Carcinogenic air pollutants and breast cancer risk in the Arkansas rural community health study: A nested case-control study.

Background: Previous epidemiological studies on the associations between hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and breast cancer (BC) have largely neglected rural, medically underserved areas in the United States, which differ in exposures and disparities compared to urban areas.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the associations between carcinogenic HAPs and BC risk in a rural population.

Methods: Using a nested case-control design, 574 cases and 2295 incidence density-sampled controls matched 1:4 on index age and race were included from the Arkansas Rural Community Health study.

Cigarette smoking and prostate cancer aggressiveness among African and European American men.

Purpose: Smoking is a modifiable lifestyle factor that has not been established as a prostate cancer risk factor, nor emphasized in prostate cancer prevention. Studies have shown that African American (AA) smokers have a poorer cancer prognosis than European Americans (EAs), while having a lower prevalence of heavy smoking. We examined the relationship between cigarette smoking and prostate cancer aggressiveness and assessed racial differences in smoking habits on the probability of high-aggressive prostate cancer.

Increased Utilization of Low-Dose CT for Lung Cancer Screening at an Arkansas Community Oncology Clinic.

Background: Low-dose CT (LDCT) is underused in Arkansas for lung cancer screening, a rural state with a high incidence of lung cancer. The objective was to determine whether offering free LDCT increased the number of high-risk individuals screened in a rural catchment area.

Methods: There were 5,402 patients enrolled in screening at Highlands Oncology, a community oncology clinic in Northwest Arkansas, from 2013 to 2020.

Association between breast cancer risk and leisure physical activity in a rural cohort population.

Background: Physical activity has been identified as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer. Varying definitions of physical activity have made the evaluation difficult to analyze. In a state with high prevalence of obesity and elevated rates of breast cancer incidence and mortality, physical activity may be an important element for risk reduction.