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.

International renal-cell cancer study. III. Role of weight, height, physical activity, and use of amphetamines.

Abstract: Although numerous studies have identified obesity or high relative weight as a risk factor for renal-cell cancer in women, the degree to which this effect is present in men remains unclear. A multi ...

Body mass index and physical activity in relation to the incidence of hip fracture in postmenopausal women.

Abstract: Hip fracture risk is known to increase with physical inactivity and decrease with obesity, but there is little information on their combined effects We report on the separate and combined effects of body mass index (BMI) and physical activity on hospital admissions for hip fracture among postmenopausal women in a large prospective UK study Baseline information on body size, physical activity, and other relevant factors was collected in 1996-2001, and participants were followed for incident hip fractures by record linkage to National Health Service (NHS) hospital admission data Cox regression was used to calculate adjusted relative risks of hip fracture Among 925,345 postmenopausal women followed for an average of 62 years, 2582 were admitted to hospital with an incident hip fracture Hip fracture risk increased with decreasing BMI: Compared with obese women (BMI of 30+ kg/m2), relative risks were 171 [95% confidence interval (CI) 147-197)] for BMI of 250 to 299 kg/m2 and 255 (95% CI 222-294) for BMI of 200 to 249 kg/m2 The increase in fracture risk per unit decrease in BMI was significantly greater among lean women than among overweight women (pa<001) For women in every category of BMI, physical inactivity was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture There was no significant interaction between the relative effects of BMI and physical activity For women who reported that they took any exercise versus no exercise, the adjusted relative risk of hip fracture was 068 (95% CI 062-075), with similar results for strenuous exercise In this large cohort of postmenopausal women, BMI and physical activity had independent effects on hip fracture risk © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Copyright © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

Awareness of cancer symptoms and anticipated help seeking among ethnic minority groups in England.

Abstract: Little is known about ethnic differences in awareness of cancer-warning signs or help-seeking behaviour in Britain. As part of the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI), this study aimed to explore these factors as possible contributors to delay in cancer diagnosis. We used quota sampling to recruit 1500 men and women from the six largest minority ethnic groups in England (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Caribbean, African and Chinese). In face-to-face interviews, participants completed the newly developed cancer awareness measure (CAM), which includes questions about warning signs for cancer, speed of consultation for possible cancer symptoms and barriers to help seeking. Awareness of warning signs was low across all ethnic groups, especially using the open-ended (recall) question format, with lowest awareness in the African group. Women identified more emotional barriers and men more practical barriers to help seeking, with considerable ethnic variation. Anticipated delay in help seeking was higher in individuals who identified fewer warning signs and more barriers. The study suggests the need for culturally sensitive, community-based interventions to raise awareness and encourage early presentation.

Diet, bone mass, and osteocalcin : a cross-sectional study

Abstract: To determine the relationships among nutrients intake, bone mass, and bone turnover in women we have investigated these issues in a population-based, cross-sectional, observational study in one county in central Sweden. A total of 175 women aged 28-74 at entry to the study were included. Dietary assessment was made by both a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and by four 1-week dietary records. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed at five sites: total body, L2-L4 region of the lumbar spine, and three regions of the proximal femur. Serum concentrations of osteocalcin (an osteoblast-specific protein reflecting bone turnover) were measured by a radioimmunoassay. Linear regression models, with adjustment for possible confounding factors were used for statistical analyses. A weak positive association was found between dietary calcium intake as calculated from the semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and total body bone mineral density (BMD) among premenopausal women. No association emerged between dietary calcium intake and site-specific bone mass, i.e., lumbar spine and femoral neck, nor was an association found between dietary calcium intake and serum osteocalcin. BMD at some of the measured sites was positively associated with protein and carbohydrates and negatively associated with dietary fat. In no previous studies of diet and bone mass have dietary habits been ascertained so carefully and the results adjusted for possible confounding factors. Neither of the two methods of dietary assessment used in this study revealed any effect of calcium intake on BMD at fracture-relevant sites among these healthy, mostly middle-aged women.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)