Breast cancer incidence trends in Golestan, Iran: An age-period-cohort analysis by ethnic region, 2004-2018.

Background: We aimed to examine the effects of age, diagnosis year (calendar period) and birth year (cohort) on the incidence trends of breast cancer among Golestan women, Northeast Iran, 2004-2018.

Methods: Incidence data were obtained by residential status (urban/rural) and ethnic region (Turkmens/non-Turkmens). We calculated age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) per 100,000 person-years.

Colorectal cancer incidence trends in Golestan, Iran: An age-period-cohort analysis 2004-2018.

Background: We investigated the effects of factors including age, birth year (cohort) and diagnosis year (period) on colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence trends in Golestan, Northeast of Iran, 2004-2018.

Methods: We obtained data on incidence cases of CRC from the Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry by sex and area of residence (urban/rural). Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) were calculated using the World standard population and presented per 100,000 person-years.

Esophageal and gastric cancer incidence trends in Golestan, Iran: An age-period-cohort analysis 2004 to 2018.

Golestan province in the northeast of Iran is part of the Asian esophageal cancer belt and is known as a high-risk area for esophageal (EC) and gastric cancers (GC). Data on incident cases of EC and GC during 2004 to 2018 were obtained from the Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry (GPCR). The age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) were calculated and presented per 100 000 person-years.

Development of an online cancer data collection and processing tool for population-based cancer registries in a low-resource setting: The CanDCap experience from Golestan, Iran.

Background: Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry (GPCR) with more than 15-years experiences developed an in-house online software called Cancer Data Collection and Processing (CanDCap) to improve its data collection operations from the conventional offline method to new online method. We aimed to report the methods and framework that GPCR applied to design and implementation of the CanDCap.

Methods: CanDCap was designed based on International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) protocols and standards and according to the GPCR workflow.

Primary Liver Cancer in Golestan Province, Northeastern Iran: 13-Year Experience of Golestan Population-Based Cancer Registry (GPCR).

Background: Liver cancer (LC) is among the most common and fatal cancers worldwide. A four-fold increasing trend is reported for LC age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) in Iran within 1990-2015. In the present study, we aimed to report the incidence rate of LC during the 13-year establishment of the Golestan population-based cancer registry (GPCR).

Analysis of Competing Risks of Causes of Death in Cancer Patients from Golestan, Iran over Twelve Years (2004-2016).

Background: Cancer-related causes of death (cancer CoD) are the main etiologies of death in cancer patients. Recent increase in survival rates of cancer patients resulted in higher risk of dying from causes other than cancer, called competing causes of death (competing CoD). We aim to characterize competing CoD among cancer patients in Golestan province, Northern Iran.

Detection Rate of Colorectal Polyps in Symptomatic Candidates of Colonoscopy: When Should We Do a Total Colonoscopy?

BACKGROUND The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in the northeast of Iran. Colorectal polyps are among the proposed risk factors noted, especially in the elder population. This study was designed to study the diagnosed cases of intestinal polyps detected from 2011 to 2016 in the northeast of Iran.

Building a Cancer Biobank in a Low-Resource Setting in Northern Iran: the Golestan Cancer Biobank.

Background: We aim to present the development and the initial results of the Golestan Cancer Biobank (GoCB), in a low resource setting in northern Iran.

Methods: The GoCB protocol and its standard operation procedures (SOP) were developed according to internationally accepted standards and protocols with some modifications considering the limited resources in our setting. The main biological samples collected by the GoCB include blood sample, urine sample, fresh endoscopy tissue sample, fresh surgical tissue sample and formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue sample.

10-Year Trends in Dietary Intakes in the High- and Low-Risk Areas for Esophageal Cancer: A Population-Based Ecological Study in Northern Iran.

BACKGROUND We assessed dietary intakes in the high- and low-risk areas for esophageal cancer (EC) in Golestan province, Northern Iran. METHODS Considering the EC rates, Golestan province was divided into high- and low-risk regions. Data on households' food consumption were obtained from the Statistical Center of Iran.

Recent cancer incidence trends and short-term predictions in Golestan, Iran 2004-2025.

Background: We examine recent trends in the major cancers occurring in the Golestan province, a high-risk region for upper gastrointestinal cancers in Northern Iran, and provide short-term cancer predictions of the future cancer burden.

Methods: New cancer cases diagnosed in Golestan 2004-2016 were obtained from the Golestan population-based cancer registry (GPCR) database, and age-standardized rates by cancer site, year and sex calculated per 100,000 person-years. Using IARC's DepPred package we fitted time-linear age-period models to the available GPCR data to predict the cancer incidence burden in the year 2025.

Trends in the Incidence of Stomach Cancer in Golestan Province, a High-risk Area in Northern Iran, 2004-2016.

Background: We aimed to present the temporal and geographical trends in the incidence of stomach cancer in the Golestan province, a high-risk area in Northern Iran.

Methods: This study was conducted on stomach cancer cases registered in the Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry (GPCR) during 2004-2016. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) per 100000 person-years were calculated.

Strontium and antimony serum levels in healthy individuals living in high- and low-risk areas of esophageal cancer.

Background: It has been shown there is an upward trend for strontium (Sr) and antimony (Sb) levels from low-risk (LR) to high-risk (HR) areas of etiology of esophageal cancer in water, soil, and grains grown in Golestan province. In the present study, the serum levels of Sr and Sb were determined in healthy individuals living in these areas.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on fasting blood serum of adult healthy individuals collected by cluster sampling.

Completeness and Accuracy of Death Registry Data in Golestan, Iran.

Background: We aimed to evaluate completeness and accuracy of the Golestan Death Registry (GDR) to identify cancer-related causes of death (CCoD).

Methods: The GDR data (2004-2015) were compared with cancer data collected from clinical/pathological sources (the considered gold standard) by the Golestan Population-Based Cancer Registry (GPCR). Using a linkage method, matched cases, including subjects with CCoD and those with ill-defined cause of death (ICoD) (garbage codes), were identified and entered into the final analysis as study subjects.

Temporal and geographical variations in colorectal cancer incidence in Northern Iran 2004-2013.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the Golestan province, Northern Iran. The purpose of this study is to describe colorectal cancer incidence patterns and trends in the province 2004-2013.

Methods: Data on CRC cases were obtained from the Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry (GPCR).

Building cancer registries in a lower resource setting: The 10-year experience of Golestan, Northern Iran.

Introduction: The Golestan population-based cancer registry (GPCR) was established in Golestan province, Northern Iran, within the Asian belt with predominance of upper-gastrointestinal cancers. We aimed to present the experiences of the registry in a resource-limited setting over the 10 years since its inception (2004-2013).

Methods: The GPCR was established as a research project to enable sustainable funding.

Opium Use and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study.

We examined the association between opium consumption and pancreatic cancer incidence in a large-scale prospective cohort of the general population in northeastern Iran. A total of 50,045 adults were systematically followed up (median of 7.4 years), and incident cases of pancreatic cancer were identified.

Mortality from respiratory diseases associated with opium use: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that opium use may increase mortality from cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, no comprehensive study of opium use and mortality from respiratory diseases has been published. We aimed to study the association between opium use and mortality from respiratory disease using prospectively collected data.

Reliability Analysis of a Newly Developed Questionnaire for Quality Control of Follow-up Visits in PolyIran Study.

Background: The PolyIran study is a large-scale pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial of fixed-dose combination therapy (Polypill) for prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Iran. The PolyIran Quality Control Program (PIQCP) including a new questionnaire was developed to assess the quality of data collection during follow-up visits. The aim of this study was to assess the inter-rater reliability of PIQCP questionnaire.

Temporal variations of dietary habits in a high-risk area for upper gastrointestinal cancers: a population-based study from northern Iran.

Background: Nutrition transition is a global health problem, especially in developing countries. It is known as an important factor for development of different types of health conditions including cancers.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the pattern of nutrition transition in a high-risk area for upper gastrointestinal cancers in Northern Iran during the last decade.

Epidemiology of female reproductive cancers in Iran: results of the Gholestan Population-based Cancer Registry.

Background: Malignancies of the female reproductive tract are estimated to be the third most common group of cancers in women.

Objectives: We here aimed to present their epidemiological features in Golestan province located in Northeast of Iran.

Materials And Methods: Data on primary female reproductive cancers diagnosed between 2004-2010 were obtained from Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry (GPCR).

Diagnostic values of serum levels of pepsinogens and gastrin-17 for screening gastritis and gastric cancer in a high risk area in northern Iran.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second cause of cancer related death in the world. It may develop by progression from its precancerous condition, called gastric atrophy (GA) due to gastritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of serum levels of pepsinogens (Pg) and gastrin-17 (G17) as non-invasive methods to discriminate GA or GC (GA/GC) patients.

Selenium levels in rice samples from high and low risk areas for esophageal cancer.

Objective: To assess the relationship between selenium (Se) concentration in rice and the incidence of esophageal cancer (EC) in a high risk area in Northern Iran.

Methods: This ecological study was conducted in Golestan province of Iran in 2012. In this area, 45714 acres of land are cultivated by rice.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and overall and Cause-specific Mortality: A Prospective Study of 50000 Individuals.

BACKGROUND Only a few studies in Western countries have investigated the association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and mortality at the general population level and they have shown mixed results. This study investigated the association between GERD symptoms and overall and cause-specific mortality in a large prospective population-based study in Golestan Province, Iran. METHODS Baseline data on frequency, onset time, and patient-perceived severity of GERD symptoms were available for 50001 participants in the Golestan Cohort Study (GCS).

Enhanced cell immune responses to hepatitis C virus core by novel heterologous DNA prime/lambda nanoparticles boost in mice.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a worldwide problem which does not have an effective vaccine and more than 170 million people worldwide are chronically infected by HCV. T cell responses are associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV infection. We report here the development of recombinant Lambda bacteriophage nanoparticles encoding HCV Core antigen.

Endoscopic screening for precancerous lesions of the esophagus in a high risk area in Northern Iran.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a major health problem in many developing countries including Iran. ESCC has a very poor prognosis, largely due to late diagnosis. As a first step in developing an early detection and treatment program, we conducted a population-based endoscopic screening for ESCC and its precursor lesion, esophageal squamous dysplasia (ESD) in asymptomatic adults from Golestan Province, northern Iran, a high-risk area for ESCC, to evaluate the feasibility of such a program and to document the prevalence and risk factor correlates of ESD.