Christina Karaoulani’s research while affiliated with The Prevention Group and other places

Skin cancer remains a significant public health concern, with rising incidence rates worldwide. Our literature review examines current knowledge on skin cancer prevention, focusing on key areas such as epidemiology, risk factors, ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, pathophysiological and genetic mechanisms, and prevention strategies. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on peer-reviewed articles published from 2013 to 2023. Non-peer-reviewed articles, non-English studies, non-human research, and studies published before 2013 were excluded. Our study highlights the significant role of UV radiation in skin cancer pathogenesis and underscores the importance of comprehensive prevention strategies. Sunscreen use and protective behaviors are effective but underutilized. Community-based interventions show promise in increasing public awareness and promoting protective measures. Screening and chemoprevention offer additional avenues for reducing skin cancer burden. The findings emphasize the need for continued public health efforts to enhance skin cancer prevention and early detection. Future research should focus on optimizing prevention strategies and exploring novel approaches to reduce the incidence of skin cancer.

Efstratios Athanasiou, Konstantinos Evgenikos, Nikolaos Biagkis, Dioni - Pinelopi Petsiou, Christina Karaoulani, Vasiliki Ioannidou, Themistoklis Aivaliotis, Vasiliki Kouveloglou, Theodora Tatsiou, Sylvia Raftopoulou, Maria Vasileiou, Eleni Pavlidou, Ismini Tsakiri, Alkistis Photiou, Georgios-Ioannis Verras, Christos Tsagkaris. The correlation between vitamin D levels and risk of breast cancer incidence and progression: A systematic review of observational studies. PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022348393 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022348393. /

According to the latest epidemiological data, breast cancer has recently been acknowledged as the most frequently diagnosed malignancy. To date, a body of evidence has established the involvement of multiple – and frequently interrelated - genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of the disease. Emerging research on cancer prevention has highlighted the deterrence potential of interventions targeting environmental risk factors, particularly diet. In this aspect, the current review reveals the latest scientific results regarding epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) – a catechin most commonly found in green tea, as a potential chemopreventive dietary agent against breast cancer. In vitro studies on EGCG have demonstrated its effect on cell cycle progression and its potential to suppress several intracellular signaling pathways involved in breast cancer pathogenesis. In addition, EGCG possesses specific apoptosis-inducing characteristics that seem to enhance its role as a regulator of cell survival. Preclinical data seem to support the use of EGCG as an effective adjunct to EGFR-targeting treatments. The authors’ appraisal of the literature suggests that although preclinical evidence has documented the anticarcinogenic features of EGCG, limited large-scale epidemiological studies are investigating the consumption of EGCG – containing nutrients in the prevention and management of breast cancer risk. This literature review aims to serve as a liaison between preclinical and epidemiological research, surveying the existing evidence and unraveling relevant knowledge gaps.