Cancer Epidemiology Unit

About: Cancer Epidemiology Unit is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 669 authors who have published 1725 publications receiving 93979 citations.

Analysis of retinoblastoma age incidence data using a fully stochastic cancer model

Abstract: Retinoblastoma (RB) is an important ocular malignancy of childhood. It has been commonly accepted for some time that knockout of the two alleles of the RB1 gene is the principal molecular target associated with the occurrence of RB. In this article, we examine the validity of the two-hit theory for RB by comparing the fit of a stochastic model with two or more mutational stages. Unlike many such models, our model assumes a fully stochastic stem cell compartment, which is crucial to its behavior. Models are fitted to a population-based dataset comprising 1,553 cases of RB for the period 1962-2000 in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). The population incidence of RB is best described by a fully stochastic model with two stages, although models with a deterministic stem cell compartment yield equivalent fit; models with three or more stages fit much less well. The results strongly suggest that knockout of the two alleles of the RB1 gene is necessary and may be largely sufficient for the development of RB, in support of Knudson's two-hit hypothesis.

Nitrate Exposure and Human Cancer

Abstract: The human epidemiological evidence relating environmental nitrate exposure and risk of cancer is methodologically weak but, on balance, it does not suggest a positive association. New data are presented from the follow-up study of UK fertilizer workers which confirms the lack of an increased risk for stomach cancer in a group heavily exposed to nitrate. This uncertainty means that it is not possible to produce precise cancer-risk estimates of exposure. Risk assessment will, therefore, be based on prudent judgements pending future research.

The importance of age, sex and place in understanding socioeconomic inequalities in allostatic load: Evidence from the Scottish Health Survey (2008–2011)

Abstract: Given the broad spectrum of health and wellbeing outcomes that are patterned by socioeconomic position (SEP), it has been suggested that there may be common biological pathways linking SEP and health. Allostatic load is one such pathway, which aims to measure cumulative burden/dysregulation across multiple physiological systems. This study aimed to determine the contextual and demographic factors (age, sex and place) that may be important in better understanding the links between lower SEP and higher allostatic load.

Risk factors for breast cancer among Filipino women in Manila

Abstract: Age-adjusted incidence rates of breast cancer vary greatly worldwide with highest rates found in the typically 'westernised' countries of North America and Europe. Much lower rates are observed in Asian and African populations but an exception to this has been reported for the Manila Cancer Registry in the Philippines. The reason for this high rate is unknown but may be associated with the change in lifestyle that has occurred in urban Manila since the 1960s. In 1995, a randomised controlled trial was set up in Manila to evaluate the feasibility of a screening intervention by clinical breast examination as an alternative to mammography. The cohort of 151,168 women was followed-up to 2001 for cancer incidence and a nested case-control study carried out. This aimed to evaluate the increase in breast cancer risk associated with known risk factors. Increased risks were seen for a high level of education (OR = 1.9 95%CI 1.1-3.3 for education stopped at > or =13 versus or =30 versus <20 years). We found no association with excess body weight, height, use of exogenous hormones or alcohol consumption. From this study, the recognised "classical" risk factors do not fully explain the high breast cancer incidence in Metro Manila, especially when compared to other urban Asian populations. We conclude that it is too simplistic to ascribe the high risk to 'westernisation'.

The association between adult attained height and sitting height with mortality in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC)

Abstract: Adult height and sitting height may reflect genetic and environmental factors, including early life nutrition, physical and social environments. Previous studies have reported divergent associations for height and chronic disease mortality, with positive associations observed for cancer mortality but inverse associations for circulatory disease mortality. Sitting height might be more strongly associated with insulin resistance; however, data on sitting height and mortality is sparse. Using the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study, a prospective cohort of 409,748 individuals, we examined adult height and sitting height in relation to all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Height was measured in the majority of participants; sitting height was measured in 253,000 participants. During an average of 12.5 years of follow-up, 29,810 deaths (11,931 from cancer and 7,346 from circulatory disease) were identified. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for death were calculated using multivariable Cox regression within quintiles of height. Height was positively associated with cancer mortality (men: Q5.svQ1 = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.00-1.24; women: Q5.svQ1 = 1.17, 95%CI = 1.07-1.28). In contrast, height was inversely associated with circulatory disease mortality (men: Q5.svQ1 = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.56-0.71; women: vs.1Q= 0.81, 95%CI = 0.70-0.93). Although sitting height was not associated with cancer mortality, it was inversely associated with circulatory disease (men: Q5.svQ1 = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.55-0.75; women: vs.1Q= 0.60, 95%CI = 0.49-0.74) and respiratory disease mortality (men: Q5.svQ1 = 0.45, 95%CI = 0.28-0.71; women: vs.1Q= 0.60, 95%CI = 0.40-0.89). We observed opposing effects of height on cancer and circulatory disease mortality. Sitting height was inversely associated with circulatory disease and respiratory disease mortality.