Awareness of cancer susceptibility genetic testing: the 2000, 2005, and 2010 National Health Interview Surveys.

Background: Genetic testing for several cancer susceptibility syndromes is clinically available; however, existing data suggest limited population awareness of such tests.

Purpose: To examine awareness regarding cancer genetic testing in the U.S.

Confirmation of family cancer history reported in a population-based survey.

Background: Knowledge of family cancer history is essential for estimating an individual's cancer risk and making clinical recommendations regarding screening and referral to a specialty cancer genetics clinic. However, it is not clear if reported family cancer history is sufficiently accurate for this purpose.

Methods: In the population-based 2001 Connecticut Family Health Study, 1019 participants reported on 20 578 first-degree relatives (FDR) and second-degree relatives (SDR).

U.S. geographic distribution of prevaccine era cervical cancer screening, incidence, stage, and mortality.

Background: Cervical cancer prevention programs are being reconfigured to incorporate human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and vaccination. To define priority areas for prevention efforts, we examined the geographic distribution of cervical cancer screening, incidence, stage, and mortality in the United States, prior to the introduction of HPV-based prevention technologies.

Methods: County-level cervical cancer incidence data from 37 central registries were obtained from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.

US physicians' intentions regarding impact of human papillomavirus vaccine on cervical cancer screening.

Background: US cervical cancer screening recommendations have not changed since the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine introduction in 2006, but epidemiological and cost-effectiveness studies indicate that recommendations will need to change for fully vaccinated women. We evaluated physician intentions regarding HPV vaccine's impact on future screening.

Methods: A nationally representative sample of 1212 primary care physicians was surveyed in 2006-2007 (response rate: 67.

Cervical cancer screening with both human papillomavirus and Papanicolaou testing vs Papanicolaou testing alone: what screening intervals are physicians recommending?

Background: Guidelines recommend screening for cervical cancer among women 30 years or older 3 years after a normal Papanicolaou test (hereinafter referred to as Pap test) result or a combined normal screening result (normal Pap/negative human papillomavirus [HPV] test results). We assessed reported recommendations by US primary care physicians (PCPs) on screening intervals that incorporate HPV cotesting compared with Pap testing alone.

Methods: From September 1, 2006, through May 31, 2007, we conducted a mailed survey of a representative sample of 1212 PCPs, of whom 950 performed Pap tests and recommended the HPV test for screening or management.

Prevalence of family history of breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer in a population-based study.

Background: A positive family history is a known risk factor for several cancers; thus, obtaining a thorough family cancer history is essential in cancer risk evaluation and prevention management.

Methods: The Family Health Study, a telephone survey in Connecticut, was conducted in 2001. A total of 1,019 participants with demographic information and family cancer history were included in this study.

Coherence and completeness of population-based family cancer reports.

Background: Although family history of cancer is widely ascertained in research and clinical care, little is known about assessment methods, accuracy, or other quality measures. Given its widespread use in cancer screening and surveillance, better information is needed about the clarity and accuracy of family history information reported in the general population.

Methods: This telephone survey in Connecticut examined coherence and completeness of reports from 1,019 respondents about 20,504 biological relatives.

Specialty differences in primary care physician reports of papanicolaou test screening practices: a national survey, 2006 to 2007.

Background: Cervical cancer screening guidelines were substantially revised in 2002 and 2003. Little information is available about primary care physicians' current Papanicolaou (Pap) test screening practices, including initiation, frequency, and stopping.

Objective: To assess current Pap test screening practices in the United States.

A health services research agenda for cellular, molecular and genomic technologies in cancer care.

Background: In recent decades, extensive resources have been invested to develop cellular, molecular and genomic technologies with clinical applications that span the continuum of cancer care.

Methods: In December 2006, the National Cancer Institute sponsored the first workshop to uniquely examine the state of health services research on cancer-related cellular, molecular and genomic technologies and identify challenges and priorities for expanding the evidence base on their effectiveness in routine care.

Results: This article summarizes the workshop outcomes, which included development of a comprehensive research agenda that incorporates health and safety endpoints, utilization patterns, patient and provider preferences, quality of care and access, disparities, economics and decision modeling, trends in cancer outcomes, and health-related quality of life among target populations.

Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer behavioral surveillance in the US.

In the US, federal and state behavioral surveillance systems routinely monitor self-reported sexual behavior and Papanicolaou (Pap) test use to identify high-risk populations, trends, and disparities and to guide and evaluate interventions for cervical cancer prevention and control. Clinical uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and testing necessitates the expansion of behavioral surveillance systems. Cervical disease is the main focus of HPV-related behavioral surveillance because of greater cancer incidence and mortality relative to other susceptible organs, and the availability of effective technologies for prevention and control.

Population estimates of extended family structure and size.

Background: Population-based estimates of biological family size can be useful for planning genetic studies, assessing how distributions of relatives affect disease associations with family history and estimating prevalence of potential family support.

Methods: Mean family size per person is estimated from a population-based telephone survey (n = 1,019).

Results: After multivariate adjustment for demographic variables, older and non-White respondents reported greater mean numbers of total, first- and second-degree relatives.

Cancer incidence in blood transfusion recipients.

Background: Blood transfusions may influence the recipients' cancer risks both through transmission of biologic agents and by modulation of the immune system. However, cancer occurrence in transfusion recipients remains poorly characterized.

Methods: We used computerized files from Scandinavian blood banks to identify a cohort of 888,843 cancer-free recipients transfused after 1968.

Improving health profile of blood donors as a consequence of transfusion safety efforts.

Background: Transfusion safety rests heavily on the health of blood donors. Although they are perceived as being healthier than average, little is known about their long-term disease patterns and to which extent the blood banks' continuous efforts to optimize donor selection has resulted in improvements. Mortality and cancer incidence among blood donors in Sweden and Denmark was investigated.

GST, NAT1, CYP1A1 polymorphisms and risk of esophageal and gastric adenocarcinomas.

Background: Polymorphisms in glutathione-S-transferase (GST), N-acetyltransferase (NAT) 1, and CYP1A1 genes have been suggested as susceptibility factors for esophageal and gastric adenocarcinomas, but have not been consistently linked to elevated risks. In a population-based case-control study, we examined risks in relation to polymorphisms of the following genes: GSTP1; GSTM1; GSTT1; NAT1; and CYP1A1.

Methods: Histologically confirmed incident cases, ages 30-79, were identified in three US locations.

Risk of cancer after blood transfusion from donors with subclinical cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Although mechanisms for detection of short-term complications after blood transfusions are well developed, complications with delayed onset, notably transmission of chronic diseases such as cancer, have been difficult to assess. Our aim was to investigate the possible risk of cancer transmission from blood donors to recipients through blood transfusion.

Methods: We did a register-based retrospective cohort study of cancer incidence among patients who received blood from donors deemed to have a subclinical cancer at the time of donation.

Carotenoid and tocopherol estimates from the NCI diet history questionnaire are valid compared with multiple recalls and serum biomarkers.

To improve the measurement of usual dietary intake, the National Cancer Institute developed a cognitively based Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ), which has been validated against four 24-h dietary recalls (4 24-HR) for energy, macronutrients, and several vitamins and minerals. This analysis used data from The Eating at America's Table Study (EATS) to determine the validity of estimates for carotenoids and tocopherols from the DHQ. Over the course of a year, 163 participants provided 1 or 2 blood samples and completed the DHQ and 4 24-HR.

A population-based binational register for monitoring long-term outcome and possible disease concordance among blood donors and recipients.

Background And Objectives: Even with appropriate donor deferrals and advanced screening tests, the risk of disease transmission through blood transfusion cannot be completely disregarded. Efficient monitoring of possible disease transmission between blood donors and recipients should be an important component of a comprehensive haemovigilance system.

Materials And Methods: We assembled the Scandinavian Donations and Transfusions (SCANDAT) database, with data on virtually all blood donors and recipients who have been registered at least once in any of the computerized local blood bank databases in Sweden and Denmark since the start of computerized registration in 1966.

The impact of acculturation on awareness of genetic testing for increased cancer risk among Hispanics in the year 2000 National Health Interview Survey.

Previous studies suggest disparities in use of preventive cancer services among U.S. Hispanics are partly explained by knowledge and access factors.

Correlates of cervical mucosal antibodies to human papillomavirus 16: results from a case control study.

Background: While the cervical mucosal immune response to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is believed to be central to viral clearance, it is not well characterized. We performed this analysis to determine correlates of HPV-16-specific mucosal antibody response in women at high risk for infection with HPV.

Methods: Cervical mucosal and serum samples were obtained from participants in a case control study that measured demographic risk factors of cervical disease and HPV infection.

Physician exposure to and attitudes toward advertisements for genetic tests for inherited cancer susceptibility.

Commercial marketing materials may serve as a source of information for physicians about genetic testing for inherited cancer susceptibility (GTICS) in addition to medical guidelines, continuing education, and journal articles. The primary purposes of this study were to: (1) determine the percentage of physicians who received advertisements for GTICS early in the diffusion of commercial GTICS (1999-2000); (2) assess associated characteristics; and (3) measure the perceived importance of commercial advertisements and promotions in physicians' decisions to recommend testing to patients. A nationally representative, stratified random sample of 1,251 physicians from the American Medical Association (AMA) Physician Masterfile completed a 15-20 min mixed mode questionnaire that assessed specialty, previous use of genetic tests, practice characteristics, age, and receipt of advertising materials (response rate = 71%).

Hereditary breast/ovarian and colorectal cancer genetics knowledge in a national sample of US physicians.

Background: Clinically relevant genetics knowledge is essential for appropriate assessment and management of inherited cancer risk, and for effective communication with patients. This national physician survey assessed knowledge regarding basic cancer genetics concepts early in the process of introduction of predictive genetic testing for breast/ovarian and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndromes.

Methods: A stratified random sample was selected from the American Medical Association Masterfile of all licensed physicians.

Awareness of genetic testing for increased cancer risk in the year 2000 National Health Interview Survey.

Objectives: This study explores factors associated with differential awareness of genetic tests for increased cancer risk in the US.

Methods: 27,405 respondents from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey, ages 25+, were asked if they had heard of these tests.

Results: 44.

US physicians' attitudes toward genetic testing for cancer susceptibility.

Genetic testing for an inherited susceptibility to cancer is an emerging technology in medical practice. Little information is currently available about physicians' attitudes toward these tests. To assess US physicians' opinions on unresolved issues surrounding genetic testing, a 15-min survey was administered to a stratified random sample of 1,251 physicians from 8 specialties, selected from a file of all licensed physicians in the US (response rate = 71.