American Cancer Society

About: American Cancer Society is a nonprofit organization based out in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cancer & Population. The organization has 1339 authors who have published 3700 publications receiving 688166 citations. The organization is also known as: American Cancer Society, ACS & American Society for the Control of Cancer.

Quality of life of family caregivers 5 years after a relative's cancer diagnosis: Follow-up of the national quality of life survey for caregivers

Abstract: Background. Although cancer has been considered as a chronic disease for those diagnosed, the long-term impact of cancer on the family caregivers' quality of life (QOL) remains unknown. Thus, the current study aimed: (a) to characterize family caregivers of cancer survivors, (b) to describe the multidimensional aspects of QOL of family caregivers of cancer survivors, and (c) to identify demographic and caregiving experience factors that may play significant roles in the caregivers' QOL around 5 years after the relative's initial diagnosis. Methods. A total of 1218 caregivers participated in the 5-year follow-up nationwide QOL Survey for Caregivers. Demographics and caregiving experiences were measured 2 years post-diagnosis of their relative's cancer. Multidimensional aspects of QOL were assessed, including mental and physical health, psychological adjustment, and spirituality at 5 years post-diagnosis. Results. Three groups of caregivers were identified: former caregivers due to the recipients being in remission, former caregivers whose recipients were deceased, and current caregivers. Current caregivers reported worst levels of QOL. Bereaved caregivers reported lower levels of psychological and spiritual adjustment than former caregivers whose recipients were in remission. In addition, caregivers' age and stress were consistent predictors of QOL across three caregiver groups at 5 years post-diagnosis. Conclusions. The findings help to increase evidence-based awareness of the long-term impact of cancer on the family caregivers' QOL. Findings also have implications for developing programs, whereby family caregivers in the various phases of caregivership will benefit by improving their QOL. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Melanoma in adolescents and young adults (ages 15-39 years): United States, 1999-2006

Abstract: Background Invasive melanoma of the skin is the third most common cancer diagnosed among adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39 years) in the United States. Understanding the burden of melanoma in this age group is important to identifying areas for etiologic research and in developing effective prevention approaches aimed at reducing melanoma risk. Methods Melanoma incidence data reported from 38 National Program of Cancer Registries and/or Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results statewide cancer registries covering nearly 67.2% of the US population were used to estimate age-adjusted incidence rates for persons 15-39 years of age. Incidence rate ratios were calculated to compare rates between demographic groups. Results Melanoma incidence was higher among females (age-adjusted incidence rates = 9.74; 95% confidence interval 9.62-9.86) compared with males (age-adjusted incidence rates = 5.77; 95% confidence interval 5.68-5.86), increased with age, and was higher in non-Hispanic white compared with Hispanic white and black, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, and Asian and Pacific Islanders populations. Melanoma incidence rates increased with year of diagnosis in females but not males. The majority of melanomas were diagnosed on the trunk in all racial and ethnic groups among males but only in non-Hispanic whites among females. Most melanomas were diagnosed at localized stage, and among those melanomas with known histology, the majority were superficial spreading. Limitations Accuracy of melanoma cases reporting was limited because of some incompleteness (delayed reporting) or nonspecific reporting including large proportion of unspecified histology. Conclusions Differences in incidence rates by anatomic site, histology, and stage among adolescents and young adults by race, ethnicity, and sex suggest that both host characteristics and behaviors influence risk. These data suggest areas for etiologic research around gene-environment interactions and the need for targeted cancer control activities specific to adolescents and young adult populations.

Family history of cancer and risk of pancreatic cancer: a pooled analysis from the Pancreatic Cancer Cohort Consortium (PanScan)

Abstract: A family history of pancreatic cancer has consistently been associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer However, uncertainty remains about the strength of this association Results from previous studies suggest a family history of select cancers (ie, ovarian, breast and colorectal) could also be associated, although not as strongly, with increased risk of pancreatic cancer We examined the association between a family history of 5 types of cancer (pancreas, prostate, ovarian, breast and colorectal) and risk of pancreatic cancer using data from a collaborative nested case-control study conducted by the Pancreatic Cancer Cohort Consortium Cases and controls were from cohort studies from the United States, Europe and China, and a case-control study from the Mayo Clinic Analyses of family history of pancreatic cancer included 1,183 cases and 1,205 controls A family history of pancreatic cancer in a parent, sibling or child was associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer [multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) = 176, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 119-261] A family history of prostate cancer was also associated with increased risk (OR = 145, 95% CI = 112-189) There were no statistically significant associations with a family history of ovarian cancer (OR = 082, 95% CI = 052-131), breast cancer (OR = 121, 95% CI = 097-151) or colorectal cancer (OR = 117, 95% CI = 093-147) Our results confirm a moderate sized association between a family history of pancreatic cancer and risk of pancreatic cancer and also provide evidence for an association with a family history of prostate cancer worth further study

Racial differences in the presentation and outcomes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the United States.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is often cured with standard chemoimmunotherapy, but there is great heterogeneity in presentation and outcomes. METHODS: By using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data from 13 registries across the United States, the authors examined differences in incidence and survival for DLBCL by race. International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, third edition histology codes 9678, 9679, 9680, and 9684 were used to identify cases. RESULTS: From 1992 to 2007, 38,522 cases of DLBCL were recorded in SEER. Sixty-five percent of black patients compared with 37% of white patients presented at age ≤60 years, 52% of blacks compared with 44% of whites presented with stage III/IV disease, and 31% of black versus 24% of white patients presented with B symptoms (all P 60, advanced stage, and B symptoms at diagnosis were predictors of worse survival (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Black patients with DLBCL in the United States present at younger age, more advanced stage, and have inferior survival. Epidemiological studies that examine the biological variants of DLBCL in concert with race are needed to elucidate the etiology of these disparities. Cancer 2011;. © 2010 American Cancer Society.