bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy Review of Flavonoid-Rich Nutraceuticals in Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Authors: Devi Metta 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Cancer, a leading cause of mortality globally, is characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of malignant cells, often influenced by genetic predispositions and unhealthy lifestyle choices. This has led to a surge in the consumption of dietary supplements, particularly flavonoid-rich nutraceuticals, as individuals seek to adopt healthier lifestyles. Over the years, plant-derived flavonoids have garnered attention for their potential as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents, attributed to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties. This review aims to critically assess existing literature on the health claims of specific flavonoids and their potential impact on cancer, as well as to examine the efficacy of flavonoid-rich dietary supplements in cancer prevention and treatment. METHODS The review synthesizes and critically evaluates available evidence from previous studies on the health claims of flavonoids and their impact on cancer. It also examines the efficacy of flavonoid-rich dietary supplements in cancer prevention and treatment. RESULTS The analysis suggests that flavonoid-rich dietary supplements, when consumed as nutraceuticals, may offer significant medical benefits with minimal toxicity, potentially aiding in cancer prevention and treatment by disrupting key cellular pathways involved in cancer progression. CONCLUSION This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential role of flavonoids in cancer management and highlights the need for further research in this area.
Evaluating Group Versus Individual Recruitment Strategies to Improve HPV-Self Collection Amongst Women in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania—‘Dada’ Study
Authors: Chelva Melinda , Yuma Safina , Mchome Bariki , Mremi Alex , West Nicola , Taite Ann , Marandu Prisca Dominic , Mmari Leah , Redson Alma , Olomi Gaudensia , Slotman Ava , Yeates Karen 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Tanzania ranks fifth in cervical cancer disease burden globally, with 9,772 new cases and 6,695 deaths reported each year. In the newest version of Tanzania's national cervical cancer strategy, the Ministry of Health recommends that HPV DNA testing is integrated with the national cervical cancer prevention program, to align with the WHO screening recommendations. Recruitment to screening programs remains a challenge in low- and middle-income countries, and there is little evidence to inform recruitment strategies that might improve attendance rates, especially in Tanzania. Results from a systematic review of strategies to improve health and medical research suggest that involving community groups in the research process and ensuring that content and delivery of the intervention is socially acceptable, can improve the likelihood of uptake. The ‘Dada’ study will be conducted, as part of the national cervical cancer prevention program. METHODS The study aims to recruit 1,500 women (age 25-49 if HIV+ or 30-49 if HIV status unknown) in the Kilimanjaro region to evaluate a hybrid-2 evaluation of intervention and implementation effectiveness (e.g., acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity) with cluster randomization of communities to two arms, each testing a different method of recruitment: A) individual, opportunistic recruitment in public settings and B) recruitment through structured community meetings. Recruitment will be performed by community healthcare workers from 30 communities using the two strategies. In both arms, an educational video (‘Dada’) will be delivered to women to encourage HPV self-collection. RESULTS To compare individual and group recruitment strategies in terms of HPV self-collection uptake. This will be examined through various demographic factors, such as age, marital status, education, income, insurance, previous cervical cancer screening, and geographic location (rural, semi-rural or urban). CONCLUSION There is a critical need to generate further evidence for implementation of effective and sustainable strategies to optimize cervical cancer screening and increase the number of women that receive HPV self-collection. The results of our study will also generate informed evidence regarding the optimized strategy to improve the cervical screen-triage-treat approach in Tanzania. The knowledge gained will be disseminated to other African countries with a similar cancer-health disparity.
Factors Affecting Breast Cancer Screening in Ukraine
Authors: Karavska Anna , Kizub Darya , Dzhemiliev Ali , Wanis Kerollos , Vus Vadym , Kopetskyi Viacheslay , Huiyaniuk Inesa , Beznosenko Andriy , Semeniy Solomia , Melnitchouk Nelya 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Breast cancer early detection in Ukraine and other low and middle-income countries (LMICs) often includes opportunistic screening. Evaluation of factors that affect screening is key to improving early detection. METHODS An online survey for primary care physicians (PCPs) was distributed through PCP-focused social media in Ukraine. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS 435 PCPs from all regions of Ukraine completed the survey, including 389 (89.4%) women, 375 (86.2%) family medicine, 60 (13.8%) internal medicine physicians. 349 (80.2%) referred women for screening mammography. 252 (57.9%) conducted screening clinical breast exams (CBE), while 135 (31.0%) referred patients to mammalogists or 133 (30.6%) to gynecologists for CBE. Within one's practice, mammography was available for 81 (18.6%), mammalogists for 39 (9.0%), and gynecologists for 133 (30.3%). Breast cancer screening was prompted by MOH Order 504 for 281 (64%), family history 266 (61%), patient pathway guidelines 94 (21.6%), availability of subspecialists 78 (17.9%), and patient request 132 (30%). Reasons for not conducting CBE screening included insufficient experience 88 (20.2%), patients declining CBE 63 (14.5%), lack of time 59 (13.6%). Reasons for not conducting mammography screening included patients declining (11.7%) and absence of mammography (6.4%).). 350 (80.5%) were familiar with the Ministry of Health (MOH) Order 504, which describes eligibility criteria for breast cancer screening, and 291 (66.9%) used it to guide their screening practice. Others used US or European recommendations (62 (14.3%) and 115 (26.4%), respectively), and institution-specific patient pathways 117 (26.9%). Barriers to breast cancer screening included insufficient PCP training (53%) and experience (40%) and insufficient mammography availability (33%). Strategies for increasing breast cancer screening included improving collaboration between PCPs and oncologists 175 (40.2%), educational materials for patients 169 (38.9%), PCP education/training 168 (38.6%), automatic electronic health record reminders 150 (34.5%). CONCLUSION We identified important barriers and facilitators of breast cancer screening from the point of view of PCPs in Ukraine. Our results were limited by online convenience sampling.
Factors Associated With Laser Treatment of Primary Site in 201 Cases of Melanoma
Authors: Kennard Jared , Keirns Darby , Brandt Zachary , Silberstein Peter , Wu Xinxin 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Melanoma is a rare form of skin cancer, making up only 4% of all skin cancers, but it accounts for 75% of all skin cancer-related mortality, making the exploration of safe treatments a necessity. As a cutaneous tumor, Melanoma is one of few cancers capable of being treated with laser ablation, yet this treatment is often overlooked in favor of surgical approaches or. It has been used in limited amounts to treat basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, and melanoma with great effect. Studies show that laser ablation, with local anesthesia, results in positive outcomes and fewer recurrences in melanoma, as well as less pain and scarring than traditional treatments such as excision. Mohs surgery, while generally preferred, is somewhat limited when it comes to areas like the eyes. It is in these areas that laser ablation has the opportunity to excel, as with its precision it can be used to treat choroidal melanoma with limited damage and preservation of optic function. While restricted in high-stage tumors, laser ablation use can be expanded to provide rapid treatment for patients with melanoma where surgical approaches are of limited use. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with cutaneous Melanoma between 2004-2020 in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) who underwent the procedure of the primary site by local tumor destruction with laser ablation or laser excision. Descriptive statistics were analyzed via frequency for the year of diagnosis, sex, race, education level, income level, geographic area, Charlson-Deyo Score, tumor stage, and primary site. Overall survival was determined via the Kaplan-Meier test. RESULTS Since 2004, there has been a general decrease in laser procedures. The majority of patients were White, male, above the average education level, and earned above the average income level. The average patient was 62.4 years old, lived 20 miles from the treatment facility, and was relatively healthy with 89.6% at a Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score of 0. 60.1% of the cases were treated at an early stage. The most common primary site for laser treatment was the skin of the trunk, followed by skin of the lower limb and hip, and patients had a median overall survival of 88.4 months CONCLUSION Though its potential value as a treatment remains high, laser ablation use is lowering and is used in wealthy White patients, likely due to the lower rates and delayed diagnosis experienced by patients with darker skin. The long median survival time shows that despite the low use, Laser ablation is highly effective at treating melanoma, as with a median time of ∼7 years, many patients will die from unrelated conditions. What use there is could be optimized, as there are strikingly few uses in the eyes, where it is most useful. Future research should look into what factors patients consider when choosing laser over surgical resection to better understand social factors in treatment.
Factors Driving NCI-Designated Cancer Center Engagement in Global Oncology
Authors: Garton Elise M. , Chang Shine , Cira Mishka Kohli , Duncan Kalina 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE In 2021 the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) Center for Global Health conducted two surveys of the 71 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers. The directors’ survey asked cancer center directors about their prioritization and estimated budget for global oncology. The program survey asked global leads about their center’s global oncology programs and non-NCI funded global research projects. This analysis focuses on the associations between cancer centers reported global oncology prioritization, budget, formally structured programs, and research. METHODS The director survey was fielded online from May to July 2021 and the program survey was fielded online from July 2021 to January 2022. Data about NIH grants were sourced from internal systems. Data cleaning was done in Microsoft Excel and Python, and single factor ANOVA and Chi-squared tests of independence were used to determine statistical correlation between variables. RESULTS Cancer centers who reported a higher prioritization of global oncology engaged in more NCI and non-NCI funded global oncology research (p = <0.0001) but did not report a higher budget for global oncology (p = 0.3351) and were not more likely to report a formal global oncology program than centers who reported a lower prioritization (p = 0.3962). Cancer centers who reported a higher budget for global oncology were more likely to report a formal global oncology program (p = 0.0004) and were engaged in more global oncology research (p = <0.0001) than cancer centers who reported a lower budget; this is largely driven by six comprehensive cancer centers who reported an annual budget of over $500,000. CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate that higher prioritization of global oncology is correlated with increased global oncology research regardless of formal program existence and reported estimated budget. This suggests that despite limited resources and infrastructure, many cancer centers still engaged in global oncology, although it is not known whether the impact of this engagement could have been greater with additional support. Indeed, factors such as cancer center size, seed funding, dedicated infrastructure, and mature networks can facilitate international collaboration by cancer centers, but nimble and motivated individuals may be instrumental for strengthening global oncology regardless of dedicated cancer center resources.
Feasibility of Monitoring Global Breast Cancer Initiative Framework Key Performance Indicators in 21 Asian Countries
Authors: Ong Sok King , Ching Lai Dephne Teck 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE This study determines the feasibility of monitoring the status of breast cancer control in the 21 Asian countries based on the three GBCI Framework key performance indicators (KPIs): stage at diagnosis, time to diagnosis, and treatment completion. METHODS We establish data availability and compiled the latest indicators for the 21 Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam). We performed correlation analysis to measure the strength of correlation between stage at diagnosis, mortality and survival rates, and universal health coverage. RESULTS The proportion of patients diagnosed in stages I and II strongly correlated with the five-year survival rate and with the universal health coverage (UHC) index. Three countries (14%) reported national data with >60% of invasive breast cancer patients diagnosed at stages I and II, and a five-year survival rate of >80%. Over 60% of the ANCCA countries had no published national data on breast cancer staging, the time interval from presentation to diagnosis, and diagnosis to treatment. Five (24%) countries reported data on treatment completion. CONCLUSION GBCI’s Pillar 1 KPI correlates strongly with five-year survival rate and with the UHC index. Most ANCCA countries lacked national data on cancer staging, timely diagnosis, and treatment completion KPIs. Strengthening cancer surveillance is crucial for effective breast cancer control. The GBCI Framework indicators warrant more detailed definitions for standardized data collection. Surrogate indicators which are measurable and manageable in country-specific settings, could be considered for monitoring GBCI indicators. Ensuring UHC and addressing health inequalities are essential to early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Geographical Mapping of Biological and Environmental Risk Factors of Colorectal Cancer in the United States
Authors: Palliyaguru Nipuni , Palliyaguru Dushani , Liyanage Sanka 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States (US) and worldwide. Previous studies have identified several behavioral and biological risk factors of CRC, including lack of physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, poor dietary patterns, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Emerging risk factors, e.g., air pollution and pesticide exposure may also exacerbate colorectal cancer risk. Furthermore, rural populations show poorer CRC outcomes compared to urban ones within the US. METHODS In order to quantitatively assess this, we examined publicly available US county-level CRC incidence and mortality data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program and risk factor prevalence data from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to identify geographical patterns and interactions of colorectal cancer risk factors by applying simple and multiple linear regression modeling as well as machine learning. RESULTS Our analyses indicated that multiple risk factors were strongly correlated with CRC and co-occurred in counties with high CRC incidence and mortality, e.g, obesity, diabetes, smoking and low physical activity. Stratifying data by urban and rural counties showed differences in how these factors contributed to CRC risk. CONCLUSION Identifying etiological factors driving these co-occurrence trends and examining additional CRC risk factors will therefore be critical components of future CRC risk identification and risk mitigation effort.
Health Related Quality of Life of Prostate Cancer Patients: Assessment Using the Short Form 12 Health Survey and Patient Oriented Prostate Utility Scale
Authors: Tolani Musliu Adetola , Oyelowo Nasir , Kabir Abdulkareem , Eneh Patrick , Aliu Surai , Abubakar Bashie Dauda , Aminu Adeniyi , Paul Zilpah Kura , Ahmed Muhammed 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE The understanding of patient-centered needs is integral to quality of life strengthening and value-based care. Despite the complexity of prostate cancer management in resource limited settings, data on self-reported functional measures and health state utility index are limited. This study aims to describe the general and disease specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of prostate cancer patients in Nigeria. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 80 prostate cancer patients was conducted at our academic tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Information on their demographic details, clinical characteristics, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score at presentation were collected. HRQoL was assessed using the generic Short Form 12 (SF-12) and a prostate cancer specific econometric instrument, the 10-item Patient Oriented Prostate Utility Scale (PORPUS). Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science to summarize the outcome indicators. RESULTS The mean age was 69 years. Ninety seven percent (n = 76) were symptomatic at presentation. The median PSA at diagnosis was 96 (IQR 39.3 – 129.5) ng/ml, 77% (n = 60) had Gleason score 7 to 10, and 40% (n = 31) had metastatic disease. Fifty nine percent (n = 39) had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 2 to 4. On the SF-12 survey, 33% (n = 25) rated their overall health to at least good. Seventy percent (n = 53) reported at least some limitation in physical activity, 59% (n = 45) reported at least some feeling of being down and blue, 52% (n = 38) reported moderate to extreme interference of pain with work, and 52% (n = 40) reported interference of these functions with their social activities. The crude PORPUS score was in the third quartile on its 100-point scale (71.2 ± 13.1). The most severe PORPUS scores (median with IQR) were in the domains of energy, 2.0 (1.0 – 3.0), emotional wellbeing 2.0 (1.0 – 3.0), urinary frequency and urgency 2.0 (2.0 – 3.0), sexual function 3.0 (1.0 – 3.0), and sexual interest 3.0 (1.0 – 3.8). CONCLUSION The prostate cancer patients had limited HRQoL experience in the physical and psychological domains. They also had severely limited health utility in the voiding and sexual domains. The interplay of QoL optimization with the delivery of value-based care in the patient care pathway will be further explored in future studies.
HPV Typing in Women Undergoing Cervical Cancer Screening: Insights From the General Population in Bamako, Mali
Authors: Diakite Brehima , Kassogue Yaya , Maiga Mamoudou , Traore Bam , Diarra Fousseiyni , Cisse Kadidiatou , Kamate Bakarou , Traore Cheick B , Holl Jane L , Hou Lifang 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate HPV genotypes among women undergoing cervical cancer screening in Bamako from the general population. METHODS A prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 199 women from Bamako's general population. Data were collected via survey forms, and vaginal swabs were self-collected for HPV genotyping using GeneXpert technology. RESULTS The age group ≥30 years constituted the majority (61.3%), with a mean age of 35.38 ± 11.09 years. The average age at first sexual intercourse was 19.69 ± 3.739 years. The study revealed an HPV infection prevalence of 21.6%. The most commonly detected HPV subtypes were P3 (41.9%), followed by P5 (9.3%), 18/45 (9.3%), P4 (9.3%), P4P5 (7%), 16 (4.7%), and others (2.3%). HPV infection was more prevalent in the age group ≥ 30 years (P=0.009), multiparous women (P=0.003), and those with a history of sexually transmitted infections (P=0.019). CONCLUSION The burden of cervical cancer remains substantial in our population. HPV genotyping through self-sampling presents a promising approach to improve early detection, treatment, and prevention of the disease among Mali's general population.
Identifying Research Impacts Within a Global Cancer Survivorship Grants Portfolio
Authors: Abudu Rachel , Oliver Kathryn 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Research impact assessments (RIAs) are exercises conducted to measure research outputs, outcomes, and impacts of research projects and programs. While use among funders has been growing, RIA adoption has been fragmented, and a global, multi-funder RIA on cancer survivorship research has not been conducted. The field is an ideal case-study for RIA because the number of cancer survivors worldwide is currently over 30 million and projected to increase, and has comparatively less investment than research on other CSO categories. We aim to examine the global evidence base produced by cancer survivorship projects funded by International Cancer Research Partnership (ICRP) partners to determine their broader research, economic, and social impacts. METHODS Our evaluation will measure the impacts of projects from ICRP funders for 2006-2018 coded to CSO codes 6.1 Patient Care of Survivorship Issues or 6.6 End-of-life Care, using the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Framework. To ensure high methodological quality, we have utilized seven key steps for RIA implementation developed from our previous work, including setting the stage for analysis (considering context, goals, and stakeholders); framework selection; metrics/indicator selection; primary data collection; data synthesis; communicating results; and reflecting on best practices. Impact data will be sourced from Dimensions. Ai and Overton; two leading databases capturing global research and policy impacts. RESULTS Among 146 cancer research funders participating in the ICRP during 2006-2018, 103 funded a total of 5,814 projects coded to CSO codes 6.1 and 6.6. Anticipated results include the numbers of matching projects identified within Dimensions. Ai with linked publications, altmetrics, clinical trials, and datasets, and linked policy citations identified through Overton as well as an overview of the types and ranges of impacts found. Preliminary results show high coverage of ICRP projects within the Dimensions. Ai database, and the ability to identify impacts increasingly likely among public funders. CONCLUSION Understanding downstream impacts of funded research is critical to ensuring that public and charitable funds are making a tangible impact towards improving survivorship and end-of-life care for persons living with and beyond cancer. We hope our analysis is the first of several that may begin to link research impacts with future opportunities to improve patient-oriented care and research.