The ultraviolet radiation index (UVI) was adopted internationally to raise awareness about and encourage the public to protect their skin from skin cancer. The current paper is a systematic review of ...over 20 years of research investigating awareness, comprehension, use, and impact of the UVI. Thirty-one studies were included from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere. Awareness of the UVI varies by country, with samples from some countries demonstrating high awareness. However, comprehension and use of the UVI to inform sun safety behaviors are typically much lower. In fact, greater UVI awareness has sometimes been associated with riskier UV-related behaviors such as intentional tanning. Fewer studies have evaluated interventions, and their results have been mixed. In summary, more research is needed to determine how to help the public understand and use the UVI for effective skin protection. This review offers suggestions for future use of and research with the UVI.
•Awareness of the UVI varies widely across countries and regions.•Comprehension and use of the UVI to inform sun safety behaviors are uncommon.•Greater UVI awareness has sometimes been associated with more risky behaviors.•Few studies have evaluated interventions, and their results have been mixed.•More work is needed to help the public understand and use the UVI properly.
...the comprehensive nature of the study report is consistent with calls from scientists and scientific bodies such as the National Institutes of Health to enhance scientific reproducibility through ...rigor and transparency.2 For example, one of the very useful aspects of the report by Buller et al. is that the authors discuss some challenges they encountered, which does not always happen but can enhance the credibility of findings and inform similar future research and public health endeavors. Studies simultaneously focusing on sun exposure, skin protection, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors and their relationships could be helpful in further investigating and increasing the use of shaded recreation areas, both passive and active. Work along these lines is already under way by members of the study team.4 The reason there are not more shade structures currently is primarily, in all likelihood, because of their cost. ...investigating issues around cost would be quite useful.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and early detection of melanoma may lead to diagnosis of thinner and more treatable cancers, resulting in improved survival rates. This ...study examined the effects of message interactivity (high vs. low) and imagery (cartoon, real human character, or customized imagery preference) on accuracy of identifying abnormal skin lesions (ASL) and skin self-examination (SSE) intention. This study employed a 3 (cartoon character vs. real person vs. customization) x 2 (high interactivity vs. low interactivity) between-subjects online experimental design. Participants at risk for skin cancer were randomly assigned to one of the six conditions and completed a survey after reviewing the educational materials. Univariate analyses were conducted to detect group differences on the accuracy of identifying ASL and intention to conduct SSE in the next 3 months. Among 321 participants who completed the study, the mean age was 36.61 years, 56.7% were females, 76.1% had a college or higher degree, and over 60% self-identified as non-Hispanic White. Individuals in the high interactivity and customization group (compared to the low interactivity and cartoon group) were more likely to accurately identify ASL. Individuals in the high interactivity and customization or low interactivity and real person imagery groups (compared to the low interactivity and cartoon group) reported higher intention to conduct SSE in the next 3 months. These results suggest that customization and interactivity may be beneficial for educational programs or intervention design to improve both melanoma identification and SSE intention.
Background
Breastfeeding is the biologically normative mode of feeding human infants, and reduces the risk of breast cancer for mothers. This systematic review assesses engagement in breastfeeding ...and the factors associated with breastfeeding among breast cancer survivors.
Methods
An online literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria were original research articles written in English, published in peer-reviewed journals from 1 January 1990 to 25 November 2019, and included data on breast cancer survivors who attempted breastfeeding.
Results
Thirteen studies were included in the systematic review. Between 7.7 and 90.9% of women attempted breastfeeding. Breastfeeding among participants varied from a few weeks to approximately 2 years. Common factors leading to breastfeeding were use of the contralateral breast, support from others, lactation counseling and advice from an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, being motivated to breastfeed, frequent feedings, and use of galactagogues. Common barriers were medical counseling against breastfeeding, insufficient milk production, lack of support, refusal of the infant to breastfeed from the treated breast, and being tired from relying on one breast.
Conclusions
Breastfeeding from the unaffected breast is feasible for some breast cancer survivors. Successful breastfeeding may require multilevel support and expert advice.
Although military veterans are at increased risk for skin cancer, little is known about the extent to which they have been screened for skin cancer. The study objective was to examine the prevalence ...and correlates of physician skin cancer screening among U.S. military veterans.
Data were drawn from the National Health Interview Survey. The study sample consisted of 2,826 individuals who reported being military veterans. Receipt of a physician skin examination was measured using a single question that asked participants whether they had ever had all of their skin from head to toe checked for cancer by a dermatologist or some other kind of doctor.
Less than a third (30.88%) of participants reported ever having a physician skin examination. Factors positively associated with receipt of a physician skin examination in a multivariable logistic regression analysis included: older age, greater educational level, non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity, having TRICARE (military) health insurance, greater skin sensitivity to the sun, and engagement in more sun protection behaviors.
The majority of military veterans have never been screened for skin cancer by a physician. Screening rates were higher among individuals with one or more skin cancer risk factors. Future research is warranted to test targeted skin cancer screening interventions for this at risk and understudied population.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
ObjectiveA systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of interventions incorporating motivational interviewing for smoking cessation and identify correlates of treatment ...effectsData sourcesMedline/PubMed, PsycInfo and other sources including grey literatureStudy selectionTitle/abstract search terms were motivational interview* OR motivational enhancement AND smok*, cigarette*, tobacco, OR nicotine. Randomised trials reporting number of smokers abstinent at follow up were eligible.Data extractionData were independently coded by the first and third authors. We coded for a variety of study, participant, and intervention related variables.Data synthesisA random effects logistic regression with both a random intercept and a random slope for the treatment effect.Results31 smoking cessation research trials were selected for the study: eight comprised adolescent samples, eight comprised adults with chronic physical or mental illness, five comprised pregnant/postpartum women and 10 comprised other adult samples. Analysis of the trials (9485 individual participants) showed an overall OR comparing likelihood of abstinence in the motivational interviewing (MI) versus control condition of OR 1.45 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.83). Additional potential correlates of treatment effects such as study, sample, and intervention characteristics were examined.ConclusionsThis is the most comprehensive review of MI for smoking cessation conducted to date. These findings suggest that current MI smoking cessation approaches can be effective for adolescents and adults. However, comparative efficacy trials could be useful.
Self-report measures are needed to better understand the relationships among sleep, itching, scratching, and chronic itch conditions and their associations with disease severity, QOL, health, and ...functioning. Two scales related to sleep and/or scratch were recently developed and assessed in 137 patients with chronic itch and atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. The Scratch Intensity and Impact Scale consisted of two factors (scratching intensity and impact of scratching on QOL) that accounted for 64.59% of the variance with a total of 13 items, overall Cronbach’s α of 0.93, and test–retest reliability of 0.66. The Sleep-Related Itch and Scratch Scale consisted of one factor that accounted for 63.01% of the variance with a total of 16 items, overall Cronbach’s α of 0.98, and test–retest reliability of 0.66. Both measures demonstrated significant correlations with each other as well as other itch-related measures and nonsignificant correlations with scales hypothesized to be unrelated. The final measures demonstrated adequate preliminary psychometric characteristics. It is hoped that these scales will be used for future research and clinical purposes to help fill recognized gaps in understanding about sleep, itch, scratching, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Timely diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients improves overall quality of life and survival. This study assessed the proportion of CRC patients ...who were formally diagnosed with IDA and factors that predict a formal diagnosis of IDA and receiving iron therapy.
We retrieved electronic medical records (EMRs) of CRC patients from a large comprehensive cancer center in the Northeastern part of the United States (n = 499). We abstracted sociodemographic characteristics, relevant laboratory results, IDA diagnosis, and iron supplementation from the EMRs. We assessed relationships between participant characteristics, a diagnosis of IDA and receiving iron therapy through adjusted logistic regressions.
IDA was formally diagnosed in 26 (5.2%) individuals judged by EMR documentation. Only 153 (30.7%) participants had iron laboratory results available. Among the 153 patients with iron panel data available, 113 (73.9%) had iron deficiency. Seventy-six had absolute iron deficiency as shown by ferritin levels below 100 ng/mL and iron saturation less than 20% and 37 had functional iron deficiency as shown by ferritin levels between 100 and 500 ng/mL and iron saturation less than 20%. 12% of all patients had documentation of iron therapy receipt. A formal diagnosis of IDA was not associated with any of the covariates.
Iron deficiency anemia is under-diagnosed among CRC patients and most likely under-documented in clinical notes. Rates of iron repletion are low, suggesting that many patients with IDA are untreated. Future research should explore provider-level and other strategies for improving assessment and diagnosis of IDA among CRC patients.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
With the growing popularity of waterpipe smoking (WPS), it is important to understand how WPS may impact health. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to identify ...potential health effects of WPS, specifically on the head and neck region.
The authors systematically reviewed published articles that focused on WPS and head and neck conditions identified from the following databases: PubMed and MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar.
The authors included 20 articles in the review. Ten of the articles pertained to oral tissue outcomes, 7 to head and neck cancer, and 3 to the voice and middle ear. The authors found that WPS was associated with greater inflammation, Candida, periodontitis, dry socket, blood chromium and nickel levels, premalignant lesions, oral cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, attic retraction, edema in the vocal cords, and lower habitual vocal pitch and voice turbulence index.
WPS is associated with various head and neck conditions. Educational and policy approaches may be required to limit the spread of WPS and its potentially deleterious effects.
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