• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.176-182
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• 2018

Background: Family physicians (FPs) play an important role in cancer control. The aim of this study was to understand the functions of FPs in cancer control and to explore FPs' perceptions of their own roles and the difficulties they face in cancer control in Karabuk province, Turkey. Methods: The study consisted of two methodological parts. The qualitative part included a descriptive study in which data were collected from 87.5% (n=56) out of all FPs in Karabuk using a questionnaire. In the quantitative part, in-depth interviews with 15 FPs were conducted and analyzed through content analysis. Results: Half of the FPs (50.0%) provided cancer prevention information for their registered people, focusing on especially smoking cessation. In the last three months, the proportion of FPs who had not invited anyone to screenings was 37.5% for the pap test, 26.8% for the mammography, 19.0% for the fecal occult blood test and 34.5% for the colonoscopy. Only 16.1% of them reported that they made home visits for cancer patients. In the qualitative part of study, the following themes were highlighted: the perceived responsibilities of FPs regarding cancer control; the effect of geographically undefined working area of FPs; the issues with coordination between FPs and specialists; the effect of the number of primary care team members. Conclusions: Cancer control services provided by FPs have significant problems in terms of the FPs' approach to the services and their content, continuity and coordination.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.190-198
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• 2009

Objectives : The objective of this study is to estimate the economic costs of cancer on society. Methods : We estimated the economic burden of people with cancer in South Korea. To perform the analysis, we reviewed the records of people who were cancer patients and those who were newly diagnosed with cancer. The data was compiled from the National Health Insurance Corporation, which included the insurance claims database, a list of cancer patients, a database that records the cancer rates, the Korea Central Cancer Registry Center s cancer patient registry database and the Korea National Statistical Office s causes of death database. We classified the costs as related to cancer into direct costs and indirect costs, and we estimated each cost. Direct costs included both medical and non-medical care expenses and the indirect costs consisted of morbidity, mortality and the caregiver's time costs. Results : The total economic costs of cancer in South Korea stood at 14.1 trillion won in 2005. The largest amount of the cost 7.4 trillion won, was the mortality costs. Following this were the morbidity costs (3.2 trillion won), the medical care costs (2.2 trillion won), the non-medical care costs (1.1 trillion won) and the costs related to the caregiver's time (100 billion won). As a result, the economic cost of cancer to South Korea is estimated to be between 11.6 trillion won to 14.1 trillion won for the year 2005. Conclusions : We need to reduce the cancer burden through encouraging people to undergo early screening for cancer and curing it in the early stage of cancer, as well as implementing policies to actively prevent cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권14호
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• pp.5639-5644
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• 2014

Objective: This study aimed to determine effects of doctor-patient communication on the quality of life among breast cancer survivors in 16 communities in southern China. Methods: Multistage random sampling was to use to recruit 260 females from the Guangzhou Cancer Registry Database who were diagnosed with breast cancer. A questionnaire provided data on the doctor-patient communication (including the doctor's attitude, the patient's participation with the medical decision and information about the disease) and QOL (quality of life), as measured using FACT-B. Univariate analysis, non-conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between the doctor-patient communication and QOL. Results: Females who received good attitudes from doctors demonstrated higher FACT-B (OR=4.65, 95% CI: 1.68-12.86), social well-being (OR=5.88, 95% CI: 2.16-16.05), emotional well-being (OR=4.77, 95% CI: 1.92-11.88), and functional well-being ((OR=5.26, 95% CI: 1.90-14.52) compared to the females who encountered worse attitudes from their doctor, adjusting for age, education, marriage, employment, family income, years since diagnosis, TNM stage, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and side effects, particularly when the TNM stage was 0-II and the patients exhibited no side effects. Regardless of the length of time after diagnosis, doctors' good attitudes resulted in higher QOL scores. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the doctor-patient communication has a significant association with the QOL of breast cancer survivors, mainly dependent on the doctors' attitude. Effective intervention is required to develop optimal doctor-patient communication.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6875-6881
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• 2013

Background: Studies evaluating smoking cessation treatment outcomes in cancer patients are scarce, despite smoking cessation importance in cancer care. We sought to add to the literature by evaluating smoking cessation in a challenging group of cancer patients (medium-to-heavy smokers) visiting an out-patient smoking cessation clinic (SCC) in a cancer center in Amman, Jordan. Materials and Methods: Patients smoking >9 cigarettes per day (CPD) and referred to the SCC between June 2009 and May 2012 were studied. Clinic records were reviewed to measure demographic and baseline clinical characteristics, and longitudinal (3-, 6- and 12- month) follow-up by phone/clinic visit was conducted. At each follow-up, patients were asked if they experienced medication side-effects, if they had returned to smoking, and reasons for failing to abstain. Descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 201 smokers were included in the analysis. The 3-month abstinence was 23.4% and significantly associated with older age, being married, and presenting with lower (${\leq}10ppm$) baseline carbon monoxide (CO) levels. On a multivariable level, lower CO levels, a higher income (relative to the lowest income group), being older, and reporting severe dependence (relative to dependence reported as 'somewhat' or 'not') were significant predictors of higher odds of abstinence at three months. Reasons for failing to quit included not being able to handle withdrawal and seeing no value in quitting. Long-term ARs did not reach 7%. Conclusions: In a sample of Jordanian smokers (>9CPD) with cancer and receiving smoking cessation treatment, ARs were low and further declined with time. Results underscore the need for more aggressive patient management and rigorous follow-up during and after smoking cessation treatment, particularly when this takes place in challenging settings. Observed reasons for failure to abstain should be used to tailor counseling practices.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.217-220
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world and by far the most frequent cancer among women. Objective: This study was conducted to observe the effect of progressive relaxation exercises on anxiety and comfort level of breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: A control group pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental model was applied with experimental (30) and control (30) groups, who agreed to participate in this study. Data collection was with the "Personnel Information Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and General Comfort Scale". Results: The average age of the patients that participated in the study was $49.1{\pm}7.96$ years. Eighty-three point three percent (n=25) of the patients in the experiment group and 86.7 (n=26) percent of patients in control group were married. Patient state of anxiety post-test mean scores were $36.2{\pm}8.21$ in the experimental group and $43.4{\pm}7.96$ in the control group, the difference being statistically significant (p<0.05). The general comfort scale post-test mean scores were $149.5{\pm}13.9$ in the experimental group and $137.7{\pm}15.0$ in the control group, again statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: Progressive relaxation exercises positively affect patient comfort and anxiety levels in Turkey.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.301-311
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• 1985

Even though the anticarcinogenic effect of dietary factors especially beta - carotene has been reported by various investigators, the mechanism of the action of ${\beta}-carotene$ has not yet been identified. We carried out the present study to determine the possibilities of relative cancer risk related to dietary intake of vitamin A ( both ${\beta}-carotene$ and retinol ) and blood levels of vitamin A among Koreans. The subjects were divided into two groups; cancer patients and controls. Blood levels for ${\beta}-carotene$ and retinol were analyzed by alumina column chromatography and colorimetry. Dietary intake was examined by food profile and convenient method for evaluating nutritional status through recalling 10 years of food habits. The results obtained are as follows : 1 ) Calorie, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intakes of cancer patient were lower than those of control. Calorie and carbohydrate intakes showed no significant difference but protein and fat intakes were significantly lower in cancer patients. According to cancer sites, in stomach cancer only fat intake was significantly lower than that of control. In lung and larynx cancer calorie, protein, fat and carbohydrate intakes showed similar trend as in control. 2 ) Vitamin A intake of cancer patient was significantly lower than that of control. It was estimated that 83.6% of total Vitamin A intake were provided by ${\beta}-carotene$ for control and cancer patient respectively. 3 ) The mean intake of dietary ${\beta}-carotene$ in cancer patient was significantly lower than that in control ( $7002\;\mu}g/day$ versus $10326\;{\mu}g/day$ ) According to cancer sites in mean intake of dietary ${\beta}-carotene$ was significantly lower in all but stomach cancer compared with that of control. Lung and larynx cancer showed lowest ${\beta}-carotene$ intake with mean value of $5855{\mu}g/day$ and $5492{\mu}g/day$ respectively. 4 ) The mean intake of dietary retinol in cancer patient was significantly lower than that in control ( $245{\mu}g/day$ versus $338{\mu}g/day$ ), but the difference was not significant. 5 ) The relative risk of all cancers in the first (lowest) to the forth quartile level of ${\beta}-carotene$ consumption such as $0-5999{\mu}g/day$. $6000-8999{\mu}g/day$, $9000-11999{\mu}g/day$/ day and $12000-20000{\mu}g/day$ was 85 : 1.7 : 20 : 1.0. The relative risk of all cancers in the first (lowest) to the forth quartile level of retinol consumption, such as $0-299{\mu}g/day$, $300-599{\mu}g/day$, 600-899${\mu}g/day$, and $900-1200{\mu}g/day$, was 1.14 : 067 : 0.21 : 1.0. 6 ) The various food group consumption of cancer patient were significantly lower than those of control in green leafy vegetables, fruits, sea weeds, milk and cheese and eggs. But the Kimchie consumption in cancer patient was three fold higher than that of control ( $1840\;{\mu}g/day$ versus $562\;{\mu}g/day$ ) and in the stomach cancer, Kimchie consumption was the highest, ( $1890\;{\mu}g/day$) According to cancer sites, the consumption of green leafy vegetables was significantly lower in all but stomach cancer compared to control and other vegetables showed no difference between two. In lung and larynx cancer, green leafy vegetables consumption was lowest ( $6094{\mu}g/day$ $5921{\mu}g/day$) and milk and cheese consumption was also( $5\;{\mu}g/day$ and $11{\mu}g/day$) 7 ) The recovery of ${\beta}-carotene$ from human serum by alumina column chromatography was $94.4{\pm}2.3%$. 8 ) Cancer patients showed significantly lower serum retinol ($56.4{\pm}18.1\:{\mu}g/100ml$ versus $72.2{\pm}21.8\:{\mu}g/100ml$) and ${\beta}-carotene$ ($48.9{\pm}33.8\:{\mu}g/100ml$ versus $72.2{\pm}42.6\:{\mu}g/100ml$) concentrations than in controls. 9 ) But breast cancer patients were not significantly different from controls in their serum retinol and ${\beta}-carotene$ concentrations.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.205-218
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effects of anti-cancer and changes In immune response of Lonicerge Flos Herbal-acupuncture. Methods Experimental studies were evaluated through the anti-cancer and immune response activities such as, cell viability, BNA fragmentation, Apoptosis, survival time, pulmonary colonization, and productivity of interleukins & $interferon-{\gamma}$. In order to study the effects of anti-cancer and changes in immune response of Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture, the groups were divided into five groups ; Normal group(non treated group), Control A group(0.2ml Normal saline for oral administration), Control B group(administration of intramuscular injection with 0.2ml Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture solution), Acupuncture group(AT, administration of acupuncture at Chungbu(L1)), and Herbal-Acupuncture group(HAT, administration of Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture at Chungbu(L1)). Results : 1. Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture(>300mg/ml) could lead cancer cell to cell death. 2. Lonicerae Flos Herbal - acupuncture (40mg/ml) caused DNA cleavage. 3. Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture(400mg/ml) caused apoptosis in the cancer cell line. 4. In mouse survival time, all of experimental groups didn't show any significant compared to the control group. 5. In pulmonary colonization assay, Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture group was less than Control A group at 7 days after induction of cancer. 6. In comparison Control A group, there was significant decrease of Interleukin-2 level in Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture group. 7. In comparison Control group, there was decrease of Interleukin-4 level in the Acupuncture group. 8. In comparison Control group, there was decrease of Interleukin-10 level in the Acupuncture group. 9. In comparison Control group, there was significant increase of Interleukin-12 level in Acupuncture group and Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture group. 10. In comparison Control group, there was significant increase of $Interferon-{\gamma}$ level in Acupuncture group. Conclusion : According to above mentioned results, Lonicerae Flos Herbal- acupuncture is expected to be effective for anticancer and improvement in immune response.

• 보건교육건강증진학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to verify relationships between light- and heavy alcohol drinking and health-risk behaviors such as smoking, inappropriate weight control, physical inactivity, and sexual activity among adolescents. Methods: The data of 68,043 adolescents in middle- and high school collected from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey in 2015 were analyzed. For statistical analysis, logistic regression model was used. Results: The rate of heavy alcohol drinking increased with increasing age up to 21.5% among boys and 13.9% among girls. Among boys, heavy alcohol drinkers were at a higher risk of smoking (adjusted odds ratios [OR]=3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.8-3.8), inappropriate weight control (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.4-2.1), having sexual intercourse (OR=3.6; 95% CI=3.0-4.2) than light drinkers. Multiple health-risk behaviors of smoking, inappropriate weight control and sexual intercourse also increased in accordance with the severity of drinking alcohol beverage compared to non-drinker. Physical inactivity was decreased among heavy drinkers compared to light drinkers (OR=0.8; 95% CI=0.7-0.9 for inactivity of moderate exercise). Similar results were observed among girls. Conclusions: Alcohol drinking especially heavy alcohol drinking among adolescents is related to other risky behaviors including smoking, inappropriate weight control, and sexual activity. To prevent health problems in adolescents, it is necessary to adopt a combined approach regarding heavy drinking and health-risk behaviors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6293-6298
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• 2015

Opportunistic screening for lung cancer is commonly conducted in Korea in accordance with physician recommendations and screenee's preferences. However, studies have yet to thoroughly examine the public's understanding of the risks posed by lung cancer screening. This study was conducted to assess changes in intentions to undergo lung cancer screening in response to being informed about exposure to radiation during low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) tests and to identify factors with the greatest influence thereon among Korean men. We conducted sub-group interviews among men chosen from the 2013 Korea National Cancer Screening Survey (KNCSS), a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey of men aged 40 to 74 years and women aged 30 to 74 years. From 4100 participants in the KNCSS, 414 men who underwent any cancer screening test within the last 2 years were randomly selected for inclusion in this study. Via face-to-face interviews, their intentions to undergo lung cancer screening were assessed before and after being informed about exposure to radiation during LDCT testing. Of the 414 participants, 50% were current smokers. After receiving information on the benefits of the test, 95.1% stated an intention to undergo screening; this decreased to 81.6% after they received information on the harms of the test. The average decrease in intention rate was 35.3%. Smoking status, household income, and education level were not associated with lowered intentions to undergo lung cancer screening. Participants who were older than 60 years old (OR=0.56; 95% CI= 0.33-0.96) and those with less concern for radiation exposure (OR=0.56; 95% CI=0.36-0.89) were less likely to lower their screening intentions. The results of this study suggest that there is a need to educate both non-smokers and former smokers on the harms of lung cancer screening.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권12호
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• pp.6257-6261
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), combined with portal vein embolization (PVE), and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) sequential therapy in treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Patients with inoperative HCC were treated by two methods: in the study group with TACE first, then PVE a week later, and then TACE+PVE every two months as a cycle, after 2~3 cycles finally HIFU was given; in the control group only TACE+PVE was given. Response (CR+PR), and disease control rate (CR+PR+SD), side effects, overall survival and time to progress were calculated. Results: Main side effects of both groups were nausea and vomiting. No treatment related death occurred. In the study group, 32 patients received TACE for overall 67 times, PVE 64 times, and HIFU 99 times; on average 2.1, 2 and 3.1 times for each patient, respectively. In the control group, 36 patients were given TACE 78 times and PVE 74 times, averaging 2.2 and 2.1 times per patient. Effective rate: 25.0% in study group and 8.3% in control group (p>0.05). Disease control rates were 71.9% and 44.4%, respectively (p<0.05). In patients with portal vein tumor thrombus, the rate reduced over 1/2 after treatment was 69.2%(9/13) in the study and 21.4%(3/14) in the control group (p<0.05). Rate of AFP reversion or decrease over 1/2 was 66.7%(16/24) in study and 37%(10/27) (p<0.05) in control group. Median survival time: 16 months in study and 10 months in control group. PFS was 7months in study and 3 months in control group. Log-rank test suggested that statistically significant difference exists between two groups (p=0.024). 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 56.3%, 18.8% and 9.3% in study, while 30.6%, 5.6% and 0 in control group, respectively, with statistically significant difference between two groups (by Log-rank, p = 0.014). Conclusions: The treatment of TACE+PVE+HIFU sequential therapy for HCC increases response rate, prolong survival, and could thus be a safe and effective treatment for advanced cases.