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To examine whether the endometrial cancer (EC) survival disadvantage among Black populations is US-specific, a comparison between African-descent populations from different countries with a high development index is warranted. We analyzed 28 213 EC cases from cancer registries in Florida (2005-2018) and the French Caribbean islands of Martinique (2005-2018) and Guadeloupe (2008-2018) combined. Kaplan-Meier and all-cause Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare survival. Models were stratified by EC histology type and the main predictor examined was race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White [NHW] and no-Hispanic Black [NHB] women in the United States versus Black women residing in the Caribbean). For endometrioid and nonendometrioid EC, after adjusting for age, histology, stage at diagnosis, receipt of surgery, period of diagnosis, and poverty level, US NHB women and Caribbean Black women had a higher risk of death relative to US NHW women. There was no difference between US NHB and Caribbean Black women (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.88-1.30) with endometrioid EC. However, Caribbean Black women with nonendometrioid carcinomas had a 40% higher risk of death (HR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.13-1.74) than US NHB women. The low EC survival among US Black women extends to foreign populations of African descent. For the aggressive nonendometrioid ECs, survival among Caribbean Black women outside of the United States is considerably worse. This article is part of a Special Collection on Gynecological Cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heterogeneous Black populations encounter significant obstacles in accessing cancer care, yet research on lung cancer treatment disparities remains limited. This study investigates whether the disparity in receiving curative‐intent treatment (curative‐intent surgery and/or stereotactic body radiation therapy [SBRT]) for early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between non‐Hispanic Whites (NHWs) and total Blacks extends to diverse Black populations, including US‐born, Afro‐Haitian, West Indian Black, and Hispanic Black individuals. Methods: This cross‐sectional study included all Florida cancer registry early‐stage NSCLC cases 2005–2017, linked to individual‐level discharge data containing comorbidity and specific treatment details (surgery and/or SBRT). Multivariable logistic regression assessed the association between race/ethnicity and the receipt of curative‐intent treatment, while accounting for sociodemographic factors (poverty, age, insurance, and smoking status) and clinical variables. Results: Among 55,655 early‐stage NSCLC patients, 71.1% received curative‐intent treatment: 72.1% NHW and 59.7% Black (non‐Hispanic and Hispanic) individuals. Black patients had 35% lower odds (ORadj, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.59–0.70) of receiving curative‐intent treatment compared to NHW patients. ORs varied from 0.57 (95% CI, 0.59–0.70) for Hispanic Black to 0.76 (95% CI, 0.56–1.02) for West Indian Black. Remarkably, Black‐White disparities persisted despite the availability of curative treatment options (SBRT) for both high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) observed among US‐born Blacks and surgery for low CCI patients among all other Black subgroups. Conclusions: Pronounced disparities in accessing curative‐intent treatments for early‐stage NSCLC were evident across all Black subgroups, regardless of treatment availability and comorbidity profile. These findings underscore the need to address Black heterogeneity and prompt further research to rectify treatment disparities in early‐stage NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Foreign-born populations in the United States have markedly increased, yet cancer trends remain unexplored. Survey-based Population-Adjusted Rate Calculator (SPARC) is a new tool for evaluating nativity differences in cancer mortality. Methods Using SPARC, we calculated 3-year (2016-2018) age-adjusted mortality rates and rate ratios for common cancers by sex, age group, race and ethnicity, and nativity. Trends by nativity were examined for the first time for 2006-2018. Traditional cancer statistics draw populations from decennial censuses. However, nativity-stratified populations are from the American Community Surveys, thus involve sampling errors. To rectify this, SPARC employed bias-corrected estimators. Death counts came from the National Vital Statistics System. Results Age-adjusted mortality rates were higher among US-born populations across nearly all cancer types, with the largest US-born, foreign-born difference observed in lung cancer among Black women (rate ratio = 3.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.37 to 4.00). The well-documented White–Black differences in breast cancer mortality existed mainly among US-born women. For all cancers combined, descending trends were more accelerated for US-born compared with foreign-born individuals in all race and ethnicity groups with changes ranging from –2.6% per year in US-born Black men to stable (statistically nonsignificant) among foreign-born Black women. Pancreas and liver cancers were exceptions with increasing, stable, or decreasing trends depending on nativity and race and ethnicity. Notably, foreign-born Black men and foreign-born Hispanic men did not show a favorable decline in colorectal cancer mortality. Conclusions Although all groups show beneficial cancer mortality trends, those with higher rates in 2006 have experienced sharper declines. Persistent disparities between US-born and foreign-born individuals, especially among Black people, necessitate further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avanzando Caminos (Leading Pathways): The Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship Cohort Study aims to examine the influence of sociocultural, medical, stress-related, psychosocial, lifestyle, behavioral, and biological factors on symptom burden, health-related quality of life, and clinical outcomes among Hispanics/Latinos who have been previously treated for cancer. Avanzando Caminos is a prospective, cohort-based study of 3000 Hispanics/Latinos who completed primary cancer treatment within the past 5 years that is representative of the general Hispanic/Latino population in the United States. Participants will complete self-report measures at baseline (time [T] 1), 6 months (T2), 1 year (T3), 2 years (T4), 3 years (T5), 4 years (T6), and 5 years (T7). Blood samples drawn for assessment of leukocyte gene expression, cardiometabolic markers, and genetic admixture will be collected at baseline (T1), 1 year (T3), 3 years (T5), and 5 years (T7). Medical and cancer characteristics and clinical outcomes will be extracted from the electronic medical record and/or state cancer registry at each time point. Data analysis will include general latent variable modeling and latent growth modeling. Avanzando Caminos will fill critical gaps in knowledge in order to guide future secondary and tertiary prevention efforts to mitigate cancer disparities and optimize health-related quality of life among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a malignant bone tumor most commonly affecting non‐Hispanic White (NHW) adolescent males, though recognition among Hispanic individuals is rising. Prior population‐based studies in the United States (US), utilizing Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) have shown higher all‐cause mortality among White Hispanics, Blacks, and those of low socioeconomic status (SES). Florida is not part of SEER but is home to unique Hispanic populations including Cubans, Puerto Ricans, South Americans that contrasts with the Mexican Hispanic majority in other US states. This study aimed to assess racial/ethnic disparities on incidence and survival outcomes among this diverse Florida patient population. Methodology: Our study examined all patients diagnosed with osseous ES (2005–2018) in Florida (n = 411) based on the state's population‐based cancer registry dataset. Florida Age‐adjusted Incidence Rates (AAIRs) were computed by sex and race‐ethnicity and compared to the equivalent populations in SEER. Cause‐specific survival disparities among Florida patients were examined using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Univariable and multivariable analyses using Cox regression were performed for race/ethnicity, with adjustment for age, sex, year of diagnosis, site of disease, staging, SES, and insurance type. Results: There was a significantly higher incidence of osseous ES in Florida Hispanic males (AAIR 2.6/1,000,000); (95% CI: 2.0–3.2 per 1,000,000; n = 84) compared to the SEER Hispanic males (AAIR 1.2/1,000,000;1.1–1.4 per 1,000,000; n = 382). Older age, distant metastasis, lack of chemotherapy or surgical resection were statistically significant determinants of poor survival while SES, insurance status and race‐ethnicity were not. However, among nonmetastatic ES, Florida Hispanics had an increased risk of death compared to Florida NHW (adjusted Hazard Ratio 2.32; 95%CI: 1.20–4.46; p = 0.012). Conclusions: Florida Hispanic males have a higher‐than‐expected incidence of osseous ES compared to the US. Hispanics of both sexes show remarkably worse survival for nonmetastatic disease compared to NHW. This disparity is likely multifactorial and requires further in‐depth studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Prostate cancer survival among US firefighters, who undergo regular medical check-ups and have unique exposures, has not been well-studied. Using population-based Florida cancer registry data, this retrospective study compared 1058 firefighter prostate cancer cases to patients with prostate cancer in the general population, finding significantly better five-year survival (96.1% vs. 94.2%) in firefighters. Firefighters were diagnosed earlier, had more localized cancers, and underwent surgery more often. However, older firefighters with regional or distant-stage cancer faced a higher risk of death. Enhanced survival in firefighters may be due to increased PSA testing, but further research is needed to understand factors influencing aggressive disease development and the impact of surgical treatments on their quality of life. Introduction: Survival outcomes for prostate cancer among specific occupational groups prone to regular medical check-ups vis-à-vis the general population have been understudied. For firefighters, a demographic subject to rigorous medical evaluations, possessing above-average medical expertise, and exposed to specific carcinogens of interest, prostate cancer survival in the US has never been studied. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study, utilizing data from the Florida Cancer Data System spanning 2004 to 2014, coupled with firefighter certification records from the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office. Our study cohort consisted of 1058 prostate cancer cases among firefighters as well as prostate cases for the Florida general population (n = 150,623). We compared cause-specific survival between the two using Cox regression models adjusted for demographics and clinical characteristics, including PSA levels, Gleason scores, and treatment modalities. Results: Firefighters demonstrated a higher five-year cause-specific survival rate (96.1%, 95% CI: 94.7–97.1%) than the general population (94.2%, 95%CI: 94.1–94.3%). Overall, firefighters' diagnoses were established at younger ages (median age 63 vs. 67 in the general population), exhibited a higher proportion of localized stage cancers (84.7% vs. 81.1%), and had a greater utilization of surgery (46.4% vs. 37.6%), a treatment modality with a high success rate but potential side effects. In multivariable analysis, firefighters displayed a survival advantage for localized stage (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.53; 95%CI: 0.34–0.82). However, for regional or distant stages, firefighters aged 65 and above exhibited a higher risk of death (aHR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.18–2.86) than the general population. Conclusion: Firefighters experience enhanced prostate cancer survival, primarily in cases diagnosed at localized stages, likely due to increased PSA testing. Nonetheless, for regional or distant stage, survival among older firefighters' lags behind that of the general population. Further investigations are warranted to unravel factors influencing the development of aggressive disease beyond PSA and Gleason scores in this population, as well as to assess the impact of a higher rate of surgical treatment on firefighters' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies on disparities in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) focus on race/ethnicity, with few exploring the impact of contextual factors such as neighborhood-level income. This study evaluates the effect of neighborhood-level income on disparities in TNBC among a racially and ethnically diverse cohort, after accounting for granular individual-level risk factors of TNBC. Patients and Methods: Patients with stage I–IV breast cancer from 2005 to 2017 were identified from our local tumor registry. The primary outcome was diagnosis of TNBC. Using 5-years estimates from the American Community Survey, we obtained median household income for each census tract which was categorized into quartiles. Mixed effects logistic regression was conducted and stratified by race and ethnicity, controlling for individual-level sociodemographic, comorbidities, and tumor characteristics. Results: Among 5377 breast cancer registry patients, 16.5% were diagnosed with TNBC. The majority were Hispanic (50.1%) followed by non-Hispanic Black (NHB) (28.0%). After controlling for individual-level covariables including race and ethnicity, comorbidities, and tumor characteristics, women from low-income neighborhoods had increased odds of TNBC compared with other breast cancer subtypes, compared with those in high-income neighborhoods [odds ratio (OR) 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04, 1.70, p < 0.001]. In stratified analyses, NHB patients from low-income neighborhoods had two times the odds of TNBC diagnosis compared with those from high-income neighborhoods (OR 2.11; 95% CI 1.02, 4.37). Conclusion: We found that living in a low-income neighborhood is associated with an increased odds of TNBC independent of granular individual-level TNBC risk factors, particularly NHB race. More striking, NHB living in low-income neighborhoods had increased odds of TNBC compared with NHB living in high-income neighborhoods. Our results suggest potential unaccounted gene–environment and/or social (api)genomic interactions between neighborhood-level income and TNBC subtype development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: US‐born Latinos have a higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than foreign‐born Latinos. Acculturation to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and an immigrant self‐selection effect may play a role. In this study, the authors examined the influence of generational status on HCC risk among Mexican American adults. Methods: The analytic cohort included 31,377 self‐reported Mexican Americans from the Multiethnic Cohort Study (MEC). Generational status was categorized as: first‐generation (Mexico‐born; n = 13,382), second‐generation (US‐born with one or two parents born in Mexico; n = 13,081), or third‐generation (US‐born with both parents born in the United States; n = 4914). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to examine the association between generational status and HCC incidence. Results: In total, 213 incident HCC cases were identified during an average follow‐up of 19.5 years. After adjusting for lifestyle and neighborhood‐level risk factors, second‐generation and third‐generation Mexican Americans had a 37% (hazard ratio [HR], 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98–1.92) and 66% (HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.11–2.49) increased risk of HCC, respectively, compared with first‐generation Mexican Americans (p for trend = 0.012). The increased risk associated with generational status was mainly observed in males (second‐generation vs. first‐generation: HR, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.05–2.44]; third‐generation vs. first‐generation: HR, 2.08 [95% CI, 1.29–3.37]). Conclusions: Increasing generational status of Mexican Americans is associated with a higher risk of HCC. Further studies are needed to identify factors that contribute to this increased risk. Each successive generation of Mexican Americans is more likely to have higher prevalence of lifestyle factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (e.g., greater alcohol consumption, smoking, and higher body mass index). However, even after adjusting for these factors and neighborhood variables, there is an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma with increasing generations, particularly among males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the fourth most common cancer among Black women in the United States, a population disproportionately affected by aggressive nonendometrioid subtypes (e.g., serous, carcinosarcoma). To examine EC vulnerability among a wider spectrum of African descent populations, a comparison between Black women residing in different countries, rather than in the United States alone, is needed. Methods: The authors analyzed 34,789 EC cases from Florida (FL) (2005–2018), Martinique (2005–2018), and Guadeloupe (2008–2018) based on cancer registry data. Age‐adjusted incidence rates, incidence rate ratios (IRRs), and annual percent changes (APC) in trends were estimated for Black populations residing in the United States (non‐Hispanic Blacks [NHB]) and Caribbean. The US non‐Hispanic White (NHW) population was used as a reference. Results: Caribbean Black women had the lowest rates for endometrioid and nonendometrioid subtypes. Nonendometrioid types were most common among US (FL) NHBs (9.2 per 100,000), 2.6 times greater than NHWs (IRR, 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.44–2.76). For endometrioid EC, rates increased 1.8% (95% CI, 0.1–3.5) yearly from 2005 to 2018 for US (FL) NHBs and 1.2% (95% CI, 0.9–1.6) for US (FL) NHWs whereas no change was observed for Caribbean Blacks. For nonendometroid carcinomas, rates increased 5.6% (95% CI, 4.0–7.2) among US (FL) NHB, 4.4% (95% CI, 0.3–8.6) for Caribbean Black, and 3.9% for US (FL) NHW women (95% CI, 2.4–5.5). Conclusions: Lower rates of nonendometrioid EC among Caribbean Black women suggest that vulnerability for these aggressive tumor subtypes may not currently be an overarching African ancestry disparity. Most importantly, there is an alarmingly increasing trend in nonendometrioid across all populations studied, which warrants further surveillance and etiological research for this particular subtype. Plain Language Summary: We analyze population‐based incidence rates and trends of endometrial cancer (EC) for African descent populations residing in different countries (i.e., United States, Martinique, Guadeloupe) to examine whether EC vulnerability among Black women is socio‐environmental or more ancestry‐specific in nature.The increased EC risk was not uniform across all Black women since the Caribbean had the lowest rates (for endometrioid and nonendometrioid histology subtypes).Regardless, from 2005 to 2018, there was an increasing trajectory of nonendometrioid EC for all groups, regardless of race. High risk for both endometrioid and nonendometrioid tumors was more striking among Black women residing in the United States than those in the Caribbean. There were marked increasing trends for nonendometrioid endometrial cancer among women of all races. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer incidence and death in the United States. Although most firefighters are fit and do not smoke, they are exposed to many known carcinogens during and in the aftermath of firefighting activities. Comprehensive epidemiologic investigations on lung cancer survival for both career and volunteer firefighters have not been undertaken. Methods: Data from the Florida Cancer Data System (1981-2014) were linked with firefighter certification records from the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office to identify all patients of this occupational group; lung cancer cause-specific survival data were compared with other occupational groups using Cox regression models with occupation as the main effect. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Results: Out of 210,541 male lung cancer cases diagnosed in Florida (1981-2014), 761 were firefighters (604 career, 157 volunteer). Lung cancer death was similar between volunteer (75.2%) and career firefighters (74.0%) but lower than non-firefighters (80.0%). Survival at 5 years was higher among firefighters (29.7%; career: 30.3%; volunteer: 27.4%) than non-firefighters (23.8%). In a multivariable model, compared with non-firefighters, firefighters have significantly higher cause-specific survival (aHR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.77-0.91; p < 0.001). However, there were no significant survival differences between career and volunteer firefighters (1.14; 0.93-1.39; p = 0.213). In a separate multivariable model with firefighters as the comparator, other broad occupational groups had significantly lower cause-specific survival [white collar: 1.11 (1.02-1.21); blue collar: 1.15 (1.05-1.25); service: 1.13 (1.03-1.25); others/unknown: 1.21 (1.12-1.32); all pvalues < 0.02]. Conclusion: Lung cancer survival is significantly higher among firefighters compared with non-firefighters, but there is no significant difference between career and volunteer firefighters. Improved survival for firefighters might be due to a healthy worker effect, lower smoking prevalence relative to other worker groups, and possibly superior treatment adherence and compliance. Many firefighters are cross-trained as EMTs/paramedics and possess a level of medical knowledge that may favorably impact treatment engagement and better navigation of complex cancer care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most existing quality scales have been developed with minimal attention to accepted standards of psychometric properties. Even for those that have been used widely in medical research, limited evidence exists supporting their psychometric properties. The focus of our current study is to address this gap by evaluating the psychometrics properties of two existing quality scales that are frequently used in cancer observational research: (1) Item Bank on Risk of Bias and Precision of Observational Studies developed by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International and (2) Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOQAS). We used the Rasch measurement model to evaluate the psychometric properties of two quality scales based on the ratings of 49 studies that examine firefighters' cancer incidence and mortality. Our study found that RTI and NOQAS have an acceptable item reliability. Two raters were consistent in their assessment, demonstrating high interrater reliability. We also found that NOQAS has more items that show better fit than the RTI scale. The NOQAS produced lower study quality scores with a smaller variation, suggesting that NOQAS items are much easier to rate. Our findings accord with a previous study, which conclude that the RTI scale was harder to apply and thus produces more heterogenous quality scores than NOQAS. Although both RTI and NOQAS showed high item reliability, NOQAS items are better fit to the underlying construct, showing higher validity of internal structure and stronger psychometric properties. The current study adds to our understanding of the psychometric properties of NOQAS and RTI scales for future meta-analyses of observational studies, particularly in the firefighter cancer literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of cigarette smoking as a prognostic factor for kidney cancer (KC) is unclear. In this population‐based study, we analyze cancer‐specific survival (CSS) outcomes among KC patients by smoking status at diagnosis in the diverse state of Florida. Methods: All primary KC cases from the Florida Cancer Registry diagnosed during 2005–2018 were analyzed. Cox proportional regression was conducted to assess the determinants of KC survival, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, histology type, cancer stage, and treatment received with a particular focus on smoking status (smokers at diagnosis referred to as current smokers, former smokers, and never smokers). Results: Among all 36,150 KC patients, 18.3% were smokers at diagnosis (n = 6629), 32.9% were former smokers (n = 11,870), and 48.8% were never smokers (n = 17,651). Age‐standardized five‐year survival for current, former, and never smokers was 65.3 (95% CI: 64.1–66.5), 70.6 (95% CI: 69.7–71.5), and 75.3 (95% CI: 74.6–76.0) respectively. In multivariable analysis, current and former smokers had an estimated 30% and 14% higher risk of KC death compared to never smokers, respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.23–1.40; HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.10–1.20). Conclusion: Smoking independently contributes to poorer survival, across all KC stages. Clinicians should encourage and facilitate participation in cigarette smoking cessation programs targeted at current smokers. Prospective studies are warranted to assess the role of different types of tobacco use and cessation programs on KC survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Firefighting is a hazardous occupation that is associated with an increased risk of select cancers. The number of studies has grown in recent years allowing for a synthesis of findings. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, multiple electronic databases were searched to identify studies on firefighter cancer risk and mortality. We computed pooled standardized incidence risk (SIRE) and standardized mortality estimates (SMRE), tested for publication bias, and conducted moderator analyses. Results: Thirty-eight studies published between 1978 and March 2022 were included for final meta-analysis. Overall, cancer incidence and mortality were significantly lower for firefighters (SIRE = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.91-0.95; SMRE = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.92 - 0.95) compared to the general population. Incident cancer risks were significantly higher for skin melanoma (SIRE = 1.14; 95% CI:1.08 - 1.21), other skin cancers (SIRE = 1.24; 95% CI:1.16-1.32), and prostate cancer (SIRE = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.04-1.14). Firefighters showed higher mortality for rectum (SMRE = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.02-1.36), testis (SMRE = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.00-2.67), and non Hodgkin lymphoma (SMRE = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.02-1.40). There was evidence of publication bias for SIRE and SMRE estimates. Some moderators explained variations in study effects, including study quality scores. Conclusion: Firefighters are at higher risk for several cancers; to the extent that some (e.g., melanoma and prostate) are screening amenable, more study into firefighter-specific recommendations for cancer surveillance is needed. Moreover, longitudinal studies with more detailed data on the specific length and types of exposures are necessary, as well as on unstudied subtypes of cancers (e.g., subtypes of brain cancer and leukemias) are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Lung cancer incidence patterns and clinical characteristics across the heterogeneous non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic racial–ethnic populations of the United States (US) are understudied. This characterization of lung cancer rates across US minority populations is important for targeting clinical and public health measures in high-risk populations. The aim of our population-based study is to assess lung cancer heterogeneity among these populations by detailed race–ethnicity or nativity (e.g., Cubans, Mexicans, Caribbean-born Blacks) using all lung cancer cases from the Florida state cancer registry, 2012–2018, and computing, for the first time, age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) for each population. AAIRs among Blacks and Hispanics vary approximately 3-fold between detailed groups and highlight the need to look beyond aggregate groups for tailored approaches in the fight against lung cancer. The implications of these findings are significant for public health surveillance and for clinical professionals working with diverse US populations. Lung cancer (LC) incidence rates and tumor characteristics among (non-Hispanic) Black and Hispanic detailed groups, normally characterized in aggregate, have been overlooked in the US. We used LC data from the Florida state cancer registry, 2012–2018, to compute LC age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) for US-born Black, Caribbean-born Black, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, and Central and South American populations. We analyzed 120,550 total LC cases. Among Hispanics, Cuban males had the highest AAIR (65.6 per 100,000; 95%CI: 63.6–67.6), only 8% [Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR): 0.92; 95%CI: 0.89–0.95] lower than Whites, but 2.7 (IRR 95%CI: 2.31-3.19) times higher than Central Americans. Among Blacks, the AAIR for US-born Black males was over three times that of those Caribbean-born (IRR: 3.12; 95%CI: 2.80–3.40) and 14% higher than White males (IRR: 1.14; 95%CI: 1.11–1.18). Among women, US-born Blacks (46.4 per 100,000) and foreign-born Mexicans (12.2 per 100,000) had the highest and lowest rates. Aggregation of non-Hispanic Blacks or Hispanics obscures inherent disparities within groups. Understanding the distinct LC rates in US populations is crucial for targeting public health measures for LC diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Further LC research exploring detailed race–ethnicity regarding LC in never-smokers is necessary, particularly among females and considering pertinent environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of kidney cancer has been increasing worldwide, with variable patterns in mortality due to improved diagnostic techniques and increased survival. The mortality rates, geographical distribution and trends of kidney cancer in South America remain poorly explored. This study aims to illustrate mortality by kidney cancer in Peru. Methods: A secondary data analysis of the Deceased Registry of the Peruvian Ministry of Health database, from 2008 to 2019 was conducted. Data for kidney cancer deaths were collected from health facilities distributed throughout the country. We estimated age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) per 100,000 persons and provided an overview of trends from 2008 to 2019. A cluster map shows the relationships among 3 regions. Results: A total of 4221 deaths by kidney cancer were reported in Peru between 2008 and 2019. ASMR for Peruvian men ranged from 1.15 to 2008 to 1.87 in 2019, and from 0.68 to 2008 to 0.82 in 2019 in women. The mortality rates by kidney cancer rose in most regions, although they were not significant. Callao and Lambayeque provinces reported the highest mortality rates. The rainforest provinces had a positive spatial autocorrelation and significant clustering (p < 0.05) with the lowest rates in Loreto and Ucayali. Conclusion: Mortality by kidney cancer has increased in Peru, being a trend that disproportionally affects more men than women. While the coast, especially Callao and Lambayeque, present the highest kidney cancer mortality rates, the rainforest has the lowest rates, especially among women. Lack of diagnosis and reporting systems may confound these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postmenopausal breast cancer (PMBC) is the most commonly diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the US. Research examining the association between PMBC and education level has been inconsistent; no study in the US has examined how educational level impacts PMBC mortality in Asian American women, a largely immigrant population with above-average educational attainment. Methods: California Vital Statistics data from 2012–2017 were analyzed to derive age-adjusted mortality rate ratios (MRRs) by education level (associates degree or above referred to as "higher education", high school, less than high school) and race [Non-Hispanic White (NHW), Asian/Pacific Islander (Asian), and its two largest subpopulations: Chinese and Filipino] from negative binomial regression models. Results: PMBC mortality for both NHWs and Asians was greater among women with higher education compared to those who did not complete high school: NHWs had 22% higher PMBC mortality (MRR 1.22; 95% CI: 1.14–1.31) and Asians had 2.6 times greater PMBC mortality (MRR 2.64; 95% CI: 2.32–3.00) than their counterparts who did not complete high school. Asians in the lowest education level had 70% lower mortality than NHWs (MRR 0.30; 95% CI: 0.27–0.34). This mortality advantage among Asians was greatly reduced to only 27% lower among the highest educated (MRR 0.73; 95% CI: 0.68–0.78). For higher educated Filipina women, no mortality advantage was evident compared to NHWs (MRR 0.96; 95% CI: 0.88–1.05). Conclusion: PMBC mortality for higher educated Asian women is elevated in comparison to their counterparts with less education. Given that PMBC survival is greater among those with higher education, our findings strongly suggest an excess in the incidence of PMBC (more than double) among higher educated Asian women; this warrants more research into potentially modifiable causes of PMBC in this burgeoning population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) often occurs subsequently to a primary cancer arising from a different site. However, little is known regarding the survival experience of EC as a second primary (ECSP) malignancy, specifically in relation to the original primary site and prior treatment. Methods: Using Florida's cancer registry, all EC cases (first, second, or higher-order) diagnosed from 2005-2016 were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox Regression were used in a cause-specific survival analysis. Results: A total of 2879 clinically independent ECSPs and 42,714 first primary ECs were analyzed. The most common first primary sites for ECSPs were breast cancer (BC) (n = 1422) and colorectal cancer (CRC) (n = 359). Five-year cause-specific survival was 84.0% (95% CI: 83.6-84.3) for first primary ECs and 81.8% (95% CI: 80.0-83.4) for ECSPs. After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, histology, and stage at diagnosis, ECSPs had a lower risk of EC mortality than first primary ECs (hazard ratios [HR] 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79-0.97). ECSPs with a first primary CRC had a higher risk of EC-specific death (HR 1.47, 95% CI: 1.04-2.06) compared to ECSPs that followed BC in multivariable analysis. Finally, women who had chemotherapy for ECSP and preceding BC did not have a higher risk of death (HR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.49-1.31) compared to those who only received chemotherapy for first primary EC. Conclusions: ECSPs present a complex clinical profile. ECSP survival is superior to that of first primary EC. However, ECSPs following CRC may constitute a population of interest for their worse prognosis. Chemotherapy for a previous BC does not seem to impact the effectiveness of chemotherapy for ECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hispanic/Latino population is the second largest racial/ethnic group in the continental United States and Hawaii, accounting for 18% (60.6 million) of the total population. An additional 3 million Hispanic Americans live in Puerto Rico. Every 3 years, the American Cancer Society reports on cancer occurrence, risk factors, and screening for Hispanic individuals in the United States using the most recent population‐based data. An estimated 176,600 new cancer cases and 46,500 cancer deaths will occur among Hispanic individuals in the continental United States and Hawaii in 2021. Compared to non‐Hispanic Whites (NHWs), Hispanic men and women had 25%‐30% lower incidence (2014‐2018) and mortality (2015‐2019) rates for all cancers combined and lower rates for the most common cancers, although this gap is diminishing. For example, the colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence rate ratio for Hispanic compared with NHW individuals narrowed from 0.75 (95% CI, 0.73‐0.78) in 1995 to 0.91 (95% CI, 0.89‐0.93) in 2018, reflecting delayed declines in CRC rates among Hispanic individuals in part because of slower uptake of screening. In contrast, Hispanic individuals have higher rates of infection‐related cancers, including approximately two‐fold higher incidence of liver and stomach cancer. Cervical cancer incidence is 32% higher among Hispanic women in the continental US and Hawaii and 78% higher among women in Puerto Rico compared to NHW women, yet is largely preventable through screening. Less access to care may be similarly reflected in the low prevalence of localized‐stage breast cancer among Hispanic women, 59% versus 67% among NHW women. Evidence‐based strategies for decreasing the cancer burden among the Hispanic population include the use of culturally appropriate lay health advisors and patient navigators and targeted, community‐based intervention programs to facilitate access to screening and promote healthy behaviors. In addition, the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on cancer trends and disparities in the Hispanic population should be closely monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endometrial cancer type 2 (EC2) carries a worse prognosis compared to EC type 1. EC2 disproportionately affects Black women among whom incidence is higher and survival is poorer compared to Whites. Here we assessed EC2 incidence and survival patterns among US Black ethnic groups: US-born Blacks (UBB), Caribbean-born Blacks (CBB), and Black Hispanics (BH). Methods: We analyzed population-based data (n=24,387) for the entire states of Florida and New York (2005–2016). Hysterectomy-corrected EC2 incidence rates were computed by racial-ethnic group, and survival disparities were examined using Cox regression adjusting for tumor characteristics, poverty level, and insurance status. Results: EC2 incidence rates were highest among UBB (24.4 per 100,000), followed by CBB (18.2), Whites (11.1), and Hispanics of all races (10.1). Compared to Whites, the age-adjusted cause-specific survival was worse for non-Hispanic Blacks (aHR: 1.61; 95%CI 1.52–1.71) and Hispanics of all races (aHR:1.09; 95% CI:1.01–1.18). In relation to Whites, survival was worse for non-Hispanic Blacks: UBB (aHR:1.62; 95%CI 1.52–1.74) and CBB (aHR:1.59; 95% CI:1.44–1.76) than for BH (aHR:1.30; 95% CI:1.05–1.61). Surgical resection was associated with a lower risk of death, while carcinosarcoma subtype and advanced stage at diagnosis were associated with a greater risk. Conclusions: Although higher EC2 incidence and lower survival are observed among all African-descent groups, there are significant intra-racial differences among UBB, CBB, and BH. This heterogeneity in EC2 patterns among Black populations suggests an interplay between genetic and socioenvironmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell culture models are important tools to study epileptogenesis mechanisms. The aim of this work was to characterize the spontaneous and synchronized rhythmic activity developed by cultured hippocampal neurons after transient incubation in zero Mg2+ to model Status Epilepticus. Cultured hippocampal neurons were transiently incubated with a Mg2+-free solution and the activity of neuronal networks was evaluated using single cell calcium imaging and whole-cell current clamp recordings. Here we report the development of synchronized and spontaneous [Ca2+]i transients in cultured hippocampal neurons immediately after transient incubation in a Mg2+-free solution. Spontaneous and synchronous [Ca2+]i oscillations were observed when the cells were then incubated in the presence of Mg2+. Functional studies also showed that transient incubation in Mg2+-free medium induces neuronal rhythmic burst activity that was prevented by antagonists of glutamate receptors. In conclusion, we report the development of epileptiform-like activity, characterized by spontaneous and synchronized discharges, in cultured hippocampal neurons transiently incubated in the absence of Mg2+. This model will allow studying synaptic alterations contributing to the hyperexcitability that underlies the development of seizures and will be useful in pharmacological studies for testing new drugs for the treatment of epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex, nanoscopic scale of neuronal function, taking place at dendritic spines, axon terminals, and other minuscule structures, cannot be adequately resolved using standard, diffraction-limited imaging techniques. The last couple of decades saw a rapid evolution of imaging methods that overcome the diffraction limit imposed by Abbe's principle. These techniques, including structured illumination microscopy (SIM), stimulated emission depletion (STED), photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM), and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), among others, have revolutionized our understanding of synapse biology. By exploiting the stochastic nature of fluorophore light/dark states or non-linearities in the interaction of fluorophores with light, by using modified illumination strategies that limit the excitation area, these methods can achieve spatial resolutions down to just a few tens of nm or less. Here, we review how these advanced imaging techniques have contributed to unprecedented insight into the nanoscopic organization and function of mammalian neuronal presynapses, revealing new organizational principles or lending support to existing views, while raising many important new questions. We further discuss recent technical refinements and newly developed tools that will continue to expand our ability to delve deeper into how synaptic function is orchestrated at the nanoscopic level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher incidence and poorer outcomes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Hispanic Americans have been attributed to high-risk molecular markers associated with Native American (NA) ancestry. However, the diverse Hispanic populations in the United States differ substantially in ancestry. Continental Hispanics have a high proportion of NA ancestry while Caribbean Hispanics have a lower proportion of NA ancestry. Here, we analyzed mortality data of 2428 children and adults with ALL. Mortality rates were age-adjusted and compared by race and ethnicity using negative binomial regression with particular attention to distinct Hispanic populations. While both Continental (mortality rate ratio (MRR) 2.09, 95% CI 1.82–2.39) and Caribbean (MRR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05–1.54) Hispanics had higher mortality rates than other racial and ethnic groups, Continental Hispanics had significantly higher mortality rates than Caribbean Hispanics. This is the first study to demonstrate a clear difference in ALL mortality by Hispanic group on a population basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The prognosis for gastric carcinoma (GC) remains challenging with less than 35% of patients surviving 5 years. GC survival varies greatly by anatomical site, cardia and non-cardia. However, these important differences have not been thoroughly studied in relation to the increasing diversity in US populations such as Florida. In this study we examined, for the first time, the effect of race-ethnicity on risk of death from GC controlling for potential risk factors separately for cardia and non-cardia GCs. Methods: Data on GCs diagnosed in Florida from 2005–2016 were obtained from the statewide cancer registry. Age-standardized GC-specific 5-year survival was computed by anatomical site and race-ethnicity. In addition, a competing risk analysis was performed to assess prognostic factors and to estimate subdistribution hazard ratios of death from GC. Results: Whites had high proportions of cardia GC (43.9%) compared to all racial/ethnic minorities (10.9%, 19.6%, and 13.8% in Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, respectively; p <.0001). Among 12,302 cases included, there were 7534 deaths from GC and 1179 from other causes. Age standardized GC-specific 5-year survival was significantly lower for Whites (28.0%) compared to Blacks (31.6%), Hispanics (37.6%), and Asians, (39.6%) and significantly lower for cardia GC (25.0%, 95% CI 23.4–26.6) compared to non-cardia GC (37.0%, 95% CI 35.5–38.4). Multivariable competing risk analysis in patients with non-cardia GC showed that Asians (sHR: 0.64, 95% CI 0.51–0.80), Hispanics (sHR 0.71, 95% CI 0.64–0.78), and Blacks (sHR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75–0.92) all had lower risks of death from GC compared to Whites. In patients with cardia GC, only Hispanics had statistically significant lower risk of death from GC than Whites (sHR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74–0.95, p = 0.005). Conclusions: The study of racial/ethnic survival disparities in patients with GC in Florida reveals Whites as the most disadvantaged group. Whites are more afflicted by cardia GC, which is associated with higher risk of death than non-cardia GC. However, even within non-cardia GC, Whites had higher risk of death than the other racial-ethnic groups. Commonly assessed survival determinants do not adequately explain these unusual disparities; thus, further investigation is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) mortality is particularly high among non-Hispanic Blacks and is twice that of non-Hispanic Whites. However, comparisons of EC survival outcomes by race/ethnicity are often confounded by histology and grade. Here, we analyze EC survival disparities in multiracial Florida with a focus on EC types (1 and 2) and subtypes, defined according to histology and grade. Methods: All 27,809 cases of EC diagnosed during 2005–2016 were obtained from the Florida Cancer Registry. Age-standardized, 5-year cause-specific survival by race/ethnicity and histological type were calculated. Fine and Gray competing risk regression was used to estimate sub-distribution hazard ratios (sHRs) for associations between risk of death due to EC and potential predictive factors such as histology/grade, age, stage at diagnosis, and insurance. Results: Type 2 EC accounted for only 38.7% of all incident EC-cases but 74.6% of all EC-deaths. Blacks were disproportionately affected by type 2 EC (57.6%) compared to Whites, Hispanics, and Asians (35.6%, 37.7%, and 43.0%, respectively). Age-adjusted 5-year survival for types 1 and 2 were 85.3% and 51.6%, respectively; however, there was wide variation within type 2 subtypes, ranging from 60.2% for mixed cell EC to as low as 30.1% for carcinosarcoma. In the multivariable model, Blacks with type 2 EC had a 23% higher risk of death due to EC (sHR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.12–1.36) compared to Whites. Conclusions: Population-based analyses should consider the histological heterogeneity of EC because the less common type 2 EC drives racial/ethnic survival disparities in EC. Black women have a higher proportion of more aggressive histological types and an overall higher risk of death due to EC than Whites. To the extent that some of these histological types may be considered different diseases and require specific treatment approaches, further research on etiology and prognosis for detailed type 2 EC subtypes is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has risen considerably in the US since 1980. The main causes include metabolic disorders (NAFLD, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome), alcohol‐related disease (ALD) and hepatitis C and B virus infections (HCV, HBV). Etiology‐specific HCC incidence rates by detailed race‐ethnicity are needed to improve HCC control and prevention efforts. Methods: All HCC cases diagnosed in Florida during 2014‐2015 were linked to statewide hospital discharge data to determine etiology. Age‐specific and age‐adjusted rates were used to assess the intersection between etiology and detailed racial‐ethnicities, including White, African American, Afro‐Caribbean, Asian, Cuban, Puerto Rican and Continental Hispanic (Mexican, South and Central American). Results: Of 3666 HCC cases, 2594 matched with discharge data. HCV was the leading cause of HCC among men and women (50% and 43% respectively), followed by metabolic disorders (25% and 37%) and ALD (16% and 9%). Puerto Rican and African American men had the highest HCV‐HCC rates, 7.9 and 6.3 per 100 000 respectively. Age‐specific rates for HCV‐HCC peaked among baby boomers (those born in 1945‐1965). Metabolic‐HCC rates were highest among populations above age 70 and among Continental Hispanics. Afro‐Caribbean men had high rates of HBV‐HCC, whereas Puerto Rican men had high ALD‐HCC. Conclusions: HCC etiology is associated with specific race/ethnicity. While HCV‐related HCC rates are projected to decrease soon, HCC will continue to affect Hispanics disproportionately, based on higher rates of metabolic‐HCC (and ALD‐HCC) among Continental Hispanics, who demographically represent 80% of all US Hispanics. Multifaceted approaches for HCC control and prevention are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophilins-A are conserved endocytic adaptors with membrane curvature-sensing and -inducing properties. We show here that, independently of their role in endocytosis, endophilin-A1 and endophilin-A2 regulate exocytosis of neurosecretory vesicles. The number and distribution of neurosecretory vesicles were not changed in chromaffin cells lacking endophilin-A, yet fast capacitance and amperometry measurements revealed reduced exocytosis, smaller vesicle pools and altered fusion kinetics. The levels and distributions of the main exocytic and endocytic factors were unchanged, and slow compensatory endocytosis was not robustly affected. Endophilin-A's role in exocytosis is mediated through its SH3-domain, specifically via a direct interaction with intersectin-1, a coordinator of exocytic and endocytic traffic. Endophilin-A not able to bind intersectin-1, and intersectin-1 not able to bind endophilin-A, resulted in similar exocytic defects in chromaffin cells. Altogether, we report that two endocytic proteins, endophilin-A and intersectin-1, are enriched on neurosecretory vesicles and regulate exocytosis by coordinating neurosecretory vesicle priming and fusion. Endophilins-A are conserved membrane-associated proteins required for endocytosis. Here, the authors report that endophilins-A also promote exocytosis of neurosecretory vesicles by coordinating priming and fusion through intersectin-1, independently of their roles in different types of endocytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third greatest cancer burden in the United States. The remarkably diverse Mountain West state of Nevada has uncharacteristically high CRC mortality compared to other Western states. We aimed to study the determinants of the CRC excess burden by using data from the Nevada Central Cancer Registry from 2003–2013. Five-year cause-specific age-adjusted survival from colorectal cancer was calculated and stratified by sex, race/ethnicity and region of Nevada. Cox Proportional Hazards regression modelling was used to study the impact of demographic, social, and clinical factors on CRC survival in Nevada, assessing follow-up as accurately as possible. The extent to which differences in survival can be explained by receipt of stage-appropriate treatment was also assessed. 12,413 CRC cases from 2003–2013 in Nevada were analyzed. Five-year CRC survival was low: 56.0% (95% CI: 54.6–57.5) among males and 59.5% (95% CI: 58.0–61.1) among females; significantly lower than national 5-year survival of 65.1% and 66.5%, respectively. Low survival was driven by populous Southern Nevada; after adjustment for all covariates, Southern Nevadans were at 17% higher risk of death than their counterparts in Northwestern Nevada (HR:1.17; 95% CI:1.08–1.27). Many patients did not receive stage-appropriate treatment, although this only partly explained the poor survival, uniformly low for every race/ethnicity in Nevada. The observed disparity for this one state within a single nation merits public health attention; regardless of the state or region of residence, all Americans deserve equal opportunity for optimum health outcomes in the face of a cancer diagnosis. The current study provides baseline information critical to clinicians, public health professionals, and all relevant stakeholders as they attempt to discern why Nevada’s outcomes are vastly divergent from its neighboring Western states and make plans for remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is a common comorbid condition among older adult colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, yet its effects on CRC mortality have not been adequately examined. This study aims to investigate the association between pre-existing diabetes, with and without complications, and CRC mortality. Methods: Medicare beneficiaries 67 years and older diagnosed with CRC between 2002 and 2011 were studied using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare datasets. Pre-existing diabetes was ascertained using validated algorithms. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare all-cause and CRC-cause-specific death risk differences in relation to prior diabetes diagnosis and diabetes severity (with and without complications) with adjustment for relevant patient demographics and disease characteristics. Results: Analyses included 93,710 CRC patients. Among the study population, 22,155 (24%) had diabetes prior to CRC diagnosis and 4% had diabetes-related complications (neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, or peripheral circulatory disorders). All-cause CRC mortality was significantly higher among diabetic patients compared with non-diabetic patients (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17–1.23). The results were more pronounced for diabetes with complications (HR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.34–1.54). Diabetic patients with complications were 16% more likely to die of colorectal cancer compared with patients without diabetes (HR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.08–1.25). Conclusion: Pre-existing diabetes contributes to poorer all-cause mortality among CRC patients and increased mortality from CRC among those with diabetes and complications. Opportunities exist to incorporate diabetes prevention and management interventions during CRC treatment phases among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanics/Latinos, who represent the largest racial/ethnic minority group in the United States, accounting for 17.8% (57.5 million) of the total population in the continental United States and Hawaii in 2016. In addition, more than 3 million Hispanic Americans live in the US territory of Puerto Rico. Every 3 years, the American Cancer Society reports on cancer occurrence, risk factors, and screening for Hispanics in the United States based on data from the National Cancer Institute, the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the first time, contemporary incidence and mortality rates for Puerto Rico, which has a 99% Hispanic population, are also presented. An estimated 149,100 new cancer cases and 42,700 cancer deaths will occur among Hispanics in the continental United States and Hawaii in 2018. For all cancers combined, Hispanics have 25% lower incidence and 30% lower mortality compared with non-Hispanic whites, although rates of infection-related cancers, such as liver, are up to twice as high in Hispanics. However, these aggregated data mask substantial heterogeneity within the Hispanic population because of variable cancer risk, as exemplified by the substantial differences in the cancer burden between island Puerto Ricans and other US Hispanics. For example, during 2011 to 2015, prostate cancer incidence rates in Puerto Rico (146.6 per 100,000) were 60% higher than those in other US Hispanics combined (91.6 per 100,000) and 44% higher than those in non-Hispanic whites (101.7 per 100,000). Prostate cancer is also the leading cause of cancer death among men in Puerto Rico, accounting for nearly 1 in 6 cancer deaths during 2011-2015, whereas lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among other US Hispanic men combined. Variations in cancer risk are driven by differences in exposure to cancer-causing infectious agents and behavioral risk factors as well as the prevalence of screening. Strategies for reducing cancer risk in Hispanic populations include targeted, culturally appropriate interventions for increasing the uptake of preventive services and reducing cancer risk factor prevalence, as well as additional funding for Puerto Rico-specific and subgroup-specific cancer research and surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences and similarities in cancer patterns between the country of Mexico and the United States' Mexican population, 11% of the entire US population, have not been studied. Mortality data from 2008 to 2012 in Mexico and California were analyzed and compared for causes of cancer death among adult and pediatric populations, using standard techniques and negative binomial regression. A total of 380,227 cancer deaths from Mexico and California were included. Mexican Americans had 49% and 13% higher mortality than their counterparts in Mexico among males and females, respectively. For Mexican Immigrants in the US, overall cancer mortality was similar to Mexico, their country of birth, but all-cancers-combined rates mask wide variation by specific cancer site. The most extreme results were recorded when comparing Mexican Americans to Mexicans in Mexico: with mortality rate ratios ranging from 2.72 (95% CI: 2.44-3.03) for colorectal cancer in males to 0.28 (95% CI: 0.24-0.33) for cervical cancer in females. These findings further reinforce the preeminent role that the environment, in its multiple aspects, has on cancer. Overall, mortality from obesity and tobacco-related cancers was higher among Mexican origin populations in the US compared to Mexico, suggesting a higher risk for these cancers, while mortality from prostate, stomach, and especially cervical and pediatric cancers was markedly higher in Mexico. Among children, brain cancer and neuroblastoma patterns suggest an environmental role in the etiology of these malignancies as well. Partnered research between the US and Mexico for cancer studies is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stomach cancer was a leading cause of cancer-related deaths early in the 20th century and has steadily declined over the last century in the United States. Although incidence and death rates are now low, stomach cancer remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in black, Asian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations.Methods: Data from the CONCORD-2 study were used to analyze stomach cancer survival among males and females aged 15 to 99 years who were diagnosed in 37 states covering 80% of the US population. Survival analyses were corrected for background mortality using state-specific and race-specific (white and black) life tables and age-standardized using the International Cancer Survival Standard weights. Net survival is presented up to 5 years after diagnosis by race (all, black, and white) for 2001 through 2003 and 2004 through 2009 to account for changes in collecting Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Summary Stage 2000 data from 2004.Results: Almost one-third of stomach cancers were diagnosed at a distant stage among both whites and blacks. Age-standardized 5-year net survival increased between 2001 to 2003 and 2004 to 2009 (26.1% and 29%, respectively), and no differences were observed by race. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival estimates were 53.1%, 33.8%, and 29%, respectively. Survival improved in most states. Survival by stage was 64% (local), 28.2% (regional), and 5.3% (distant).Conclusions: The current results indicate high fatality for stomach cancer, especially soon after diagnosis. Although improvements in stomach cancer survival were observed, survival remained relatively low for both blacks and whites. Primary prevention through the control of well-established risk factors would be expected to have the greatest impact on further reducing deaths from stomach cancer. Cancer 2017;123:4994-5013. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Worldwide, liver cancer is a leading cause of death for both men and women. The number of Americans who are diagnosed with and die of liver cancer has been rising slowly each year. Using data from the CONCORD-2 study, this study examined population-based survival by state, race, and stage at diagnosis.Methods: Data from 37 statewide registries, which covered 81% of the US population, for patients diagnosed during 2001-2009 were analyzed. Survival up to 5 years was adjusted for background mortality (net survival) with state- and race-specific life tables, and it was age-standardized with the International Cancer Survival Standard weights.Results: Liver cancer was diagnosed overall more often at the localized stage, with blacks being more often diagnosed at distant and regional stages than whites. 5-year net survival was 12.2% in 2001-2003 and 14.8% in 2004-2009. Whites had higher survival than blacks in both calendar periods (11.7% vs 9.1% and 14.3% vs 11.4%, respectively). During 2004-2009, 5-year survival was 25.7% for localized-stage disease, 9.5% for regional-stage disease, and 3.5% for distant-stage disease.Conclusions: Some progress has occurred in survival for patients with liver cancer, but 5-year survival remains low, even for those diagnosed at the localized stage. Efforts directed at controlling well-established risk factors such as hepatitis B may have the greatest impact on reducing the burden of liver cancer in the United States. Cancer 2017;123:5059-78. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Grenada is a small island nation of 105,000 in the Caribbean with one single general hospital and pathology laboratory. This study assesses cancer incidence on the island based on existing pathology reports, and compares the cancer mortality burden between Grenada and other Caribbean nations.Methods: Age-adjusted overall and site-specific cancer "incidence" rates (based on pathology reports) and mortality rates were calculated and compared for 2000-2009. Next, mortality rates for a more recent period, 2007-2013, were calculated for Grenada and a pool of English-speaking, majority African-ancestry Caribbean island nations. Lastly, for direct mortality comparisons by cancer site, mortality rate ratios were computed using negative binomial regression modeling.Results: The pathology reports alone do not suffice to calculate national incidence rates but cancer mortality rates are rapidly increasing in Grenada. The leading causes of cancer mortality were prostate and lung cancers among men, and breast and cervical cancers among women. Overall cancer mortality is significantly higher for both male and female Grenadians than their Caribbean counterparts: RR 1.43 (95% CI 1.32-1.55) and RR 1.26 (95% CI 1.15-1.38), respectively. High prostate and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma rates are concerning.Conclusions: Given the small existing cancer infrastructure, excessive mortality in Grenada compared to its neighbors may be disproportionately more attributable to low survival than a high cancer risk. Global solutions will be required to meet the cancer control needs of geographically isolated small nations such as Grenada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-associated memory decline is due to variable combinations of genetic and environmental risk factors. How these risk factors interact to drive disease onset is currently unknown. Here we begin to elucidate the mechanisms by which post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD) at a young age contributes to an increased risk to develop dementia at old age. We show that the actin nucleator Formin 2 ( Fmn2) is deregulated in PTSD and in Alzheimer's disease ( AD) patients. Young mice lacking the Fmn2 gene exhibit PTSD-like phenotypes and corresponding impairments of synaptic plasticity, while the consolidation of new memories is unaffected. However, Fmn2 mutant mice develop accelerated age-associated memory decline that is further increased in the presence of additional risk factors and is mechanistically linked to a loss of transcriptional homeostasis. In conclusion, our data present a new approach to explore the connection between AD risk factors across life span and provide mechanistic insight to the processes by which neuropsychiatric diseases at a young age affect the risk for developing dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Latinos born in the US, 36 million, comprise 65% of all US Latinos. Yet their cancer experience is nearly always analyzed together with their foreign-born counterparts, 19 million, who constitute a steady influx of truly lower-risk populations from abroad. To highlight specific cancer vulnerabilities for US-born Latinos, we compare their cancer mortality to the majority non-Latino white (NLW) population, foreign-born Latinos, and non-Latino blacks.Methods: We analyzed 465,751 cancer deaths from 2008 to 2012 occurring among residents of California and Texas, the two most populous states, accounting for 47% of US Latinos. This cross-sectional analysis, based on granular data obtained from death certificates on cause of death, age, race, ethnicity and birthplace, makes use of normal standardization techniques and negative binomial regression models.Results: While Latinos overall have lower all-cancers-combined mortality rates than NLWs, these numbers were largely driven by low rates among the foreign born while mortality rates for US-born Latinos approach those of NLWs. Among Texas males, rates were 210 per 100,000 for NLWs and 166 for Latinos combined, but 201 per 100,000 for US-born Latinos and 125 for foreign-born Latinos. Compared to NLWs, US-born Latino males in California had mortality rate ratios of 2.83 (95% CI: 2.52-3.18) for liver cancer, 1.44 (95% CI: 1.30-1.61) for kidney cancer, and 1.25 (95% CI: 1.17-1.34) for colorectal cancer (CRC). Texas results showed a similar site-specific pattern.Conclusions: Specific cancer patterns for US-born Latinos, who have relatively high cancer mortality, similar overall to NLWs, are masked by aggregation of all Latinos, US-born and foreign-born. While NLWs had high mortality for lung cancer, US-born Latinos had high mortality for liver, kidney and male colorectal cancers. HCV testing and reinforcement of the need for CRC screening should be a priority in this specific and understudied population. The unprecedented proximity of overall rates between NLWs and US-born Latino populations runs counter to the prevailing narrative of Latinos having significantly lower cancer risk and mortality. Birthplace data are critical in detecting meaningful differences among Latinos; these findings merit not only clinical but also public health attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study assessed the effect of marital status on stage at diagnosis and survival in women with cervical cancer.Methods: Cervical cancer cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2010 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were compared by marital status. Multivariate logistic and Cox proportional hazard regression models were performed to calculate odds ratios of advanced stage at diagnosis and hazard ratios of death risk respectively.Results: Among 31 425 women, 46% of cases were married at the time of diagnosis. Married women were more commonly diagnosed at a localized stage (55%) compared to other non-marital groups (47% of singles, 42% of separated/divorced, and 28% of widowers, p < 0.001). After controlling for age, race/ethnicity, period of diagnosis, histology, and SEER area, single [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.41; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.33-1.49], separated/divorced [aOR 1.44; 95% CI 1.34-1.55], and widowed women [aOR 1.43; 95% CI 1.31-1.58] were all more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage compared to married women. In terms of prognosis, single (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.35; 95% CI 1.28-1.43), separated/divorced (aHR 1.22; 95% CI 1.15-1.29), and widowed women (aHR 1.28; 95% CI 1.19-1.36) had significant increased risk of death compared to married women. Adjusting for insurance status did not change the findings.Conclusion: Being married is associated with earlier diagnosis and a more favorable prognosis for cervical cancer among US women. Interventions to improve prognosis for unmarried women, including increasing use of cervical cancer screenings, are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular mechanisms for calcium-triggered membrane fusion have long been sought for, and detailed models now exist that account for at least some of the functions of the many proteins involved in the process. Key players in the fusion reaction are a group of proteins that, upon binding to calcium, trigger the merger of cargo-filled vesicles with the plasma membrane. Low-affinity, fast-kinetics calcium sensors of the synaptotagmin family - especially synaptotagmin-1 and synaptotagmin-2 - are the main calcium sensors for fast exocytosis triggering in many cell types. Their functions extend beyond fusion triggering itself, having been implicated in the calcium-dependent vesicle recruitment during activity, docking of vesicles to the plasma membrane and priming, and even in post-fusion steps, such as fusion pore expansion and endocytosis. Furthermore, synaptotagmin diversity imparts distinct properties to the release process itself. Other calcium-sensing proteins such as Munc13s and protein kinase C play important, but more indirect roles in calcium-triggered exocytosis. Because of their higher affinity, but intrinsic slower kinetics, they operate on longer temporal and spatial scales to organize assembly of the release machinery. Finally, the high-affinity synaptotagmin-7 and Doc2 (Double C2-domain) proteins are able to trigger membrane fusion in vitro, but cellular measurements in different systems show that they may participate in either fusion or vesicle priming. Here, we summarize the properties and possible interplay of (some of) the major C2-domain containing calcium sensors in calcium-triggered exocytosis.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer incidence disparities exist among specific Asian American populations. However, the existing reports exclude data from large metropoles like Chicago, Houston and New York. Moreover, incidence rates by subgroup have been underestimated due to the exclusion of Asians with unknown subgroup. Cancer incidence data for 2009 to 2011 for eight states accounting for 68% of the Asian American population were analyzed. Race for cases with unknown subgroup was imputed using stratified proportion models by sex, age, cancer site and geographic regions. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated for 17 cancer sites for the six largest Asian subgroups. Our analysis comprised 90,709 Asian and 1,327,727 non-Hispanic white cancer cases. Asian Americans had significantly lower overall cancer incidence rates than non-Hispanic whites (336.5 per 100,000 and 541.9 for men, 299.6 and 449.3 for women, respectively). Among specific Asian subgroups, Filipino men (377.4) and Japanese women (342.7) had the highest overall incidence rates while South Asian men (297.7) and Korean women (275.9) had the lowest. In comparison to non-Hispanic whites and other Asian subgroups, significantly higher risks were observed for colorectal cancer among Japanese, stomach cancer among Koreans, nasopharyngeal cancer among Chinese, thyroid cancer among Filipinos, and liver cancer among Vietnamese. South Asians had remarkably low lung cancer risk. Overall, Asian Americans have a lower cancer risk than non-Hispanic whites, except for nasopharyngeal, liver and stomach cancers. The unique portrayal of cancer incidence patterns among specific Asian subgroups in this study provides a new baseline for future cancer surveillance research and health policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]