Julia E. Heck

Treatment for Breast Cancer in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Objectives: To report use of breast cancer treatment (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy) by patients with Alzheimers disease (AD).

Dietary Intake of Methionine, Cysteine, and Protein and Urinary Arsenic Excretion in Bangladesh

Background In Bangladesh, millions of people are exposed to arsenic in drinking water; arsenic is associated with increased risk of cancer. Once ingested, arsenic is metabolized via methylation and excreted in urine. Knowledge about nutritional factors affecting individual variation in methylation is limited. Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine associations between intakes of protein, methionine, and cysteine total urinary arsenic in a large population-based sample. Methods The study subjects were 10,402 disease-free residents of Araihazar, Bangladesh, who participated in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS). Food intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire developed for the study population. Nutrient composition was determined by using the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine association between total urinary arsenic across quintiles of nutrient intakes while controlling for arsenic exposure from drinking water and other predictors of urinary arsenic. Results Greater intakes of protein, methionine, and cysteine were associated with 10–15% greater total urinary arsenic excretion, after controlling for total energy intake, body weight, sex, age, tobacco use, and intake of some other nutrients. Conclusions Given previously reported risks between lower rates of arsenic excretion and increased rates of cancer, these findings support the role of nutrition in preventing arsenic-related disease.

Asthma Diagnosis Among Individuals in Same-Sex Relationships

This study examined ever and current asthma diagnosis among persons in same-sex relationships (SSRs) using data from the pooled 1997–2004 National Health Interview Surveys. Among SSRs, 13.5% of men and 14.3% of women reported ever diagnosis of asthma, compared to 7.6% and 10.2% opposite-sex relationship (OSR) men and women. SSRs had higher rates of smoking, stress, and among women, obesity. In regression analyses, male SSRs had a significantly elevated risk of ever asthma diagnosis (adjusted OR = 1.51), while 12-month asthma was elevated among SSR women (adjusted OR = 2.48). SSRs may be at higher risk for asthma due to a spectrum of risk factors.

Awareness of genetic testing for cancer among United States Hispanics: the role of acculturation.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine how acculturation affected awareness of genetic testing for cancer among Hispanic Americans. Methods: Subjects were 10,883 Hispanic respondents from the 2000 and 2005 National Health Interview Surveys. Acculturation was measured with language use and the length of time subjects had lived in the US. Weighted logistic regression was used to determine subjects’ awareness of genetic susceptibility testing. Results: Greater use of English (adjusted odds ratio, OR = 1.25, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.15–1.36) was associated with increased awareness of genetic testing. Residence in the US for less than 5 years (adjusted OR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.36–0.83) was associated with lower awareness of testing. Conclusions: To better inform diverse American groups about genetic testing, intercultural variations and language skills must be taken into account.