Katrina F. Trivers

Trends in esophageal cancer incidence by histology, United States, 1998–2003

Esophageal adenocarcinoma rates may be increasing, whereas, squamous cell carcinoma rates appear to be decreasing in the United States. Previous population‐based research on esophageal cancer has only covered up to 68% of the country. Additional, updated research on a larger percentage of the country is needed to describe racial, ethnic and regional trends in histologic subtypes of esophageal cancer. Invasive esophageal cancer cases diagnosed between 1998 and 2003 (n = 65,926), collected by the National Program of Cancer Registries or the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, were included. These data cover 83% of the US population. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma incidence fell by 3.6%/year, whereas esophageal adenocarcinoma increased by 2.1%/year. Squamous cell carcinoma rates decreased among both sexes in most racial or ethnic groups, whereas adenocarcinoma rates increased primarily among white or non‐Hispanic men. Except for white or non‐Hispanic men, squamous cell carcinoma rates were similar to, or greater than, adenocarcinoma rates for men and women of all other races and ethnicities. The largest decrease in squamous cell carcinoma rates occurred in the West census region, which also exhibited no increase in adenocarcinoma rates. The rate of regional and distant‐staged adenocarcinomas increased, while rates for local‐staged adenocarcinoma remained stable. This is the first article to characterize esophageal cancer trends using data covering the majority of the US. Substantial racial, ethnic and regional variation in esophageal cancer is present in the US. Our work may inform interventions related to tobacco and alcohol use, and overweight/obesity prevention, and provide avenues for further research. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Reported referral for genetic counseling or BRCA 1/2 testing among United States physicians†‡

Genetic counseling and testing is recommended for women at high but not average risk of ovarian cancer. National estimates of physician adherence to genetic counseling and testing recommendations are lacking.

Demographic and lifestyle predictors of survival in patients with esophageal or gastric cancers

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Risk factors for subtypes of esophageal and gastric cancer recently have been identified, but their effect on survival is unknown. METHODS Incident cases (n = 1142) from a population-based case-control study were followed-up from diagnosis (1993-1995) until 2000. Cox regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for esophageal and gastric cancer in relation to prediagnostic factors. RESULTS Relative to distant stage, esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) patients with localized disease had a decreased risk for death (HR, .22; 95% CI, .15-.31), followed by those with regional spread (HR, .32; 95% CI, .23-.45). Similar patterns were seen for the other tumor types. Except for other (non-cardia) gastric adenocarcinomas (OGA), higher household income (> or =15,000 US dollars/y vs. <15,000 US dollars/y) was associated with a 33%-38% decrease in risk for death. Prediagnosis body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 kg/m 2 was associated with longer survival for EA and OGA patients (EA: HR, .67; 95% CI, .51-.88) vs. BMI <25 kg/m(2). Women with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ES) and OGA experienced longer survival compared with men. Age, education, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use did not consistently predict survival. CONCLUSIONS Predictors of lengthened esophageal and gastric cancer survival included higher income (except in OGA), overweight (among EA and OGA patients), and female sex (among ES and OGA patients).

Trends in Colorectal Cancer Screening Disparities in People Aged 50–64 Years, 2000–2005

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are low, and racial, ethnic, and economic disparities have been reported. Whether disparities in CRC screening have decreased over time is unknown. This study aimed to determine whether progress was made between 2000 and 2005 in reducing CRC screening disparities by race, ethnicity, income, and insurance status. METHODS Age-adjusted percentages of participants aged 50-64 who reported CRC screening (home fecal occult blood test in the past year or endoscopy in the past 10 years) were estimated from the 2000 (n=6,020 participants) and 2005 (n=6,706) cancer control supplements of the National Health Interview Survey, with analysis in 2007. RESULTS Screening rates did not increase between 2000 and 2005 for Hispanic women or uninsured women. Only for high-income participants did screening exceed 50%. For both men and women, the uninsured had the lowest levels of screening (19.1% and 19.3%, respectively, in 2005), and the greatest disparities were observed among groups defined by health insurance status. For women, disparities by ethnicity, income, and insurance status increased over time, whereas among men, disparities in 2005 were similar to those in 2000. For Hispanic women, growing disparities were present at all income and insurance levels and persisted after additional adjustment. CONCLUSIONS No progress was made in reducing most CRC screening disparities between 2000 and 2005. Methods are needed to increase CRC screening among everyone, but in particular Hispanic women and uninsured men and women.

A literature review of the social and psychological needs of ovarian cancer survivors

To identify and comprehensively present the psychosocial needs of ovarian cancer (OvCa) survivors, including young survivors <45 years of age.

Dietary intake of flavonoids and oesophageal and gastric cancer: incidence and survival in the United States of America (USA)

Background:Flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds concentrated in fruits and vegetables, have experimentally demonstrated chemopreventive effects against oesophageal and gastric cancer. Few epidemiologic studies have examined flavonoid intake and incidence of these cancers, and none have considered survival.Methods:In this USA multicentre population-based study, case participants (diagnosed during 1993–1995 with oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OEA, n=274), gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA, n=248), oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OES, n=191), and other gastric adenocarcinoma (OGA, n=341)) and frequency-matched controls (n=662) were interviewed. Food frequency questionnaire responses were linked with USDA Flavonoid Databases and available literature for six flavonoid classes and lignans. Case participants were followed until 2000 for vital status. Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals (CIs)) were estimated, comparing highest with lowest intake quartiles, using polytomous logistic and proportional hazards regressions, respectively.Results:Little or no consistent association was found for total flavonoid intake (main population sources: black tea, orange/grapefruit juice, and wine) and incidence or survival for any tumour type. Intake of anthocyanidins, common in wine and fruit juice, was associated with a 57% reduction in the risk of incident OEA (OR=0.43, 95% CI=0.29–0.66) and OES (OR=0.43, 95% CI=0.26–0.70). The ORs for isoflavones, for which coffee was the main source, were increased for all tumours, except OES. Anthocyanidins were associated with decreased risk of mortality for GCA (HR=0.63, 95% CI=0.42–0.95) and modestly for OEA (HR=0.87, 95% CI=0.60–1.26), but CIs were wide.Conclusions:Our findings, if confirmed, suggest that increased dietary anthocyanidin intake may reduce incidence and improve survival for these cancers.

The Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Risk of Cancer in Adulthood: A Systematic Review of the Literature

CONTEXT: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can affect health and well-being across the life course. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review summarizes the literature on associations between ACEs and risk of cancer in adulthood. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed to identify relevant publications published on or before May 31, 2015. STUDY SELECTION: We included original research quantifying the association between ACEs and adult cancer incidence. Case reports and reviews were excluded. DATA ABSTRACTION: Two reviewers independently abstracted and summarized key information (eg, ACE type, cancer type, risk estimates) from included studies and resolved all discrepancies. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in the review. In studies in which ACE summary scores were calculated, significant associations were observed between the scores and an increased risk of cancer in adulthood. Of the different types of ACEs examined, physical and psychological abuse victimization were associated with risk of any cancer in 3 and 2 studies, respectively. Two studies also reported significant associations with regard to sexual abuse victimization (1 for cervical cancer and 1 for any cancer). However, 2 other studies reported no significant associations between childhood sexual or physical abuse and incidence of cervical or breast cancer. LIMITATIONS: Because of heterogeneity across studies, we were unable to compute a summary effect estimate. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that childhood adversity in various forms may increase a person’s cancer risk. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms driving this relationship and to identify opportunities to prevent and mitigate the deleterious effects of early adversity on long-term health.

Cancer Prevention for the Next Generation

Given the continued growth in the number of persons with cancer in the United States, the primary prevention of cancer remains an urgent public health priority. As the field of cancer prevention continues to mature and scientific knowledge evolves, it is imperative to challenge the status quo and embrace new approaches to cancer prevention. In this commentary, we summarize recent trends and some of the scientific advances that have been made over the past few decades regarding the complex process of cancer development and the interaction of individual and social risk factors. We examine some of the assumptions and terminology that have characterized cancer prevention approaches for more than a quarter century and the impact of these assumptions and our use of terminology. We propose that it is possible for todays youth to experience lower cancer incidence rates as adults compared with previous generations. To accomplish this goal, a more transdisciplinary and multifaceted approach is needed, adapted as appropriate for different populations and stages of life. The greatest improvements in cancer prevention may occur as a result of innovative, multilevel interventions that build on the expanding scientific evidence base.

Oral Contraceptives and Survival in Breast Cancer Patients Aged 20 to 54 Years

Recent oral contraceptive (OC) use is associated with modestly higher breast cancer incidence among younger women, but its impact on survival is unclear. This study examined the relationship between OC use before breast cancer diagnosis and survival. A population-based sample of 1,264 women aged 20 to 54 years with a first primary invasive breast cancer during 1990 to 1992 were followed up for 8 to 10 years. OC and covariate data were obtained by interviews conducted shortly after diagnosis and from medial records. All-cause mortality was ascertained through the National Death Index (n = 292 deaths). Age- and income-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated by Cox regression methods. All-cause mortality was not associated with ever use of OCs or duration of use. Compared with nonusers, mortality estimates were elevated among women who were using OCs at diagnosis or stopped use in the previous year (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.95-2.61). The HR for use of high-dose estrogen pills within 5 years before diagnosis was double that of nonusers (HR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.29-4.41) or, if the most recent pill included the progestin levonorgestrel, compared with nonusers (HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.03-3.91). Because subgroup estimates were based on small numbers of OC users, these results should be cautiously interpreted. Overall, most aspects of OC use did not seem to influence survival, although there is limited evidence that OC use just before diagnosis, particularly use of some pill types, may negatively impact survival in breast cancer patients aged 20 to 54 years. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(9):1822–7)

Changes among US Cancer Survivors: Comparing Demographic, Diagnostic, and Health Care Findings from the 1992 and 2010 National Health Interview Surveys

Background. Differences in healthcare and cancer treatment for cancer survivors in the United States (US) have not been routinely examined in nationally representative samples or studied before and after important Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations calling for higher quality care provision and attention to comprehensive cancer care for cancer survivors. Methods. To assess differences between survivor characteristics in 1992 and 2010, we conducted descriptive analyses of 1992 and 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. Our study sample consisted of 1018 self-reported cancer survivors from the 1992 NHIS and 1718 self-reported cancer survivors from the 2010 NHIS who completed the Cancer Control (CCS) and Cancer Epidemiology (CES) Supplements. Results. The prevalence of reported survivors increased from 1992 to 2010 (4.2% versus 6.3%). From 1992 to 2010, there was an increase in long-term cancer survivors and a drop in multiple malignancies, and surgery remained the most widely used treatment. Significantly fewer survivors (<10 years after diagnosis) were denied insurance coverage. Survivors continue to report low participation in counseling or support groups. Conclusions. As the prevalence of cancer survivors continues to grow, monitoring differences in survivor characteristics can be useful in evaluating the effects of policy recommendations and the quality of clinical care.