• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.489-494
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• 2015

Background: Once limited with face-to face courses, health education has now moved into the web environment after new developments in information technology This study was carried out in order to give training to the university academic and administrative female staff who have difficulty in attending health education planned for specific times and places. The web-supported training focuses on healthy diet, the importance of physical activity, damage of smoking and stress management. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in Sakarya University between the years 2012-2013 as a descriptive and quasi experimental study. The sample consisted of 30 participants who agreed to take part in the survey, filled in the forms and completed the whole training. The data were collected via a "Personel Information Form", "Health Promotion Life-Style Profile (HPLSP)", and "Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ). Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the total points from "Health Promotion Life-Style Profile" and the total points from the sub-scale after and before the training (t=3.63, p=0.001). When the points from the multiple choice questionnaire after and before training were compared, it was seen that the average points were higher after the training (t=8.57, p<0.001). Conclusions: It was found that web-supported health training has a positive effect on the healthy living behaviour of female staff working at a Turkish university and on their knowledge of health promotion.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.333-340
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• 2013

Background: The aim of the study was to identify the relationship between 'Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test' subscale scores and demographic/gyneco-obstetric characteristics. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 256 women. Data were obtained using the 'Demographic and Gyneco-Obstetric Identification Form' and the 'Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test. Results: The percentage of women who had heard about the Pap test was 77.7 whereas only 32.4% had actually undergone the test. Some 45.7% of the women stated that they did not know the reason for having a Pap test. Women who had obtained a Pap smear test had statistically significantly fewer perceived barriers than those who had never had (p<0.05). Scores with regard to the subscales including 'Benefits of Pap Smear Tests and Health Motivation', 'Perceived Seriousness of Cervical Cancer', 'Susceptibility to Cervical Cancer' and 'Cervical Cancer Health Motivation' did not differ with demographic/gyneco-obstetric characteristics such as womens' educational level, whether or not young age at first marriage, whether or not having family history of female cancer, and whether or not having had a Pap test (p>0.05). Conclusions: Increasing knowledge about benefits of Pap smear tests, increasing motivation to obtain Pap Smear Test and increasing perceived seriousness of cervical cancer could promote attendance at cervical cancer screening. Different strategies are needed for behavioural change. Implementation of educational programmes by nurses in a busy environment could result in a major clinical change, based on the findings of this study.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.304-309
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• 2010

Scutellaria pinnatifida A. Hamilt. (Lamiaceae) is an endemic Turkish herb. This plant is also endemic to Iran, and grows abundantly in other central and western Asian countries. Several species of the Scutellaria are known for their traditional uses in the treatment of hypertension, arteriosclerosis, inflammatory diseases, hepatitis, allergy, cancer and diarrhoea. Free-radical-scavenging property, antibacterial activity and brine shrimp toxicity of the n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) extracts of S. pinnatifida were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, the resazurin microtitre plate based assay, and the brine shrimp lethality assay, respectively. The DCM and MeOH extracts exhibited free-radical-scavenging property, with the $RC_{50}$ values of 0.362 and 0.127 mg/ml, respectively. Among the solid-phase extraction fractions of the MeOH extract, the 50% aqueous-MeOH fraction showed the highest level of free-radicalscavenging activity ($RC_{50}$ = 0.039 mg/ml). While the DCM extract showed low level of antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli, the MeOH extract was active against B. cereus, B. subtilis, E. coli and ampicillin-resistant E. coli. However, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the MeOH extract against these bacterial strains were >10 mg/ml. None of the extracts showed any significant toxicity towards brine shrimps ($LD_{50}$ = > 1.00 mg/ml).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.848-854
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• 2005

We examined the effect of dietary Turkish propolis and flavomycin on growth performance, carcass characteristics, internal organ weights and some serum variables in quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) birds. One hundred and fifty day-old quails were randomly divided into five groups, with ten replicate pens per treatment and three birds per pen. One group received the basal diet (antibiotic-free), the control. The flavomycin at 10 mg/kg diet and propolis at 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg diet were added to the basal diet. Body weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency were determinated weekly. Carcass characteristics, internal organ weights and serum variables were determinated at the end of the study (35 day). The results showed that body weight gain, feed efficiency and carcass weight were improved significantly (p<0.01) when compared to control group for birds fed diets containing propolis and flavomycin between 14 to 35 days. The addition of 1 g/kg propolis to the diet resulted in significantly (p<0.01) better-feed efficiency as compared to control and other treatment groups. There were no significant differences in carcass yield, abdominal fat, liver gizzard, proventriculus and intestinal weight and intestinal pH among the groups. In addition, serum ALP, total protein, uric acid, cholesterol and triglyceride were not influenced by the any supplementation. However, birds fed with propolis tended to have higher serum HDL and lower level than birds fed the control diet. In conclusion, supplementation of propolis and flavomycin during the growth period showed similar effects on growth performance in quail. Therefore, it can serve as a natiral substitute for antibiotics in poultry diets.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4129-4131
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• 2012

Background: An association between the ABO blood group and the risk of certain malignancies, including pancreatic and gastric cancer, has been reported previously. However, it is unclear whether this association is valid for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). In this study, ABO blood groups and the Rh factor were investigated in a series of GIST cases. Material and Methods: In 162 patients with GIST, blood group and Rh factor were examined and compared with a control group of 3,022,883 healthy volunteer blood donors of the Turkish Red Crescent between 2004 and 2011. The relationship of blood groups with tumor size, mitotic activity, and age were also evaluated. Results: Overall, the ABO blood group and Rh factor distributions of the 162 patients with GIST were similar to those of the general population. There were no significant differences between both ABO blood types and Rh factor in terms of tumor size, mitotic activity, and age. Conclusion: This is the first study reported on this issue. In our study, we didn't find any relationship between GIST and ABO blood group and Rh factor. However further studies with larger number of patients are needed to establish the role of blood groups in this population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3129-3133
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• 2012

Diagnosis and treatment procedures in cancers and resulting anxiety negatively affect the individual and the family. Particularly treatment methods may generate psychological symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine the level of such symptoms in Turkish gynecologic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. A total of 41 patients who were referred to our gynecologic oncology research clinic between January-March 2012, receiving 3 months or more chemotherapy and who agreed to participate were enrolled in study. All the data were collected using a personal information form, Edmonton Symptom Assesment System and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Patients received highest point average from fatigue symptom ($6.53{\pm}2.67$) and lowest point average from dyspnea ($1.53{\pm}3.03$) according to Edmonton Symptom Assesment System. The mean State Anxiety score of patients was $43.1{\pm}9.77$ and mean Trait Anxiety score was $46.7{\pm}7.01$. Comparing symptoms of patients and mean State Anxiety score it was found that there was a statistically significant corelation with symptoms like pain (p<0.05), sadness (p<0.001), insomnia (p<0.05), state of well being (p<0.001) and dyspnea (p<0.05). Similarly comparing symptoms of patients and mean Trait Anxiety score demonstrated significant correlations for fatigue (p<0.05), sadness (p<0.01), insomnia (p<0.01) and state of well-being (p<0.01). As a result, patients with gynecological cancers experienced symptoms related to chemotherapy and a moderate level of anxiety. In accordance, appropriate interventions should recommended for the evaluation and improvement of anxiety and symptoms related to treatment in cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3429-3434
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• 2014

Aims: To identify the psychosocial adjustment of Turkish patients with breast cancer and the effects of perceived social support on their adjustment. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised 100 volunteering patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the last six months reporting to the Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit at the Medical Faculty Hospital in northern Turkey. The data for the study were collected through the Descriptive Information Form, the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self-reflection (PAIS-SR) and the Cancer-Specific Social Support Scale and analyzed via SPSS 16.0 for Windows. Descriptive statistics, Chi square test, ANOVA and correlation were used to evaluate data. Results: There was a negative significant correlation between mean scores in the sub-scales of the social support scale and the ones in the sub-scales of the psychosocial adjustment to illness scale (p<0.05). Similarly, there was a negative significant correlation between confidence support and health care orientation as well as adjustment to social environment. Likewise, emotional support was in a negative significant correlation with health care orientation, adjustment to domestic environment, extended family relationships and adjustment to social environment. Conclusions: It was concluded that social support for patients with breast cancer had an influence on their psychosocial adjustment to illness. Holistic care should be given to breast cancer patients by oncology nurses especially in the first six months of treatment. It could be concluded that patients should be accompanied by their family/relatives in treatment and care following their diagnosis with breast cancer, that their family should be made more aware of the fact that the patient should be physically and psychologically supported, that patients with breast cancer should be provided with domiciliary care, and that they should be encouraged to participate in social support groups.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6085-6088
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• 2013

Prostate specidic antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) are the known predictive factors for positive prostate biopsies differing according to the age, region and race. There have been only very limited studies about the impact of PSA on histological findings at prostate biopsy in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PSA and clinical stage on histologic findings of prostate biopsy in men older than 75 years of age as a first study in the Turkish population. A total of 1,645 consecutive prostate biopsies were included, with 194 men aged 75 or older. Cancer was identified in 104 patients (53.6%). Of the 104 positive biopsies, Gleason scores were less than 7 in 53 (49%) patients, 7 or greater in 51 (51%) patients. Positive prostate biopsies were significantly correlated with advanced age (p=0.0001), abnormal DRE (p=0.0001) and raised PSA (p=0.0001). The prostate volume was significantly correlated with advanced age especially in prostate cancer patients over 75 years, compared with those under 75 (p=0.0001). These results are useful for counseling men older than 75 years for prostate cancer detection. However, PCa screening decisions are currently based on urologist judgment and detection of latent asymptomatic disease is an important concern regarding costs, overdiagnosis, overtreatment and quality of life (QOL) for men aged 75 years and older. Healthy old patients with a long life expectancy need to be carefully evaluated for eligibility for PCa screening.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4877-4881
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• 2013

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccines and attitudes towards vaccination among the females aged 9-24 years in Turkey. Materials and Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were filled out individually by the participants covering demographic information, knowledge about HPV infection and HPV vaccines, attitudes towards vaccination, and the perceptions of them about their parental attitudes about vaccination. Results: Of the 408 subjects participating in the study, 41.6% (n=170) had heard of HPV. Thirty-three percent (n=136) knew the causal relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. Only 27.9% (n=114) of them knew that HPV vaccines can prevent cervical cancer. Eleven percent (n=46) of the females participating in the study were willing to be vaccinated, and only 1.4% (n=6) were already vaccinated at the current time. The main reason listed among the participants who were not willing to be vaccinated was lack of information. Conclusions: Awareness and knowledge of Turkish female adolescents and young women about HPV, relation with cervical cancer and prevention of cervical cancer by Pap smear and vaccine are still limited. If the most important barrier to vaccination, which is reported as lack of information, were to be addressed, it would greatly impact the decision-making and vaccine acceptance.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5701-5707
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• 2014

Background: Salivary gland tumours, which account for approximately 3% of head-neck cancers, are a heterogeneous group and thus it is difficult to identify their epidemiological characteristics. The aim of this study is to determine demographic features and histopathologic distribution of parotid neoplasms in a large sample from Turkey. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively on 136 parotidectomy materials from operations between May 2009-May 2013. Age, gender, tumor diameter, histopathological diagnosis and surgical margin status were recorded. Results: The benign cases were 112 (82.4%), while the malignancies were 24 (17.6%). The accuracy rate of FNAC was 91%. There were 46 (33.8%) male and 90 (66.2%) female patients. Female/male ratio (M/F=0.5) was two, the Warthin (WT) tumor being more apparent in males (p<0.05). Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) was detected most frequently among benign pathologies at 61.6% (69/112), while the Warthin Tumor (WT) was detected as the second most frequent tumor at 20.5% (23/112). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (Ca ex PA) were detected at equal frequency at 20.8% (5/24) among malign tumors. These were followed by acinic cell carcinoma at 16.7% (4/24). While the surgical margin was positive in ten patients with malignant tumors (41.7%), all of the benign tumors were negative (p<0.01). No significant difference was detected in the age-gender of patients, tumor size and distribution of sites among benign and malignant groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most frequently reported benign tumor almost in all global literature. Yet, the distribution of malignant tumors displays geographical differences. Based on these data, we believe that our findings will provide a significant contribution to future epidemiological studies. We think that it will be beneficial to generate awareness on parotid tumors and ensure a fight against smoking as with all head-neck cancers.