Uptake of Cancer Screening Tests Among Recipients of Solid Organ Transplantation.

Population-based cancer screening recommendations are also suggested for solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR); however, recommendation adherence is unknown. In a population-based cohort of SOTR in Ontario between 1997 and 2010, we determined the uptake of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening tests and identified factors associated with up-to-date screening using recurrent event analysis. We identified 4436 SOTR eligible for colorectal, 2252 for cervical, and 1551 for breast cancer screening. Of those, 3437 (77.5%), 1572 (69.8%), and 1417 (91.4%), respectively, were not up-to-date for cancer screening tests during the observation period. However, these rates are likely an overestimate due to the inability to differentiate between tests done for screening or for diagnosis. SOTR with fewer comorbidities had higher rates of becoming screen up-to-date. Assessment by a primary care provider (PCP) was associated with becoming up-to-date with cancer screening (breast relative risk [RR] = 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.76, cervical RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.06-1.57, colorectal RR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.15-1.48). Similar results were observed for continuity of care by transplant specialist at a transplant center. In conclusion, cancer screening for most SOTR does not adhere to standard recommendations. Involvement of PCPs in posttransplant care and continuity of care at a transplant center may improve the uptake of screening.

Breast health and associated premenstrual symptoms in women with severe cyclic mastopathy.

OBJECTIVES: A case-control study was undertaken to examine the association of cyclic mastopathy with premenstrual syndrome and prior breast health. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 34 women with severe cyclic mastopathy (cases) and 29 women with no significant breast symptoms (controls) prospectively recorded breast pain and swelling and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome during one menstrual cycle. They also provided information on past breast health. The two study groups were compared by use of standard statistical methods. RESULTS: Women with cyclic mastopathy reported more frequent consultations with physicians for specific breast lumpiness (p = 0.02) or generalized lumpiness (p = 0.004) and for all breast problems (p = 0.0001) and more frequent mammograms (p = 0.04), surgical breast biopsies (p = 0.06), and breast needle aspirations (p = 0.05). Premenstrual symptoms were more severe in women with cyclic mastopathy; this was most pronounced for physical symptoms (water retention and breast symptoms, p < 0.001) but also present for negative affect, behavior change, and impaired concentration (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Women with cyclic mastopathy have a spectrum of breast concerns and they undergo more frequent breast investigations than do women without the disorder. Most symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are also more severe in women with cyclic mastopathy.

Attitudes of Canadian oncology practitioners toward psychosocial interventions in clinical and research settings in women with breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to survey Canadian oncology practitioners' attitudes toward psychosocial concerns and issues in women with breast cancer. Surveys were mailed to 351 medical, radiation and surgical oncologists and 375 oncology nurses. Standard questionnaires assessed attitudes towards psychosocial issues in women with primary and metastatic breast cancer and evaluated the practitioners' willingness to refer women to psychosocial intervention trials in the presence and absence of competing drug trials. Responses were obtained from 74% of those surveyed. Respondents reported being aware of the common occurrence of psychosocial problems in women with metastatic breast cancer, however, physicians were less likely than nurses to offer these women psychosocial support on a prophylactic basis (p < 0.0001) and they expressed greater concern than nurses about scientific validity of (p = 0.0003), and potential psychological damage from (p = 0.005), psychosocial support groups. Nurses were more likely than physicians to favour a study investigating group psychosocial support over competing drug studies (p < or = 0.003) in the metastatic setting. Physicians were less likely than nurses to deal with weight problems prophylactically in women with primary breast cancer (p = 0.0009) and they expressed greater concern over scientific validity of psychosocial interventions addressing weight than nurses (p = 0.0008); nurses were more concerned about excessive expectations of patients regarding potential benefits of such interventions (p < 0.0001). Regardless, nurses were more likely than physicians to favour a psychosocial intervention study focused on weight management over drug studies in pre- (p = 0.0006) and postmenopausal women (p = 0.05) with primary breast cancer. Canadian oncology practitioners are aware of the common occurrence of psychosocial distress in women with breast cancer. Physicians and nurses assigned differing priorities to psychosocial interventions in both clinical and research situations.

Insulin and related factors in premenopausal breast cancer risk.

BACKGROUND: Insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are important mitogens in vitro and in vivo. It has been hypothesized that these factors may play an important role in the development of breast cancer. METHODS: A case-control study comparing plasma insulin levels in 99 premenopausal women with newly diagnosed node-negative invasive carcinoma of the breast and 99 age-matched controls with incident biopsied non-proliferative breast disease (NP) was conducted. Women with known diabetes were excluded. RESULTS: For the entire study group, mean age was 42.6 +/- 5.1 years and mean weight was 62.9 +/- 10.3 kg. After adjustment for age and weight, elevated insulin levels were significantly associated with breast cancer, Odds Ratio (OR) for women in the highest insulin quintile versus the lowest quintile = 2.83 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.22-6.58). There were no statistically significant differences between cases and controls for IGF-I and IGFBP-1 levels. However, after adjustment for age, the association between plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and breast cancer approached statistical significance; OR for highest quintile versus lowest quintile of IGFBP-3 being 2.05 (95% CI, 0.93-4.53). All results were independent of diet and other known risk factors for breast cancer. CONCLUSION: Circulating insulin levels and possibly IGFBP-3 levels are elevated in women with premenopausal breast cancer. This association may reflect an underlying syndrome of insulin resistance that is independent of obesity.

Elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and dietary fat intake in women with cyclic mastopathy.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to examine the contribution of plasma lipids to the pathophysiology of cyclic mastopathy, before and after consideration of diet and sex hormones. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-four women with severe cyclic mastopathy (case patients) and 29 women without cyclic mastopathy (control subjects) recorded their breast symptoms daily during 1 menstrual cycle. During each menstrual phase (follicular, early luteal, late luteal, and menstrual) they prospectively completed 2 24-hour dietary diaries, provided blood for lipid and hormone assays, and underwent anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Mean age was 34 years. Premenstrual breast swelling and tenderness were significantly more severe in case patients (P < .0001). Cyclic change (late luteal vs follicular) of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol differed between case patients and control subjects, with case patients having a relative excess of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the premenstrual phase (P = .01). Dietary fat intake was greater throughout the cycle in case patients (37.5 vs 33.7% of calories, P = .02), and case patients reported increased appetite in the premenstrual phase (P = .01). In multivariate analyses the contributions of mean dietary fat intake and of cyclic change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were independently significant, with odds ratios for upper versus lower quintiles being slightly >5. CONCLUSIONS: Women with cyclic mastopathy had a relative excess of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol during the symptomatic late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and a higher fat intake throughout the cycle than did control subjects. These observations support the hypothesis that lipids (notably high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and a high-fat diet play a role in the pathophysiologic characteristics of cyclic mastopathy.

Hormone replacement therapy after treatment for breast cancer: physicians' attitudes towards randomized trials.

PURPOSE: Physician support is required for successful patient recruitment to a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to determine the safety and benefits of short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after breast cancer (BC). METHODS: A survey was mailed to 1899 Canadian gynaecologists, family physicians, medical, radiation and surgical oncologists to assess willingness to refer patients to an RCT of HRT after BC. RESULTS: Of 538 physicians, 420 (78%) reported that they would be willing to refer a woman after BC to an RCT of HRT versus placebo. Variables predicting willingness to refer included: support for HRT in well women (p = 0.04) and after BC (p = 0.0001); support for clinical trials (p = 0.0001); ongoing BC trials at the physicians' institution (p = 0.003); currently prescribing HRT to women after BC (p = 0.03); and beneficial results in ongoing RCTs of HRT in well women (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: An RCT of short-term HRT after BC may be feasible among Canadian physicians.