The Durham Initiative for Stomach Health (DISH): a pilot community-based Helicobacter pylori education and screening study.

Background: Approximately 15% of all cancers are due to infection. The bacteria Helicobacter pylori is the single leading carcinogenic infectious agent and the main cause of stomach cancer. Prevalence of H.

Performance of multiplex serology in discriminating active vs past Helicobacter pylori infection in a primarily African American population in the southeastern United States.

Purpose: To feasibly analyze associations of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with disease in large cohort studies, assays are needed to assess H. pylori prevalence in existing biospecimens.

Effect of Cultural, Folk, and Religious Beliefs and Practices on Delays in Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer in African American Women.

Background: Certain cultural, folk, and religious beliefs that are more common among African Americans (AAs) have been associated with later-stage breast cancer. It is unknown if these beliefs are similarly associated with delays in diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Methods: Data from a multicenter case-control study of ovarian cancer in AA women were used to examine associations between cultural/folk beliefs and religious practices and stage at diagnosis and symptom duration before diagnosis.

Benign gynecologic conditions are associated with ovarian cancer risk in African-American women: a case-control study.

Background: The association between common benign gynecologic conditions and ovarian cancer remains under-studied in African Americans. Therefore, we examine the association between self-reported history of benign gynecologic conditions and epithelial ovarian cancer risk in African-American women.

Methods: Data from a large population-based, multi-center case-control study of epithelial ovarian cancer in African-American women were analyzed to estimate the association between self-reported history of endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), fibroid, and ovarian cyst with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Reproductive factors and ovarian cancer risk in African-American women.

Purpose: Reproductive characteristics, the most established ovarian cancer risk factors, differ markedly between African-American and white women. Studies in predominantly white populations suggest that associations between reproductive characteristics and ovarian cancer vary by timing of the events and menopause status. This analysis examined associations between number, duration, and timing of reproductive events and epithelial ovarian cancer among African-American women.

Socioeconomic Status in Relation to the Risk of Ovarian Cancer in African-American Women: A Population-Based Case-Control Study.

We investigated the association between socioeconomic status and ovarian cancer in African-American women. We used a population-based case-control study design that included case patients with incident ovarian cancer (n = 513) and age- and area-matched control participants (n = 721) from 10 states who were recruited into the African American Cancer Epidemiology Study from December 2010 through December 2014. Questionnaires were administered via telephone, and study participants responded to questions about several characteristics, including years of education, family annual income, and risk factors for ovarian cancer.

Association between Body Powder Use and Ovarian Cancer: The African American Cancer Epidemiology Study (AACES).

Background: Epidemiologic studies indicate increased ovarian cancer risk among women who use genital powder, but this has not been thoroughly investigated in African American (AA) women, a group with a high prevalence of use. We evaluate the relationship between use of genital powder and nongenital powder in invasive epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods: Subjects are 584 cases and 745 controls enrolled in the African American Cancer Epidemiology Study (AACES), an ongoing, population-based case-control study of EOC in AA women in 11 geographic locations in the United States.

Recreational physical activity and ovarian cancer risk in African American women.

The literature on recreational physical activity (RPA) and ovarian cancer risk is inconclusive and most studies of RPA and ovarian cancer have been conducted in white populations. This study is the first to investigate the association between RPA and ovarian cancer in an exclusively African American (AA) population. We analyzed data from an ongoing U.

Analgesic medication use and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in African American women.

Background: Existing literature examining analgesic medication use and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) risk has been inconsistent, with the majority of studies reporting an inverse association. Race-specific effects of this relationship have not been adequately addressed.

Methods: Utilising data from the largest population-based case-control study of EOC in African Americans, the African American Cancer Epidemiology Study, the relationship between analgesic use (aspirin, non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and acetaminophen) and risk of EOC was estimated by multivariate logistic regression.

The Association Between Body Mass Index and Presenting Symptoms in African American Women with Ovarian Cancer.

Background: Ovarian cancer, the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, typically comes to clinical attention due to nonspecific gastrointestinal or pelvic symptoms. African Americans with ovarian cancer have a greater mortality burden than whites and are also much more likely to be obese. The objective of this study is to explore whether the presentation and duration of symptoms differ by body mass index (BMI) in African Americans with ovarian cancer.

A multi-center population-based case-control study of ovarian cancer in African-American women: the African American Cancer Epidemiology Study (AACES).

Background: Ovarian cancer (OVCA) is the leading cause of death from gynecological cancer, with poorer survival for African American (AA) women compared to whites. However, little is known about risk factors for OVCA in AA. To study the epidemiology of OVCA in this population, we started a collaborative effort in 10 sites in the US.

Racial differences in enrolment in a cancer genetics registry.

Background: Lower enrolment of minorities into research studies has been reported frequently. Most studies have little information about nonparticipants, making it difficult to identify characteristics associated with enrolment and how they might vary by race.

Methods: Women who had previously participated in a population-based, case-control study of breast cancer in North Carolina were invited to enroll in a cancer genetics registry.