American journal of preventive medicine
-
Previous research suggests cancer patients living in rural areas have lower quality of care, but population-based studies have yielded inconsistent results. This study examines the impact of rurality on care quality for 7 cancer types in California. ⋯ Rural residence was inversely associated with receipt of recommended surgery for gastric and colon cancer patients not treated at NCICCs, and for receiving recommended radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery regardless of treatment location. Further studies investigating the impact of care location and availability of supportive services on urban-rural differences in quality of care are warranted.
-
Secondhand cannabis smoke, like secondhand tobacco smoke, creates unhealthy indoor air quality. Ventilation and engineering techniques cannot reduce this pollution to healthy levels, and complete smoke-free policies are the only way to provide healthy indoor environments. Even so, multiple state and local governments have begun to allow indoor smoking of cannabis in businesses. ⋯ The majority of the localities that allow onsite cannabis consumption do not explicitly prohibit smoking or vaping inside. Policymakers should be made aware that ventilation and other engineering interventions cannot fully protect workers and patrons. Health authorities and local leaders should educate policymakers on the science of secondhand smoke remediation and advocate for the same standards for secondhand cannabis smoking and vaping that apply to tobacco, particularly because other modes of cannabis administration do not pollute the air.
-
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Previous studies have found a higher risk in nurses but no clear relationship among other health professionals. This study aims to investigate the risks of incident breast cancer among female health professionals compared with that among nonhealth professionals in Taiwan. ⋯ Elevated breast cancer risk was found overall in female health professionals. Regular ultrasonography for younger women and mammography for those aged >45 years may be necessary in the annual labor physical examination for female health professionals.
-
To direct interventions, the Florida counties with the greatest risk of current and future human papillomavirus‒associated cancers were identified by estimating county-level (1) percentages of adolescents aged 13-17 years who initiated (≥1 dose) and were up to date (2-3 doses) for the human papillomavirus vaccine and (2) human papillomavirus‒associated cancer incidence rates. ⋯ Human papillomavirus‒associated cancer risk varies widely across Florida counties, with particularly high risk within Northern Florida. Targeting interventions toward counties with low vaccination and high cancer rates may reduce human papillomavirus‒associated cancers.
-
Many states have mandated breast density notification and insurance coverage for additional screening; yet, the association between such legislation and stage of diagnosis for breast cancer is unclear. This study investigates this association and examines the differential impacts among different age and race/ethnicity subgroups. ⋯ The findings imply that improving insurance coverage is more important than being notified overall. Raising awareness is important among Hispanic women; improving communication about dense breasts and access to screening might be more important than legislation among Black women.