Article
Infectious Diseases
Rajeev P. Nagassar, Narin Jalim, Arianne Mitchell, Ashley Harrinanan, Anisa Mohammed, Darren K. Dookeeram, Danini Marin, Lucia Giangreco, Paola Lichtenberger, Gustavo H. Marin
Summary: A study on antimicrobial consumption (AMC) was conducted at the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) in Trinidad and Tobago. The study investigated the dosage and package types of various antibiotics and analyzed their consumption using the World Health Organization's Antimicrobial Resistance and Consumption Surveillance System methodology. The results showed that oral co-amoxiclav, oral cefuroxime, oral azithromycin, and oral co-trimoxazole were the most highly consumed antibiotics, and there was a change in antibiotic consumption from the hospital to the community. The consumption of 'Watch' group antibiotics increased from 2017 to 2021, with a drop in consumption of 'Access' antibiotics and at the onset of COVID-19. The consumption of oral azithromycin was higher in 2021 compared to 2020.
Article
Oncology
Jessica Roelands, Raghvendra Mall, Hossam Almeer, Remy Thomas, Mahmoud G. Mohamed, Shahinaz Bedri, Salha Bujassoum Al-Bader, Kulsoom Junejo, Elad Ziv, Rosalyn W. Sayaman, Peter J. K. Kuppen, Davide Bedognetti, Wouter Hendrickx, Julie Decock
Summary: This study identifies molecular differences that contribute to disparities in clinical outcomes among breast cancer patients of non-European ancestry, shedding light on the role of cancer-related and microenvironmental features.
Article
Demography
Monique D. A. Kelly
Summary: This study aims to fill the research gap on racial inequality in the Anglophone Caribbean by examining the cases of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. The findings reveal the existence of a salient racial hierarchy and pigmentocracy that impact outcomes in education, per capita household income, and household amenities in both countries. However, Trinidad and Tobago stands out as an exception to black disadvantage.
JOURNAL OF ETHNIC AND MIGRATION STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Murielle Murielle Beaubrun-Renard, Jacqueline Veronique-Baudin, Jonathan Macni, Stephen Ulric-Gervaise, Thierry Almont, Aude Aline-Fardin, Nathalie Grossat, Cristina Furtos, Patrick Escarmant, Vincent Vinh-Hung, Stefanos Bougas, Andre Cabie, Clarisse Joachim
Summary: This study investigated the survival and prognostic factors of women with breast cancer in Martinique, a French overseas territory, from 2008 to 2017. The findings showed overall good prognosis for breast cancer patients and identified several factors associated with increased risk of death, including metastatic disease, triple negative breast cancer, HR+/HER2- status, and age over 75.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sophia H. L. George, Talia Donenberg, Cheryl Alexis, Vincent DeGennaro, Hedda Dyer, Sook Yin, Jameel Ali, Raleigh Butler, Sheray N. Chin, DuVaughn Curling, Dwight Lowe, John Lunn, Theodore Turnquest, Gilian Wharfe, Danielle Cerbon, Priscila Barreto-Coelho, Matthew P. Schlumbrecht, Mohammad R. Akbari, Steven A. Narod, Judith E. Hurley
Summary: This multisite genetic association study in the Caribbean found that hereditary breast and ovarian cancer accounted for a significant proportion among individuals with breast and ovarian cancer, with varying rates across different islands. Family history was strongly associated with germline variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2, and BRCA1 variants were specifically linked to triple negative breast cancer.
Article
Oncology
Daniel J. van Der Meer, Iris Kramer, Marissa C. van Maaren, Paul J. van Diest, Sabine C. Linn, John H. Maduro, Luc J.A. Strobbe, Sabine Siesling, Marjanka K. Schmidt, Adri C. Voogd
Summary: The incidence of breast cancer in the Netherlands has steadily increased since 1989, but recent trends show promising declines. Survival rates have significantly improved for most patients, and mortality has decreased regardless of age.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kristy Samaroo, Amalia Hosein, Jameel Ali
Summary: The perception and interest in cancer survivorship among breast cancer patients in Trinidad and Tobago were investigated in this study, with the aim of introducing a pilot survivorship program. The participants reported their needs, expectations, and level of interest in survivorship care through questionnaires. The results showed areas for improvement in terms of patients' satisfaction with their medical care, information provided by healthcare providers, and overall concern from physicians. The second questionnaire revealed high levels of interest from participants in a Cancer Survivorship Program, particularly in the areas of nutrition and psychosocial development.
CUREUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chavin D. Gopaul, Aruna Singh, Akil Williams, Dale Ventour, Davlin Thomas
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and mortality trends associated with cancer cases in Trinidad and Tobago for the period 2008-2018, across different age groups, gender, and ethnicity. The findings indicate highest cancer incidence and mortality occur among Afro-Trinidadians. The stage at diagnosis varies across cancer types and gender.
JOURNAL OF HEALTH POPULATION AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Mingaile Drevinskaite, Ausvydas Patasius, Marius Kincius, Justinas Jonusas, Adomas Ladukas, Mindaugas Jievaltas, Laura Kairevice, Giedre Smailyte
Summary: This study analyzed trends in penile cancer incidence, mortality, and relative survival in Lithuania from 1998 to 2017. The results showed an increasing incidence rate of penile cancer in Lithuania, but a decreasing mortality rate. One-year and five-year relative survival rates of patients with penile cancer improved over time, but were still lower than those in Northern European countries.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Junjie Huang, Paul S. F. Chan, Veeleah Lok, Xiao Chen, Hanyue Ding, Yinzi Jin, Jinqiu Yuan, Xiang-qian Lao, Zhi-Jie Zheng, Martin C. S. Wong
Summary: Breast cancer incidence is increasing in many countries globally, with significant rises seen in both older and younger females. Some countries also reported a rise in breast cancer mortality rates. Further research is needed to explore the underlying reasons for these epidemiological trends.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Babatunde Adedokun, Zhaohui Du, Guimin Gao, Thomas U. Ahearn, Kathryn L. Lunetta, Gary Zirpoli, Jonine Figueroa, Esther M. John, Leslie Bernstein, Wei Zheng, Jennifer J. Hu, Regina G. Ziegler, Sarah Nyante, Elisa Bandera, Sue A. Ingles, Michael F. Press, Sandra L. Deming-Halverson, Jorge L. Rodriguez-Gil, Song Yao, Temidayo O. Ogundiran, Oladosu Ojengbede, William Blot, Melissa A. Troester, Katherine L. Nathanson, Anselm Hennis, Barbara Nemesure, Stefan Ambs, Peter N. Fiorica, Lara E. Sucheston-Campbell, Jeannette T. Bensen, Lawrence H. Kushi, Gabriela Torres-Mejia, Donglei Hu, Laura Fejerman, Manjeet K. Bolla, Joe Dennis, Alison M. Dunning, Douglas F. Easton, Kyriaki Michailidou, Paul D. P. Pharoah, Qin Wang, Dale P. Sandler, Jack A. Taylor, Katie M. O'Brien, Cari M. Kitahara, Adeyinka G. Falusi, Chinedum Babalola, Joel Yarney, Baffour Awuah, Beatrice Addai-Wiafe, Stephen J. Chanock, Andrew F. Olshan, Christine B. Ambrosone, David Conti, Elad Ziv, Olufunmilayo Olopade, Montserrat Garcia-Closas, Julie R. Palmer, Christopher A. Haiman, Dezheng Huo
Summary: Using a cross-ancestry approach, the study identified seven new variants associated with breast cancer risk among women of African ancestry, shedding light on the genetic basis of breast cancer in different populations and emphasizing the importance of replication across multiple ancestry populations to identify causal variants.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Alina M. Hamilton, Katherine A. Hoadley, Melissa A. Troester
Summary: Martini and colleagues conducted genetic ancestry estimation on a TNBC study with participants of African ancestry, revealing gene signatures and immunological differences associated with race in TNBC, which may contribute to racial disparities in breast cancer.
Article
Zoology
Didier Vandenspiegel, Sergei Golovatch, Mike G. Rutherford
Summary: During collecting surveys for terrestrial micro-molluscs in Trinidad and Tobago, millipedes of the genus Pandirodesmus were found on both islands. Samples of P. rutherfordi from Tobago and a new species, Pandirodesmus jaggernauthi sp. nov., from Trinidad were recovered. Additional information, illustrations, and descriptive notes were provided for P. rutherfordi. A key and distribution maps were presented for all three species of the genus.
Article
Oncology
Chengshi Wang, Kejia Hu, Lei Deng, Wei He, Fang Fang, Rulla M. Tamimi, Donghao Lu
Summary: Patients with breast cancer as a second malignancy have worse breast cancer-specific survival compared to those with first primary breast cancer, although the risk elevation is mild. High-risk subgroups based on characteristics of the first malignancy may be considered for active clinical management.
Article
Cell Biology
Azadeh Nasrazadani, Juan Luis Gomez Marti, Kevin E. Kip, Oscar C. Marroquin, Lara Lemon, Steve D. Shapiro, Adam M. Brufsky
Summary: The incidence of breast cancer increases with age in US women. Younger patients have higher mortality rates while the mortality rates of elderly patients with early-stage breast cancer are lower, suggesting a possible protective effect.
Article
Oncology
Kyle M. Walsh, Corey Neff, Melissa L. Bondy, Carol Kruchko, Jason T. Huse, Christopher Amos, Jill S. Barnholtz-Sloan, Quinn T. Ostrom
Summary: The incidence and outcomes of glioma differ in association with the geographic origins of Hispanic communities, with predominantly Mexican/Central American-origin counties at reduced risk and predominantly Caribbean-origin counties at greater risk. Higher incidence and improved survival are associated with European admixture in Hispanic patients.
Article
Oncology
Joellen M. M. Schildkraut, Courtney Johnson, Lauren F. F. Dempsey, Bo Qin, Paul Terry, Maxwell Akonde, Edward S. S. Peters, Hannah Mandle, Michele L. L. Cote, Lauren Peres, Patricia Moorman, Ann G. G. Schwartz, Michael Epstein, Jeffrey Marks, Melissa Bondy, Andrew B. B. Lawson, Anthony J. J. Alberg, Elisa V. V. Bandera
Summary: This study describes the likely multi-factorial causes for the survival disparity among Black women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The African American Cancer Epidemiology Study (AACES) is the largest cohort of Black women with EOC, and the results show that the five-year overall survival rate of AACES participants is lower compared to Black women in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry and white women in SEER. A significant proportion of women in AACES have low levels of household income, education, and insurance coverage.
CANCER CAUSES & CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. M. Samon, D. Rohlman, L. Tidwell, P. D. Hoffman, A. O. Oluyomi, C. Walker, M. Bondy, K. A. Anderson
Summary: Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding in Houston, Texas, resulting in increased concern about chemical exposure from flood waters and industrial emissions. This study used silicone wristbands as personal passive samplers to assess immediate exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and identify factors associated with higher exposure concentrations. The results showed that living in areas with a high Area Deprivation Index, identifying as Black/African American or Latino, and residing in specific Houston neighborhoods were linked to increased exposure to EDCs, indicating racial/ethnic and socioeconomic injustices. Further research is needed to identify direct sources of EDCs and develop effective exposure mitigation strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Jennifer Berrian, Ying Liu, Nkiruka Ezenwajiaku, Alvaro Moreno-Aspitia, Sara J. J. Holton, Adetunji T. T. Toriola, Graham A. A. Colditz, Ashley J. J. Housten, Lannis Hall, Mark A. A. Fiala, Foluso O. O. Ademuyiwa
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly exacerbate racial disparities in late-stage presentation of breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers.
Article
Oncology
Kayla R. Getz, Babatunde Adedokun, Shuai Xu, Adetunji T. Toriola
Summary: Breastfeeding is associated with mammo-graphic breast density, and this association is modified by body mass index. Further research is needed to explore the associations of breastfeeding with other mammographic features.
CANCER PREVENTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Sara Lindstrom, Lu Wang, Helian Feng, Arunabha Majumdar, Sijia Huo, James Macdonald, Tabitha Harrison, Constance Turman, Hongjie Chen, Nicholas Mancuso, Theo Bammler, Steve Gallinger, Stephen B. Gruber, Marc J. Gunter, Loic Le Marchand, Victor Moreno, Kenneth Offit, Immaculata De Vivo, Tracy A. O'Mara, Amanda B. Spurdle, Ian Tomlinson, Rebecca Fitzgerald, Puya Gharahkhani, Ines Gockel, Janusz Jankowski, Stuart Macgregor, Johannes Schumacher, Jill Barnholtz-Sloan, Melissa L. Bondy, Richard S. Houlston, Robert B. Jenkins, Beatrice Melin, Margaret Wrensch, Paul Brennan, David C. Christiani, Mattias Johansson, James Mckay, Melinda C. Aldrich, Christopher Amos, Maria Teresa Landi, Adonina Tardon, D. Timothy Bishop, Florence Demenais, Alisa M. Goldstein, Mark M. Iles, Peter A. Kanetsky, Matthew H. Law, Laufey T. Amundadottir, Rachael Stolzenberg-Solomon, Brian M. Wolpin, Alison Klein, Gloria Petersen, Harvey Risch, Stephen J. Chanock, Mark P. Purdue, Ghislaine Scelo, Paul Pharoah, Siddhartha Kar, Rayjean J. Hung, Bogdan Pasaniuc, Peter Kraft
Summary: This study quantified the shared genetic contribution to risk of different cancers and identified novel cancer susceptibility loci using data from 12 cancer genome-wide association studies. The results suggest that some genetic risk variants are shared among cancers, but most of cancer heritability is specific to certain tissues. Cross-disease analysis allows for increased statistical power and the identification of new susceptibility regions. Future studies are likely to discover additional regions associated with the risk of multiple cancer types.
JNCI-JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Angela J. Fong, Adana A. M. Llanos, Adiba Ashrafi, Nur Zeinomar, Sagar Chokshi, Elisa V. Bandera, Katie A. Devine, Shawna V. Hudson, Bo Qin, Denalee O'Malley, Lisa E. Paddock, Antoinette M. Stroup, Andrew M. Evens, Sharon L. Manne
Summary: The study aimed to assess adherence to health behavior guidelines among cancer survivors and identify characteristics associated with different adherence levels. Latent class analysis identified three classes: lower-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk lifestyle. Lower-risk participants had the highest adherence to guidelines, while characteristics such as race, marital status, education level, and cancer stage were associated with moderate or high-risk adherence. These findings can inform interventions to promote health behavior adherence among higher risk cancer survivors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dong-Joo Choi, Georgina Armstrong, Brittney Lozzi, Prashanth Vijayaraghavan, Sharon E. Plon, Terence C. Wong, Eric Boerwinkle, Donna M. Muzny, Hsiao-Chi Chen, Richard A. Gibbs, Quinn T. Ostrom, Beatrice Melin, Benjamin Deneen, Melissa L. Bondy, Matthew N. Bainbridge
Summary: This study conducted comprehensive surveillance of the genomic landscape of familial glioma and identified significant enrichment of rare deleterious variants in seven genes, with HERC2 being the most significantly enriched gene. Rare noncoding variants that may affect transcription factor binding sites or cause cryptic splicing were also found. Additionally, validation experiments revealed the significant impacts of DMBT1, HP1BP3, and ZCH7B3 genes on proliferation.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andrew B. Lawson, Joanne Kim, Courtney Johnson, Theresa Hastert, Elisa V. Bandera, Anthony J. Alberg, Paul Terry, Maxwell Akonde, Hannah Mandle, Michele L. Cote, Melissa Bondy, Jeffrey Marks, Lauren Peres, Kendra L. Ratnapradipa, Yao Xin, Joellen Schildkraut, Edward S. Peters
Summary: This study assessed the impact of deprivation and segregation indices on the survival of self-identified Black women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The results showed that high socioeconomic status-related indices were associated with increased survival, while the index of concentration at the extremes-race had no significant impact on overall survival. The study highlights the importance of area-level economic indices and urbanization index in the survival of Black women with ovarian cancer.
ANNALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Samantha M. Samon, Michael Barton, Kim Anderson, Abiodun Oluyomi, Melissa Bondy, Georgina Armstrong, Diana Rohlman
Summary: The feedback of research results for community and individual level exposure assessment data should adhere to key principles such as accessibility, distinguishing known from unknown information, respecting community knowledge and history, and setting participant expectations.
Article
Oncology
Courtney E. Johnson, Anthony J. Alberg, Elisa V. Bandera, Lauren C. Peres, Maxwell Akonde, Lindsay J. Collin, Michele L. Cote, Theresa A. Hastert, James R. Hebert, Edward S. Peters, Bonnie Qin, Paul Terry, Ann G. Schwartz, Melissa Bondy, Michael P. Epstein, Hannah B. Mandle, Jeffrey R. Marks, Andrew B. Lawson, Joellen M. Schildkraut
Summary: An association was found between an inflammation-related risk score and worse overall survival among Black women with ovarian cancer. This association was also influenced by inflammation-related dietary exposures.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Rowland Pettit, Jinyoung Byun, Younghun Han, Quinn Ostrom, Cristian Coarfa, Melissa Bondy, Christopher Amos
Summary: Using Mendelian randomization analysis, we identified several heritable traits associated with the risk of lung cancer development. These effects vary based on histologic subtype and conditional third trait exposures, providing valuable insights for lung cancer research.
CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY BIOMARKERS & PREVENTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adana A. M. Llanos, Amber Rockson, Kylie Getz, Patricia Greenberg, Eva Portillo, Jasmine A. McDonald, Dede K. Teteh, Justin Villasenor, Carolina Lozada, Jamirra Franklin, Vaishnavi More, Zorimar Rivera-Nunez, Carolyn W. Kinkade, Emily S. Barrett
Summary: Evidence shows that certain groups, such as femme-identifying individuals and racial and ethnic minorities, bear unequal burdens of chemical exposures from personal care products (PCPs). This study used an online questionnaire to assess PCP purchasing and usage behaviors and perceptions among a sample of US adults. The findings indicate that females use more PCPs than males, and there are variations in usage patterns among different racial and ethnic groups. Study participants generally expressed moderate concern about exposures and health effects from using PCPs, with minimal differences by gender, race, and ethnicity.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Irina B. Grafova, Sharon L. Manne, Shawna V. Hudson, Jennifer Elliott, Adana A. M. Llanos, Biren Saraiya, Paul R. Duberstein
Summary: This study examines the associations between functional limitations and medical and credit card debt among cancer survivor families and finds sex differences. The results show that credit card debt is more common than medical debt, and families of male cancer survivors are more likely to have medical debt and less likely to have credit card debt compared to families of female cancer survivors.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Maral Adel Fahmideh, Spiridon Tsavachidis, Stephen C. Mack, Xiao Xiangjun, Terri S. Armstrong, Mark R. Gilbert, Lisa Mirabello, Smita Bhatia, Wendy M. Leisenring, Lindsay M. Morton, Gregory T. Armstrong, Jon Foss-Skiftesvik, Christian M. Hagen, Jonas Bybjerg-Grauholm, Manel Ghozal, Audrey Bonaventure, Jacqueline Clavel, Melissa L. Bondy, Christopher I. Amos, Michael E. Scheurer
