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OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the short-term effects of television advertisements from the Florida 'truth' campaign on rates of smoking initiation. METHODS: A follow-up survey of young people aged 12 to 17 years (n = 1820) interviewed during the first 6 months of the advertising campaign was conducted. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the independent effects of the campaign on smoking initiation while other factors were controlled for. RESULTS: Youths scoring at intermediate and high levels on a media effect index were less likely to initiate smoking than youths who could not confirm awareness of television advertisements. Adjusted odds ratios between the media index and measures of initiation were similar within categories of age, sex, susceptibility, and whether a parent smoked. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to the 'truth' media campaign lowered the risk of youth smoking initiation. However, the analysis did not demonstrate that all such media programs will be effective. © 2002 by the United States Cancer Pain Relief Committee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the cancer risk associated with firefighting. METHODS: Standardized incidence ratio analysis (SIR) was used to determine the relative cancer risk for firefighters as compared with the Florida general population. RESULTS: Among 34,796 male (413,022 person-years) and 2,017 female (18,843 person-years) firefighters, 970 male and 52 female cases of cancer were identified. Male firefighters had significantly increased incidence rates of bladder (SIR = 1.29; 95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.62), testicular (1.60; 1.20-2.09), and thyroid cancers (1.77; 1.08-2.73). Female firefighters had significantly increased incidence rates of overall cancer (1.63; 1.22-2.14), cervical (5.24; 2.93-8.65), and thyroid cancer (3.97; 1.45-8.65) and Hodgkin disease (6.25; 1.26-18.26). CONCLUSIONS: Firefighting may be associated with an increased risk of selected site-specific cancers in males and females, including an overall increased cancer risk in female firefighters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine ethno-regional differences in cervical cancer screening rates among 4 distinct Hispanic populations in 8 locations in the United States and the correlates of screening participation. Methods: Data were collected through telephone surveys and analyzed for women at least 18 years old (n=3,928), using logistic regression. Results: Ethno-regional differences in cervical cancer screening rates exist among Hispanic groups. Although some of the related factors reported in the literature were found to predict differences in rates, the differences persisted after controlling for those predictive factors. Conclusion: In addition to traditional demographic factors, other variables evidently underlie differences in Hispanics' utilization of cervical cancer screening services. These variables may be cultural and should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the effect of ending antitobacco campaigns on adolescent susceptibility to cigarette smoking. Details of the Minnesota study that assessed the impact of cutting the state's tobacco-control funding; Survey statistics showing the decline in awareness for the Target Market campaign; How confirmed campaign awareness was defined; CDC editorial note discussing the Master Settlement Agreement, which was accepted by U.S. states and the tobacco industry, and four limitations of this report.