Women's responses to changes in U.S. Preventive Task Force's mammography screening guidelines: results of focus groups with ethnically diverse women.

BACKGROUND: The 2009 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) changed mammography guidelines to recommend routine biennial screening starting at age 50. This study describes women's awareness of, attitudes toward, and intention to comply with these new guidelines. METHODS: Women ages 40-50 years old were recruited from the Boston area to participate in focus groups (k = 8; n = 77). Groups were segmented by race/ethnicity (Caucasian = 39%; African American = 35%; Latina = 26%), audio-taped, and transcribed. Thematic content analysis was used. RESULTS: Participants were largely unaware of the revised guidelines and suspicious that it was a cost-savings measure by insurers and/or providers. Most did not intend to comply with the change, viewing screening as obligatory. Few felt prepared to participate in shared decision-making or advocate for their preferences with respect to screening. CONCLUSIONS: Communication about the rationale for mammography guideline changes has left many women unconvinced about potential disadvantages or limitations of screening. Since further guideline changes are likely to occur with advances in technology and science, it is important to help women become informed consumers of health information and active participants in shared decision-making with providers. Additional research is needed to determine the impact of the USPSTF change on women's screening behaviors and on breast cancer outcomes.

Mixed treatment comparison of the treatment discontinuations of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Introduction of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) has considerably changed treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over the past decade. Very little information is available on comparative discontinuation rates of the biologics. OBJECTIVE: To compare treatment discontinuations for 9 biologic DMARDs in adults with RA. METHODS: We searched electronic databases through May 2012 to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of patients with RA that compared biologic DMARDs with placebo or another biologic DMARD. The primary outcome was treatment discontinuation during the blinded phase of the trials, measured as overall withdrawals, withdrawals resulting from lack of efficacy, and withdrawals resulting from adverse events. Random-effects meta-analysis estimated the effect size for individual agents, and adjusted indirect comparisons were made between biologics using mixed treatment comparisons (MTC) meta-analysis. RESULTS: Forty-four trials were included in the analysis. In comparison with placebo, biologics were less likely to be withdrawn because of lack of efficacy (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.27) and more likely to be withdrawn because of an adverse event (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.70). Based on the MTC, certolizumab had the most favorable overall withdrawal profile, followed by etanercept and rituximab. Certolizumab had lower relative withdrawal rates resulting from lack of efficacy than adalimumab, anakinra, and infliximab. Anakinra had higher relative withdrawal rates resulting from lack of efficacy than most other biologics. Certolizumab and infliximab had more, while etanercept had fewer, withdrawals because of adverse events than most other drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Based on MTC using data from RCTs, differences in discontinuation rates were observed, generally favoring certolizumab, etanercept, and rituximab over other biologic DMARDs. These potential differences need to be further explored in head-to-head trials or well-conducted observational studies.

Dissemination of a tobacco cessation program for unionized workers.

Many multilevel, contextually relevant, evidenced-based health promotion programs are not disseminated widely. The purpose of this study is to describe the adaptation of a published effective tobacco-use cessation intervention, which was implemented and evaluated in a broader population of unionized workers partnering with a health and welfare fund health benefits carrier. 68 tobacco users enrolled. Implementation and effectiveness outcomes indicated that most participants (69%) completed all counseling calls and at 16 weeks' follow-up, 30.9% reported not using tobacco. The intervention had relatively high levels of implementation, effectiveness, and acceptability, but low reach, highlighting issues arising during dissemination.

Exploring perceptions of colorectal cancer and fecal immunochemical testing among African Americans in a North Carolina community.

INTRODUCTION: African Americans have a lower colorectal cancer screening rate than whites and higher disease incidence and mortality. Despite wide acceptance of colonoscopy for accurate screening, increasing promotion of high-sensitivity stool test screening, such as the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), may narrow racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in screening. This study provides formative research data to develop an intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening among underinsured and uninsured African Americans in central North Carolina. METHODS: We held 4 focus groups to explore knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about colorectal cancer screening, particularly FIT. Participants (n = 28) were African American adults recruited from neighborhoods with high levels of poverty and unemployment. Constructs from the diffusion of innovation theory were used to develop the discussion guide. RESULTS: In all groups, participants noted that lack of knowledge about colorectal cancer contributes to low screening use. Attitudes about FIT sorted into 4 categories of "innovation characteristics": relative advantage of FIT compared with no screening and with other screening tests; compatibility with personal beliefs and values; test complexity; and test trialability. A perceived barrier to FIT and other stool tests was risk of incurring costs for diagnostic follow-up. CONCLUSION: Community-based FIT screening interventions should include provider recommendation, patient education to correctly perform FIT, modified FIT design to address negative attitudes about stool tests, and assurance of affordable follow-up for positive FIT results.

Combined modality therapy including cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy for synchronous low volume peritoneal carcinomatosis from adenocarcinoma of the tail of pancreas in a BRCA-2 carrier resulting in long-term disease-free survival: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: A BRCA-2 mutation carrier with a metachronous pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC) and established peritoneal metastases is presented. Combined modality therapy including Cytoreductive Surgery (CS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) was associated with long-term disease-free survival. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-yr. old female underwent successful treatment for stage IIIa carcinoma of the right breast at age 48. 11 years later a cystic adenocarcinoma of the tail of the pancreas with peritoneal metastases was diagnosed. Platin based neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by definitive resection of the pancreatic mass with cytoreductive surgery (CS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) with mitomycin C was performed. Postoperatively, a retro-gastric fluid collection developed from a pancreatic duct leak, successfully managed non-operatively. Maintenance poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor therapy was initiated after recovery from surgery. The patient experienced a 30-month disease free survival and was subsequently found to have oligometastases to the brain. DISCUSSION: CR and HIPEC have not been reported to be efficacious in patients with pancreatic carcinomatosis. However, PC arising in BRCA-2 carriers has a DNA repair defect, which is sensitive to platin based chemotherapy and mitomycin C. HIPEC has more severe postoperative complications following distal pancreatectomy. Isolated brain metastases from PC are rare. BRCA-2 mutation carriers are at significantly increased risk for PC. CONCLUSION: Leveraging the DNA Repair defect in BRCA-2 pancreatic adenocarcinoma, including CS and HIPEC, led to long-term disease-free survival and good locoregional control in this patient. Complications from HIPEC are more severe. BRCA-2 carriers should undergo annual pancreatic cancer screening.

Transcriptional regulation of subclass 5b fimbriae.

BACKGROUND: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major cause of infant and child mortality in developing countries. This enteric pathogen causes profuse watery diarrhea by elaborating one or more enterotoxins that intoxicate eukaryotic cells and ultimately leads to a loss of water to the intestinal lumen. Virulence is also dependent upon fimbrial adhesins that facilitate colonization of the small intestine. RESULTS: The expression of CS1 fimbriae is positively regulated by Rns, a member of the AraC/XylS superfamily of transcriptional regulators. Based on fimbrial protein homology, CS1 fimbriae have been categorized as subclass 5b along with CS17, CS19, and PCFO71 fimbriae. In this study we show that Rns positively regulates the expression of these other subclass 5b members. DNase I footprinting revealed a Rns binding site adjacent to the -35 hexamer of each fimbrial promoter. The CS17 and PCFO71 fimbrial promoters carry a second Rns binding site centered at -109.5, relative to the Rns-dependent transcription start site. This second binding site is centered at -108.5 for the CS19 promoter. Mutagenesis of either site reduced Rns-dependent transcription from each promoter indicating that the molecules bound to these sites apparently function independently of one another, with each having an additive effect upon fimbrial promoter activation. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the ETEC virulence regulator Rns is required for the expression of all known 5b fimbriae. Since Rns is also known to control the expression of additional ETEC fimbriae, including those within subclasses 5a and 5c, the inactivation or inhibition of Rns could be an effective strategy to prevent ETEC infections.

Follow-up of abnormal screening mammograms among low-income ethnically diverse women: findings from a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To understand factors that women feel facilitate or hinder their receipt of diagnostic services following an abnormal screening mammogram. METHODS: This qualitative study used a purposive sampling strategy to identify low-income, ethnically diverse women aged 40 or over who had a recent abnormal mammogram. Working with a community health center, breast evaluation center, and mobile mammography van, 64 women were interviewed to identify salient themes that differentiated women who received timely follow-up from those who did not. RESULTS: Prominent themes among women who delayed follow-up included dissatisfaction with communication of results; perceived disrespect on the part of providers and clinic staff; logistical barriers to access of diagnostic services; anxiety and fear about a possible cancer diagnosis; and a lack of information about breast cancer screening and symptoms. Women who received timely care more often reported an appreciation of efforts by providers and clinic staff to support their prompt follow-up; availability of social support that facilitated appointment-keeping; confidence in their ability to advocate for their health; and a high priority placed on self-care. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive approach to improving timely diagnostic follow-up among underserved groups must address patient beliefs and attitudes, provider practices and communication, and practices at the health care systems level. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Implications and strategies for improving patient education, patient-provider communication, and organizational practices are discussed.

SIAH and EGFR, Two RAS Pathway Biomarkers, are Highly Prognostic in Locally Advanced and Metastatic Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic breast cancer exhibits diverse and rapidly evolving intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity. Patients with similar clinical presentations often display distinct tumor responses to standard of care (SOC) therapies. Genome landscape studies indicate that EGFR/HER2/RAS "pathway" activation is highly prevalent in malignant breast cancers. The identification of therapy-responsive and prognostic biomarkers is paramount important to stratify patients and guide therapies in clinical oncology and personalized medicine. METHODS: In this study, we analyzed matched pairs of tumor specimens collected from 182 patients who received neoadjuvant systemic therapies (NST). Statistical analyses were conducted to determine whether EGFR/HER2/RAS pathway biomarkers and clinicopathological predictors, alone and in combination, are prognostic in breast cancer. FINDINGS: SIAH and EGFR outperform ER, PR, HER2 and Ki67 as two logical, sensitive and prognostic biomarkers in metastatic breast cancer. We found that increased SIAH and EGFR expression correlated with advanced pathological stage and aggressive molecular subtypes. Both SIAH expression post-NST and NST-induced changes in EGFR expression in invasive mammary tumors are associated with tumor regression and increased survival, whereas ER, PR, and HER2 were not. These results suggest that SIAH and EGFR are two prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer with lymph node metastases. INTERPRETATION: The discovery of incorporating tumor heterogeneity-independent and growth-sensitive RAS pathway biomarkers, SIAH and EGFR, whose altered expression can be used to estimate therapeutic efficacy, detect emergence of resistant clones, forecast tumor regression, differentiate among partial responders, and predict patient survival in the neoadjuvant setting, has a clear clinical implication in personalizing breast cancer therapy. FUNDING: This work was supported by the Dorothy G. Hoefer Foundation for Breast Cancer Research (A.H. Tang); Center for Innovative Technology (CIT)-Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) (MF14S-009-LS to A.H. Tang), and National Cancer Institute (CA140550 to A.H. Tang).

A new channel for health promotion: building trade unions.

PURPOSE: Labor unions are a largely unevaluated channel for health promotion interventions for working class populations, who are at increased risk for smoking and poor diet. We conducted qualitative and quantitative research to understand the meaning and function of union membership in workers' lives and applied this information to health promotion intervention design. METHODS: Cross-sectional data included a survey conducted with a nationally representative sample of unionized construction workers (n = 1109; 44% response rate), and 16 focus groups (n = 88) conducted in multiple regions around the country. RESULTS: The vast majority of survey respondents held strongly positive views of their union. Focus group findings revealed the meaning of the union in members' daily lives, how members view information from the union, and their perceptions of the union's limitations. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide a compelling rationale for considering unions as a channel for health promotion interventions.

Results of a phase II multicenter trial of pentostatin and rituximab in patients with low grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: an effective and minimally toxic regimen.

This study explored the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of pentostatin and rituximab, effective single agents in low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Sixty patients with previously treated low-grade NHL were enrolled. Except for day 1, both drugs were administered weekly for 4 weeks, with week 5 off. During week 1 (day 1) only rituximab was given; subsequent weekly treatments included both drugs. Patients received a minimum of 2 five-week cycles in order to be evaluable for efficacy. Responses were evaluated on week 5 of cycle 2. If partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) responses were noted, 2 additional cycles were administered. Final evaluations were done on week 5 of cycle 4. Of 60 patients, 58.3% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) of 0, and 41.7% had PS of 1; 31.7% and 51.7% had stage III or stage IV disease, respectively. Histology included follicular center, follicular, grade I (45%), II (21.7%), III (1.7%), and small lymphocytic (31.7%). Seventeen patients had prior chemotherapy, but no patients had received prior pentostatin or rituximab. Median age was 60.3 years (range, 32.5-84.7 years). Among 57 evaluable patients, 77% responded (22.3% complete response [CR], 3.5% unconfirmed CR, 35.1% PR, and 10.5% unconfirmed PR); 19.3% had SD, and 8.8% progressive disease (PD). Response rate among previously untreated patients was 83% versus 63% in previously treated patients. Median duration of response was 11 months (range, 2.3-22.2 months); median time to progression was 15 months (range, < 1-25 months). Neutropenia was the only adverse event experienced by >/= 10% of patients. Six deaths were caused by PD, and one death each was caused by acute respiratory distress, possibly related respiratory failure, and cardiac toxicity. These results suggest the combination of pentostatin/rituximab is well tolerated and active in low-grade lymphoma.

Health literacy interventions and outcomes: an updated systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To update a 2004 systematic review of health care service use and health outcomes related to differences in health literacy level and interventions designed to improve these outcomes for individuals with low health literacy. Disparities in health outcomes and effectiveness of interventions among different sociodemographic groups were also examined. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE®, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Library, PsychINFO, and the Educational Resources Information Center. For health literacy, we searched using a variety of terms, limited to English and studies published from 2003 to May 25, 2010. For numeracy, we searched from 1966 to May 25, 2010. REVIEW METHODS: We used standard Evidence-based Practice Center methods of dual review of abstracts, full-text articles, abstractions, quality ratings, and strength of evidence grading. We resolved disagreements by consensus. We evaluated whether newer literature was available for answering key questions, so we broadened our definition of health literacy to include numeracy and oral (spoken) health literacy. We excluded intervention studies that did not measure health literacy directly and updated our approach to evaluate individual study risk of bias and to grade strength of evidence. RESULTS: We included good- and fair-quality studies: 81 studies addressing health outcomes (reported in 95 articles including 86 measuring health literacy and 16 measuring numeracy, of which 7 measure both) and 42 studies (reported in 45 articles) addressing interventions. Differences in health literacy level were consistently associated with increased hospitalizations, greater emergency care use, lower use of mammography, lower receipt of influenza vaccine, poorer ability to demonstrate taking medications appropriately, poorer ability to interpret labels and health messages, and, among seniors, poorer overall health status and higher mortality. Health literacy level potentially mediates disparities between blacks and whites. The strength of evidence of numeracy studies was insufficient to low, limiting conclusions about the influence of numeracy on health care service use or health outcomes. Two studies suggested numeracy may mediate the effect of disparities on health outcomes. We found no evidence concerning oral health literacy and outcomes. Among intervention studies (27 randomized controlled trials [RCTs], 2 cluster RCTs, and 13 quasi-experimental designs), the strength of evidence for specific design features was low or insufficient. However, several specific features seemed to improve comprehension in one or a few studies. The strength of evidence was moderate for the effect of mixed interventions on health care service use; the effect of intensive self-management inventions on behavior; and the effect of disease-management interventions on disease prevalence/severity. The effects of other mixed interventions on other health outcomes, including knowledge, self-efficacy, adherence, and quality of life, and costs were mixed; thus, the strength of evidence was insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: The field of health literacy has advanced since the 2004 report. Future research priorities include justifying appropriate cutoffs for health literacy levels prior to conducting studies; developing tools that measure additional related skills, particularly oral (spoken) health literacy; and examining mediators and moderators of the effect of health literacy. Priorities in advancing the design features of interventions include testing novel approaches to increase motivation, techniques for delivering information orally or numerically, "work around" interventions such as patient advocates; determining the effective components of already-tested interventions; determining the cost-effectiveness of programs; and determining the effect of policy and practice interventions.