respectively. Advanced maternal age, pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM), assisted pregnancies, and preterm history independently predicted both PTB and ETB, whereas chromosomal and congenital abnormalities were found to be independent predictors of PTB but not ETB. All groups of PTB and ETB were significantly associated with low birth weight (LBW), large for gestational age (LGA) births, caesarean delivery, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)/or death of neonate in labor room (LR)/operation theatre (OT). On the other hand, all or some groups of PTB were significantly associated with small for gestational age (SGA) births, Apgar <7 at 1 and 5 minutes and in-hospital mortality. The findings of this study may serve as a basis for taking better clinical decisions with accurate assessment of risk factors, complications, and predictions of PTB and ETB.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J Stanton ◽  
Eleni Antzoulatos ◽  
Elisheva R Coleman ◽  
Felipe De Los Rios La Rosa ◽  
Stacie L Demel ◽  
...  

Background: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) of ischemic stroke can have devastating consequences, leading to longer hospitalizations, increased morbidity and mortality. We sought to identify the rate of HT in stroke patients not treated with tPA within a large, biracial population. Methods: The GCNKSS is a population-based stroke epidemiology study from five counties in the Greater Cincinnati region. During 2015, we captured all hospitalized strokes by screening ICD-9 codes 430-436 and ICD-10 codes I60-I68, and G45-46. Study nurses abstracted all potential cases and physicians adjudicated cases, including classifying the degree of HT. Patients treated with thrombolytics were excluded. Incidence rates per 100,000 and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for HT cases, age and sex adjusted to the 2000 US population. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine risk factors associated with HT. Results: In 2015, there were 2301 ischemic strokes included in the analysis. Of these 104 (4.5%) had HT; 23 (22.1%) symptomatic, 55 (52.9%) asymptomatic and 26 (25%) unknown. Documented reasons for not receiving tPA in these patients were: time (71, 68.3%), anticoagulant use (1, 1.0%), other (18,17.3%) and unknown (14, 13.5%), which were not significantly different compared to those without HT. Only 29/104 (18.3%) had HT classified as PH-1 or PH-2. The age, sex and race-adjusted rate of HT was 9.8 (7.9, 11.6) per 100,000. The table shows rates of potential risk factors and the adjusted odds of developing HT. 90 day all-cause case fatality for patients with HT was significantly higher, 27.9% vs. 15.7%, p<0.0001. Conclusion: We found that 4.5% of non-tPA treated IS patients had HT. These patients had more severe strokes, were more likely to have abnormal coagulation tests or anticoagulant use, and were more likely to die within 90 days. We also report the first population-based incidence rate of HT in non-tPA treated of 9.8/100,000, a rate similar to the incidence of SAH.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 4253-4253
Author(s):  
Hanne Rozema ◽  
Robby Kibbelaar ◽  
Nic Veeger ◽  
Mels Hoogendoorn ◽  
Eric van Roon

The majority of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. Alloimmunization (AI) against blood products is an adverse event, causing time-consuming RBC compatibility testing. The reported incidence of AI in MDS patients varies greatly. Even though different studies on AI in MDS patients have been performed, there are still knowledge gaps. Current literature has not yet fully identified the risk factors and dynamics of AI in individual patients, nor has the influence of disease modifying treatment (DMT) been explored. Therefore, we performed this study to evaluate the effect of DMT on AI. An observational, population-based study, using the HemoBase registry, was performed including all newly diagnosed MDS patients between 2005 and 2017 in Friesland, a province of the Netherlands. All available information about treatment and transfusions, including transfusion dates, types, and treatment regimens, was collected from the electronic health records and laboratory systems. Follow-up occurred through March 2019. For our patient cohort, blood products were matched for AB0 and RhD, and transfused per the 'type and screen' policy (i.e. electronic matching of blood group phenotype between patient and donor). After a positive antibody screening, antibody identification and Rh/K phenotyping was performed and subsequent blood products were (cross)matched accordingly. The observation period was counted from first transfusion until last transfusion or first AI event. Univariate analyses and cumulative frequency distributions were performed to study possible risk factors and dynamics of AI. DMT was defined as hypomethylating agents, lenalidomide, chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies. The effect of DMT as a temporary risk period on the risk of AI was estimated with incidence rates, relative risks (RR) and hazard ratios (HR) using a cox regression analysis. Follow-up was limited to 24 months for the cox regression analysis to avoid possible bias by survival differences. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 24 and SAS 9.4. Out of 292 MDS patients, 236 patients received transfusions and were included in this study, covering 463 years of follow-up. AI occurred in 24 patients (10%). AI occurred mostly in the beginning of the observation period: Eighteen patients (75%) were alloimmunized after receiving 20 units of RBCs, whereas 22 patients (92%) showed AI after 45 units of RBCs (Figure 1). We found no significant risk factors for AI in MDS patients at baseline. DMT was given to 67 patients (28%) during the observation period. Patients on DMT received more RBC transfusions than patients that did not receive DMT (median of 33 (range: 3-154) and 11 (range: 0-322) RBC units respectively, p<0,001). Four AI events (6%) occurred in patients on DMT and 20 AI events (12%) occurred in patients not on DMT. Cox regression analysis of the first 24 months of follow-up showed an HR of 0.30 (95% CI: 0.07-1.31; p=0.11). The incidence rates per 100 person-years were 3.19 and 5.92 respectively. The corresponding RR was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.16-1.48; p=0.26). Based on our results, we conclude that the incidence of AI in an unselected, real world MDS population receiving RBC transfusions is 10% and predominantly occurred in the beginning of follow-up. Risk factors for AI at baseline could not be identified. Our data showed that patients on DMT received significantly more RBC transfusions but were less susceptible to AI. Therefore, extensive matching of blood products may not be necessary for patients on DMT. Larger studies are needed to confirm the protective effect of DMT on AI. Disclosures Rozema: Celgene: Other: Financial support for visiting MDS Foundation conference.


2021 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2021-141243
Author(s):  
Rahul Gupta ◽  
Satyam Singh Jayant ◽  
Ashu Rastogi ◽  
Sanjay K Bhadada ◽  
Anil Bhansali ◽  
...  

BackgroundDiabetes prevalence estimates suggest an increasing trend in South-East Asia region, but studies on its incidence are limited. The current study aims to estimate the incidence of type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes in a population-based cohort from India.MethodsA subset of Chandigarh Urban Diabetes Study cohort (n=1878) with normoglycaemia or pre-diabetes at baseline was prospectively followed after a median of 11 (0.5–11) years. Diabetes and pre-diabetes were diagnosed as per WHO guidelines. The incidence with 95% CI was calculated in 1000 person-years and Cox proportional hazard model was used to find the association between the risk factors and progression to pre-diabetes and diabetes.ResultsThe incidence of diabetes, pre-diabetes and dysglycaemia (either pre-diabetes or diabetes) was 21.6 (17.8–26.1), 18.8 (14.8–23.4) and 31.7 (26.5–37.6) per 1000 person-years, respectively. Age (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.04), family history of diabetes (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.25) and sedentary lifestyle (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.17) predicted conversion from normoglycaemia to dysglycaemia, while obesity (HR 2.43, 95% CI 1.21 to 4.89) predicted conversion from pre-diabetes to diabetes.ConclusionA high incidence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in Asian-Indians suggests a faster conversion rate to dysglycaemia, which is partly explained by sedentary lifestyle and consequent obesity in these individuals. The high incidence rates call for a pressing need for public health interventions targeting modifiable risk factors.


Author(s):  
Isabelle Soerjomataram ◽  
Claudia Allemani ◽  
Adri Voogd ◽  
Sabine Siesling

Abstract: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of death from cancer in women. The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer world-wide is projected to increase from an estimated 1.7 million per year in 2012 to 2.2 million new cases per year by 2035. The largest component of this increase relates to demographic change (increasing and ageing populations), changes in breast cancer risk factors linked to westernization, and adoption of unhealthy lifestyles. Although major successes have been observed in improving survival from breast cancer, with a consequent reduction in mortality, these gains have mainly been observed in high-income countries. The international range in population-based survival also remains wide: the most recent 5-year net survival estimates range from <60% in some regions of sub-Saharan Africa to >85% in many high-income countries. These disparities are undoubtedly linked to inadequate access to diagnostic and treatment facilities in low-resource regions, where the number of women being diagnosed each year is still increasing and breast cancer is becoming an urgent problem. Tackling the growing burden of breast cancer will require comprehensive programmes of cancer control, with primary prevention, screening, and treatment tailored to local risk factors and health system capacities. Ongoing global initiatives on breast cancer have developed resource-stratified guidelines to promote early detection and treatment that meet the local cultural and economic situation. Wider adoption and quality assurance of such programmes will be key to reducing the observed global disparities in breast cancer incidence and survival.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Carlsson ◽  
Tom Wilsgaard ◽  
Stein Harald Johnsen ◽  
Liv-Hege Johnsen ◽  
Maja-Lisa Løchen ◽  
...  

Background Studies on the relationship between temporal trends in risk factors and incidence rates of intracerebral hemorrhage are scarce. Aims To analyze temporal trends in risk factors and incidence rates of intracerebral hemorrhage using individual data from a population-based study. Methods We included 28,167 participants of the Tromsø Study enrolled between 1994 and 2008. First-ever intracerebral hemorrhages were registered through 31 December 2013. Hazard ratios (HRs) for intracerebral hemorrhage were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards models, risk factor levels over time by generalized estimating equations, and incidence rate ratios (IRR) by Poisson regression. Results We registered 219 intracerebral hemorrhages. Age, male sex, systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and hypertension were associated with intracerebral hemorrhage. Hypertension was more strongly associated with non-lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (HR 5.08, 95% CI 2.86–9.01) than lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.12–3.25). In women, incidence decreased significantly (IRR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23–0.90), driven by a decrease in non-lobar intracerebral hemorrhage. Incidence rates in men remained stable (IRR 1.27, 95% CI 0.69–2.31). BP levels were lower and decreased more steeply in women than in men. The majority with hypertension were untreated, and a high proportion of those treated did not reach treatment goals. Conclusions We observed a significant decrease in intracerebral hemorrhage incidence in women, but not in men. A steeper BP decrease in women may have contributed to the diverging trends. The high proportion of untreated and sub-optimally treated hypertension calls for improved strategies for prevention of intracerebral hemorrhage.


Author(s):  
Suzanne Bock ◽  
Douglas G. Hoffmann ◽  
Yi Jiang ◽  
Hao Chen ◽  
Dora Il’yasova

Rare cancers, affecting 1 in 5 cancer patients, disproportionally contribute to cancer mortality. This research focuses on liposarcoma, an understudied rare cancer with unknown risk factors and limited treatment options. Liposarcoma incident cases were identified from the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) program and the combined SEER-National Program of Cancer Registries (CNPCR) between 2001–2016. Incidence rates (age-adjusted and age-specific), 5-year survival, and the time trends were determined using SEER*stat software. Three-dimensional visualization of age–time curves was conducted for males and females. SEER liposarcoma cases represented ~30% (n = 11,162) of the nationwide pool (N = 37,499). Both sources of data showed males accounting for ~60% of the cases; 82%–86% cases were identified among whites. Age-adjusted incidence was greater among males vs. females and whites vs. blacks, whereas survival did not differ by sex and race. The dedifferentiated (57.2%), pleomorphic (64.1%), and retroperitoneal (63.9%) tumors had the worse survival. Nationwide, liposarcoma rates increased by 19%, with the annual percent increase (APC) of 1.43% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12–1.74). The APC was greater for males vs. females (1.67% vs. 0.89%) and retroperitoneal vs. extremity tumors (1.94% vs. 0.58%). Thus, incidence increased faster in the high-risk subgroup (males), and for retroperitoneal tumors, the low-survival subtype. The SEER generally over-estimated the rates and time trends compared to nationwide data but under-estimated time trends for retroperitoneal tumors. The time trends suggest an interaction between genetic and non-genetic modifiable risk factors may play a role in the etiology of this malignancy. Differences between SEER and CNCPR findings emphasize the need for nationwide cancer surveillance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13088-e13088
Author(s):  
Gary E. Raskob ◽  
Aaron M. Wendelboe ◽  
John Grady Heller ◽  
Kai Ding ◽  
Nimia L. Reyes ◽  
...  

e13088 Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication in cancer patients, but contemporary data on the incidence and characteristics of cancer-associated VTE in different racial populations is limited. We sought to measure the incidence rate and characteristics of cancer-associated VTE in a racially diverse population. Methods: We performed a prospective, population–based cohort study of VTE in Oklahoma County, OK during April 1, 2012–March 31, 2014. Surveillance staff regularly visited all tertiary care and relevant outpatient facilities in the county and reviewed the text from all imaging results of chest computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, lung perfusion scans, and ultrasound of the extremities to identify cases of VTE. Data on patient characteristics were collected from the electronic medical record. VTE was considered cancer-associated if the patient had a history of cancer other than basal or squamous cell skin cancer. Cancer was defined as “active” if metastatic or diagnosed within 6 months prior to VTE. Associations and incidence were calculated using the chi-square test and Poisson regression, respectively. Results: Of 3,255 patients with ≥1 VTE event (deep-vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism), 732 (23%) had a history of cancer, of whom 309 had active cancer. The types of cancer varied widely. The age-adjusted incidence of cancer-associated VTE was 648 per 100,000 adult population (age ≥ 18). Incidence increased with each decade of age. The racial/ethnic-specific incidence rates were as follows (each per 100,000): Whites non-hispanic (607), Blacks non-Hispanic (557), Native Americans (128), Asian/Pacific Islanders (113) and Hispanics (70). Risk factors for VTE among the 732 with cancer-associated VTE included previous VTE (19%), hospitalization (37%), surgery (33%), and central venous catheter (22%). Of those with a history of cancer ≥ 6 months previously, 32% had no other identifiable VTE risk factor. Conclusions: Cancer-associated VTE comprised about 20-25% of the total population burden of VTE. The incidence varied substantially by race/ethnicity. An appreciable proportion of those with a history of cancer ≥ 6 months previously subsequently developed VTE in the absence of other risk factors.


Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianjia Guan ◽  
Jing Ma ◽  
Mei Li ◽  
Tao Xue ◽  
Zongmin Lan ◽  
...  

Objective:To estimate the current prevalence, temporal incidence trends, and contribution of risk factors for stroke in China.Methods:The China National Stroke Screening Survey (CNSSS) is an ongoing nationwide population-based program. A representative sample of 1,292,010 adults over 40 years old with 31,188 identified stroke cases from the 2013 and 2014 CNSSS database was analyzed to provide descriptive statistics of the prevalence and risk factors for stroke in 2014. In addition, a retrospective evaluation of 12,526 first-ever stroke cases in 2002–2013 and stroke mortality data from the 2002–2013 China Public Health Statistical Yearbook was conducted to estimate the incidence rates.Results:In 2014, the adjusted stroke prevalence was 2.06% in adults aged 40 years and older. After full adjustments, all risk factors assessed showed significant associations with stroke (p < 0.01); the largest contributor was hypertension (population-attributable risk 53.2%), followed by family history, dyslipidemia, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, physical inactivity, smoking, and overweight/obesity. The incidence of first-ever stroke in adults aged 40–74 years increased from 189/100,000 individuals in 2002 to 379/100,000 in 2013—an overall annual increase of 8.3%. Stroke-specific mortality in adults aged 40–74 years has remained stable, at approximately 124 deaths/100,000 individuals in both 2002 and 2013.Conclusions:In 2002–2013, the incidence of stroke in China increased rapidly. Combined with a high prevalence, a trend toward a younger age, and stable mortality, this finding suggests that additional clinical and behavioral interventions for metabolic and lifestyle risk factors are necessary to prevent stroke, particularly in certain populations.


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