Cancer Treatment Disruption by Residence Region in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and María in Puerto Rico.

Since 2017, Puerto Rico has faced environmental, economic, and political crises, leading to the emigration of healthcare workers and weakening the healthcare system. These challenges have affected cancer treatment continuity, exacerbating healthcare access challenges island-wide. In this study, we estimate the effect of the residence region on cancer treatment disruption following Hurricanes Irma and María (2017).

Cervical Pap screening among women living with HIV in Puerto Rico and the United States - Medical Monitoring Project, 2018-2021.

Our objective was to determine the prevalence of cervical Pap screening among women living with HIV (WLWH) in Puerto Rico (P.R.) and other selected United States (U.

Anal cancer risk and HPV infection knowledge and awareness among Hispanic persons living with HIV in Puerto Rico.

Background: Persons living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher risk of persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and anal cancer. We evaluated knowledge and awareness of HPV infection and risk factors for anal cancer among PLWH in Puerto Rico (PR).

Methods: Data from a cross-sectional study (2020-2021) were analyzed (n=212).

Incidence and Mortality Rates for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Puerto Rican Hispanics, 2012-2016.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) accounts for 80% of all leukemias diagnosed in children. Although ALL age patterns are consistent across racial/ethnic groups, their incidence and mortality rates are highly variable. We assessed the age-standardized ALL incidence and mortality rates of Puerto Rican Hispanic (PRH) children and compared them with those of US mainland Hispanics (USH), non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), and Non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islanders (NHAPI).

Molecular and Sociodemographic Colorectal Cancer Disparities in Latinos Living in Puerto Rico.

Background: The incidence of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) among individuals <50 years (early-onset CRC) has been increasing in the United States (U.S.) and Puerto Rico.

'More stressful than cancer': Treatment Experiences Lived During Hurricane Maria among Breast and Colorectal Cancer Patients in Puerto Rico.

Background: This study explored experiences in cancer care and disruption after Hurricanes Irma and Maria's aftermath in Puerto Rico (PR).

Methods: A total of three focus groups were conducted among breast and colorectal cancer patients diagnosed six months before the disaster.

Results: The most prevalent themes were (a) barriers related to their cancer treatment, (b) facilitators related to their cancer treatment, and (c) treatment experiences during the hurricane.

Development of a multivariable prediction model for anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in persons living with HIV in Puerto Rico: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Persons living with HIV (PLWH) are at high risk of developing anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). We aimed to develop a prediction model for anal HSIL based on individual characteristics of PLWH.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of PLWH aged ≥21 years who attended the Anal Neoplasia Clinic of the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center from 2016 to 2022.

The Puerto Rico Community Cancer Control Outreach Program: Developing Capacity-Building Activities on Cancer Screening Guidelines and HPV Vaccination Recommendations for Health Care Professionals.

Objective: This study evaluated physicians' knowledge of cancer screening guidelines and human papillomavirus (HPV) recommendations.

Methods: The Puerto Rico Community Cancer Control Outreach Program in collaboration with the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program developed an educational activity for physicians who attended a professional annual meeting. This activity consisted of 2 sessions: one about cancer screening guidelines and the other about HPV and HPV vaccination.

Racial/ethnic disparities in gastric cancer: A 15-year population-based analysis.

Background And Aims: Disparities in gastric cancer incidence and mortality have been reported among ethnic/racial groups. While gastric cancer is not common in the U.S.

¡Habla de VPH! An Educational Activity for College Students in Puerto Rico.

Objective: To evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV) infection knowledge, willingness to get vaccinated, and vaccination uptake, following a brief educational activity entitled ¡Habla de VPH! (Let's talk about HPV!) in a sample of college students at the University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón.

Methods: Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire developed by the research team, which gathered information regarding sociodemographic characteristics, HPV vaccination status, and willingness to receive the vaccine. Once the participant completed the survey, the staff of the Outreach Program conducted an educational activity.

Elimination of cervical cancer in U.S. Hispanic populations: Puerto Rico as a case study.

Cervical cancer remains a major burden for women around the world. In 2018, the World Health Organization called for the elimination of cervical cancer worldwide (<4 cases per 100,000 women-years), within the 21st century. In the U.

Ubiquitous neurocognitive dysfunction in familial adenomatous polyposis: proof-of-concept of the role of APC protein in neurocognitive function.

Background: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by germline mutations in the APC gene. Patients with FAP have multiple extraintestinal manifestations that follow a genotype-phenotype pattern; however, few data exist characterizing their cognitive abilities. Given the role of the APC protein in development of the central nervous system, we hypothesized that patients with FAP would show differences in cognitive functioning compared to controls.

Improvement in Hispanics' CRC Knowledge and Awareness using the Inflatable Caribe Colon.

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cause of cancer death in Puerto Rico (PR). CRC screening rates among PR Hispanics aged ≥ 50 years (57.5%) are below the Healthy People 2020 recommendations (70.

The Presence of Gut Microbial Genes Encoding Bacterial Genotoxins or Pro-Inflammatory Factors in Stool Samples from Individuals with Colorectal Neoplasia.

Gut bacterial toxins are thought to contribute to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study examines the presence of specific gut bacterial toxin genes in stool samples from individuals with colorectal neoplasia (adenomas and/or CRC). The presence of bacterial genes encoding genotoxic or pro-inflammatory factors (, , , , , and ) was established by PCR of stool samples from individuals from mainland US ( = 30; controls = 10, adenoma = 10, CRC = 10) and from Puerto Rico (PR) ( = 33; controls = 13; adenomas = 8; CRC = 12).

Effect of an Educational Video to Increase Calls and Screening into an Anal Cancer Clinical Trial Among HIV+ Hispanics in PR: Results from a Randomized Controlled Behavioral Trial.

Anal cancer incidence is higher in persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) than in the general population. Participation of PLWHA in anal cancer clinical trials (CTs) is essential; Hispanic PLWHA are underrepresented in CTs. We conducted a behavioral CT among 305 PLWHA in Puerto Rico to measure the efficacy of an educational video in increasing calls and screening into an anal cancer CT.

Disparities in human papillomavirus-related cancer incidence and survival among human immunodeficiency virus-infected Hispanics living in the United States.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes 10% of cancers among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected people in the United States. Because Hispanics are disproportionally affected by the HIV epidemic and by infection-related cancers, this study compared incidence rates for HPV-related cancers and survival between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) and non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs) in the HIV-infected US population.

Methods: Based on data from the HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study, standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were used to estimate cancer risk in HIV-infected Hispanics and the general US Hispanic population.

Prevalence of Synchronous Oligopolyposis in Incident Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading causes of cancer death among men and women. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of oligopolyposis (≥20 synchronous colorectal adenomas) and its associated clinicopathological characteristics in Hispanics with incident CRC.

Methods: Pathology reports from individuals diagnosed with CRC (2007 to 2011) were obtained from the PR Central Cancer Registry.

Community-Academic Partnership to Implement a Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Education Program in Puerto Rico.

Objective: To describe how a community-academic partnership between Taller Salud Inc., a community-based organization, and the Puerto Rico Community Cancer Control Outreach Program of the University of Puerto Rico was crucial in the adaptation and implementation of Cultivando La Salud (CLS), an evidencebased educational outreach program designed to increase breast and cervical cancer screening among Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico. This collaboration facilitated the review and adaptation of the CLS intervention to improve cultural appropriateness, relevance, and acceptability for Puerto Rican women.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Hispanics living in Puerto Rico: A population-based study.

Background: Helicobacter pylori is an important etiologic factor for peptic ulcers and gastric cancer, one of the top ten leading causes of cancer death in Puerto Rico. However, the prevalence of H. pylori infections in this population was previously unknown.

Prevalence and correlates of cervical HPV infection in a clinic-based sample of HIV-positive Hispanic women.

Objectives: Puerto Rico (PR), is the fifth highest jurisdiction of the United States of America (US) with respect to HIV prevalence and the leading in cervical cancer incidence. This cross-sectional study describes the prevalence and correlates of cervical HPV infection among a clinic-based sample of 302 women living with HIV/AIDS in PR.

Methods: Data collection included questionnaires, blood and cervical samples.

Assessing Colorectal Cancer Knowledge Among Puerto Rican Hispanics: Implications for Cancer Prevention and Control.

In Puerto Rico, colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality rates are increasing. Moreover, adherence rates to CRC screening (52.2%) are still below the goals (70.

Colorectal Cancer Survival Disparities among Puerto Rican Hispanics: A Comparison to Racial/Ethnic Groups in the United States.

Purpose: Ethnic/racial disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) survival have been well documented. However, there is limited information regarding CRC survival among Hispanic subgroups. This study reports the 5-year relative survival of Puerto Rican Hispanic (PRH) CRC patients and the relative risk of death compared to other racial/ethnic groups in the US.