Low serum LDL cholesterol levels are associated with elevated mortality from liver cancer in Japan: the Ibaraki Prefectural health study.

Liver cancer a global public health concern and well known for poor prognosis. The association between low total cholesterol level and liver cancer has been reported. However, the association between low low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and liver cancer is still unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between LDL cholesterol level and liver cancer mortality. A total of 16,217 persons (5,551 men and 10,666 women) aged 40-79 years in 1993 were followed until 2008. LDL cholesterol levels were divided into four categories (<80 mg/dl, 80-99 mg/dl, 100-119 mg/dl, and ≥120 mg/dl). Hazard ratio of LDL cholesterol level for liver cancer mortality was calculated using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. Covariates were age, sex, alanine transaminase, body mass index, alcohol intake and smoking status, all of which were correlated with LDL cholesterol levels. There were 51 deaths (32 men and 19 women) from liver cancer. Multivariable hazard ratios of liver cancer deaths for LDL cholesterol levels of <80 mg/dl was 4.33 (95% confident interval [CI]: 1.94, 9.68), for LDL cholesterol levels of 80-99 mg/dl was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.42, 2.53), and for LDL cholesterol levels of ≥120 mg/dl was 0.43 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.92) compared with LDL cholesterol levels of 100-199 mg/dl (p for trend<0.01). Therefore, low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with elevated risk of liver cancer mortality. Low LDL cholesterol may be a predictive marker for death due to liver cancer.

Low body mass index as a risk factor of moderate to severe oral mucositis in oral cancer patients with radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: The association between body mass index (BMI) and oral mucositis in oral cancer patients receiving radiotherapy is unclear. This study examined whether low BMI could be a risk factor for oral mucositis in oral cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. METHODS: Between April 2007 and March 2011, a total of 33 inpatients with oral cancer receiving radiotherapy were recruited. They were followed from the beginning of radiotherapy to discharge from hospital. All patients had no mucositis when radiotherapy started. The odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) of BMI for incident grade 2 and grade 3 mucositis were calculated by use of univariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: All patients developed oral mucositis (grade 1 in 39.4 %, grade 2 in 30.3 %, grade 3 in 30.3 %), with the maximum grade occurring at an average of 32.4 days. Compared with normal BMI (≥22.0), the OR of low BMI (<22.0) for moderate to severe mucositis was 9.07 (95 % CI, 1.72-47.68). CONCLUSIONS: Low BMI may be a risk factor of moderate to severe oral mucositis.

The impact of breast cancer on employment among Japanese women.

OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer (BC) is a cancer that affects working age women in Japan. The aim of this study was to examine the impact that BC has on the work-related life of Japanese women and identify factors that correlate with job resignation. METHODS: A cross-sectional Internet survey of cancer survivors in Japan was conducted from December 2011 to February 2012. The questionnaire included questions regarding demographic characteristics, impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment on job resignation and consultation behavior of respondents regarding work-related issues. This study reports results obtained from 105 respondents with BC. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents at diagnosis was 42.5 ± 6.4 years, and the median time since diagnosis was 40 months. Thirty-one respondents (29.5%) lost their jobs, and 12 could not find another job after BC diagnosis. Nearly half of the respondents (47.6%) reported a decrease in personal income after diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that contract or part time workers were significantly more likely to lose their jobs compared with regular, full time workers (odds ratio, 2.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.39 to 4.55; p<0.001). Seventy-nine respondents (75.2%) consulted someone regarding work-related issues. The most frequently consulted person was the boss at the workplace. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that women with BC experience various job-related problems. In order to create a supportive work environment for BC survivors, focus should be placed on facilitating communication and coordination between BC survivors, healthcare providers and coworkers.

Duration of cigarette smoking is a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer mortality among Japanese men and women: the Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study (IPHS).

PURPOSE: The relationship between duration of cigarette smoking and the risk of oropharyngeal cancer has not been studied in the general Japanese population. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between the duration of cigarette smoking and the risk of oropharyngeal cancer mortality in the Japanese population. METHODS: In this large cohort study, 32,989 men and 63,894 women, ages 40-79 years, who completed health check-ups in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, in 1993 were followed through 2008. Oropharyngeal cancer mortality was identified by death certificates. Smoking habits were divided into five categories, and years of cigarette smoking and pack-year classifications were divided into four categories. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for oropharyngeal cancer mortality were calculated by use of the Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, deaths from oropharyngeal cancer occurred in 38 of 32,989 men and 31 of 63,894 women. The multivariate hazard ratios for oropharyngeal cancer mortality were significantly greater for those subjects currently smoking for 40 years or longer (hazard ratio: 4.22, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-14.51), and they were greater with longer years of cigarette smoking among men (P for trend = .027). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking duration can be a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer mortality in the Japanese population.