Estimating the incidence of lung cancer attributable to occupational exposure in Iran

Objective  

The aim of this study was to estimate the fraction of lung cancer incidence in Iran attributed to occupational exposures to the well-established lung cancer carcinogens, including silica, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, chromium, diesel fumes, beryllium, and asbestos.     

Persisting risk of nickel related lung cancer and nasal cancer among Clydach refiners

Objective

To evaluate the risk of lung cancer and nasal cancer among workers employed at the Clydach nickel refinery, South Wales since 1930 by combining data from the two most recently published papers on this cohort.

Methods

Observed and expected numbers of cancer deaths were extracted for workers who had a minimum of five years service and were employed for the first time between 1902 and 1992. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated for subgroups according to year of employment, time since first employment, and process work.

Results

A persisting excess of respiratory cancer was found for workers employed in the period 1930–92, with a lung cancer SMR of 133 (95% CI 103 to 172) and a SMR for nasal cancer of 870 (95% CI 105 to 3141). The lung cancer excess was most clearly seen 20 years or more after first employment and seemed to be confined to process workers. There was no indication of a further reduction in risk since 1930.

Conclusion

The extreme nickel related cancer hazard at the refinery before 1920 was greatly reduced during subsequent years. Some of the carcinogenic exposures seem to have remained after 1930, producing an elevated risk of nasal cancer and a 30% excess of lung cancer in the workforce. There was evidence of a persisting risk among process workers first employed since 1953.     

Biological effect markers in exhaled breath condensate and biomonitoring in welders: impact of smoking and protection equipment

Purpose  

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of welding as well as the impact of smoking and protection measures on biological effect markers in exhaled breath condensate. Additionally, biomonitoring of chromium, aluminium and nickel in urine was performed to quantify internal exposure.     

Mortality experience among employees at a hydrometallurgical nickel refinery and fertiliser complex in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta (1954-95)

OBJECTIVE—To study the mortality experience of workers at a hydrometallurgical nickel refinery and fertiliser complex in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada.
METHODS—A total of 1649 male employees of Sherritt International who worked for at least 12 continuous months during the years 1954 to 1978 at the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta hydrometallurgical nickel refinery and fertiliser complex were followed up for an additional 17 years. Mortality was ascertained from the Canadian mortality data base maintained by Statistics Canada and covered the years 1954-95. Statistics were analysed with Monson's computer program.
RESULTS—Total mortality, when compared with the Canadian population, was significantly below expectation. Fewer deaths were found for circulatory disease, ischaemic heart disease, respiratory disease, neoplasms, digestive cancer, and accidents, poisonings, and violence. Among the 718 men in the group exposed to nickel, there were no deaths due to nasal cavity or paranasal sinus cancer. Fewer deaths were found for all causes, circulatory disease, ischaemic heart disease, neoplasms and digestive cancer. Lower death rates were observed than expected for respiratory malignancies and cancer of the bronchus and lung.
CONCLUSION—No association was found in this study between exposure to nickel concentrate or metallic nickel in the hydrometallurgical refining process and the subsequent development of respiratory cancer.


Keywords: epidemiology; nickel workers; mortality     

Development and validation of a psychosocial screening instrument for cancer

Background  

We are reporting on the development of a psychosocial screening tool for cancer patients. The tool was to be brief, at a relatively low reading level, capture psychological variables relevant to distress and health-related quality-of-life in cancer patients, possess good reliability and validity, and be free of copyright protection.     

Dyadic effects of fear of recurrence on the quality of life of cancer survivors and their caregivers

Background  

Although the 5 years cancer survival rate has increased to 66%, fear of cancer recurrence (FOR) continues to be a major concern for both cancer survivors and their family caregivers. It remains unknown, however, to what extent cancer severity is associated with the level of FOR reported by each individual in the survivor–caregiver dyad, which, in turn, is also associated with their quality of life (QOL).     

Patterns of lung cancer mortality in 23 countries: Application of the Age-Period-Cohort model

Background  

Smoking habits do not seem to be the main explanation of the epidemiological characteristics of female lung cancer mortality in Asian countries. However, Asian countries are often excluded from studies of geographical differences in trends for lung cancer mortality. We thus examined lung cancer trends from 1971 to 1995 among men and women for 23 countries, including four in Asia.     

Cancer control in developing countries: using health data and health services research to measure and improve access,quality and efficiency

Background  

Cancer is a rapidly increasing problem in developing countries. Access, quality and efficiency of cancer services in developing countries must be understood to advance effective cancer control programs. Health services research can provide insights into these areas.     

Psychometric evaluation of the impact of cancer (IOC-CS) scale for young adult survivors of childhood cancer

Introduction  

Psychosocial outcomes derived from standardized and disease-specific measures are often used in pediatric oncology; however, the reliability, validity and utility of these instruments in adult survivors of childhood cancer have yet to be established.     

Can colorectal cancer mass-screening organization be evidence-based? Lessons from failures: The experimental and pilot phases of the Lazio program

Background  

Screening programmes should be organized to translate theoretical efficacy into effectiveness. An evidence-based organizational model of colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) should assure feasibility and high compliance.     

Breastfeeding,breast milk and viruses

Background  

There is seemingly consistent and compelling evidence that there is no association between breastfeeding and breast cancer. An assumption follows that milk borne viruses cannot be associated with human breast cancer.     

Baseline characteristics influencing quality of life in women undergoing gynecologic oncology surgery

Background  

Quality of life (QoL) measurements are important in evaluating cancer treatment outcomes. Factors other than cancer and its treatment may have significant effects on QoL and affect assessment of treatments. Baseline data from longitudinal studies of women with endometrial or ovarian cancer or adnexal mass determined at surgery to be benign were analyzed to determine the degree to which QoL is affected by baseline differences in demographic variables and health.     

Quality of life among testicular cancer survivors: a case–control study in the United States

Introduction  

Evidence from previous studies has suggested there may be physical and mental changes in health among testicular cancer survivors. No studies have been conducted in the United States, however.     

Effects of study area size on geographic characterizations of health events: Prostate cancer incidence in Southern New England, USA, 1994–1998

Background  

We consider how representations of geographic variation in prostate cancer incidence across Southern New England, USA may be affected by selection of study area and/or properties of the statistical analysis.     

Lung cancer risk and pollution in an industrial region of Northern Spain: a hospital-based case-control study

Background  

Asturias, an Autonomous Region in Northern Spain with a large industrial area, registers high lung cancer incidence and mortality. While this excess risk of lung cancer might be partially attributable to smoking habit and occupational exposure, the role of industrial and urban pollution also needs to be assessed. The objective was to ascertain the possible effect of air pollution, both urban and industrial, on lung cancer risk in Asturias.     

Quality of life data as prognostic indicators of survival in cancer patients: an overview of the literature from 1982 to 2008

Background  

Health-related quality of life and survival are two important outcome measures in cancer research and practice. The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between quality of life data and survival time in cancer patients.     

Perceived health in lung cancer patients: the role of positive and negative affect

Purpose  

To examine the association of affective experience and health-related quality of life in lung cancer patients, we hypothesized that negative affect would be positively, and positive affect would be negatively, associated with perceived health.     

Needs Assessment for cancer patients and their families

Background  

The assessment of needs for cancer care is a critical step in providing high quality care and achieving cancer patients' and families' satisfaction. Instruments can be used to assess needs and guide cancer care planning. This study discusses the importance of the needs assessment, relationships between needs, satisfaction and quality of life; and reviews the assessment instruments of needs experienced by cancer patients and their families.     

Determinants of sexual activity and its relation to cervical cancer risk among South African Women

Background  

Invasive cervical cancer is the commonest cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in South African women. This study provides information on adult women's sexual activity and cervical cancer risk in South Africa.     

Comparison of Arab breast cancer survivors and healthy controls for spousal relationship,body image,and emotional distress

Background  

Cultural perceptions and norms affect individuals’ psychological reactions to cancer and quality of life, but very few studies have assessed reactions to breast cancer in specific cultural groups. Such assessments are especially rare for Arab women with breast cancer.