Calcium, dairy foods, and risk of incident and fatal prostate cancer: the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study

Calcium and dairy foods in relation to prostate cancer were examined in the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) Diet and Health Study (1995/1996-2001). Diet was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Multivariate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by Cox regression. During up to 6 years of follow-up (n = 293,888), the authors identified 10,180 total prostate cancer cases (8,754 nonadvanced, 1,426 advanced, and 178 fatal cases). Total and supplemental calcium were unrelated to total and nonadvanced prostate cancer. However, a statistically nonsignificant positive association with total calcium was observed for advanced (> or = 2,000 vs. 500-<750 mg/day: relative risk (RR) = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91, 1.71; p(trend) = 0.06) and fatal (> or = 1,000 vs. 500-<750 mg/day: RR = 1.39, 95% CI: 0.92, 2.09; p(trend) = 0.10) prostate cancer. Skim milk, but not other dairy foods, was associated with increased risk of advanced prostate cancer (> or = 2 vs. zero servings/day: RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.54; p(trend) = 0.01). In contrast, calcium from nondairy foods was associated with lower risk of nonadvanced prostate cancer (> or = 600 vs. < 250 mg/day: RR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.99; p(trend) = 0.04). Although the authors cannot definitively rule out a weak association for aggressive prostate cancer, their findings do not provide strong support for the hypothesis that calcium and dairy foods increase prostate cancer risk.     

Dairy, calcium, and vitamin D intakes and prostate cancer risk in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Epidemiologic Follow-up Study cohort

BACKGROUND: Dairy intake may increase prostate cancer risk, but whether this is due to calcium's suppression of circulating vitamin D remains unclear. Findings on calcium and vitamin D intake and prostate cancer are inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: We examined the association of dairy, calcium, and vitamin D intake with prostate cancer. DESIGN: In a prospective study of 3612 men followed from 1982-1984 to 1992 for the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, 131 prostate cancer cases were identified. Dietary intake was estimated from questionnaires completed in 1982-1984. Relative risk (RR) and 95% CIs were estimated by using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, race, and other covariates. RESULTS: Compared with men in the lowest tertile for dairy food intake, men in the highest tertile had a relative risk (RR) of 2.2 (95% CI: 1.2, 3.9; trend P = 0.05). Low-fat milk was associated with increased risk (RR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.2; third compared with first tertile; trend P = 0.02), but whole milk was not (RR = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.5, 1.3; third compared with first tertile; trend P = 0.35). Dietary calcium was also strongly associated with increased risk (RR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.4, 3.5; third compared with first tertile; trend P = 0.001). After adjustment for calcium intake, neither vitamin D nor phosphorus was clearly associated with risk. CONCLUSIONS: Dairy consumption may increase prostate cancer risk through a calcium-related pathway. Calcium and low-fat milk have been promoted to reduce risk of osteoporosis and colon cancer. Therefore, the mechanisms by which dairy and calcium might increase prostate cancer risk should be clarified and confirmed.     

Relationship between delayed diagnosis and the degree of invasion and survival in lung cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the interval from first symptom to diagnosis (SDI) and the degree of invasion and survival in lung cancer. METHODS: Three hundred seventy-eight patients with lung cancer were included. SDI was defined as the time calculated from the cytohistologic confirmation of the diagnosis of cancer and the first symptoms noted by the patient and attributed to cancer by the physician. The degree of invasion was determined by TNM classification. RESULTS: The median SDI was 2.1 months, and did not correlate with stage. Survival decreased progressively according to TNM classification. Adjusting for age, sex, SDI and TNM, survival was influenced by age (RR=1.02) and by staging [Stage (Ib) RR=1.3; stage (IIIa) RR=2.6; stage (IIIb) RR=4.06; stage (IV) RR=7.5]. SDI was not found to affect survival (RR=1.01; 95% CI: 0.94-1.08). In the small cell group, SDI also failed to modify survival. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that SDI has no effect on the stage or survival of patients with lung cancer.     

Prostate cancer treatment and ten-year survival among group/staff HMO and fee-for-service Medicare patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare treatment patterns and the ten-year survival of prostate cancer patients in two large, nonprofit, group/staff HMOs to those of patients receiving care in the fee-for-service health setting. DATA SOURCES/STUDY DESIGN: A cohort of men age 65 and over diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1985 and the end of 1992 and followed through 1994. Subjects (n = 21,741) were ascertained by two population-based tumor registries covering the greater San Francisco-Oakland and Seattle-Puget Sound areas. Linkage of registry data with Medicare claims data and with HMO inpatient utilization data allowed the determination of health plan enrollment and the measurement of comorbid conditions. Multivariate regression models were used to examine HMO versus FFS treatment and survival differences adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Among cases with non-metastatic prostate cancer, HMO patients were more likely than FFS patients to receive aggressive therapy (either prostatectomy or radiation) in San Francisco-Oakland (odds ratio [OR] = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.46-1.96) but not in Seattle (OR = 1.15, 0.93-1.43). Among men receiving aggressive therapy, HMO cases were three to five times more likely to receive radiation therapy than prostatectomy. Overall mortality was equivalent over ten years (HMO versus FFS mortality risk ratio [RR] = 1.01, 0.94-1.08), but prostate cancer mortality was higher for HMO cases than for FFS cases (RR = 1.25, 1.13-1.39). CONCLUSION: Despite marked treatment differences for clinically localized prostate cancer, overall ten-year survival for patients enrolled in two nonprofit group/staff HMOs was equivalent to survival among patients receiving care in the FFS setting, even after adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Similar overall but better prostate cancer-specific survival among FFS patients is most plausibly explained by differences between the HMO and FFS patients in both tumor characteristics and unmeasured patient selection factors.     

Alcohol and prostate cancer in the NHANES I epidemiologic follow-up study. First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of the United States.

PURPOSE: We prospectively investigated the association between alcohol consumption and prostate cancer in the Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (NHEFS) of the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I). METHODS: There were two cohorts: 1) Cohort I, followed from baseline (1971-75) through 1992, included 5766 men ages 25-74 years (median follow-up = 17 years); and 2) Cohort II, followed from the first follow-up round for Cohort I (1982-84) through 1992, included the 3868 men in Cohort I free of prostate cancer in 1982-84 (median follow-up = 9 years). Alcohol consumption was assessed at baseline as usual consumption, and at follow-up as usual consumption and as distant past consumption at the ages of 25, 35, 45, and 55. RESULTS: There were 252 incident cases of prostate cancer. Consistent with most previous studies, we found no significant associations between usual total alcohol consumption and prostate cancer in Cohorts I or II [p = non significant (NS)], except for a significant inverse association at the heaviest level of drinking in Cohort II [relative risk (RR) = 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.06-0.95]. Further study of heavy drinkers in Cohort II revealed significant inverse associations between distant past heavy drinking (defined as > 25 drinks/week) and prostate cancer at age 25 (RR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.06-0.63), age 35 (RR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.12-0.77), and age 45 (RR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.17-0.93), but not at age 55 (RR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.17-1.10). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that it may be important to consider distant past alcohol consumption in etiologic studies of prostate cancer. However, our results were based on small numbers of cases who were heavy drinkers and require replication.     

Total prostatectomy--a good option for residual prostate carcinoma after I-125 implantation of external radiotherapy]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of salvage prostatectomy after previous radiation therapy for locally confined prostate cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective. METHOD: Data were collected from the records of all patients with prostate cancer who underwent salvage prostatectomy after I-125 implantation or external radiation therapy in the Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1991-1997. Indications for surgery were: locally confined histologically proven residual cancer, good life expectancy, fit for surgery. Standard preoperative workup was done together with a tumour marker measurement, transrectal ultrasound with biopsy of the prostate and a bonescan. Per- an postoperative complications, pathology result and postoperative PSA were assessed. Progression free survival, overall survival and cancer specific survival were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: 10 patients with a mean age of 67.2 years (range: 57-79) and a median follow up of 78 months (range: 0-89) underwent a total prostatectomy after I-125 implantation (7 patients) or external radiation therapy (3 patients). One patient died after the operation from acute tubular necrosis. One patient developed an internal hernia, requiring surgery. Four patients needed pads during the daytime for stress incontinence for urine. The 5-year progression free survival was 72% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 44-100), the overall survival was 90% (95% CI: 73-100) and the cancer specific survival was 90% (95% CI: 73-100). No local recurrences were detected. CONCLUSION: The local control and the 5-year survival were good in this selected patient group.     

The influence of occupational exposure to pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, diesel exhaust, metal dust, metal fumes, and mineral oil on prostate cancer: a prospective cohort study

Aims: To investigate the relation between exposure to pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diesel exhaust, metal dust, metal fumes, and mineral oil in relation to prostate cancer incidence in a large prospective study. Methods: This cohort study was conducted among 58 279 men in the Netherlands. In September 1986, cohort members (55–69 years) completed a self-administered questionnaire on potential cancer risk factors, including job history. Follow up for prostate cancer incidence was established by linkage to cancer registries until December 1995 (9.3 years of follow up). The analyses included 1386 cases of prostate cancer and 2335 subcohort members. A blinded case-by-case expert exposure assessment was carried out to assign cases and subcohort members a cumulative probability of exposure for each potential carcinogenic exposure. Results: In multivariate analyses there was a significant negative association for pesticides (RR 0.60; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.95) when comparing the highest tertile of exposure to pesticides with no exposure. No association was found for occupational exposure to PAHs (RR 0.75; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.31), diesel exhaust (RR 0.81; 95% CI 0.62 to 1.06), metal dust (RR 1.01; 95% CI 0.72 to 1.40), metal fumes (RR 1.11; 95% CI 0.80 to 1.54), or mineral oil (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.66 to 1.48) when comparing the highest tertile of exposure with no exposure. In subgroup analysis, with respect to tumour invasiveness and morphology, null results were found for occupational exposure to pesticides, PAH, diesel exhaust, metal dust, metal fumes, and mineral oil. Conclusions: These results suggest a negative association between occupational exposure to pesticides and prostate cancer. For other carcinogenic exposures results suggest no association between occupational exposure to PAHs, diesel exhaust, metal dust, metal fumes, or mineral oil and prostate cancer.     

Diabetes and risk of prostate cancer in a prospective cohort of US men

One previous study has suggested that diabetes may decrease risk of prostate cancer but only several years after diagnosis of diabetes. The authors examined the role of timing of diabetes diagnosis in relation to risk of prostate cancer among men in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort. Participants in the study completed a mailed questionnaire including information on diabetes at enrollment in 1992 and at follow-up questionnaires in 1997 and 1999. Historical information on diabetes was also available from a previous study in 1982. The authors documented 5,318 cases of incident prostate cancer through August 31, 2001, among 72,670 men. Results from Cox proportional hazards models showed that diabetes was associated with a lower incidence of prostate cancer (rate ratio (RR) = 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60, 0.75). This association differed significantly by time since diagnosis of diabetes (p < 0.0002); risk of prostate cancer was slightly increased during the first 3 years after diagnosis of diabetes (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.92, 1.65) but was reduced among men diagnosed 4 or more years before (RR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.71). Study results are consistent with the hypothesis that diabetes is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer but only several years after diagnosis of diabetes.     

Risk and predictive factors of hypoalbuminemia in cancer patients following extensive abdominal surgery despite total parenteral nutritional support

Postoperative hypoalbuminemia is associated with adverse outcomes, particularly in cancer patients. The risk and predictors of hypoalbuminemia in cancer patients following extensive abdominal surgery (EAS), despite total parenteral nutrition (TPN) support, were evaluated. A prospective cohort study (n = 115) was conducted in patients with gastrointestinal and/or urogenital malignancies following extensive (n = 81) or moderate (n = 34) abdominal surgery (mean age ± standard deviation: 66.0 ± 11.7 years). EAS patients received daily TPN, including 200 mL of 5% human albumin solution. Serum albumin (SA) levels and hypoalbuminemia (SA < 3.5 g/dL) were assessed daily. EAS patients had an elevated risk of hypoalbuminemia during the first postoperative week [relative risk (RR): 3.12; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.64-5.91]. Postoperative hypoalbuminemia was associated with surgery duration (RR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.32-2.36), preoperative SA (RR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.11-0.55), blood (RR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.04-2.04) and Ringer's lactated solution (RR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.12-2.07) volumes transfused intra-operatively. Therefore, despite TPN, cancer patients who underwent EAS had an elevated risk of postoperative hypoalbuminemia. Additional tailored nutritional support among this group is necessary to deter adverse clinical outcomes.     

Meta-analysis of measures of sexual activity and prostate cancer.

We conducted a meta-analysis of the association between prostate cancer and aspects of sexual activity. The data suggest an elevated relative risk (RR) of prostate cancer among men with a history of sexually transmitted infections. This was observed with both random- and fixed-effects models (RR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.2-1.7; N = 17 studies; heterogeneity P = 0.14), especially for syphilis (RR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.3-3.9; N = 6; heterogeneity P = 0.47). Risk of prostate cancer is also associated with increasing frequency of sexual activity (RR = 1.2 for an increase of three times per week; 95% CI = 1.1-1.3; N = 12). However, these studies are heterogeneous (P < 0.001). Increasing number of sexual partners is also associated with prostate cancer (RR = 1.2 for an increase of 20 partners; 95% CI = 1.1-1.3; N = 16; heterogeneity P = 0.11). The data do not support associations with multiple marriages, age at first intercourse, or age at first marriage. These results indicate an association between prostate cancer and sexually transmitted infections, suggesting that infections may represent one mechanism through which prostate cancer develops. The mechanism through which frequency of sexual activity may be related to prostate cancer is unclear.     

Risk and predictive factors of hypoalbuminemia in cancer patients following extensive abdominal surgery despite total parenteral nutritional support

Postoperative hypoalbuminemia is associated with adverse outcomes, particularly in cancer patients. The risk and predictors of hypoalbuminemia in cancer patients following extensive abdominal surgery (EAS), despite total parenteral nutrition (TPN) support, were evaluated. A prospective cohort study (n = 115) was conducted in patients with gastrointestinal and/or urogenital malignancies following extensive (n = 81) or moderate (n = 34) abdominal surgery (mean age ± standard deviation: 66.0 ± 11.7 years). EAS patients received daily TPN, including 200 mL of 5% human albumin solution. Serum albumin (SA) levels and hypoalbuminemia (SA < 3.5 g/dL) were assessed daily. EAS patients had an elevated risk of hypoalbuminemia during the first postoperative week [relative risk (RR): 3.12; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.64–5.91]. Postoperative hypoalbuminemia was associated with surgery duration (RR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.32–2.36), preoperative SA (RR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.11–0.55), blood (RR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.04–2.04) and Ringer's lactated solution (RR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.12–2.07) volumes transfused intra-operatively. Therefore, despite TPN, cancer patients who underwent EAS had an elevated risk of postoperative hypoalbuminemia. Additional tailored nutritional support among this group is necessary to deter adverse clinical outcomes.     

Investigation of prostate specific antigen in the first decade of its use, in our clinic (1994-2004)

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumor in male; its diagnostic algorithm and therapy were investigated. The goal of the study was to compare the data from the first year of clinical use of prostate specific antigen (1994) and the data of 2004. RESULTS: During the first decade, the number of prostate biopsies has increased 4.5-fold times. In 1994, 36.2%, while in 2004, 47.5% of the biopsies demonstrated cancer. The average age of the patients, who underwent biopsy, decreased from 69.7 to 62.3 years; however, the average age of patients who suffered from prostate cancer remained constant (70.8 vs. 71.3 years old). CONCLUSION: In 2004, along with the earlier used PSA level, the free-PSA and PSA-density was also involved in the diagnostic algorithm. The prostate biopsy is guided by a transrectal US, in contrast to the earlier used blind or transperineal method. Consequently, the effectiveness of the prostate biopsy has improved, but the earlier diagnosis and identification are not assured. The Gleason score of the diagnosed prostate cancer was lower; therefore, more patients were selected for curative surgery. The increased average PSA level reflected a higher number of patients at an advanced stage, which could only be treated palliatively.     

Prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia and physical activity in Shanghai, China

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that increased levels of physical activity might decrease the risk of prostate cancer. We ascertained lifetime measures of activity in a population-based case-control study of prostate cancer in Shanghai, China to investigate physical activity in a population where the incidence of prostate cancer is low but rising. METHODS: In all, 238 men with prostate cancer, diagnosed 1993-1995, were identified through a rapid reporting system. A second group of 206 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was matched to prostate cancer cases, and 471 age-matched and population-based controls were identified from urban Shanghai. Through personal interviews, we ascertained all daily, occupational, and recreational activities at ages 20-29, ages 40-49, and in 1988 to generate hours spent sleeping, sitting, in moderate activity, and in vigorous activity. Time spent per week in different activities was converted to metabolic equivalents (MET-h) and energy expended. RESULTS: Time spent in, MET-h of, and energy expended in physical activities were not consistently related to either prostate cancer or BPH when compared to controls. Few men reported regular vigorous activity. Occupational activity, based on an energy expenditure index using job titles, was suggestively associated with a decreased risk of BPH, but not associated with prostate cancer. Associations did not vary according to age or stage of prostate cancer at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, based on regular physical activity, occupational activity, hours in activities, MET-h, and energy expended, did not support a protective role of physical activity in prostate cancer or BPH for men in a low-risk population.     

Methodological issues in estimating survival in patients with multiple primary cancers: an application to women with breast cancer as a first tumour

Background  

Comparing survival of patients with a single tumour and patients with multiple primaries poses different methodological problems. In population based studies, where we cannot rely on detailed clinical information, the issue is disentangling the share of survival probability from the first and second cancer, and their compounded effect. We examined three hypotheses: A) the survival probability since the first tumour does not change with the occurrence of a second tumour; B) the probability of surviving a tumour does not change with the presence of a previous primary; C) the probabilities of surviving two subsequent primary tumours are independent (additivity hypothesis on mortality rates).     

Differences in prognostic factors and survival among White men and Black men with prostate cancer, California, 1995-2004

The authors conducted a study to determine whether differences in prostate cancer survival between White men and Black men are reduced or eliminated after accounting for differences in prognostic factors. Using population-based statewide cancer registry data, the authors analyzed data from a cohort of 122,375 non-Hispanic White men and Black men from California who were newly diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1995 and 2004 and followed through 2004. Compared with White men, Black men were characterized by younger age at diagnosis, more distant stage, less treatment with surgery or radiation therapy, higher tumor grades, lower neighborhood socioeconomic status, and more recent year of diagnosis. Adjusted only for age, the hazard ratio for prostate cancer death (Blacks vs. Whites) was 1.61 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50, 1.72). Additional adjustment for potentially modifiable factors (stage and treatment) eliminated most of the racial difference in survival (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.18). The racial difference in survival was completely eliminated after further adjustment for other factors (grade, socioeconomic status, and year of diagnosis) (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.92, 1.06). Thus, the large difference in prostate cancer survival between White men and Black men was completely explained by known prognostic factors, with potentially modifiable disparities playing the largest role.     

Stage at diagnosis and survival in a multiethnic cohort of prostate cancer patients

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effects of socioeconomic status and comorbidity on stage of disease and survival among 1509 population-based prostate cancer patients. METHODS: We applied logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression to data from Whites, African Americans, and Asian Americans who were diagnosed from 1987 to 1991. RESULTS: Patients with existing comorbid conditions were less likely than those without these conditions to be diagnosed with advanced cancer. Compared with Whites, African Americans (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1, 2.2) and foreign-born Asian Americans (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.0, 2.4) were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cancer. Among men with localized disease, prostate cancer death rates were higher for African Americans than for Whites (death rate ratio = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.2, 4.7). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the need for further investigation of factors that affect access to and use of health care among African Americans and Asian Americans.     

Survival reflecting the effectiveness of primary operation in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION: Primary operation of ovarian cancer patients has a great implication in treatment. The survival of patients operated on optimally is better than in those patients, who have tumor residuum after the operation. The optimal result is more frequent in operations performed by gynecologist oncologists as is in surgery administered by general gynecologists or general surgeons. AIM: Authors evaluated the data of 83 epithelial ovarian cancer patients treated by first-line paclitaxel-carboplatin chemotherapy in Gynecological Oncology Department, at National Institute of Oncology between 2000-2002 through a 35 months follow-up period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Average age of patients was as 59 +/- 9.8 years. Primary optimal surgery was done in 45, non-optimal operations were administered in 38 patients. Distribution of patients according to the stages was similar in both groups. Evaluation of progression free interval was calculated according to the product limit method of Kaplan-Meier. RESULTS: Progression free interval was 35 and 35 months in the optimal and non-optimal surgery groups and 36 and 35 months in the groups operated on by skillful or less practiced gynecologists in radical surgery. Gynecologist oncologists' first operations showed an optimal result in 76% of patients, contrary to other surgeons' group resulting in only a 43% first optimal surgery. A better progression free interval was observed in the patients having optimal surgery by the interval laparotomy in contrary to those patients, who had no optimal second operation (36 vs 25 months), however, the difference showed no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Authors believe the similar survival data could be caused by the short follow-up (35 months) and the small numbers in the patient-groups as well as the greater rate of advanced stage patients in the authors' department, in contrary to the partner municipal hospitals (23/29 = 80% versus 33/54 = 61%) resulting in worse survival chances. Proving the efficiency of radical surgery the survey is carried on.     

HMO membership, treatment, and mortality risk among prostatic cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES. Treatment and mortality risk were compared between prostate cancer patients receiving care in fee-for-service settings and those receiving care in a health maintenance organization (HMO). METHODS. Two samples were obtained from a population-based tumor registry. Patients in the first sample (n = 201) were interviewed shortly after diagnosis to obtain data on income, education, overall health status, and expenditures for health status, and expenditures for health care. These data were combined with information from the tumor registry on cancer stage, age, treatment, place of residence, and source of care. Only tumor registry data were obtained for most patients in the second sample (n = 962). For both samples, survival time was monitored for up to 80 months. RESULTS. Multivariate analysis of data from the interviewed sample indicated that HMO patients were less likely to receive surgery but more likely to receive radiation therapy than were those in fee-for-service settings. Mortality risk was lower for the HMO patients than for those in fee-for-service plans. Findings based on the second sample were nearly identical. CONCLUSIONS. This study suggests that HMOs may offer important advantages to lower-income patients at risk for specific life-threatening diseases.     

Coffee Consumption and Prostate Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the association between coffee consumption and prostate cancer risk. Thirteen cohort studies with 34,105 cases and 539,577 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The summary relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for different coffee intake levels were calculated. Dose-response relationship was assessed using generalized least square trend estimation. The pooled RR for the highest vs. lowest coffee intake was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.85–0.95), with no significant heterogeneity across studies (P = 0.267; I²= 17.5%). The dose-response analysis showed a lower cancer risk decreased by 2.5% (RR = 0.975; 95% CI: 0.957–0.995) for every 2 cups/day increment in coffee consumption. Stratifying by geographic region, there was a statistically significant protective influence of coffee on prostate cancer risk among European populations. In subgroup analysis of prostate cancer grade, the summary RRs were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83–0.96) for nonadvanced, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.61–1.10) for advanced and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.55–1.06) for fatal diseases. Our findings suggest that coffee consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer and it also has an inverse association with nonadvanced prostate cancer. Because of the limited number of studies, more prospective studies with large sample size are needed to confirm this association.     

Fonofos exposure and cancer incidence in the agricultural health study

BACKGROUND: The Agricultural Health Study (AHS) is a prospective cohort study of licensed pesticide applicators from Iowa and North Carolina enrolled 1993-1997 and followed for incident cancer through 2002. A previous investigation in this cohort linked exposure to the organophosphate fonofos with incident prostate cancer in subjects with family history of prostate cancer. OBJECTIVES: This finding along with findings of associations between organophosphate pesticides and cancer more broadly led to this study of fonofos and risk of any cancers among 45,372 pesticide applicators enrolled in the AHS. METHODS: Pesticide exposure and other data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Poisson regression was used to calculate rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) while controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: Relative to the unexposed, leukemia risk was elevated in the highest category of lifetime (RR = 2.24; 95% CI, 0.94-5.34, Ptrend = 0.07) and intensity-weighted exposure-days (RR = 2.67; 95% CI, 1.06-6.70, Ptrend = 0.04), a measure that takes into account factors that modify pesticide exposure. Although prostate cancer risk was unrelated to fonofos use overall, among applicators with a family history of prostate cancer, we observed a significant dose-response trend for lifetime exposure-days (Ptrend = 0.02, RR highest tertile vs. unexposed = 1.77, 95% CI, 1.03-3.05; RRinteraction = 1.28, 95% CI, 1.07-1.54). Intensity-weighted results were similar. No associations were observed with other examined cancer sites. CONCLUSIONS: Further study is warranted to confirm findings with respect to leukemia and determine whether genetic susceptibility modifies prostate cancer risk from pesticide exposure.