Cancer Causes and Control (CANCER CAUSE CONTROL)

Publications in this journal

• Article: The association between height and prostate cancer grade in the Early Stage Prostate Cancer Cohort Study

  Wildon R. Farwell, Christopher Lourenco, Erika Holmberg, Robert B. Hall, Leonard D’Avolio, Elizabeth V. Lawler, J. Michael Gaziano
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  ABSTRACT: ObjectiveWe examined the relationship between height and prostate cancer grade. MethodsThe Early Stage Prostate Cancer Cohort Study is an observational cohort of 1,037 men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, T0–3NxM0. High-grade prostate cancer was defined as a biopsy Gleason score≥7 (4+3). Logistic regression models were created to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the cross-sectional relationship between height and prostate cancer grade in the overall cohort and subpopulations. ResultsWe identified 939 participants with a biopsy Gleason score. High-grade prostate cancer was diagnosed in 138 participants. Overall, participants in the highest quartile of height were more than twice as likely to have a Gleason score≥7 (4+3) than participants in the lowest quartile of height, OR 2.14 (95% CI 1.11, 4.14), after multivariate adjustment. Participants in the highest quartile of height were more likely to be diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancer than participants in the lowest quartile of height among participants who were black, OR 8.00 (95% CI 1.99, 32.18), and participants who had diabetes mellitus, OR 5.09 (95% CI 1.30, 19.98). ConclusionsHeight is associated with increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer overall and perhaps among certain subpopulations. KeywordsProstatic neoplasms–Body height–Epidemiology
  Cancer Causes and Control 05/2012; 22(10):1453-1459.
• Article: Reply to: Dr. Peter Morfeld’s Letter to the Editor (Manuscript Number: CACO2009): “Comment on Lacasse Y, Martin S, Gagne D, Lakhal L (2009) Dose–response meta-analysis of silica and lung cancer. Cancer Causes and Control; [e-pub ahead of print] doi: 10.1007/s10552-009-9296-0”

  Lajmi Lakhal, Yves Lacasse
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 20(8):1537-1538.
• Article: Total dietary antioxidant index and survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

  Dora Il’yasova, Jennifer E. Marcello, Lucie McCoy, Terri Rice, Margaret Wrensch
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  ABSTRACT: ObjectivesThe role of antioxidants in survival of cancer patients is controversial. No data on the relationships between antioxidant intake and survival of glioma patients are available. Our objective was to examine such association in a large series of cases. MethodsThe study population includes 814 glioblastoma multiforme cases that were newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed, aged 20 or older, and residing in the San Francisco Bay Area at diagnosis. Cases were identified via the regional cancer registry’s rapid case ascertainment system during 1991–1994 (series I), 1997–2000 (series II), and 2001–2004 (series III). Daily dietary antioxidant intake at diagnosis was assessed via food-frequency questionnaire and was expressed as total antioxidant index, calculated based on Trolox equivalent per gram of food. In addition, the study collected information on supplements/vitamin intake. ResultsOverall, our results indicated no consistent, significant association of survival with dietary antioxidant intake or its combination with vitamin supplements. However, in series III, we observed a significant association between higher antioxidant index and better survival: HR=0.58 (95% CI: 0.46, 0.74) for each unit of antioxidant index on a log-scale. ConclusionsAlthough it is possible that this is a chance finding, the association between dietary antioxidants and survival in the most recently recruited patients warrants further investigations.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 20(8):1255-1260.
• Article: Menstrual and reproductive factors and pancreatic cancer in the SEARCH program of the IARC

  Eric J. Duell, Patrick Maisonneuve, Peter A. Baghurst, H. Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, Parviz Ghadirian, Anthony B. Miller, Witold Zatonski, Alina Vrieling, Paolo Boffetta, Peter Boyle
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  ABSTRACT: We conducted a population-based case–control study on the relation of menstrual and reproductive factors and hormone use with pancreatic cancer risk among female participants of the SEARCH program study. We evaluated 367 cases of ductal adenocarcinoma and 821 controls for associations between pancreatic cancer and age at menarche, age at menopause, number of pregnancies, exogenous hormone use, and history of gynaecologic surgery. Among directly interviewed and proxy participants, we found a statistically significant association for having age of menarche at 11years or younger compared with menarche at ages 12–13years (OR=1.8, 95% CI=1.1–3.1). This result was consistent, but not statistically significant, among three of the four studies analyzed, and when the data were analyzed separately by response status (direct vs. proxy interviews). No other menstrual or reproductive factors were associated with pancreatic cancer risk in this study. In conclusion, earlier age at menarche may be weakly associated with pancreatic cancer, but it seems unlikely that menstrual and reproductive factors play more than only a minor role in pancreatic cancer. Additional analyses in large prospective study populations and in pooled studies may help to clarify remaining inconsistencies.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 20(9):1757-1762.
• Article: Maternal exposure to household chemicals and risk of infant leukemia: a report from the Children’s Oncology Group

  Megan E. Slater, Amy M. Linabery, Logan G. Spector, Kimberly J. Johnson, Joanne M. Hilden, Nyla A. Heerema, Leslie L. Robison, Julie A. Ross
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  ABSTRACT: ObjectiveUtilizing data from the largest study to date, we examined associations between maternal preconception/prenatal exposure to household chemicals and infant acute leukemia. MethodsWe present data from a Children’s Oncology Group case–control study of 443 infants (<1year of age) diagnosed with acute leukemia [including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML)] between 1996 and 2006 and 324 population controls. Mothers recalled household chemical use 1month before and throughout pregnancy. We used unconditional logistic regression adjusted for birth year, maternal age, and race/ethnicity to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). ResultsWe did not find evidence for an association between infant leukemia and eight of nine chemical categories. However, exposure to petroleum products during pregnancy was associated with AML (OR=2.54; 95% CI:1.40–4.62) and leukemia without mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene rearrangements (“MLL−”) (OR=2.69; 95% CI: 1.47–4.93). No associations were observed for exposure in the month before pregnancy. ConclusionsGestational exposure to petroleum products was associated with infant leukemia, particularly AML, and MLL− cases. Benzene is implicated as a potential carcinogen within this exposure category, but a clear biological mechanism has yet to be elucidated. KeywordsEpidemiology–Infants–Leukemia–Chemical–Prenatal
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 22(8):1197-1204.
• Article: Association between body mass index and mortality in patients with glioblastoma mutliforme

  Lee W. Jones, Francis Ali-Osman, Eric Lipp, Jennifer E. Marcello, Bridget McCarthy, Lucie McCoy, Terri Rice, Margaret Wrensch, Dora Il’yasova
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  ABSTRACT: PurposeTo examine the association between obesity and survival in patients with glioblastoma mutliforme (GBM) MethodsUsing a prospective design, 1,259 patients with previously untreated GBM were recruited between 1991 and 2008. Height and weight were self-reported or abstracted from medical records at study entry and used to calculate body mass index (BMI) [weight (kg)/[height (m)]2. Cox proportional models were used to estimate the risk of death associated with BMI as a continuous variable or categorized using established criteria (normal weight, 18.5–24.9kg/m2; overweight, 25.0–29.9kg/m2; obese,≥30.0kg/m2). ResultsMedian follow-up was 40months, and 1,069 (85%) deaths were observed during this period. For all patients, minimal adjusted analyses indicated no significant association between BMI treated as a continuous variable and survival. Compared with patients with a BMI 18.5–24.9kg/m2, the minimally adjusted HR for overall survival was 1.08 (95% CI, 0.94–1.24) for a BMI 25–29.9kg/m2 and 1.08 (95% CI, 0.91–28) for a BMI≥30.0kg/m2. After additional adjustment for adjuvant therapy, the HR for those with a BMI of 25.0–29.9kg/m2 was 1.14 (95% CI, 0.99–1.32) and 1.09 (95% CI, 0.91–1.30) for those with a BMI≥30.0kg/m2. No significant interactions were revealed for BMI and any demographic variables. ConclusionBMI was not associated with survival in newly diagnosed and previously untreated patients with GBM. Further research investigating the prognostic significance of alternative, quantitative measures of body habitus, and functional performance are required. KeywordsEpidemiology-Glioblastoma-Survival-Prognosis-Body weight-Energy balance
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 21(12):2195-2201.
• Article: Cohorts and consortia conference: a summary report (Banff, Canada, June 17–19, 2009)

  Paolo Boffetta, Graham A. Colditz, John D. Potter, Laurence Kolonel, Paula J. Robson, Reza Malekzadeh, Daniela Seminara, Ellen L. Goode, Keun-Young Yoo, Paul Demers, [......], Yutaka Yasui, Kieran O’Doherty, Gloria M. Petersen, Cornelia M. Ulrich, Ilona Csizmadi, Ernest K. Amankwah, Nigel T. Brockton, Karen Kopciuk, S. Elizabeth McGregor, Linda E. Kelemen
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  ABSTRACT: Epidemiologic studies have adapted to the genomics era by forming large international consortia to overcome issues of large data volume and small sample size. Whereas both cohort and well-conducted case–control studies can inform disease risk from genetic susceptibility, cohort studies offer the additional advantages of assessing lifestyle and environmental exposure–disease time sequences often over a life course. Consortium involvement poses several logistical and ethical issues to investigators, some of which are unique to cohort studies, including the challenge to harmonize prospectively collected lifestyle and environmental exposures validly across individual studies. An open forum to discuss the opportunities and challenges of large-scale cohorts and their consortia was held in June 2009 in Banff, Canada, and is summarized in this report. KeywordsBiobanks–Cohort studies–Consortia–Cancer–Ethics–Data harmonization–Molecular epidemiology
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 22(3):463-468.
• Article: Body size and breast cancer in a black population—The Barbados National Cancer Study

  Barbara Nemesure, Suh-Yuh Wu, Anselm Hennis, M. Cristina Leske, Barbados National Cancer Study Group
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  ABSTRACT: ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between body size and incident breast cancer in an African-origin Caribbean population. MethodsThis investigation is based on 222 incident breast cancer cases and 454 controls from the Barbados National Cancer Study (BNCS) in whom body size variables that included height, weight, body-mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences (WC, HC), and waist−hip ratio (WHR) were compared. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed and the findings are presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). ResultsAlthough 33% of cases and 39% of controls were obese (BMI≥30kg/m2), BMI was not found to be a significant predictor of breast cancer in the multivariate analyses. Tall stature increased risk among women ≥50years (OR=2.16, 95% CI (1.02, 4.58)), and a dual effect with age was suggested for both WC and WHR (decreased risk for those aged ≤50years; increased risk among those ≥50years). ConclusionsBody size appears to influence the risk of breast cancer in this population of African origin. The BNCS data suggest that a few, but not all body size factors play a role in breast cancer risk, and that age may affect these relationships.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 20(3):387-394.
• Article: Dietary carbohydrate, glycemic index, and glycemic load in relation to colorectal cancer risk in the Women’s Health Initiative

  Geoffrey C. Kabat, James M. Shikany, Shirley A. A. Beresford, Bette Caan, Marian L. Neuhouser, Lesley F. Tinker, Thomas E. Rohan
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  ABSTRACT: Evidence implicating hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in the etiology of colorectal cancer suggests that a diet characterized by a high glycemic index and load may increase the risk of this disease, but previous studies have yielded inconsistent results. We assessed the association between intake of total carbohydrates, sugars, fiber, and the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of individual diets, and risk of developing colorectal cancer among 158,800 participants in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). We used a GI/GL database developed specifically for the WHI food-frequency questionnaire. Over an average of 7.8years of follow-up, 1,476 incident cases of colorectal cancer were identified. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association between dietary factors classified by quintiles and risk of colorectal cancer, with adjustment for covariates. Total carbohydrate intake, glycemic index, glycemic load, and intake of sugars and fiber showed no association with colorectal cancer. Analyses by cancer subsite also yielded null results, with the exception of a borderline positive association between glycemic load and rectal cancer (HR for the highest versus lowest quintile 1.84, 95% confidence interval 0.95–3.56, p for trend 0.05). Analyses stratified by tertiles of body mass index and physical activity showed no evidence of effect modification by these factors. Results of this large study do not support of a role of a diet characterized by high glycemic index or load in colorectal carcinogenesis in postmenopausal women.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 19(10):1291-1298.
• Article: The effect of occasional smoking on smoking-related cancers

  Bine Kjøller Bjerregaard, Ole Raaschou-Nielsen, Mette Sørensen, Kirsten Frederiksen, Anne Tjønneland, Sabine Rohrmann, Jakob Linseisen, Manuela M. Bergman, Heiner Boeing, Sabina Sieri, [......], Rosario Tumino, Carlotta Sacerdote, H. Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, Frederike L. Büchner, Inger Torhild Gram, Tonje Braaten, Eiliv Lund, Göran Hallmans, Åsa Ågren, Elio Riboli
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  ABSTRACT: ObjectiveMost studies on tobacco smoking have focused on daily-smokers. Occasional smokers, who have never smoked daily, have often been included in the reference group of never-smokers. We have investigated the association between occasional smoking and cancer of the bladder, kidney, pancreas, upper aero-digestive tract and lung. MethodsThe study population consisted of 158,488 persons, who provided information on occasional smoking, within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), 780 of whom developed a smoking-related cancer. We used Cox proportional hazard model, stratified by gender and country to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR) for smoking-related cancers. ResultsThe results suggest that occasional smokers have a higher risk of bladder cancer (IRR: 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93–3.98) and of the major smoking-related cancers combined (IRR: 1.24, 95% CI 0.80–1.94) than true never-smokers. Including occasional smokers in the reference group resulted in a lower risk estimate for former and current smokers. ConclusionsOccasional smoking should be discouraged.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 17(10):1305-1309.
• Article: Trends in adult leukemia incidence and survival in Denmark, 1943–2003

  Lau Caspar Thygesen, Ove Juul Nielsen, Christoffer Johansen
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  ABSTRACT: The etiology of leukemia is largely unknown. Ecological data indicating trends in incidence and survival can provide information about changes in risk factors, can reflect underlying changes in diagnostic classification, and can measure therapeutic advances. From the records of the Danish Cancer Registry with registration starting from 1943, we calculated age-specific, period-specific, and age-standardized (world standard) incidence rates of chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL), acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for persons above the age of 18. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and median survival times were calculated. Between 1943 and 2003, there were 26,036 cases of leukemia reported. The age-specific incidence rates of CLL, CML, and AML were higher for older men and women, while the incidence rates of ALL by age were more homogeneous. The age-standardized incidence rates during the study period increased for CLL and AML, increased less strongly for ALL, and decreased for CML in both men and women, although the incidence rates for women were almost always lower. Patients with CLL had the longest survival time in all age groups. The median survival time increased for all leukemia subtypes throughout the period of study most pronounced for CLL since 1950 and CML since 1990.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 20(9):1671-1680.
• Article: A comparison of the anatomic distribution of cutaneous melanoma in two populations with different levels of sunlight: the west of Scotland and Queensland, Australia 1982–2001

  David C. Whiteman, Caroline A. Bray, Victor Siskind, David Hole, Rona M. MacKie, Adèle C. Green
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  ABSTRACT: To explore whether the anatomic distribution of melanoma differs with ambient sunlight levels, we compared age- and site-specific melanoma incidence in two genetically similar populations from different geographic regions. We ascertained all new cases of invasive cutaneous melanoma in the west of Scotland and Queensland 1982–2001. Melanoma incidence was calculated for four anatomic regions (head and neck, trunk, upper and lower limbs), standardized to the European population and adjusted for relative surface area of each site. Highest rates among males aged <40 years and 40–59 years were observed on the trunk, but on the upper limbs among Queensland females and lower limbs among Scottish females. After age 60, melanoma rates were highest on the head and neck in both sexes. In both sexes and at all ages, lower limb melanomas were more common in Scotland than expected from the Queensland population. These analyses indicate that while the overall distribution of melanoma is similar in populations with different levels of ambient sunlight, important differences remain. Identifying the causes of these differences is likely to provide better understanding of how sunlight causes melanoma.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 18(5):485-491.
• Article: Lifestyle factors and serum androgens among 636 middle aged men from seven countries in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)

  Reiko Suzuki, Naomi E. Allen, Paul N. Appleby, Timothy J. Key, Laure Dossus, Anne Tjønneland, Nina Føns Johnsen, Kim Overvad, Carlotta Sacerdote, Domenico Palli, [......], Laudina Rodríguez Suárez, Genevieve Buckland, Nerea Larrañaga, Sheila Bingham, Kay-Tee Khaw, Sabina Rinaldi, Nadia Slimani, Mazda Jenab, Elio Riboli, Rudolf Kaaks
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  ABSTRACT: ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between lifestyle and dietary factors and serum concentrations of androgens in middle-aged healthy men. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the association of lifestyle factors with circulating concentrations of androstenedione (A-dione), 3-α-androstanediol glucuronide (A-diol-g), testosterone (T), SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), and free testosterone (FT) among 636 men in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. ResultsCompared with the youngest age group (40–49years), the oldest (70–79years) had a higher mean concentration of SHBG (by 44%) and lower mean concentrations of A-diol-g (by 29%) FT (19%). Men in the highest BMI group (≥29.83kg/m2) had a higher mean A-diol-g concentration (by 38%) and lower mean concentration of T (by 20%) SHBG (29%) compared with the lowest (<24.16kg/m2). Current smokers had higher mean concentrations of T (by 13%), SHBG (14%), and A-dione (15%) compared with never smokers. Physical activity and dietary factors were not associated with androgen concentrations, although men in the highest fifth of alcohol intake had higher mean concentrations of A-dione (by 9%), FT (11%) compared with the lowest. ConclusionOur results suggest that age, body weight, smoking, and alcohol intake are associated with circulating androgen concentrations in men.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 20(6):811-821.
• Article: Family history of various cancers and pancreatic cancer mortality in a large cohort

  Eric J. Jacobs, Carmen Rodriguez, Christina C. Newton, Elizabeth B. Bain, Alpa V. Patel, Heather Spencer Feigelson, Michael J. Thun, Eugenia E. Calle
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  ABSTRACT: A family history of pancreatic cancer is associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer, but uncertainty remains about the magnitude of this association, whether it varies by age or smoking and whether a family history of other cancers may also be associated with increased risk. We examined family history of 14 cancers and pancreatic cancer mortality among ~1.1 million men and women in Cancer Prevention Study-II (CPS-II). CPS-II participants completed a questionnaire at enrollment in 1982. During follow-up through 2006, there were 7,306 pancreatic cancer deaths. A family history of pancreatic cancer in a parent or sibling was associated with pancreatic cancer mortality [multivariable adjusted rate ratio (RR)=1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43–1.94]. This association was stronger among participants aged under 60 (RR=2.89, 95% CI 1.67–5.02) than among participants aged 60 or older (RR=1.61, 95% CI 1.37–1.88). Weaker associations were observed for family history of stomach cancer (RR=1.23, 95% CI 1.11–1.37), liver cancer (RR=1.25, 95% CI 1.10–1.43), and colorectal cancer (RR=1.12, 95% CI 1.01–1.23). Results from this large prospective study indicate family history of pancreatic cancer is associated with a moderate increase in risk of pancreatic cancer, and also identify associations with the family history of certain other cancers which may be useful in generating hypotheses about shared risk factors.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 20(8):1261-1269.
• Article: Hormone therapy in relation to survival from large bowel cancer

  Polly A. Newcomb, Victoria M. Chia, John M. Hampton, V. Paul Doria-Rose, Amy Trentham Dietz
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  ABSTRACT: Epidemiologic studies of hormone therapy (HT) and colorectal cancer incidence consistently show an inverse association; however, few studies have considered prediagnostic use of HT on mortality among colorectal cancer patients. We evaluated the relationship of HT and survival among a population-based cohort of women with large bowel cancer. Cases (n=1,297) were newly diagnosed with invasive cancer of the colon or rectum, aged 40–74years at diagnosis, who were identified by Wisconsin’s statewide registry (1988–1991; 1997–2001) for two case–control studies. Information on HT use and other colorectal cancer risk factors was collected by standardized interview. There were 507 deaths (274 of these attributable to colorectal cancer) over 8.4years of follow-up through December 2005. Hormone use was not associated with colorectal cancer mortality (adjusted hazard rate ratio=1.09, confidence interval=0.81–1.47). Colorectal cancer specific mortality was not associated with HT when considered separately by preparation type. Stage did not modify this relationship. Long-term HT was weakly positively associated with increased mortality after diagnosis of proximal colon, but not distal colon cancer. Because we detected no differences in survival among users of HT compared to non-users, the results suggest that HT use may affect only the incidence of some colorectal tumors.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 20(4):409-416.
• Article: Assessing the impact of socio-economic status on cancer survival in New South Wales, Australia 1996–2001

  Xue Qin Yu, Dianne L. O’Connell, Robert W. Gibberd, Bruce K. Armstrong
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  ABSTRACT: ObjectiveTo assess the impact of socio-economic status (SES) on cancer survival in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. MethodsPatients diagnosed with one of 13 major cancers during 1992–2000 in NSW were followed-up to the end of 2001. The effect of SES on survival was estimated for each individual cancer and all 13 cancers combined using multivariable modeling. The numbers of lives that could be extended if all people had the same level of excess risk of death due to cancer as patients in the highest SES areas were also estimated. ResultsThere were highly statistically significant variations in survival across SES groups for four cancers: stomach, liver, lung, and breast and all 13 cancers combined. Variation remained highly significant after adjusting for disease stage. Patients in lower SES areas had 10–20% higher excess risk than those in the highest SES areas. In total, there were 3,346 lives potentially extendable beyond 5years; the highest number was for lung cancer (756). ConclusionThe significantly worse survival in lower SES areas from cancers of the stomach, liver, lung, and breast may be due to poorer access to high-quality cancer care. Estimates of the number of lives potentially extendable by improving cancer survival in lower SES areas suggest that priority should be given to improving lung cancer care in lower SES areas in NSW, Australia.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 19(10):1383-1390.
• Article: Cigarette smoking and the risk of Barrett’s esophagus

  Ai Kubo, T. R. Levin, Gladys Block, Gregory Rumore, Charles P. Quesenberry, Patricia Buffler, Douglas A. Corley
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  ABSTRACT: IntroductionWe examined the association between smoking and the risk of Barrett’s esophagus (BE), a metaplastic precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma. MethodsWe conducted a case–control study within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California population. Patients with a new diagnosis of BE (n=320) were matched to persons with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (n=316) and to population controls (n=317). Information was collected using validated questionnaires from direct in-person interviews and electronic databases. Analyses used multivariate unconditional logistic regression that controlled for age, gender, race, and education. ResultsEver smoking status, smoking intensity (pack-years), and smoking cessation were not associated with the risk of BE. Stratified analyses suggested that ever smoking may be associated with an increased risk of BE among some groups (compared to population controls): persons with long-segment Barrett’s esophagus (odds ratio [OR]=1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–2.63); subjects without GERD symptoms (OR=3.98, 95% CI 1.58–10.0); obese subjects (OR=3.38, 95% CI 1.46–7.82); and persons with a large abdominal circumference (OR=3.02, 95% CI (1.18–2.75)). ConclusionSmoking was not a strong or consistent risk factor for BE in a large community-based study, although associations may be present in some population subgroups.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 20(3):303-311.
• Article: Influence of tumor stage, symptoms, and time of blood draw on serum concentrations of organochlorine compounds in exocrine pancreatic cancer

  Miquel Porta, José Pumarega, Tomàs López, Manuel Jariod, Esther Marco, Joan O. Grimalt, for the PANKRAS II Study Group
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  ABSTRACT: BackgroundKnowledge is scant on the relationships between pathophysiologic processes common during cancer progression and changes in blood concentrations of organochlorine compounds (OCs). ObjectiveTo analyze the influence of tumor stage, cancer symptoms, and time of blood extraction on serum concentrations of OCs in exocrine pancreatic cancer (EPC). MethodsSubjects were 144 incident cases of EPC prospectively recruited in eastern Spain. Blood was drawn and face-to-face interviews with patients were conducted during hospital admission. Information on signs and symptoms was obtained from medical records and patient interviews. OCs were analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. General linear models were applied to analyze log-transformed OCs corrected for total lipids. ResultsLower concentrations of six of the seven OCs analyzed (p,p′-DDE, three polychlorinated biphenyls, hexachlorobenzene, and β-hexachlorocyclohexane) were observed in patients with cholestatic syndrome (jaundice, hypocholia, and choluria). The constitutional syndrome increased only p,p′-DDT. The lowering effect of the cholestatic syndrome was stronger than the increasing effect of the constitutional syndrome (fatigue, anorexia, and weight loss), except for p,p′-DDT. When symptoms were considered, stage had only weakly inverse relationships with OC levels. The effects of symptoms on p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDT, and the three PCBs remained significant after adjusting by the interval from blood extraction to first symptom of EPC, and even when further adjusting by stage. ConclusionsRestriction or adjustment by stage and timing of blood draw may be insufficient to prevent biases associated with cancer progression. Symptoms may enable investigators to assess disease-induced changes in lipophilic exposure biomarkers.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 20(10):1893-1906.
• Article: Coffee and caffeine intake and the risk of ovarian cancer: the Iowa Women’s Health Study

  Natalie A. Lueth, Kristin E. Anderson, Lisa J. Harnack, Jayne A. Fulkerson, Kim Robien
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  ABSTRACT: Laboratory data suggest that caffeine or some components of coffee may cause DNA mutations and inhibit tumor suppressor mechanisms, leading to neoplastic growth. However, coffee consumption has not been clearly implicated in the etiology of human postmenopausal ovarian cancer. This study evaluated the relationship of coffee and caffeine intake with risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in a prospective cohort study of 29,060 postmenopausal women. The participants completed a mailed questionnaire that assessed diet and health history and were followed for ovarian cancer incidence from 1986 to 2004. Age-adjusted and multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios were calculated for four exposure variables: caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, total coffee, and total caffeine to assess whether or not coffee or caffeine influences the risk of ovarian cancer. An increased risk was observed in the multivariate model for women who reported drinking five or more cups/day of caffeinated coffee compared to women who reported drinking none (HR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.10–2.95). Decaffeinated coffee, total coffee, and caffeine were not statistically significantly associated with ovarian cancer incidence. Our results suggest that a component of coffee other than caffeine, or in combination with caffeine, may be associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women who drink five or more cups of coffee a day.
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 19(10):1365-1372.
• Article: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and breast cancer risk in the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) Study

  Theodore M. Brasky, Matthew R. Bonner, Kirsten B. Moysich, Christine B. Ambrosone, Jing Nie, Meng Hua Tao, Stephen B. Edge, Bhaskar V.S. Kallakury, Catalin Marian, Maurizio Trevisan, Peter G. Shields, Jo L. Freudenheim
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  ABSTRACT: ObjectiveChronic inflammation is suspected to have a role in breast carcinogenesis. Results of studies of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and breast cancer have been inconsistent. Timing of exposure and analysis of individual NSAIDs should be considered. MethodsWe conducted a population-based case–control study in western New York State between 1996 and 2001. Cases, 35–79years, had incident, primary, histologically confirmed breast cancer (n=1,170). Controls (n=2,115) were randomly selected from NY Department of Motor Vehicles records (<65years) or Medicare rolls (≥65years). Participants were queried on use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen in the year prior and on aspirin during adulthood. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). ResultsRecent aspirin use was inversely associated with breast cancer risk (adjusted OR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68–0.94); the strongest reduction in risk was observed among those who took ≥2 pills/day on days that aspirin was taken (OR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61–0. 90). Adult lifetime use was also associated with breast cancer risk (>10days/month, adjusted OR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46–1.00). Use of ibuprofen or acetaminophen was not associated with breast cancer. ConclusionsThis is the first study to investigate the association of adult lifetime aspirin intake with breast cancer risk. Our findings provide evidence that aspirin use throughout a woman’s life may confer some benefit. KeywordsAspirin-Breast cancer-Ibuprofen-Inflammation-Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  Cancer Causes and Control 04/2012; 21(9):1503-1512.