PFAS Levels, Early Life Factors, and Mammographic Breast Density in Premenopausal Women.

Background: Mammographic breast density (MBD) is a strong risk factor and an intermediate phenotype for breast cancer, yet there are limited studies on how environmental pollutants are associated with MBD.

Objective: We investigated associations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) levels with measures of MBD and evaluated if early life factors modified any associations.

Methods: Metabolon performed metabolomics analysis using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/tandem accurate mass spectrometry in fasting blood from 705 premenopausal women completing their annual screening mammogram in St.

Untargeted lipidomics reveals racial differences in lipid species among women.

Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying racial differences in diseases is crucial to developing targeted prevention and treatment. There is, however, limited knowledge of the impact of race on lipids. To address this, we performed comprehensive lipidomics analyses to evaluate racial differences in lipid species among 506 non-Hispanic White (NHW) and 163 non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women.

Aspirin Metabolites and Mammographic Breast Density in Premenopausal Women.

Background: Studies investigating the associations of self-reported aspirin use and mammographic breast density (MBD) have reported conflicting results. Therefore, we investigated the associations of aspirin metabolites with MBD in premenopausal women.

Methods: We performed this study on 705 premenopausal women who had a fasting blood draw for metabolomic profiling.

Aspirin use and head and neck cancer survival and recurrence.

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) has low 5-year survival, and evidence-based recommendations for tertiary prevention are lacking. Aspirin improves outcomes for cancers at other sites, but its role in HNC tertiary prevention remains understudied.

Methods: HNC patients were recruited in the University of Michigan Head and Neck Cancer Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) from 2003 to 2014.

Lipidome of mammographic breast density in premenopausal women.

Background: High mammographic breast density (MBD) is a strong risk factor for breast cancer development, but the biological mechanisms underlying MBD are unclear. Lipids play important roles in cell differentiation, and perturbations in lipid metabolism are implicated in cancer development. Nevertheless, no study has applied untargeted lipidomics to profile the lipidome of MBD.

Breastfeeding and Mammographic Breast Density: A Cross-sectional Study.

Unlabelled: Breastfeeding is inversely associated with breast cancer risk but the associations of breastfeeding with mammographic breast density (MBD) are not clear. We investigated the association between breastfeeding and volumetric measures of MBD [volumetric percent density (VPD), dense volume (DV), and non-dense volume (NDV)] and evaluated whether it differs by race, menopausal status, and body mass index (BMI). The study population was comprised of 964 women (67% non-Hispanic White, 29% non-Hispanic Black) who had screening mammography at Washington University School of Medicine, St.

No survival benefit in never-smoker never-drinker patients with oral cavity cancer.

Background: Although strongly associated with tobacco and alcohol use, many oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) cases occur in patients without exposure to either, known as "never-smoker, never-drinkers" (NSND). We aimed to compare clinical outcomes between NSND and tobacco/alcohol-exposed populations and to define demographic characteristics of NSND.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, single-institution cohort study of 672 OCSCC patients.

The association between inflammatory biomarkers and statin use among patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and cytokines are associated with prognosis among patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) may improve HNSCC prognosis, particularly in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cases, but the mechanism remains unclear.

Methods: Statin use was collected from medical records for HNSCC cases (2008-2014).

Statin use and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma outcomes.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a morbid cancer with poor outcomes. Statins possess anticancer properties such as immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of our study is to identify the association between statin use among untreated HNSCC patients and overall death, disease-specific death and recurrence.

Evaluation of strategies to communicate harmful and potentially harmful constituent (HPHC) information through cigarette package inserts: a discrete choice experiment.

Background: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulatory authority to use inserts to communicate with consumers about harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) in tobacco products; however, little is known about the most effective manner for presenting HPHC information.

Methods: In a discrete choice experiment, participants evaluated eight choice sets, each of which showed two cigarette packages from four different brands and tar levels (high vs low), accompanied by an insert that included between-subject manipulations (ie, listing of HPHCs vs grouping by disease outcome and numeric values ascribed to HPHCs vs no numbers) and within-subject manipulations (ie, 1 of 4 warning topics; statement linking an HPHC with disease vs statement with no HPHC link). For each choice set, participants were asked: (1) which package is more harmful and (2) which motivates them to not smoke; each with a 'no difference' option.

Family history of cancer and head and neck cancer survival.

Objective: Patients with a family history of cancer may be genetically predisposed to carcinogenesis. This could affect risk of recurrence, second primary tumors, and overall outcomes after treatment of a primary cancer. We evaluated the association between family history of cancer and disease-specific survival in a cohort of patients with primary head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC).

Patterns of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking Among U.S. Young Adults, 2013-2014.

Introduction: Patterns of waterpipe smoking and associated other tobacco use were assessed among U.S. young adults (aged 18-24 years).

Use of Electronic Cigarettes Among Cancer Survivors in the U.S.

Introduction: The population-level patterns of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among cancer survivors in the U.S. are unknown.

Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking and Susceptibility to Cigarette Smoking Among Young Adults in the United States, 2012-2013.

Introduction: Waterpipe tobacco smoking, also known as hookah and shisha, has surged in popularity among young people in the United States. Waterpipe is also increasingly becoming the first tobacco product that young people try. Given the limited access to and limited portability of waterpipes, waterpipe smokers who become more nicotine dependent over time may be more likely to turn to cigarettes.