Background
Risk factors are traits or behaviors that have an influence on the development of breast cancer (BC). Awareness of the prevalent risk factors can guide in developing prevention ...interventions.
Purpose
To evaluate the correlation between the breast density, body mass index, and the risk of breast cancer development in relation to the menopausal status in a native African-Arab population.
Material and methods
The study included 30,443 screened females who were classified into cancer and non-cancer groups and each group was further sub-classified into pre- and postmenopausal groups. The breast density (BD) was reported and subjectively classified according to the 2013 ACR BI-RADS breast density classification. The weight and height were measured, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated and classified according to the WHO BMI classification.
Results
A statistically significant difference was calculated between the mean BMI in the cancer and non-cancer groups (p: .027) as well as between the pre- and postmenopausal groups (p < .001). A positive statistically insignificant correlation was calculated between the breast density and the risk of breast cancer in the premenopausal group (OR: 1.062, p: .919) and a negative highly significant correlation was calculated in the postmenopausal group (OR: 0.234, p < .001).
Conclusion
BMI and BD are inversely associated with each other. The current studied population presented unique ethnic characteristics, where a decreased BD and an increased BMI were found to be independent risk factors for developing breast cancer.
Background
Radiology serves in the diagnosis and management of many diseases. Despite its rising importance and use, radiology is not a core component of a lot of medical school curricula. This ...survey aims to clarify current gaps in the radiological education in Egyptian medical schools. In February–May 2021, 5318 students enrolled in Egyptian medical schools were recruited and given a 20-multiple-choice-question survey assessing their radiology knowledge, radiograph interpretation, and encountered imaging experiences. We measured the objective parameters as a percentage. We conducted descriptive analysis and used Likert scales where values were represented as numerical values. Percentages were graphed afterwards.
Results
A total of 5318 medical students in Egypt answered our survey. Gender distribution was 45% males and 54% females. The results represented all 7 class years of medical school (six academic years and a final training year). In assessing students’ knowledge of radiology, most students (75%) reported that they received ‘too little’ education, while 20% stated the amount was ‘just right’ and only 4% reported it was ‘too much.’ Sixty-two percent of students stated they were taught radiology through medical imaging lectures. Participants’ future career plans were almost equally distributed. Near half of participants (43%) have not heard about the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria (ACR-AR), while 39% have heard about it but are not familiar with.
Conclusions
Radiology is a novel underestimated field. Therefore, medical students need more imaging exposure. To accomplish this, attention and efforts should be directed toward undergraduate radiology education to dissolve the gap between radiology and other specialties during clinical practice. A survey answered by medical students can bridge between presence of any current defect in undergraduate radiology teaching and future solutions for this topic.
Background
In multidisciplinary education, different perspectives from more than one discipline are used to illustrate a certain topic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an ...online, multidisciplinary radiology curriculum to teach radiology to medical students in Egypt. A multidisciplinary team of radiologists, surgeons, and internists taught a series of 5 case-based radiology sessions on a web conference platform. Topics included common clinical case scenarios for various body systems. Undergraduate medical students across Egypt were enrolled in the course. A pre-test–post-test design was used to evaluate the efficacy of each session. Upon course completion, students filled out a subjective survey to assess the radiology education series.
Results
On average, 1000 students attended each session. For each session, an average of 734 students completed both the pre-test and post-test. There was a statistically significant increase in post-test scores compared to pre-test scores across all 5 sessions (
p
< 0.001) with an overall average score improvement of 63%. A subjective survey at the end of the course was completed by 1027 students. Over 96% of students found the lecture series to be a worthwhile experience that increased their imaging knowledge and interest in radiology, and that the use of a multidisciplinary approach added educational value. About 66% of students also reported that the session topics were “excellent and clinically important.” There was a marked increase in reported confidence levels in radiology competencies before and after attendance of the sessions.
Conclusions
An online radiology curriculum with a multidisciplinary approach can be implemented successfully to reach a large group of medical students and meet their educational objectives.
Background
There is a worldwide deficit in teaching and training in the field of radiology for undergraduate medical students. This educational gap is prominent in many medical schools as most ...radiology curricula are a part of other specialty trainings, usually provided by non-radiologists. After COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increased trend in online education. However, questions have been raised about the efficacy and acceptance of online education. We developed a course on the principles of radiology and medical imaging basics to target Egyptian medical students. We then assessed the impact of these educational videos through several online surveys. Our "The Principles of Radiology Online Course" was delivered to students at various Egyptian medical schools; it was a prerecorded series composed of nine sessions, and each session followed the sequence of a pre-test, video, and post-test. There was a final survey to assess the overall feedback. Finally, we analyzed the results to give insight onto how teaching radiology through online lectures can help build better physicians.
Results
Among various medical schools around Egypt, 1396 Egyptian medical students joined this cohort. Cohort population percentage was 56% female and 44% male. Ninety-eight percent of the students agreed that this program increased their understanding of radiology. Eighty-four percent of the students found the platform friendly and easy to use. Seventy-nine percent found these webinars were more convenient compared to in-person education. Statistical significance (
p-
value < 0.05) was achieved in all sessions after comparing students’ pre and post-test scores, and in students’ confidence and knowledge level before and after the course.
Conclusions
Radiology is an underrepresented subject for a lot of medical students. Online radiology webinars have proven to be a promising method of teaching medical students key medical imaging concepts. An online course of radiology basics and principles can help improve a medical student’s knowledge and enhance overall future patient care.
Lymphadenopathy (LAP) refers to abnormalities in the size or consistency of lymph nodes. A wide range of etiologies contributes to the difficulty in diagnosing LAP, from mild self-limited viral ...infections to grave autoimmune diseases and malignancies. Detailed history-taking and a thorough physical examination are essential. Some physicians in developing countries may consider therapeutic testing. Certain groups may require additional evaluations and special treatment. When treating LAP, the etiology is targeted, but corticosteroids should not be administered before a complete diagnosis has been established due to their ability to mask the histological diagnosis of lymphoma and malignancy. This review aims to provide more straightforward and affordable methods available in almost all healthcare settings, especially those with limited resources.
Purpose of Review
Benign and malignant breast diseases in young, pregnant and lactating women including pregnancy associated breast cancers will be reviewed.
Recent Findings
Compared to breast cancer ...in older women, poor prognostic indicators such as high nuclear grade, high Ki67 proliferation, estrogen receptor (ER) negativity, and overexpression of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) may be present in young women. Even among ER + /HER2 cancers, young patients have a poorer prognosis. For pregnant women, the timing of care may be personalized based on gestational age, tumor subtype, clinical stage, and family planning considerations, including induction of labor and preservation of fertility for future pregnancies. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be safely administered during the second and third trimesters, and if necessary, radiation therapy can be given after birth.
Summary
Symptomatic concerns warrant prompt imaging evaluation with biopsy to distinguish benign from malignant causes of breast disease in young, pregnant, and lactating women.
Current Status of Imaging for Breast Cancer Staging Pria, Hanna R. Ferreira Dalla; Scoggins, Marion E.; Moseley, Tanya W. ...
Current breast cancer reports,
06/2024, Letnik:
16, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Purpose of Review
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Accurate clinical staging is important as it guides management and treatment. The radiologist plays an important role in the ...evaluation of breast cancer because imaging is integral to clinical staging. This review aims to highlight the various aspects of staging breast cancer with an emphasis on the appropriate use of imaging.
Recent Findings
The 8th edition of the American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) Staging Manual incorporates tumor markers and other prognostic factors, in addition to the traditional anatomic staging. This allows a more precise estimation of disease extent, allowing appropriate treatment and management of patients. Imaging plays an important role in accurately staging patients clinically. Different breast imaging modalities and systemic imaging modalities complement each other to give the most accurate clinical stage, which is then combined with biological and prognostic factors to guide patient management.
Summary
Understanding the staging of breast cancer is essential for the radiologist and allows for individualized and prognostic-based management of breast cancer patients.
The Benefits of Screening Mammography De Jesus, Charles; Moseley, Tanya W.; Diaz, Valentina ...
Current breast cancer reports,
06/2023, Letnik:
15, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Purpose of Review
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Early detection through screening mammography has been proven to reduce mortality, morbidity, and years of life lost. ...The purpose of this review is to discuss the benefits of screening mammography and the latest recommendations from the American College of Radiology (ACR).
Recent Findings
Approximately 300,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in the USA yearly. Screening mammography has allowed for early cancer detection with increasing efficacy leading to 500 prevented deaths for every 100,000 women screened and a 5-year survival rate of 91%.
Summary
Mammography screening promotes the earlier detection of breast cancer, hence minimizing mortality, years of life lost, and treatment morbidity associated with advanced breast cancer at the time of diagnosis.
Purpose of Review
To discuss how advanced breast imaging modalities can supplement standard breast imaging with mammography, ultrasound, and MRI.
Recent Findings
For the last 40–50 years, the primary ...breast cancer screening examination has been mammography which has undergone many changes from xeromammography, film-screen analog, to digital mammography techniques. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) are the most recent advances to digital mammography. Molecular breast imaging (MBI) and positron emission mammography (PEM) are nuclear medicine breast examinations that utilize mammographic positioning and are useful supplements to standard breast imaging examination.
Summary
Advances in mammographic techniques have improved the sensitivity and specificity of mammography in detecting breast cancer, demonstrating the extent of disease, and evaluating the response to systemic treatments. Understanding how advanced mammographic techniques fit in with other available breast imaging examinations helps ensure optimal evaluation to help guide treatment decisions.
Background
Several coronavirus vaccine have been fast-tracked to halt the pandemic, the usage of immune adjuvants that can boost immunological memory has come up to the surface. This is particularly ...of importance in view of the rates of failure of seroconversion and re-infection after COVID-19 infection, which could make the vaccine role and response debatable. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have an established immune-modulatory role, but their effects as adjuvants to vaccination have not been explored to date.
Main body of the abstract
It is increasingly recognized that PPAR agonists can upregulate the levels of anti-apoptotic factors such as MCL-1. Such effect can improve the results of vaccination by enhancing the longevity of long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs). The interaction between PPAR agonists and the immune system does not halt here, as T cell memory is also stimulated through enhanced T regulatory cells, antagonizing PD-L1 and switching the metabolism of T cells to fatty acid oxidation, which has a remarkable effect on the persistence of T memory cells. What is even of a more significant value is the effect of PPAR gamma on ensuring a profound secretion of antibodies upon re-exposure to the offending antigen through upregulating lipoxin B4, therefore potentially assisting the vaccine response and deterring re-infection.
Short conclusion
In view of the above, we suggest the use of PPAR as adjuvants to vaccines in general especially the emerging COVID-19 vaccine due to their role in enhancing immunologic memory through DNA-dependent mechanisms.
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