• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.185-195
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate factors related to cardio-cerebrovascular disease and groups disadvantaged by it in Korean middle-aged women, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: The present study was conducted with 1,627 middle-aged women, aged 40 to 64 years, who participated in the 7th (2016) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results: Cardio-cerebrovascular disease among middle-aged women was associated with quality of life, menopause, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, and family history of hypertension. The incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular disease in middle-aged women was found to be the most prevalent in women who have entered menopause, have a family history of hypertension, and have a body mass index greater than $30.0kg/m^2$. Conclusion: This study classifies the subjects according to the risk level of each disadvantaged group for cardio-cerebrovascular disease prevention and management in middle-aged women. The results provide evidence to support a tailored cardio-cerebrovascular disease prevention and management program based on the related factors of disadvantaged groups and to establish strategies in educational and practical aspects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8461-8467
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• 2014

Background: In this study we investigated factors influencing cancer screening intention and behavior to develop measures to increase the rate of cancer screening in the Korean elderly. Materials and Methods: Participants included 425 elderly subjects 65 years of age or older from D city, South Korea. The health behavior characteristics and cancer screening-related and theory of planned behavior (TPB) factors influencing the participant attitudes on cancer screening were examined to identify determinants significantly affecting cancer screening intentions and behavior. Results: Predictive factors influencing cancer screening behavior included smoking, exercise, cancer concerns, preference for the type of cancer screening, prior experience with the National Cancer Screening Program, perception of the National Cancer Screening Program, behavioral control with respect to cancer screening and cancer screening intentions. The factors influencing cancer screening behavior were different from those for cancer screening intentions. Conclusions: Increasing the cancer screening intentions of the elderly is necessary to raise the rates of cancer screening. Additionally, identifying the inhibitory factors that serve as obstacles to cancer screening in the elderly and changing screening intentions into actual screening behavior is necessary. This study provides a reference for developing and applying policy measures and intervention strategies to increase the cancer screening rates of the elderly in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.853-857
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• 2013

Objectives: Breast cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Breast screening in normal and/or asymptomatic women is essential to reduce the burden of breast malignancies. Our study aimed to identify possible risk- and/or co-factors associated with breast screening in North Indian women. Methods: A public health research survey was conducted among 100 women of North Indian ethnicity during clinic visits in a 6-month timeline (April-October 2012). Demographic and clinical data, including mammography screening, were recorded in the questionnaire-based proforma after conducting a 10 minute interview. Written informed consent was taken from all the participants. Results: The mean age of the participants was $32.2{\pm}9.9$ years. Out of 100 women, 6% had family history of breast disease. Breast-related complaints/malignancy, including galactorrhoea, mastitis, axillary lump, fibrocystic disease, fibroadenosis and adenocarcinoma were observed in 41% participants; age stratification revealed that 82.9% of this group (n=41) were <30 years, while 9.7% and 7.3% were >30 years and 30 years of age, respectively. 32% participants underwent mammography screening and 8% had breast ultrasound imaging. Age stratification in the mammography screening group demonstrated that 24 women were <40 years, while 7 women were >40 years. Conclusions: Our pilot study identified possible co-factors affecting breast screening in North Indian women. These findings may be beneficial in early detection of breast abnormalities, including malignancies in women susceptible to breast cancer, and thus aid in future design of cost-effective screening strategies to reduce the increasing burden of breast carcinoma in women worldwide.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5077-5083
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• 2013

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women globally and represents the second leading cause of cancer death among women (after lung cancer). India is going through epidemiologic transition. It is reported that the incidence of breast cancer is rising rapidly as a result of changes in reproductive risk factors, dietary habits and increasing life expectancy, acting in concert with genetic factors. Materials and Methods: In order to understand the existing epidemiological correlates of breast cancer in South India, a systematic review of evidence available on epidemiologic correlates of breast cancer addressing incidence, prevalence, and associated factors like age, reproductive factors, cultural and religious factors was performed with specific focus on screening procedures in southern India. Results: An increase in breast cancer incidence due to various modifiable risk factors was noted, especially in women over 40 years of age, with late stage of presentation, lack of awareness about screening, costs, fear and stigma associated with the disease serving as major barriers for early presentation. Conclusions: Educational strategies should be aimed at modifying the life style, early planning of pregnancy, promoting breast feeding and physical activity. It is very important to obtain reliable data for planning policies, decision-making and setting up the priorities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6303-6309
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• 2015

Differences in socioeconomic status (SES) such as income levels may partly explain why breast cancer screening (BCS) disparities exist in countries where health care services are free or heavily subsidized. However, factors that contribute to such differences in SES among women living in well resourced Middle East countries are not fully understood. This quantitative study investigated factors that influence SES and BCS of Arab women. Understanding of such factors can be useful for the development of effective intervention strategies that aim to increase BCS uptake among Arab women. Using data from a cross-sectional survey among 1,063 Arabic-speaking women in Qatar, age 35+, additional data analysis was performed to determine the relationship between socioeconomic indicators such as income and other factors in relation to BCS activities. This study found that income is determined and influenced by education level, occupation, nationality, years of residence in the country, level of social activity, self-perceived health status, and living area. Financial stress, unemployment, and unfavorable social conditions may impede women's participation in BCS activities in well resourced Middle East countries.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5257-5264
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• 2016

Background: Though people of color (POC) are less likely to become afflicted with skin cancer, they are much more likely to die from it due to delay in detection or presentation. Very often, skin cancer is diagnosed at a more advanced stage in POC, making treatment difficult.The purpose of this research was to improve awareness regarding skin cancers in people of color by providing recommendations to clinicians and the general public for early detection and photo protection preventive measures. Methods: Data on different types of skin cancers were presented to POC. Due to limited research, there are few resources providing insights for evaluating darkly pigmented lesions in POC. Diagnostic features for different types of skin cancers were recorded and various possible risk factors were considered. Results: This study provided directions for the prevention and early detection of skin cancer in POC based on a comprehensive review of available data. Conclusions: The increased morbidity and mortality rate associated with skin cancer in POC is due to lack of awareness, diagnosis at a more advanced stage and socioeconomic barriers hindering access to care. Raising public health concerns for skin cancer prevention strategies for all people, regardless of ethnic background and socioeconomic status, is the key to timely diagnosis and treatment.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.240-250
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• 2017

Purpose: In South Korea, suicide mortality has rapidly increased, so it has become a major public health concern. Multicultural adolescents are regarded as a high-risk group due to their situation. In this study, we compared the prevalence and risk factors of suicide ideation between Korean and multicultural adolescents. Methods: Data from the eleventh Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2015), collected by the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, were statistically analyzed using the descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. The total participants were 63,376 in numbers. They were composed of 62,649 (98.9%) Korean and 727 (1.1%) multicultural adolescents. Results: I found that the prevalence of suicide ideation was significantly higher among the multicultural adolescents (15.8%) compared with those of Korean (11.3%). The risk factors of suicide ideation in the Korean group were co-residence without family, poor perceived health status, depressive mood, high stress level, poor perceived happiness level, and experience of violence. Conversely, the risk factors of the multicultural group were smoking, depressive mood, and experience of violence. Conclusion: These findings suggest that appropriate and practical prevention strategies should focus on psychological and environmental factors in order to prevent suicide ideation and reduce suicide behavior in Korean and multicultural adolescents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1307-1313
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• 2015

Colangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a progressively fatal disease which generally occurs due to malignant transformation of hepatic biliary cholangiocytes. The incidence of CCA has been increasing worldwide and there is an urgent requirement for effective diagnosis and treatment strategies against this devastating disease. Different factors including liver-fluke infestation, viral hepatitis, exogenous nitrosamine-mediated DNA damage, and chronic inflammation have been linked to CCA genesis. However, the risk factors and underlying complex mechanisms leading to development of CCA are not sufficiently understood to devise an effective targeted treatment therapy. In this review, we summarize currently known epidemiological and pathological aspects of the disease and briefly describe various potential biomarkers and experimental anticancer phytochemicals related to CCA research. In addition, we also sum up recent findings that link chronic inflammation of hepatic biliary cholangiocytes with CCA. The collective information concisely presented in this article would provide useful insights into the current understanding of this cancer.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.17-28
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to identify patterns of diagnosis and to explore risk factors for type 2 diabetes beyond the postpartum period in women with a previous history of gestational diabetes, and to identify differences in such risk factors between early and late-onset (aged <45 and ${\geq}45$). Methods: Using epidemiological data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, a retrospective analysis of 175 women with various timings of type 2 diabetes diagnosis was performed. Results: The average age ($42.6{\pm}10.6$) at type 2 diabetes diagnosis was earlier than the general population, and obesity was prevalent with marked weight gains around 35 years old. Longer duration of breastfeeding was observed in women with late-onset of type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: For prevention of type 2 diabetes, early intervention is required, and modifiable factors such as weight control and breastfeeding should be taken into consideration for intervention strategies.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2023

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease influenced by interactions between teeth, biofilm, dietary factors, and various biological, behavioral, sociocultural, and genetic factors. Recent research has shown that dental caries results from dysbiosis, an imbalance in the oral microbial community, shifting the concept from an infectious disease to a non-communicable disease (NCD). Dental caries shares similarities with other chronic NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, as they all relate to dietary intake, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors. Considering the high prevalence of dental caries and its impact on people's health and quality of life, it is important to understand dental caries as an NCD and develop effective oral health management strategies. Ecological prevention methods and efficient public health policies should be provided to reduce risk factors associated with dental caries.