• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5009-5018
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• 2014

Introduction: Numerous countries have launched campaigns regarding sun protection in the last decades. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess an intervention program aimed at higher knowledge and healthier attitudes regarding sun protection. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 4,133 students aged 8-12 years from a single Greek province. Results: In most items, knowledge levels after the intervention were found to be higher than those before ($2.8{\pm}0.9$ vs $3.3{\pm}0.9$), while knowledge about sun protection factors seems to have had the highest improvement (27.1% vs 56.6%). However, student attitudes did not appear to improve, with the exception of applying sunscreen with a higher SPF (29.7% vs 54.8%). Girls seemed to have healthier attitudes compared to boys, but gender played no role with regard to knowledge levels. Also, place of residence did not play any role regarding knowledge levels, although those living in semi-urban areas seemed to have more unhealthy attitudes. Logistic regression by correlating knowledge and attitudes established that higher knowledge levels are usually accompanied by healthier attitudes, albeit marginally. Conclusions: The intervention had a positive contribution to the student knowledge level regarding sun protection and also led to small improvements regarding some attitudes. Continuous similar interventions could lead to better results and the adoption of healthier attitudes.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.244-248
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• 2021

Background: Sunburn is the main avoidable cause of skin cancer. Beach lifeguards spend many hours exposed to the effects of solar radiation during their work day, precisely at times of the year when levels of solar irradiation are highest. The aim of this study is to quantify the risk to beach lifeguards of sun exposure. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Western Costa del Sol, southern Spain, during the summer of 2018. The research subjects were recruited during a skin cancer prevention course for beach lifeguards. All participants were invited to complete a questionnaire on their habits, attitudes, and knowledge related to sun exposure. In addition, ten were specially monitored using personal dosimeters for three consecutive days, and the results were recorded in a photoprotection diary. A descriptive analysis (mean and standard deviation for the quantitative variables) was performed, and inter-group differences were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Two hundred fifteen lifeguards completed the questionnaire, and 109 met the criteria for inclusion in this analysis. The mean age was 23.8 years (SD: 5.1), 78.0% were male, 71.5% were phototype III or IV (Fitzpatrick's phototype), and 77.1% had experienced at least one painful sunburn during the previous summer. The mean daily personal ultraviolet exposure per day, the minimal erythema dose, and the standard erythema dose, in J/m², were 634.7 [standard deviation (SD): 356.2], 2.5 (SD: 1.4) and 6.35 (SD: 3.6), respectively. Conclusion: Beach lifeguards receive very high doses of solar radiation during the work day and experience correspondingly high rates of sunburn. Intervention strategies to modify their sun exposure behavior and working environment are necessary to reduce the risk of skin cancer for these workers and to promote early diagnosis of the disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7567-7573
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• 2015

Background: Catastrophic effects of mustard gas as a chemical warfare agent have always been a major problem for those exposed to this agent. In this meta-analysis it was tried to evaluate carcinogenesis, ocular, cutaneous and respiratory complications of mustard gas exposure among Iranians who had been exposed to this agent during the Iran-Iraq war. Materials and Methods: In this meta-analysis, the required data were collected using keywords "mustard gas", "sulfur mustard", "cancer", "neoplasm", "respiratory complications", "ocular complications", "lung disease", "chronic complication", "eye", "skin", "cutaneous complication", "carcinogenesis" and their combination with keywords "Iran", "Iranian", "prevalence", "mortality" and their Farsi equivalent terms from the databases of SID, Iranmedex, Magiran, Pubmed, Science Direct, Google Search engine, Gray Literature and Reference of References. To determine the prevalence of each complication and perform meta-analysis, CMA: 2 (Comprehensive Meta-Analysis) software with a randomized model was used. Results: Of the 542 articles found, 7 national articles, consistent with the aims of this study were selected. Meta-analysis of seven papers revealed that cancer risk, especially cancer of the respiratory system was elevated, so that the relative risk (RR) of cancer role of mustard gas was inconsistent from 2/1 to 4 in this survey. Also prevalence of delayed skin disorders due to sulfur mustard was 94.6%, pulmonary complications 94.5% and ocular complications 89.9%. The incidence of various cancers in victims exposed to mustard gas was 1.7% worldwide where the rate was 2.2% in Iranian victims of the Iraq-Iran war. Conclusions: Based on present study the prevalence of delayed mustard gas related cutaneous, pulmonary and ocular complications is above 90% and risk of carcinogenesis is higher in comparison to worldwide statistics. This may suggest need for long-term and persistent follow-up and rehabilitation procedures for populations exposed to this agent.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.153-157
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• 2016

Background: In radiation therapy, estimation of surface doses is clinically important. This study aimed to obtain an analytical relationship to determine the skin surface dose, kerma and the depth of maximum dose, with energies of 6 and 18 megavoltage (MV). Materials and Methods: To obtain the dose on the surface of skin, using the relationship between dose and kerma and solving differential equations governing the two quantities, a general relationship of dose changes relative to the depth was obtained. By dosimetry all the standard square fields of $5cm{\times}5cm$ to $40cm{\times}40cm$, an equation similar to response to differential equations of the dose and kerma were fitted on the measurements for any field size and energy. Applying two conditions: a) equality of the area under dose distribution and kerma changes in versus depth in 6 and 18 MV, b) equality of the kerma and dose at $x=d_{max}$ and using these results, coefficients of the obtained analytical relationship were determined. By putting the depth of zero in the relation, amount of PDD and kerma on the surface of the skin, could be obtained. Results: Using the MATLAB software, an exponential binomial function with R-Square >0.9953 was determined for any field size and depth in two energy modes 6 and 18MV, the surface PDD and kerma was obtained and both of them increase due to the increase of the field, but they reduce due to increased energy and from the obtained relation, depth of maximum dose can be determined. Conclusions: Using this analytical formula, one can find the skin surface dose, kerma and thickness of the buildup region.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2022

HHPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a DNA virus that can cause benign lesions, genitourinary cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer by penetrating the mucous membrane and skin. It is widely known to be transmitted mainly through sexual contact. As with many viral infections, vaccines have been developed to prevent infection with HPV. Currently, in many countries, HPV vaccines are mainly used for national immunization for women to prevent diseases that traditionally occur frequently in women, especially cervical cancer. However, since the vaccination rate is relatively low, many countries are struggling with ways to increase the vaccination rate. Meanwhile, the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV in men has been increasing recently. In the United States, the annual number of oropharyngeal cancers in men already exceeds the number of cervical cancers in women, so HPV infection in men has emerged as a major problem. Accordingly, interest in HPV vaccination in men has also increased, and studies on the effectiveness and necessity of vaccination of both women and men compared to women alone are being actively conducted. In this paper, the evidence of HPV vaccination for men will be reviewed through previous studies, and its validity and cost-effectiveness will be analyzed to bolster the clinical usefulness of HPV vaccination for men.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6703-6707
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• 2014

Objective: To observe the influence of propofol, isoflurane and enflurance on interleukin-8 (IL-8) and IL-10 levels in cancer patients. Methods: Ninety cancer patients with selective operation from March 2011 to May 2014 were randomly divided into group A (34 cases), group B (28 cases) and group C (28 cases). Intramuscular injections of scopine hydrochloride and phenobarbital sodium were routinely conducted to 3 groups. After general anesthesia was induced, tracheal intubations were given. During the maintenance of anesthesia, 0.5~1.0 mg/kg propofol was intravenously injected to group A discontinuously, while continuous suctions of isoflurane and enflurance were subsequently performed to group B and C correspondingly. Clinical outcomes, postoperative complications as well as serum IL-8 and IL-10 levels before operation (T0), at the time of skin incision (T1), 3 h after the beginning of the operation (T2) and 24 h (T3) and 72 h (T4) after the operation were observed among 3 groups. Results: Operations in all groups were successfully completed. The rates of surgery associated complications were 8.82% (3/34), 7.14% (2/28) and 7.14% (2/28) in group A, B and C, respectively, and there were no significant differences (P>0.05). Serum IL-8 and IL-10 levels increased gradually from the beginning of the operation and reached the peak at T3, and were evidently higher at each time point than at T0 (P<0.01). At T1, serum IL-8 and IL-10 levels had no significant differences among 3 groups (P>0.05), but the differences were significant at T2, T3 and T4 (P<0.05). Moreover, correlation analysis suggested that serum IL-8 level was in positive relation with IL-10 level (r=0.952, P<0.01). Conclusions: Propofol, which is better in inhibiting serum IL-8 secretion and improving IL-10 secretion than isoflurane and enflurance, can be regarded as a preferable anesthetic agent in inhibiting traumatic inflammatory responses.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6575-6580
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• 2014

This study aimed to evaluate the antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activity of turmeric essential oil as well as to establish biochemical mechanisms of action. Antimutagenicity testing was accomplished using strains and known mutagens with and without microsomal activation. Anticarcinogenic activity was assessed by topical application of 7, 12 - dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as initiator and 1% croton oil as promoter for the induction of skin papillomas in mice. Inhibition of p450 enzymes by TEO was studied using various resorufins and aminopyrene as substrate. Turmeric essential oil (TEO) showed significant antimutagenic activity (p<0.001) against direct acting mutagens such as sodium azide ($NaN_3$), 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine (NPD) and N-methyl-N-nitro N'nitrosoguanine (MNNG). TEO was found to have significant antimutagenic effect (>90%) against mutagen needing metabolic activation such as 2-acetamidoflourene (2-AAF). The study also revealed that TEO significantly inhibited (p<0.001) the mutagenicity induced by tobacco extract to Salmonella TA 102 strain. DMBA and croton oil induced papilloma development in mice was found to be delayed and prevented significantly by TEO application. Moreover TEO significantly (P<0.001) inhibited isoforms of cytochrome p450 (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2A, CYP2B and CYP3A) enzymes in vitro, which are involved in the activation of carcinogens. Results indicated that TEO is antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic and inhibition of enzymes (p450) involved in the activation of carcinogen is one of its mechanisms of action.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7121-7126
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• 2013

Aim: To examine lymph nodes obtained after lipolysis and liposuction of subcutaneous fat of the inguinal region of female vulvar cancer patients to explore the feasibility of clinical application. Methods: The field of operation was on the basis of the range of the conventional resection of inguinal lymph nodes. We injected lipolysis liquid fanwise, started liposuction after 15-20 minutes; then the subcutaneous fatty tissue was sucked out clearly by suction tube. We selected the first puncture holes located on 2-3 cm part below anterior superior spine, the others respectively being located 3cm and 6cm below the first for puncturing into the skin, imbedding a trocar to intorduce $CO_2$ gas and the specular body, and excise the lymph nodes by ultrasonic scalpel. The surgical field chamber was set with negative pressure drainage and was pressured with a soft saline bag after surgery. Results: A lacuna emerged from subcutaneous of the inguinal region after lipolysis and liposuction, with a wide fascia easily exposed at the bottom where lymph nodes could be readily excised. The number of lymph nodes of ten patients excised within the inguinal region on each side was 4-18. The excised average number of lymph nodes was 11 when we had mature technology. Conclusion: Most of adipose tissue was removed after lipolysis and liposuction of subcutaneous tissue of inguinal region, so that the included lymph nodes were exposed and easy to excise by endoscope. This surgery avoided the large incision of regular surgery of inguinal region, the results indicating that this approach is feasible and safe for used as an alternative technology.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9543-9547
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate demographic features, dietary habits, and some possible risk factors for being susceptible to breast cancer in Iranian women. Materials and Methods: A study of dietary habits and breast cancer was conducted among 53 Iranian women with histological confirmed disease and 40 matched controls. A dietary habits questionnaire was used to evaluate the pattern of selected food intakes. The risk of cancer was analyzed after adjustment for confounding factors. Age, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, educational status, parity, lactation, marital status, menopause, history of estrogen therapy, and family history of breast disease or cancer were assessed among participants. Special attention was given to the relationship between consumption of high fat meat, milk, yogurt and cheese as well use of frying oils for frying foods, use of olive/liquid oils for cooking, removing fat from meat and poultry, removing chicken skin and not use of mayonnaise as salad dressing and the risk of breast cancer. Moreover, salad, vegetable and fruit consumption, and eating outdoors owere investigated. Results: Our results revealed significant lower education and higher BMI and waist circumference levels in patients with breast cancer. There was significantly increased breast cancer risk in overweight women in comparison with normal weight (OR=2.91, 95%CI 1.24 to 6.82). High intake of fat dairy products including milk and cheese was found to be a statistically significant factor for increasing breast cancer risk in models adjusting for age, BMI and education. Use of olive/liquid oils for cooking and avoidance of mayonnaise as salad dressing are related to lower risk of breast cancer. The frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption was significantly lower in patients with breast cancer compared to healthy women. Conclusions: Dietary habits might be risk factors for breast cancer among Iranian women. Adoption of a prudent diet could be an appropriate strategy for preventing breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6761-6763
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• 2015

Aims: To investigate the role of swelling anesthesia in repairing facial soft tissue defects after tumor resection and temporal superficial artery frontal branch of narrow pedicle flap. Materials and Methods: From January 2008 to June 2008, 16 patients from Department of Ophthalmology with eye or eyelid tumors after eyeball removal of eye and part resection of surrounding soft tissue, undergoing postoperative swelling anesthesia with superficial temporal artery flap repair to prevent facial soft tissue defect formation and bone exposure, were recruited. Results: In all 16 patients facial soft tissue defect repair had good effects, with limited bleeding, and short operation times. Seven days after surgery, all flaps were in good repair. On postoperative follow-up after 3 months, flaps showed a similar appearance as with facial tissue. Conclusions: Swelling anesthesia for superficial temporoparietal artery frontal branch of narrow pedicle flap to repair soft tissue defect after facial tumor resection is feasible, and is linked with good analgesic effects, high postoperative survival of skin flaps, and good cosmetic effects.