Needs assessment of cancer survivors in Alaska.

PURPOSE: Little is known about cancer survivors' needs in Alaska. To address this knowledge gap, the Alaska Cancer Partnership conducted a needs assessment survey; our objectives were to identify unmet needs of Alaska's cancer survivors; identify survivor sub-populations that might benefit from targeted interventions or programming; and develop recommendations for public health and community organizations and healthcare providers for addressing cancer survivors' unmet needs. METHODS: Cancer survivors were identified using data from the Alaska Cancer Registry. A random sample of 2,600 individuals was selected to receive the survey, which assessed unmet needs across the following domains: information needs and medical care issues; quality of life; emotional and relationship issues related to cancer diagnoses; and support services. We calculated descriptive statistics for survey responses and assessed demographic predictors of unmet needs using Poisson regression. RESULTS: We received 335 survey responses, for a response of 13.7%. Only 29.9% of cancer survivors expressed that all their needs were met. The most highly ranked unmet needs were as follows: help to reduce stress in life; to know doctors were coordinating care; and managing concerns about cancer coming back. After adjustment, men, adults younger than 65 at diagnosis, Alaska Native people, survivors still receiving or who had recently received care, and people who had to travel 50+ miles for most of their care had significantly greater unmet needs than their comparison groups. CONCLUSION: This assessment provided some of the first information regarding the needs of Alaska's cancer survivors. These results will be used by Alaska Cancer Partnership members across the state to inform healthcare delivery, programs, and public health messaging to support survivors.

Associations between anthropometric characteristics and physical performance in male law enforcement officers: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Police officers are often required to undertake physically demanding tasks, like lifting, dragging and pursuing a suspect. Therefore, physical performance is a key requirement. METHODS: Retrospective data for 76 male police officers (mean age = 39.42 ± 8.41 years; mean weight = 84.21 ± 12.91 kg) was obtained. Data included anthropometric (skinfolds, estimated percentage body fat, lean body mass and fat mass) and physical performance (1 Repetition Maximum Bench Press, 1-min sit-ups, 1-min push-ups, vertical jump, 300 m run, 1.5 mile run) measures and correlations between anthropometric measurement and fitness score were obtained. RESULTS: Estimated percentage body fat was significantly (p ≤ .001) and negatively correlated with all performance measures, except sit-ups and 300 m and 1.5 mile run performance. Estimated lean body mass was significantly and positively (p ≤ .001) correlated with push-ups, bench press and vertical jump measures, while increasing estimated fat mass was significantly (p ≤ .001) associated with reduced performance on sit-up, vertical jump, 1.5 mile run and estimated maximal voluntary oxygen uptake. CONCLUSIONS: A targeted approach, going beyond just decreasing percentage body fat to also selectively increasing lean mass, should be applied for optimal improvement in physical fitness performance.