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Biomedical subjects

P Greenwald

Publications and source records attributed to P Greenwald.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

An epidemiologic case-control study of central nervous system tumors in children and parental occupational exposures.

A population-based case-control study was conducted with 338 patients less than 15 years of age who were diagnosed with a primary tumor of the central nervous system from January 1968 through December 1977 in 53 contiguous New York counties. The study also included 676 controls who were selected from the birth certificate files of the New York State Department of Health. Parental occupational exposures at the time of each child's birth and at the time of tumor diagnosis were derived from maternal interviews. The current data set failed to show any consistent association between childhood central nervous system tumor risk and paternal occupational exposures to hydrocarbons or to electromagnetic fields, or employment in the aerospace industry or pulp and paper manufacturing. Findings for occupational exposures to ionizing radiation were also inconsistent. A positive association was observed between central nervous system tumor risk and paternal exposures to ionizing radiation based on industrial codes. Odds ratios ranged from 1.71 to 2.15. This association was not observed when paternal occupational titles were used to define exposure (range of odds ratios, 1.01-1.10). Maternal exposures to ionizing radiation were not related to risk regardless of the classification scheme used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Chemoprevention of bladder cancer.

There is a growing body of basic science and epidemiologic evidence to support a research thrust to determine whether several natural or synthetic agents, given alone or together, can lower cancer incidence. Candidate agents include analogs of vitamin A and the vitamin A precursor, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, and the trace metal selenium. Other agents now being studied in the laboratory include phenolic antioxidants, protease inhibitors, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, and indoles. Research in chemoprevention involves identifying and characterizing agents with reported activity, efficacy and toxicologic testing to select the most promising agents, and clinical trials to test those with the most potential in humans. Activities are underway in all the above areas, including 24 clinical trials, to evaluate selected compounds in preventing cancer at various cancer sites. Included are studies of individuals at high risk, individuals with precancerous lesions and individuals free of cancer but at risk to second cancers. A number of agents have shown activity in reducing bladder cancer incidence in animal models. The potential applicability of these agents for studies in human cancer risk reduction intervention studies is discussed. Cancer induction is postulated to be a multistage process involving initiation and promotion. Progress in cancer prevention may result from not only reducing exposures to initiators, but also suppressing promotional activity in initiated cells. Newly developed research technologies including cellular, animal, and epidemiologic procedures are being used for identifying, refining, and testing cancer prevention strategies.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Smoking, body weight, and early-stage endometrial cancer.

The effect of cigarette smoking on the risk of early-stage endometrial cancer was evaluated in a population-based case-control study of women aged 40 to 69 years from upstate New York. Two hundred women with early-stage endometrial cancer diagnosed between 1979 and 1981, and 200 matched community controls were interviewed in person and asked about smoking habits and other risk factors. Statistical analysis revealed a significant decline in relative risk with increased smoking (P less than 0.05). This effect strongly modified the well-known increase in risk with body weight. Among smokers risk did not increase with body weight, whereas among nonsmokers risk increased rapidly with body weight, especially among nonsmokers in whom the peripheral conversion of androgens was the primary source of serum estrogen. Despite this apparent reduced risk for endometrial cancer, smoking remains a major health hazard for women as well as men.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Dietary fiber in the reduction of colon cancer risk.

The evidence for an inverse association between a diet of foods high in fiber and colon cancer risk is reviewed in the context of the epidemiological criteria for causality. Five criteria are assessed: consistency of the association, strength of the association, specificity of the hypothesis, temporal relationship of the association, and coherence of the association. Forty epidemiological studies, described in 55 original reports, are analyzed in terms of an association between fiber intake and colon cancer. This evaluation clearly suggests a relationship between colon cancer and diet low in fiber. The epidemiological studies focus on dietary patterns in which fiber usually occurs as a complex mixture with other foods. At present, information on the chemistry and function of various types of fiber as well as the mechanisms of cancer inhibition still is quite limited. As dietary fiber may interact with or be linked to other dietary factors, the impact of total diet and dietary interactions should be considered in studies of colon cancer risk and in dietary counseling.

Colonic Neoplasms↗
PubMed1987

Cancer prevention and control: from research through applications.

As the understanding of the magnitude and social impact of cancer has advanced, three major forces have shaped the current state of the art in cancer prevention and control: the maturation of organization approaches to solving the cancer problem; the accumulation of scientific evidence that justified and illuminated the concept of cancer as a controllable disease; and, most recently, the development of a systematic cancer control research process that provides efficiency and clearer direction to the planning of a national cancer control program. The National Cancer Institute, recognizing the need for goal setting and scientific accountability in the conduct of cancer control research, has established quantified mortality reduction objectives for the year 2000 related to smoking cessation, diet changes, early detection, and state-of-the-art treatment. The cancer control research process and these objectives will guide the allocation of cancer control resources toward the application of effective health promotion strategies.

Goals↗
PubMed1986

A strategy for cancer prevention and control research.

Cancer is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in industrial countries. Recently changes in life-style and the environment in developing countries have coincided with increases in the incidence of certain cancers which might be related to these factors. A strategy for the prevention of all such cancers is presented, which involves research in a sequence of five phases to identify suitable interventions and to confirm their effectiveness in population studies, prior to their application on a nationwide scale.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Mortality patterns of New York State Vietnam Veterans.

Mortality odds ratios (MORs) comparing veterans with Vietnam service who died in New York State to veterans of the Vietnam era with no Vietnam service were estimated (N = 1,496). The most elevated MORs and their confidence intervals were non-motor vehicular injuries of transport (MOR = 2.18, (1.19, 3.96)), other accidents and burns (MOR = 1.37, (0.95, 1.98)), and homicide (MOR = 1.59, (0.86, 2.94).

Accidents↗
PubMed1985

A pilot vitamin intervention trial in Linxian, People's Republic of China.

A 24-week pilot study of daily or weekly multiple vitamin supplementation among 852 adults in Linxian, where the rate of esophageal cancer is exceptionally high, demonstrated the feasibility of an intervention trial in this population. Compliance, when judged by pill count, was high for both frequencies of pill use. Only 2% of the subjects refused to take any pills, and, among pill takers, over 95% were reported to be taking most of their pills at the end of the study. Biochemical confirmation of high compliance was demonstrated in urine and blood tests, which showed markedly improved vitamin levels after supplementation. Results of the pilot study indicated that a system in which barefoot doctors were used in pill distribution was effective and that established field operating procedures for a full-scale intervention trial in this area were acceptable.

Adult↗