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Biomedical subjects

John H Ward

Publications and source records attributed to John H Ward.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Lobular breast cancer: excess familiality observed in the Utah Population Database.

Family history of breast cancer (BC) is a strong predictor for developing female BC. Whether this excess familiality differs within morphological BC subgroups remains unclear. We assessed the risk of lobular breast cancer (LOB) and any BC among relatives of probands with LOB. We used the Utah Population Database (UPDB) to estimate familial relative risks (FRR) as well as average relatedness, using the genealogical index of familiality (GIF) statistic. The UPDB, a population-based resource, links genealogical data from over 2 million individuals to the Utah Cancer Registry. Consistent with other studies, analysis of all BC cases showed significantly increased risk of BC to relatives (first-degree relative [FDR]: FRR = 1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.75-1.90). Morphology-specific risks showed that relatives of LOB probands had an increased risk of LOB (FDR: FRR = 4.51, 95% CI = 2.79-6.89) and an increased risk of any BC (FDR: FRR = 2.47, 95% CI = 2.12-2.85); both measures were significantly greater than the all BC FRR estimates, and surpassed even generalized early-onset BC risk. GIF analyses corroborated the FRR results and indicated that the excess relatedness of LOB cases extended to third-degree relatives. Our findings suggest that LOB has a heritable component and may represent a genetically homogeneous form of BC. Pedigrees with excess LOB may be useful in isolating additional BC predisposition genes. Relatives of women with LOB are at higher risk for BC than relatives of other BC subtypes; a more rigorous BC screening regime may be warranted for these individuals.

Age of Onset↗

Agreement between self-reported breast cancer treatment and medical records in a population-based Breast Cancer Family Registry.

PURPOSE: Although self-report data on treatment for breast cancer are collected in some large epidemiologic studies, their accuracy is unknown. METHODS: As part of a population-based Breast Cancer Family Registry, questionnaires on initial breast cancer treatment and subsequent recurrence were mailed to Australian women diagnosed between 1991 and 1998. These self-report data were validated against medical records for 895 women. RESULTS: The median recall period was 3.2 years, mean age at diagnosis was 44 years, and 81% of women had early-stage breast cancer. Agreement between the two data sources was very high for general questions about type of treatment (100%, 99%, 99%, and 94% for surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, respectively). For more specific questions about details of each treatment received, agreement was: for radiation therapy, 96% and 99% for radiation to the breast and chest wall, respectively; for surgery, 83%, 97%, and 88% for lumpectomy, mastectomy, and lymph node dissection, respectively; for hormonal therapy, 94% for tamoxifen; and for chemotherapy, range between 76% and 93%. There was 97% agreement about whether there had been a recurrence, and agreement about the location of recurrence was at least 90% for all sites. Agreement regarding stage at diagnosis was 62%, with discrepancies mostly due to women with locoregional disease incorrectly reporting distant spread. CONCLUSION: This self-report questionnaire can be used to collect accurate data on broad categories of initial breast cancer treatment and recurrence, and even for more detailed information on specifics of treatment and site of recurrence.

Adult↗

Breast cancer.

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Antineoplastic Agents↗

Genetic testing for a BRCA1 mutation: prophylactic surgery and screening behavior in women 2 years post testing.

Mutations in the BRCA1 gene are associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer in carrier women. An understanding of behavioral responses to BRCA1 mutation testing by mutation carriers and non-carriers is important to guide the clinical application of this new technology. This study examined the utilization of genetic testing for a BRCA1 mutation in high-risk individuals and the response of tested women with respect to interventions for early cancer detection and prevention. This study assessed the utilization of genetic testing for both men and women in a large kindred and the behavioral responses by women with respect to use of health care interventions during the 2 years following testing. Participants were offered BRCA1 mutation testing. Surveillance behaviors related to breast and ovarian cancer were assessed by computer-assisted telephone interviews at baseline (prior to genetic counseling and testing), 1-2 weeks, 4-6 months, 1 and 2 years after the provision of test results. Mutation carriers, non-carriers, and individuals of unknown mutation status were compared to determine the impact of test results. Utilization of genetic testing for both men and women are reported and, for women, mammography, breast self-exam, clinical breast exam, mastectomy, oophorectomy, transvaginal ultrasound, and CA125 screening were assessed. Of those fully informed of the opportunity for testing, 55% of the women and 52% of the men pursued genetic testing. With respect to mammography for women 40 years and older, 82% of mutation carriers obtained a mammogram in each year following testing compared to 72% of non-carrier women the first year and 67% the second year. This mammography utilization represents a significant increase over baseline for both mutation carriers and non-carriers. Younger carrier women also significantly increased their mammography utilization from baseline. Overall, 29% of the carrier women did not obtain a single mammogram by 2 years post-testing. At 2 years, 83% of the carrier women and 74% of the non-carriers reported adherence to recommendations for breast self-exam and over 80% of carrier women had obtained a clinical breast examination each year following testing. None of the carrier women had obtained a prophylactic mastectomy by 2 years after testing, although 11% were considering this procedure. Of carrier women 25 years of age and older who had at least one intact ovary at the time of testing, 46% of carriers had obtained an oophorectomy 2 years after testing, including 78% of women 40 years of age and older. The majority of carrier women (73%) had discussed their genetic test results with a medical doctor or health care provider. Our results indicate utilization of genetic testing by a majority of high-risk individuals who received information about testing. Both carriers and non-carriers increased their utilization of mammography and breast self-exam following testing. Oophorectomy was obtained by a large proportion of carrier women in contrast to mastectomy which was not utilized within the first 2 years following testing.

Adult↗

Persistent severe visual and electroretinographic abnormalities after intravenous Cisplatin therapy.

A 55-year-old man inadvertently received four times the intended dose of intravenous cisplatin as part of a chemotherapeutic salvage regimen for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Immediately after treatment, he developed bilateral irreversible visual loss. Visual acuity was 20/300 in OU and visual fields showed central scotomas bilaterally. Although the fundus examination findings were normal, an electroretinogram showed markedly reduced a-wave amplitudes and absent b-waves. At autopsy 8 months later, photoreceptors appeared normal. Splitting of the outer plexiform layer was present, consistent with loss of the ERG b-wave. This is the first reported case of persistent visual loss from intravenous cisplatin toxicity and the first case to describe ocular histopathologic findings.

Antineoplastic Agents↗