Does Human Papillomavirus Play a Causative Role in Prostate Cancer? A Systematic Review Using Bradford Hill's Criteria.

Globally, prostate cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death among men, and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer has a high cancer-related mortality rate. However, the aetiology of this disease is not yet fully understood. While human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with several types of cancer, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, studies investigating the relationship between HPV and prostate cancer have shown mixed results.

Impact of Racial/Ethnic Discrimination on Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Survivors.

Although racial/ethnic disparities in health-care access, treatment, and cancer outcomes are well documented, the impact of racial/ethnic discrimination on cancer survivorship is unclear. We examined associations between quality of life (QoL) and self-reported discrimination among 3,991 women with breast cancer recruited during 2006-2013 from the Pathways Study in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California integrated health-care system, using linear regression models. Overall, 31% of women reported experiencing racial/ethnic discrimination, with differences by race/ethnicity (82% among non-Hispanic Black women vs.

What is the Definition of Cure in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?

The concept of cure from cancer is important to patients, but can be difficult to communicate in terms that are meaningful. This is because there are a number of definitions of cure that are applied by clinicians, patients and the public, and by policymakers that have a different meaning and significance. In this article, we provide a narrative review of the evidence concerning cure in lung cancer and show how the different definitions may apply in different settings.

Hospital Characteristics and Breast Cancer Survival in the California Breast Cancer Survivorship Consortium.

Introduction: Racial/ethnic disparities in breast cancer survival are well documented, but the influence of health care institutions is unclear. We therefore examined the effect of hospital characteristics on survival.

Methods: Harmonized data pooled from 5 case-control and prospective cohort studies within the California Breast Cancer Survivorship Consortium were linked to the California Cancer Registry and the California Neighborhoods Data System.

Changes in Colorectal Cancer 5-Year Survival Disparities in California, 1997-2014.

Background: Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality have declined with increased screening and scientific advances in treatment. However, improvement in colorectal cancer outcomes has not been equal for all groups and disparities have persisted over time.

Methods: Data from the California Cancer Registry were used to estimate changes in 5-year colorectal cancer-specific survival over three diagnostic time periods: 1997-2002, 2003-2008, and 2009-2014.

Associations between breast cancer subtype and neighborhood socioeconomic and racial composition among Black and White women.

Purpose: Studies of Black-White differences in breast cancer subtype often emphasize potential ancestry-associated genetic or lifestyle risk factors without fully considering how the social or economic implications of race in the U.S. may influence risk.

Comorbidity prevalence among cancer patients: a population-based cohort study of four cancers.

Background: The presence of comorbidity affects the care of cancer patients, many of whom are living with multiple comorbidities. The prevalence of cancer comorbidity, beyond summary metrics, is not well known. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of comorbid conditions among cancer patients in England, and describe the association between cancer comorbidity and socio-economic position, using population-based electronic health records.

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic survival disparities for children and adolescents with central nervous system tumours in the United States, 2000-2015.

Background And Objectives: Central nervous system (CNS) malignancy is the commonest cause of cancer death in children and adolescents (0-19 years) in high-income settings. There is limited data on survival inequalities by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic position (SEP), for young patients, we aim to analyse their influence on survival from childhood CNS tumour.

Methods: 9577 children and adolescents diagnosed with primary malignant CNS tumours during 2000-2015, followed up until Dec 31 st, 2015, and reported to cancer registries (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results programme) were included in the analysis.

The Mortality-to-Incidence Ratio Is Not a Valid Proxy for Cancer Survival.

Purpose: The ratio of cancer mortality and cancer incidence rates in a population has conventionally been used as an indicator of the completeness of cancer registration. More recently, the complement of the mortality-to-incidence ratio (1-M/I) has increasingly been presented as a surrogate for cancer survival. We discuss why this is mistaken in principle and misleading in practice.

Colorectal Cancer Incidence Trends by Age, Stage, and Racial/Ethnic Group in California, 1990-2014.

The incidence of colorectal cancer in the United States declined substantially over the past 20 years, but evidence suggests that among younger adults (under 50 years at diagnosis), incidence is increasing. However, data on age- and stage-specific incidence trends across racial/ethnic groups are limited. All incident cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed from 1990 through 2014 in adults aged 20 years and older were obtained from the California Cancer Registry.

Trends in Cancer Survival by Health Insurance Status in California From 1997 to 2014.

Importance: There have been substantial improvements in the early detection, treatment, and survival from cancer in the United States, but it is not clear to what extent patients with different types of health insurance have benefitted from these advancements.

Objective: To examine trends in cancer survival by health insurance status from January 1997 to December 2014.

Design, Setting, And Participants: California Cancer Registry (a statewide cancer surveillance system) data were used to estimate population-based survival by health insurance status in 3 calendar periods: January 1997 to December 2002, January 2003 to December 2008, and January 2009 to December 2014 with follow-up through 2014.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Survival: The Contribution of Tumor, Sociodemographic, Institutional, and Neighborhood Characteristics.

Purpose Racial/ethnic disparities in cancer survival in the United States are well documented, but the underlying causes are not well understood. We quantified the contribution of tumor, treatment, hospital, sociodemographic, and neighborhood factors to racial/ethnic survival disparities in California. Materials and Methods California Cancer Registry data were used to estimate population-based cancer-specific survival for patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancer between 2000 and 2013 for each racial/ethnic group (non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and separately each for Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino) compared with non-Hispanic whites.

Multivariable flexible modelling for estimating complete, smoothed life tables for sub-national populations.

Background: The methods currently available to estimate age- and sex-specific mortality rates for sub-populations are subject to a number of important limitations. We propose two alternative multivariable approaches: a relational model and a Poisson model both using restricted cubic splines.

Methods: We evaluated a flexible Poisson and flexible relational model against the Elandt-Johnson approach in a simulation study using 100 random samples of population and death counts, with different sampling proportions and data arrangements.

Cancer incidence, survival and mortality: explaining the concepts.

Cancer incidence, survival and mortality are essential population-based indicators for public health and cancer control. Confusion and misunderstanding still surround the estimation and interpretation of these indicators. Recurring controversies over the use and misuse of population-based cancer statistics in health policy suggests the need for further clarification.

Health systems performance and cancer outcomes.

Do the characteristics of health systems influence cancer outcomes? Although caveats are required when undertaking international comparisons of both health systems and cancer outcomes, observed differences cannot solely be explained by data problems or economic development. Health systems can influence cancer outcomes through three mechanisms: coverage, innovation, and quality of care. First, in countries where population coverage is incomplete, patients may find certain services excluded or face substantial copayments or deductibles.

Full dates (day, month, year) should be used in population-based cancer survival studies.

Accurate survival estimates are essential for monitoring cancer survival trends, for health care planning and for resource allocation. To obtain precise estimates of survival, full dates (day, month and year) rather than partial dates (month and year) are required. In some jurisdictions, however, cancer registries are constrained from providing full dates on the grounds of confidentiality.

How many deaths would be avoidable if socioeconomic inequalities in cancer survival in England were eliminated? A national population-based study, 1996-2006.

Aim: Inequalities in survival between rich and poor have been reported for most adult cancers in England. This study aims to quantify the public health impact of these inequalities by estimating the number of cancer-related deaths that would be avoidable if all patients were to have the same cancer survival as the most affluent patients.

Methods: National Cancer Registry data for all adults diagnosed with one of 21 common cancers in England were used to estimate relative survival.

Trends and inequalities in laryngeal cancer survival in men and women: England and Wales 1991-2006.

Laryngeal cancer in men is a relatively common malignancy, with a marked socioeconomic gradient in survival between affluent and deprived patients. Cancer of the larynx in women is rare. Survival tends to lower than for men, and little is known about the association between deprivation and survival in women with laryngeal cancer.

Inequalities in cancer survival: Spearhead Primary Care Trusts are appropriate geographic units of analyses.

Background: Cancer survival in Spearhead Primary Care trusts (PCTs) is lower than in the rest of England for most common cancers, but differences are smaller than the more substantial survival gradients between deprived and affluent populations using small-area measures of deprivation. The way in which Spearhead PCTs were designated may give an unduly favourable image of inequalities in cancer survival.

Methods: Five-year age-standardised relative survival for 10 common cancers was estimated separately for patients resident in Spearhead local authorities (LAs), Spearhead PCTs, and the rest of England.

Carcinoid tumors of the gastrointestinal tract: trends in incidence in England since 1971.

Objectives: The epidemiology of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI-NETs) is poorly understood. Recent analyses have suggested changes in the incidence and distribution of such tumors, but have generally used data sets containing small patient numbers. We aimed to define trends in the epidemiology of GI-NETs in England over a 36-year period.

Socio-economic disparities in access to treatment and their impact on colorectal cancer survival.

Background: Significant socio-economic disparities have been reported in survival from colorectal cancer in a number of countries, which remain largely unexplained. We assessed whether possible differences in access to treatment among socio-economic groups may contribute to those disparities, using a population-based approach.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 71 917 records of colorectal cancer patients, diagnosed between 1997 and 2000, linked to area-level socio-economic information (Townsend index), from three cancer registries in UK.

Trends in cancer survival in Spearhead Primary Care Trusts in England, 1998-2004.

The Spearhead Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are designated as those areas that face the greatest health challenges in England. They are intended to be the focus of interventions designed to reduce health inequalities, including those for cancer. One- and five-year relative survival estimates for cancer patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2004, and resident in a Spearhead PCT area, have been compared with those in the rest of England to assess the baseline trends in inequalities in cancer survival.

Population-based cancer survival trends in England and Wales up to 2007: an assessment of the NHS cancer plan for England.

Background: The National Health Service (NHS) cancer plan for England was published in 2000, with the aim of improving the survival of patients with cancer. By contrast, a formal cancer strategy was not implemented in Wales until late 2006. National data on cancer patient survival in England and Wales up to 2007 thus offer the opportunity for a first formal assessment of the cancer plan in England, by comparing survival trends in England with those in Wales before, during, and after the implementation of the plan.