Journal of the National Cancer Institute
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The purpose of this review is to evaluate the published literature on adherence to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening with fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and sigmoidoscopy. Specifically, the review addresses the following: 1) prevalence of FOBT and sigmoidoscopy; 2) interventions to increase adherence to FOBT and sigmoidoscopy; 3) correlates or predictors of adherence to FOBT and sigmoidoscopy; and 4) reasons for nonadherence. Other objectives are to put the literature on CRC screening adherence in the context of recently reported findings from experimental interventions to change prevention and early detection behaviors and to suggest directions for future research on CRC screening adherence. ⋯ Fewer studies examined adherence to sigmoidoscopy. Adherence was highest in relatives of CRC cases and in employer-sponsored programs offered to workers at increased risk of CRC. At present, we know very little about the determinants of CRC screening behaviors, particularly as they relate to rescreening.
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J. Natl. Cancer Inst. · Aug 1997
Involvement of reactive oxygen species in N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide-induced apoptosis in cervical carcinoma cells.
The inhibitory effects of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4HPR) on tumorigenesis and tumor growth may result from its ability to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death). Since antioxidants inhibit 4HPR-induced apoptosis, experiments were planned to determine whether the levels of reactive oxygen species increase in cells undergoing apoptosis after exposure to 4HPR. ⋯ Enhancement of the generation of reactive oxygen species may be involved in apoptotic pathway induction by 4HPR.
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J. Natl. Cancer Inst. · Aug 1997
Comparative StudyAccelerated titration designs for phase I clinical trials in oncology.
Many cancer patients in phase I clinical trials are treated at doses of chemotherapeutic agents that are below the biologically active level, thus reducing their chances for therapeutic benefit. Current phase I trials often take a long time to complete and provide little information about interpatient variability or cumulative toxicity. ⋯ Accelerated titration (i.e., rapid intrapatient drug dose escalation) designs appear to effectively reduce the number of patients who are under-treated, speed the completion of phase I trials, and provide a substantial increase in the information obtained.
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J. Natl. Cancer Inst. · Aug 1997
Dietary modulation of omega-3/omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios in patients with breast cancer.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-6 (omega-6) class, as found in corn and safflower oils, can act as precursors for intermediates involved in the growth of mammary tumors when fed to animals, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 (omega-3) class, as found in fish oil, can inhibit these effects. The effects of dietary intervention on the ratios of these fatty acids in breast and other adipose tissues have not previously been prospectively studied. ⋯ Short-term dietary intervention can lead to statistically significant increases in omega-3/omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios in plasma and breast adipose tissue. Breast adipose tissue changed more rapidly than gluteal adipose tissue in response to the dietary modification tested in this study. Therefore, gluteal adipose tissue may not be a useful surrogate to study the effect of diet on breast adipose tissue.