Temporal increase in the incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma in Kentucky and factors associated with adverse outcomes.

Background: Anal squamous cell cancer (ASCC) incidence in Kentucky is increasing at an alarming rate. In 2009, the incidence surpassed the US national average (2.66 vs.

Cancer diagnosis is associated with a lower burden of dementia and less Alzheimer's-type neuropathology.

Cancer and Alzheimer's disease are common diseases in ageing populations. Previous research has reported a lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease-type (amnestic) dementia among individuals with a diagnosis of cancer. Both cancer and amnestic dementia are prevalent and potentially lethal clinical syndromes.

Anal squamous cell carcinoma incidentally found at hemorrhoidectomy.

Background: Anal squamous cell carcinoma incidence is increasing nationally and, more so, in Kentucky. Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus unexpectedly identified at hemorrhoidectomy pathologic evaluation is not uncommon. We hypothesized this is occurring more frequently and sought to evaluate its impact on outcomes.

Unlocking the potential of population-based cancer registries.

Population-based cancer registries have improved dramatically over the last 2 decades. These central cancer registries provide a critical framework that can elevate the science of cancer research. There have also been important technical and scientific advances that help to unlock the potential of population-based cancer registries.

Identifying Smoking Status and Smoking Cessation Using a Data Linkage Between the Kentucky Cancer Registry and Health Claims Data.

Purpose: Linkage of cancer registry data with complementary data sources can be an informative way to expand what is known about patients and their treatment and improve delivery of care. The purpose of this study was to explore whether patient smoking status and smoking-cessation modalities data in the Kentucky Cancer Registry (KCR) could be augmented by linkage with health claims data.

Methods: The KCR conducted a data linkage with health claims data from Medicare, Medicaid, state employee insurance, Humana, and Anthem.

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Lung Cancer Histological Types in Kentucky, 1995-2014.

Recent metabolic and genetic research has demonstrated that risk for specific histological types of lung cancer varies in relation to cigarette smoking and obesity. This study investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of lung cancer histological types in Kentucky, a largely rural state with high rates of smoking and obesity, to discern population-level trends that might reflect variation in these and other risk factors. The Kentucky Cancer Registry provided residential geographic coordinates for lung cancer cases diagnosed from 1995 through 2014.

Smoking and Smoking Cessation Among Persons with Tobacco- and Non-tobacco-Associated Cancers.

Purpose: To examine smoking and use of smoking cessation aids among tobacco-associated cancer (TAC) or non-tobacco-associated cancer (nTAC) survivors. Understanding when and if specific types of cessation resources are used can help with planning interventions to more effectively decrease smoking among all cancer survivors, but there is a lack of research on smoking cessation modalities used among cancer survivors.

Methods: Kentucky Cancer Registry data on incident lung, colorectal, pancreatic, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer cases diagnosed 2007-2011, were linked with health administrative claims data (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurers) to examine the prevalence of smoking and use of smoking cessation aids 1 year prior and 1 year following the cancer diagnosis.

Treatment and outcomes of non-small-cell lung cancer patients with high comorbidity.

Background: The life expectancy of untreated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is dismal, while treatment for NSCLC improves survival. The presence of comorbidities is thought to play a significant role in the decision to treat or not treat a given patient. We aim to evaluate the association of comorbidities with the survival of patients treated for NSCLC.