中山市小榄镇肝癌高发现场筛查评估及问题分析

目的 通过对高发区肝癌筛查现场的评估,了解筛查对象乙型肝炎表面抗原（hepatitis B surface antigen, HBsAg）阳性人群分布特征,并进一步分析筛查检出肝癌患者情况。方法 应用ELISA法检测血清HBsAg和甲胎蛋白（alpha-fetoprotein, AFP）,B型超声进行腹部脏器检查。结果 （1）筛查人群HBsAg阳性率为15.7%（2 889/18 460）,其中男性阳性率高于女性（P=0.000）。男女人群HBsAg阳性率均随年龄的增长呈降低趋势（P＜0.01）。（2）HBsAg阳性（肝癌高危）人群中初筛和随访分别检出肝癌11例和5例,早诊率分别为27.3%（3/11）和40%（2/5）。整个筛查队列两年共漏诊肝癌11例,其中4例源于高危人群自行退出随访,7例出自HBsAg阴性人群,漏诊的肝癌分别占相应人群总肝癌的20%（4/20）和25.9%（7/27）。（3）高危人群和一般人群组肝癌发病率分别为346.1/10万（20/5 778）和49.9/10万（37/74 084）,前者发病率高于后者（P＜0.05）。高危人群组和一般人群组肝癌早诊率分别为30.0%（6/20）和8.1% （3/37）,两者比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。高危人群组肝癌患者半年、1年和2年生存率分别高于一般人群组中肝癌患者（P＜0.05）。结论 在肝癌高发区进行筛查,了解人群HBsAg分布特征,筛选出高危人群,能及时发现肝癌患者,提高近期生存率。然而,HBsAg阴性人群和依从性差的高危人群中有一定的漏诊率,肝癌筛查的早诊率和生存率仍有待提高。     

HBsAg携带者补硒后影响肝癌发生的实验流行病学研究

目的：评价补硒对HBsAg携带者肝癌发生的效果。方法：采用实验流行病学研究设计，以1996—1999年在启东肝癌高发区对HBsAg携带者补硒预防肝癌干预试验队列为实验对象，停药后定群随访到2004年，收集死亡资料。结果：停药后5年（2000—2004年）干预组肝癌（4．384％）和慢性肝炎（简称慢肝）或肝硬化（0．939％）的死亡率显著低于对照组（肝癌7．533％，U=2．827，P=0．005；慢肝或肝硬化2．552oA，U=2．636，P=0．009），干预组肝癌死亡相对危险度是对照组0．582倍（RR=0．582，95％CI：0．389～0．871），慢肝或肝硬化死亡相对危险度是对照组0．368倍（RR=0．368，95％，CI：0．168～0．808），硒与慢肝或肝硬化死亡关联强度较强；硒对肝癌、慢肝或肝硬化保护率分别为41.804％和63．182％。结论：HBsAg携带者持续补硒能有效降低肝癌和其他肝病的发生率，值得继续观察研究。     

上海市社区肝癌高危人群早发现干预效果的研究

目的：研究肝癌高危人群定期筛检早发现在社区推广实施的效果。方法：在上海市的卢湾和松江2个区中19个社区开展了基于健康档案的肝癌高危人群筛选工作，通过健康教育的干预，邀请这些高危对象参加每半年AFP加B超的检查，并跟踪随访其参加情况和发生肝癌的情况。结果：44个月的观察期内，在3280例的筛检队列中，筛检检出率是114．56／10万人年，早中期检出率是65．46／10万人年。队列中规范参加筛检的比例为36．95％，其肝癌年发病率是普通人群肝癌发病的6．3倍，死亡率是普通人群肝癌死亡率的1．1倍，肝癌的早中期比例高于普通人群。具有不同的危险因素者肝癌检出率有明显差异，其中慢性肝炎史合并肝硬化的高危人群的检出率最高。结论：规范参加筛检的高危人群中发现肝癌的早中期比例高于普通人群，其差异可能是参加筛检的效果；本研究观察到的肝癌高危人群的特点将为今后设计和实施以社区为基础的肝癌高危人群筛检工作提供有益的借鉴。     

我国营养干预和中草药阻断食管癌变的Meta分析

本文应用Meta分析方法，对我国近10年营养干预和中草药阻断治疗降低食管癌高发区癌变率的13篇研究文献进行统计合并，其中食管上皮细胞重度增生（重增）治疗组累积病例为4574例，对照组3946例；食管上皮细胞轻度增生（轻增）治疗组累积病例为2634例，对照组2534例。以对照组与治疗组的癌变率差值作为效应值。结果重增人群营养干预后0．0063，95％CI（－0．2459～0．2585），轻增人群0．0053，95％CI（－0．0018－0．0124）；而重增人群中草药阻断治疗后d＝0．0613，95％CI（0．0456～0．0769）。资料的齐性检验均无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。本文Meta分析表明我国营养干预手段对降低食管癌高危人群和普通人群的保护作用尚不肯定，而中草药对降低高危人群癌变率疗效值得重视。     

2014—2019年广西城市癌症早诊早治项目肝癌筛查和随访结果分析

摘 要：［目的］分析2014—2019年广西城市癌症早诊早治项目肝癌高危评估、临床筛查和随访结果。［方法］ 2014年11月至2019年5月,按照《城市癌症早诊早治项目技术方案》,对广西南宁市西乡塘区、青秀区和兴宁区40～74岁城市居民开展防癌风险评估问卷调查和高危人群评估。评估出的肝癌高危人群免费接受肝癌临床筛查,包括血清乙肝病毒表面抗原(HBsAg)、甲胎蛋白(AFP)检测和腹部超声检查。主动随访和被动随访结合,与所在地肿瘤登记数据库和全人口死因监测数据库进行匹配,获得自2014年11月至2019年10月项目所有参与人群累积肝癌发病信息。分析评估对象年龄和性别构成、筛查参与率、肝癌高危率、各年度筛查阳性病变检出率;以性别、年龄、参加肝癌筛查与否分层,比较肝癌高危和非高危组肝癌发生比率。［结果］ 完成防癌风险问卷评估180 407人,40～50岁年龄段人群居多,占比39.02%(70394/180407);女性占比55.46%（100061/180407）;肝癌高危率26.95%（48623/180407）。肝癌高危人群筛查12834人次,筛查参与率7.11%（12834/180407）。HBsAg阳性1250人次（9.74%,1250/12834）,AFP阳性135人次（1.05%,135/12834）,肝硬化68例（0.53%,68/12834）,肝占位229例（1.78%,229/12834）,疑似肝癌5例（0.04%,5/12834）。随访发现参与问卷评估人群发生肝癌113例,其中肝癌高危组17例（0.03%,17/48623）,非肝癌高危组96例（0.07%,96/131784）。非肝癌高危组的肝癌发生比率高于高危组,差异有统计学意义（χ2=8.143,P=0.004）。肝癌高危评估预测模型敏感性15.04%,特异性73.04%。［结论］ 城市癌症早诊早治项目癌症高危风险评估预测模型对发现肝癌高风险人群有一定作用,结合血清HBsAg检测综合判定可精确定位肝癌高风险人群。     

薏苡仁提取物联合经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞术治疗转移性肝癌的临床研究

 目的　研究薏苡仁提取物联合经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）对转移性肝癌的疗效以及治疗前后血清血管内皮生长因子 （VEGF）的变化。方法　转移性肝癌患者62例随机分为两组,每组各31 例。研究组：采用薏苡仁提取物+TACE术。对照组：单纯TACE术。薏苡仁提取物注射液缓慢静脉注射200 ml,1次/d,连用21 d,1个月为1个周期,至少连用2个周期。每位患者至少行TACE术2 次,并检测TACE术前1 周及术后3 周血清VEGF水平。结果　研究组有效率为61.3 ％（19／31）,对照组为45.2 ％（14／31）,两组差异无统计学意义（P＞0. 05）;研究组疾病控制率（DCR）为80.6 %（25／31）,对照组为54.8 ％（17／31）,两组差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;研究组1 年生存率为67.7 ％（21／31）,对照组为38.7 %（12／31）,两组差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;研究组中位无进展生存期（PFS）为7.0 个月,对照组为5.1 个月,两组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。血清VEGF研究组下降显著（P＜0.05）;对照组治疗前后血清VEGF水平差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;研究组治疗后血清VEGF水平较对照组治疗后水平明显低下,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;两组不良反应均为Ⅰ～Ⅲ级,研究组乏力、食欲下降及右上腹疼痛症状较对照组轻,差异有统计学意义。结论　薏苡仁提取物联合TACE术治疗转移性肝癌能提高疾病控制率,并降低血清VEGF水平,延长无进展生存期及1年生存率,改善临床症状。     

PLXNC1 多态性与广西肝癌遗传易感的关系及其表达*

目的：探讨PLXNC1 基因多态性与广西肝癌遗传易感性关系及表达。方法：以广西20个肝癌高发家族（肝癌家族组79例）和10个健康对照家族（健康对照组40例）为研究对象,应用飞行时间质谱技术检测两组中PLXNC1 基因rs 2272335 的基因型及等位基因频率,免疫组织化学染色检测PLXNC1 在不同肝组织中的表达。结果：PLXNC1 基因rs 2272335 位点健康对照组人群中携带C 等位基因型的个体发生干细胞肝癌（hepatocellularcarcinoma ,HCC ）的风险分别是T 等位基因型个体的4.16倍（95%CI 为0.37～47.3）,差异有统计学意义（P = 0.032）。核心成员组与 肝癌患者组两组间差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。PLXNC1 基因rs 2272335 位点基因型TT、TC、CC在肝癌患者组人群、核心成员组人群、健康对照组人群三组间者差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。 肝癌组织中,PLXNC1 蛋白表达水平3.12± 1.12显著高于肝癌癌旁组织1.54± 0.67和正常肝组织1.23± 0.87（P < 0.05）。结论：PLXNC1 基因rs 2272335 位点C 等位基因型可能是广西HCC 发生的危险因素。PLXNC1 过度表达与肝癌发生密切相关。     

启东市HBsAg携带者10年随访分析

[目的]探讨HBsAg无症状携带者的肝癌发病风险，为促进HBV感染人群进行肝癌早诊早治和预防研究提供科学依据。[方法]对1659名无症状HBsAg携带者进行10年（1997-2006）随访。[结果]研究人群肝癌世界标化发病率为513．87／10万，是1972-2000年20-64岁男性自然人群的5．63倍，标准化发病比（SIR）为4．99。1997～2000年ALT水平在100U以下的ALT异常患者占87．47％，AFP浓度在1：10^＋＋～1：100^＋＋的AFP阳性患者占47．53％；AFP阳性率随ALT异常升高呈显著上升趋势（χ^2=35．14，P=0．000）。[结论]对肝癌高危人群HBsAg携带者，尤其ALT低水平异常患者和AFP低浓度阳性患者，持久加强开展早诊早治和预防研究，对减缓肝癌的危害具有重要临床价值。     

南汇县肝癌高危人群界定的研究

在南汇县原发性肝癌危险因素定群研究的基础上，以累积发病概率P=[1＋exp（8．8440－0．9321*性别-0．0446*年龄-0．0380*肝炎暴露时间-0．1220·小河水饮用时间）]-1=0．004作为肝癌病、低危人群的划分点时，该高危人群的肝癌发病率为137.53／10万，约为自然人群的3．17倍，肝癌发病数占整个自然人群肝癌发病数的71．3％．其中女性肝癌病人占20．8％，筛出每例肝癌的平均费用约4．700无，证明是费用低而效果好的肝癌高危人群确定方法．     

肝动脉插管化疗栓塞在预防肝癌术后复发中的应用价值

目的评价肝动脉插管化疗栓塞（TACE）治疗对预防肝癌术后复发的应用价值。方法本研究设TACE治疗组和对照组（非TACE治疗组）。治疗组987例,均为在我院行肝癌切除术及第1次预防性TACE治疗后无明显复发,但其后在不同时间内出现复发的患者;对照组643例,为在我院行肝癌切除术后未进行TACE治疗的患者。分析TACE治疗组和对照组病例的复发时间及其与TACE治疗和非TACE治疗间的关系。结果治疗组和对照组的复发率在6个月内分别为22．2％（219例）和61．6％（396例）,两组差异有统计学意义（u=14．83,P〈0．01）,对照组复发率显著高于治疗组;12个月内分别为78．0％（770例）和74．7％7％（480例）,两组差异无统计学意义（u=1．43,P〉0．05）;18个月分别为88．6％（874例）和80．1％（515例）,两组差异有统计学意义（u=4．38,P〈0．01）,治疗组复发率高于对照组。结论术后TACE的主要作用在于抑制和及早发现微转移灶和治疗未能切除干净的微小残癌病灶,在6个月内预防效果较好;在不能确定肝癌是否为单中心还是多中心发生时,以及在不能确定术后是否存在残癌灶和微小转移灶时,术后TACE仍是有价值的。     

Green tea intake, MTHFR/TYMS genotype and breast cancer risk: the Singapore Chinese Health Study

The tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been reported to act as a cancer preventive agent through folate pathway inhibition in experimental studies. We hypothesized that if folate pathway inhibition is the mechanism of cancer preventive activities of EGCG, then the protective effect against breast cancer would be stronger among women with low dietary folate intake and the high-activity methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TYMS) genotypes. In a nested case-control study of 380 women with incident breast cancer and 662 controls within the Singapore Chinese Health Study, we found no association between either green tea intake or gene polymorphisms of MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) and TYMS (1494 ins/del) and breast cancer risk. However, among women with low folate intake (<133.4 microg/day), weekly/daily green tea intake was inversely associated with breast cancer risk compared with less green tea intake [odds ratio (OR) = 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26-0.79, P for interaction = 0.02]. Among women with high folate intake (>or=133.4 microg/day), green tea intake was not associated with breast cancer. Similarly, among women possessing the high-activity MTHFR/TYMS genotypes (0-1 variant allele), weekly/daily versus less frequent green tea intake was associated with lower breast cancer risk (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.45-0.98), which was observed even more strongly among those who also had low folate intake (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.22-0.89) than high folate intake (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.55-1.54). This association was not observed among women possessing the low-activity genotypes (2-4 variant alleles). Our findings suggest that folate pathway inhibition may be one mechanism through which green tea protects against breast cancer in humans.     

盐亭县核黄素强化盐干预试验人群肿瘤发病情况

[目的]探讨核黄素强化盐干预试验对人群肿瘤发病率的影响.[方法]对盐亭县核黄素强化盐干预试验人群干预期(1992～1996)和干预停止期(1997～2001)的肿瘤发病资料进行分析.[结果]试验组男性食管癌、肺癌、结直肠癌,女性食管癌、白血病、宫颈癌发病率在干预期高于对照组,而在干预停止期低于对照组.两组人群10年的肿瘤发病资料比较,试验组除胃癌外其他肿瘤发病率均低于对照组,尤其是食管癌和宫颈癌发病率明显低于对照组,而两组人群中肺癌、结直肠癌发病率都上升,但试验组的上升幅度低于对照组.[结论]试验组与对照组肿瘤发病率的差异,提示补充核黄素有利于降低肿瘤的发病风险,值得在更大范围的肿瘤高危人群中推广.     

Green tea drinking,high tea temperature and esophageal cancer in high‐ and low‐risk areas of Jiangsu Province,China: A population‐based case–control study

Epidemiological studies suggested drinking green tea is inversely associated with esophageal cancer but results remain inconclusive. Moreover, inconsistent observations found high temperature drinks are associated with esophageal cancer. A population‐based case–control study was conducted in a high‐risk area (Dafeng) and a low‐risk area (Ganyu) of esophageal cancer in Jiangsu province China from 2003 to 2007. It aimed to explore green tea drinking and tea temperature with the risk of esophageal cancer, and to compare the difference between different risk regions. Using identical protocols, 1,520 cases and 3,879 healthy controls were recruited as study subjects in 2 regions. Detailed information was collected to assess green tea drinking habits. Unconditional logistic regression was used to obtain OR and 95% CI. Results showed that ever drinking green tea elevated OR in both counties (Dafeng OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.9–1.5; Ganyu: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4–2.4). Drinking tea at high temperature was found to increase cancer risk in both areas (Dafeng: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2–2.9; Ganyu OR = 3.1 95% CI = 2.2–4.3). However, after further adjustment for tea temperature, ever drinking tea was not related to cancer in either county (Dafeng: OR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.7–1.3; Ganyu: OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.9–1.7). For dose‐response relationships, we observed positive relationship with monthly consumption of tea (p for trend = 0.067) and tea concentration (p for trend = 0.006) after further adjustment for tea temperature. In conclusion, green tea drinking was not inversely associated with esophageal cancer in this study. However, drinking tea at high temperatures significantly increased esophageal cancer risk. There was no obvious difference of green tea drinking between low‐ and high‐risk areas. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Effect of 2-month controlled green tea intervention on lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and hormone levels in healthy postmenopausal women

There have been no controlled intervention studies to investigate the effects of green tea on circulating hormone levels, an established breast cancer risk factor. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study to investigate the effect of the main green tea catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), taken in a green tea extract, polyphenon E (PPE). Postmenopausal women (n = 103) were randomized into three arms: placebo, 400-mg EGCG as PPE, or 800-mg EGCG as PPE as capsules per day for 2 months. Urinary tea catechin and serum estrogen, androgen, lipid, glucose-related markers, adiponectin, and growth factor levels were measured at baseline and at the end of months 1 and 2 of intervention. On the basis of urinary tea catechin concentrations, compliance was excellent. Supplementation with PPE did not produce consistent patterns of changes in estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), or testosterone (T) levels. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol decreased significantly in both PPE groups but was unchanged in the placebo group; the change in LDL-cholesterol differed between the placebo and PPE groups (P = 0.02). Glucose and insulin levels decreased nonsignificantly in the PPE groups but increased in the placebo group; statistically significant differences in changes in glucose (P = 0.008) and insulin (P = 0.01) were found. In summary, green tea (400- and 800-mg EGCG as PPE; ～5-10 cups) supplementation for 2 months had suggestive beneficial effects on LDL-cholesterol concentrations and glucose-related markers.     

Effect of a 4-month tea intervention on oxidative DNA damage among heavy smokers: role of glutathione S-transferase genotypes.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST), a member of the phase II group of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, has been intensively studied at the levels of phenotype and genotype. The GST mu 1 (GSTM1) and GST theta 1 (GSTT1) genes have a null-allele variant in which the entire gene is absent. The null genotype for both enzymes has been associated with many different types of tumors. The aim of this study was to determine the possible differences in increased oxidative stress susceptibility to smoking within the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes and the impact of high tea drinking on this. We designed a Phase II randomized, controlled, three-arm tea intervention trial to study the effect of high consumption (4 cups/day) of decaffeinated green or black tea, or water on oxidative DNA damage, as measured by urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), among heavy smokers over a 4-month period and to evaluate the roles of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes as effect modifiers. A total of 133 heavy smokers (100 females and 33 males) completed the intervention. GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotype statuses were determined with a PCR-based approach. Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the main effects and interaction effect of green and black tea consumption on creatinine-adjusted urinary 8-OHdG, with or without adjustment for potential confounders. Finally, we studied whether the effect of treatment varied by GSTM1 and GSTT1 status of the individual. Although there were no differences in urinary 8-OHdG between the groups at baseline, the between-group 8-OHdG levels at month 4 were statistically significant for GSTM1-positive smokers (P = 0.05) and GSTT1-positive smokers (P = 0.02). GSTM1-positive and GSTT1-positive smokers consuming green tea showed a decrease in urinary 8-OHdG levels after 4 months. Assessment of urinary 8-OHdG after adjustment for baseline measurements and other potential confounders revealed significant effect for green tea consumption (P = 0.001). The change from baseline was significant in both GSTM1-positive (t = -2.99; P = 0.006) and GSTT1-positive (P = 0.004) green tea groups, but not in the GSTM1-negative (P = 0.07) or GSTT1-negative (P = 0.909) green tea groups. Decaffeinated black tea consumption had no effect on urinary 8-OHdG levels among heavy smokers. Our data show that consumption of 4 cups of tea/day is a feasible and safe approach and is associated with a significant decrease in urinary 8-OHdG among green tea consumers after 4 months of consumption. This finding also suggests that green tea intervention may be effective in the subgroup of smokers who are GSTM1 and/or GSTT1 positive.     

Green tea consumption and risk of stomach cancer: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies

This meta-analysis investigated the quantitative association between the consumption of green tea and the risk of stomach cancer in epidemiologic studies using crude data and adjusted data. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Review in August 2007. All the articles searched were independently reviewed and selected by 3 evaluators according to predetermined criteria. A total of 13 epidemiologic studies were included. When all the case-control and cohort studies were pooled, the odds ratios (OR) [corrected] of stomach cancer for the highest level of green tea consumption when compared with the lowest level of consumption were shown to be 1.10 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.92-1.32) using the crude data and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.70-0.96) using the adjusted data.In the meta-analyses of case-control studies, no significant association was seen between green tea consumption and stomach cancer using the crude data (odds ratio (OR), 0.79; 95% CI, 0.58-1.07) [corrected], but green tea was shown to have a preventive effect on stomach cancer using the adjusted data (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.64-0.83) [corrected]. In the meta-analyses of the recent cohort studies, the highest green tea consumption was shown to significantly increase stomach cancer risk using the crude data (RR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.16-2.18), but no significant association between them was seen when using the adjusted data (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.93-1.17). Unlike the case-control studies, no preventive effect on stomach cancer was seen for the highest green tea consumption in the meta-analysis of the recent cohort studies. Further clinical trials are needed.     

Prevention of Esophageal Cancer: Experience of an Educational Campaign for Reducing Hot Tea Consumption in Iran

Background: Given the association between drinking hot tea and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, this study was designed to determine the effectiveness of an educational campaign based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in reducing hot tea consumption among a sample of Iranian female students. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 130 primary-school female students in Salas Babajani, Kermanshah, Iran were randomly selected. A two-month campaign based on TPB constructs was developed and conducted for the intervention group. Combined mass media approaches (such as posters, pamphlet, and brochure) with small group and individual activities were used to transfer the campaign messages. Also, five 40-minute instructional sessions for the students and one session for their parents and teachers were held. The hot tea consumption, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and no intention to drink hot tea were variables which were measured at baseline and again after 4 weeks. Results: There was a significant improvement in the perceived behavioral control and intention to drink no hot tea variables in the intervention group as compared to the control group following the campaign. In addition, significant reductions were found for the hot tea consumption and favorable attitude toward drinking hot tea in the intervention group as compared to the control group. Conclusions: Conducting educational campaigns based on TPB variables may reduce hot tea consumption among Iranian students.     

Quality-of-life effects of prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy versus gynecologic screening among women at increased risk of hereditary ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE: Recommendations for women at high risk of ovarian cancer include periodic gynecologic screening (GS) and prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (PBSO). The aim of the current study was to determine the quality-of-life (QOL) effects of PBSO versus GS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Questionnaire data were obtained from 846 high-risk women who had participated in this nationwide, cross-sectional, observational study. Forty-four percent of the women had undergone PBSO, and 56% had opted for GS. Topics addressed by the questionnaire included generic QOL, cancer-specific distress, endocrine symptoms, and sexual functioning. RESULTS: No statistically significant between-group differences were observed in generic QOL (Short Form-36), with women in both the PBSO and GS groups scoring similarly to the general population. Compared with GS, PBSO was associated with fewer breast and ovarian cancer worries (P < .001) and more favorable cancer risk perception (P < .05). However, the PBSO group reported significantly more endocrine symptoms (P < .001) and worse sexual functioning (P < .05) than the GS group. Eighty-six percent of women would choose PBSO again, and 63% would recommend it to a friend with familial risk of ovarian cancer. CONCLUSION: PBSO had no measurable adverse impact on generic QOL of high-risk women. The favorable effects of PBSO in terms of reduced cancer worries and low perceived cancer risk need to be weighed against the increase in endocrine and sexual symptoms. Balanced information will help clinicians and high-risk women to make informed decisions about the optimal preventive health strategy.     

Effect of a 12-month randomized clinical trial of exercise on serum prolactin concentrations in postmenopausal women.

Prolactin is associated with an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer; however, few modifiable factors are known to reduce prolactin concentrations. Therefore, we examined the effect of a 12-month moderate-intensity exercise intervention on serum prolactin concentrations as a secondary end point (primary end points were estrogens and androgens). We randomly assigned 173 postmenopausal women who were sedentary, overweight (body mass index >24 kg/m(2), body fat >33%), ages 50 to 75 years, and not using hormone therapy to an exercise intervention or stretching control group. The intervention was facility- and home-based (45 min, 5 days/wk moderate-intensity sports/recreational exercise). One hundred and seventy (98%) women completed the study. Prolactin concentrations were similar at baseline (P = 0.25, geometric mean exercisers = 6.9 and controls = 7.5 ng/mL). Overall, the intervention was not associated with changes in prolactin concentrations between exercisers and controls at 3 months (P = 0.46) or 12 months (P = 0.29). The intervention effect did not vary by baseline age, body mass index, parity, or change in percent body fat during the intervention. Among exercisers, there was a significant difference in prolactin concentrations by change in fitness (VO(2)max) between baseline and 12 months. Exercisers whose VO(2)max changed by <5% had a 5% increase in prolactin concentrations, whereas those who increased their VO(2)max by 5% to 15% and >15% had a 11% (P = 0.03) and 7% (P = 0.01) decrease in prolactin concentrations, respectively. Although the exercise intervention had little effect on prolactin concentrations overall, increasing physical fitness was associated with reduced prolactin concentrations among postmenopausal women.     

Alcohol consumption and mammographic density in a multiethnic population

This report examined the association between alcohol intake and breast cancer risk as assessed by mammographic densities in a multiethnic population. Information for this analysis was available from 2 previous investigations: a nutritional intervention study (The Breast, Estrogens, and Nutrition Study; BEAN) with 217 premenopausal women and a nested case-control study within The Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) with 1,250 primarily postmenopausal women. On the basis of self-reported alcohol intake from a validated food frequency questionnaire, women were categorized into abstainers (<1 drink/month), low (<1 drink/day) and high (>or=1 drink/day) alcohol consumers. On average, 3 mammograms were available per woman. Using mixed models, we calculated mean percent densities for each alcohol consumption category while adjusting for covariates. Mean alcohol intakes for women in the BEAN study and for cases and controls in the MEC study were 2.0, 2.7 and 1.8 drinks/week, respectively. Overall, the difference in densities between abstainers and the highest alcohol intake category was only 1-2% and the differences were not statistically significant. However, the difference was 3-5% for women aged 55-65 years and for breast cancer cases. In postmenopausal women without hormone replacement therapy (HRT), breast density increased by 2% for each higher alcohol intake category. Breast densities were also elevated for high alcohol consumers on estrogen-only therapy as compared to abstainers and low consumers, whereas combined HRT use was associated with higher mammographic densities independent of alcohol use. In conclusion, despite the low alcohol intake in our population, alcohol consumers had higher percent breast densities than did abstainers. The larger difference in some subgroups suggests that women with certain characteristics may be more susceptible to the influence of alcohol on breast density than others.