Distinct Molecular Profiles of Sporadic Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort and Systematic Review.

Background And Aims: The observed increase in the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is being driven by sporadic cases, but the molecular characteristics of these tumors are not fully understood. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of microsatellite instability (MSI) and selected mutations in sporadic EOCRC, and their association with survival.

Methods: Firstly, we compared the prevalence of molecular characteristics and survival within a population-based cohort study of 652 stage II and III colon cancer patients in Northern Ireland, comparing sporadic early-onset (<50 years, n = 35) with older (60-69 years, n = 179) patients.

Surgical under-treatment of older adult patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Older patients with cancer often have lower surgery rates and survival than younger patients, but this may reflect surgical contraindications of advanced disease, comorbidities, and frailty - and not necessarily under-treatment.

Objectives: This review aims to describe variations in surgery rates and observed or net survival among younger (<75) and older (≥75) patients with breast, lung and colorectal cancer, while taking account of pre-existing health factors, in order to understand how under-treatment is defined and estimated in the literature.

Method: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched for studies reporting surgery rates and observed or net survival among younger and older patients with breast, lung, and colorectal cancer.

Capturing the clinical decision-making processes of expert and novice diabetic retinal graders using a 'think-aloud' approach.

Background: Diabetic eye screening programmes have been developed worldwide based on evidence that early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy are crucial to preventing sight loss. However, little is known about the decision-making processes and training needs of diabetic retinal graders, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Objectives: To provide data for improving evidence-based diabetic retinopathy training to help novice graders process fundus images more like experts.

The NeST (Neoadjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer) study: National Practice Questionnaire of United Kingdom multi-disciplinary decision making.

Background: Neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) is increasingly used in the treatment of breast cancer, yet it is clear that there is significant geographical variation in its use in the UK. This study aimed to examine stated practice across UK breast units, in terms of indications for use, radiological monitoring, pathological reporting of treatment response, and post-treatment surgical management.

Methods: Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) from all UK breast units were invited to participate in the NeST study.

The NeST (neoadjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer) study - Protocol for a prospective multi-centre cohort study to assess the current utilization and short-term outcomes of neoadjuvant systemic therapies in breast cancer.

Introduction: Neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) has several potential advantages in the treatment of breast cancer. However, there is currently considerable variation in NST use across the UK. The NeST study is a national, prospective, multicentre cohort study that will investigate current patterns of care with respect to NST in the UK.

Insights into the factors associated with achieving the preference of home death in terminal cancer: A national population-based study.

Unlabelled: ABSTRACTObjectives:Most terminally ill cancer patients prefer to die at home, yet only a minority are able to achieve this. Our aim was to investigate the factors associated with cancer patients achieving their preference to die at home.

Methods: This study took the form of a mortality followback, population-based, observational survey of the relatives of deceased cancer patients in Northern Ireland.

Life tables for global surveillance of cancer survival (the CONCORD programme): data sources and methods.

Background: We set out to estimate net survival trends for 10 common cancers in 279 cancer registry populations in 67 countries around the world, as part of the CONCORD-2 study. Net survival can be interpreted as the proportion of cancer patients who survive up to a given time, after eliminating the impact of mortality from other causes (background mortality). Background mortality varies widely between populations and over time.

Survival for oesophageal, stomach and small intestine cancers in Europe 1999-2007: Results from EUROCARE-5.

Background: European regional variation in cancer survival was reported in the EUROCARE-4 study for patients diagnosed in 1995-1999. Relative survival (RS) estimates are here updated for patients diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus, stomach and small intestine from 2000 to 2007. Trends in RS from 1999-2001 to 2005-2007 are presented to monitor and discuss improvements in patient survival in Europe.

Global surveillance of cancer survival 1995-2009: analysis of individual data for 25,676,887 patients from 279 population-based registries in 67 countries (CONCORD-2).

Background: Worldwide data for cancer survival are scarce. We aimed to initiate worldwide surveillance of cancer survival by central analysis of population-based registry data, as a metric of the effectiveness of health systems, and to inform global policy on cancer control.

Methods: Individual tumour records were submitted by 279 population-based cancer registries in 67 countries for 25·7 million adults (age 15-99 years) and 75,000 children (age 0-14 years) diagnosed with cancer during 1995-2009 and followed up to Dec 31, 2009, or later.

Surveillance of nonmelanoma skin cancer incidence rates in kidney transplant recipients in Ireland.

Background: The incidence of nonmelanomatous skin cancer (NMSC) is substantially higher among renal transplant recipients (RTRs) than in the general population. With a growing RTR population, a robust method for monitoring skin cancer rates in this population is required.

Methods: A modeling approach was used to estimate the trends in NMSC rates that adjusted for changes in the RTR population (sex and age), calendar time, the duration of posttransplant follow-up, and background population NMSC incidence rates.

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma and prior diagnosis of Barrett's oesophagus: a population-based study.

Objective: Endoscopic surveillance of Barrett's oesophagus (BO) provides an opportunity to detect early stage oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). We sought to determine the proportion of OAC patients with a prior diagnosis of BO on a population basis and to evaluate the influence of a prior diagnosis of BO on survival, taking into account lead and length time biases.

Design: A retrospective population-based study of all OAC patients in Northern Ireland between 2003 and 2008.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and brain tumour risk: a case-control study within the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Purpose: The aetiology of primary brain tumours is largely unknown; the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin use and glioma risk has been inconclusive, but few population-based studies with reliable prescribing data have been conducted, and the association with meningioma risk has yet to be assessed.

Methods: The UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink was used to assess the association between aspirin and non-aspirin NSAID use and primary brain tumour risk using a nested case-control study design. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed on 5,052 brain tumour patients aged 16 years and over, diagnosed between 1987 and 2009 and 42,678 controls matched on year of birth, gender and general practice, adjusting for history of allergy and hormone replacement therapy use in the glioma and meningioma models, respectively.

Increased diagnosis and detection rates of carcinoma in situ of the breast.

The purpose of this study was to identify trends in the diagnosis of carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the breast in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and to examine the impact of mammography. Data on cases of newly diagnosed CIS of the breast and mode of detection (screen detected or not) were obtained, where available, from regional cancer registries between 1990 and 2007. Age-standardised diagnosis rates for the UK and the ROI, and regional screen detected diagnosis rates were compared by calculating the annual percentage change (APC) over time.

Lung cancer resection rates have increased significantly in females during a 15-year period.

Objective: The aim was to carry out a comparative study of lung cancer incidence and resection rates following the introduction of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and the reorganisation of Cancer Services in Northern Ireland.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the Regional Thoracic Service Database and Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) covering the period 1994-2008. The two databases are maintained independently.

Greater gains from smoke-free legislation for non-smoking bar staff in Belfast.

Background: In April 2007, smoke-free legislation was enacted in workplaces throughout N. Ireland. The effects of this legislation on bar workers' health and their exposure to second-hand smoke at home, work and social environment, and their attitudes to the legislation before and after its implementation remain to be documented.

Testosterone: from initiating change to modulating social organisation in domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus).

Testosterone (T) concentrations in many species are sensitive to seasonal changes and to changes in social conditions. However, the effect of the natural or endogenous T increase in the juvenile on their social behaviour is not well understood. In this study, T and behaviour were measured from the pro-social juvenile to the adult stage in semi-feral domestic fowl.

Serum albumin in Down Syndrome with and without Alzheimer's Disease.

Aims: We investigated whether or not serum albumin concentrations in Down Syndrome were lower than those of a cohort of similarly moderately- to-severely-disabled institutionalised patients without Down Syndrome and, if so, whether or not this could be ascribed to the presence of liver disease. We also sought to determine the influence of Down Syndrome, age, liver disease, and Alzheimer's Disease on the serum albumin concentration.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on 205 institutionalised patients with Learning Disabilities (47 with Down Syndrome, 158 without), and used multiple regression techniques to determine the relative effects of age, liver disease, and the presence or absence of Down Syndrome on the serum albumin concentration.

Observations of veterinary medicine students' approaches to study in pre-clinical years.

Rationale For This Study: This study has two purposes. The first is to explore an instrument of evaluation of the approaches to study (deep, strategic, and surface) adopted by students in the pre-clinical years of their veterinary degree program. The second is to examine relationships between these approaches and a broad range of further factors deemed relevant to the veterinary medicine context.