Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos

This open access book gives an overview of the sessions, panel discussions, and outcomes of the Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos conference, held in February 2018 in San Antonio, Texas, USA, and hosted by the Mays Cancer Center and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. Latinos – the largest, youngest, and fastest-growing minority group in the United States – are expected to face a 142% rise in cancer cases in coming years. Although there has been substantial advancement in cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment over the past few decades, addressing Latino cancer health disparities has not nearly kept pace with progress. The diverse and dynamic group of speakers and panelists brought together at the Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos conference provided in-depth insights as well as progress and actionable goals for Latino-focused basic science research, clinical best practices, community interventions, and what can be done by way of prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in Latinos. These insights have been translated into the chapters included in this compendium; the chapters summarize the presentations and include current knowledge in the specific topic areas, identified gaps, and top priority areas for future cancer research in Latinos. Topics included among the chapters: Colorectal cancer disparities in Latinos: Genes vs. Environment Breast cancer risk and mortality in women of Latin American origin Differential cancer risk in Latinos: The role of diet Overcoming barriers for Latinos on cancer clinical trials Es tiempo: Engaging Latinas in cervical cancer research Emerging policies in U.S. health care Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos proves to be an indispensable resource offering key insights into actionable targets for basic science research, suggestions for clinical best practices and community interventions, and novel strategies and advocacy opportunities to reduce health disparities in Latino communities. It will find an engaged audience among researchers, academics, physicians and other healthcare professionals, patient advocates, students, and others with an interest in the broad field of Latino cancer

Genetic Polymorphisms

This book provides a glimpse into the dynamic process of genetic polymorphism by presenting studies carried out on different kinds of organisms at the DNA level or gene expression level. Chapters address such topics as genetic polymorphism in animals, gametocyte biomarkers, thrombotic disorders, prostate cancer, and more

Exploration of the optimal model of family member outreach in patients with cancer predisposition syndrome

Background Individuals with a family history of cancer predisposition syndrome are at an elevated risk of multiple cancers. However, approximately 50% of at-risk individuals do not attend genetic counselling and, therefore, cannot benefit from risk-reducing strategies that could decrease the occurrence of cancers associated with the condition. Consequently, it is imperative to explore options to increase hereditary cancer risk communication within affected families for more optimal uptake of genetic counselling. Methods A national cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey to investigate how probands (the first member in a family to have genetic testing) would like to inform their relatives of the risk of hereditary cancer. Relatives also had the opportunity to respond to questions on how they would like to be informed. Results Generally, there was a high level of acceptance for the health care professionals’ involvement in risk communication among the study’s participants. Preferences for family member outreach in hereditary cancer syndrome were related to demographic characteristics such as education level, annual income, marital status and geographic location. In addition, having a previous cancer diagnosis and other factors such as confidence in speaking with relatives, support from family members and concerns about causing distress were also related. Similarities were noted between the probands and relatives on outreach preferences related to demographic characteristics. Conclusion Even though the family-mediated approach is currently standard care, this method might not be sufficient in cancer risk communication and alternative options that allow for the probands’ involvement with the healthcare provider’s assistance should be explored

Genomic landscape of local prostate cancer in Sardinia population

Race and ethnicity are risk factors for prostate cancer. In the United States, African American men have the highest rate of mortality followed by Caucasians, and Asian Americans. The effects of race and ethnicity on prostate cancer are also reflected in different frequencies of ETS family fusion in different groups. ETS family fusions is the most common alteration in prostate cancer of Caucasian men at a frequency of ~50%, however, they are lower in African Americans and Chinese at 20-30%. Most of the genomic prostate cancer studies are focused on cohorts of European ancestry, leaving minority groups underrepresentation. Furthermore, in racial mixing, the ethnic contribution to risk is unclear. Sardinia population is an isolated Mediterranean population, and a purported refuge population of Neolithic ancestry with much lower incidence of prostate cancer than that in mainland Europe. Here, we conducted a genomic prostate cancer genomic study on a Sardinia cohort diagnosed with local prostate cancer. We identified a novel germline risk mutation ARSD-G320D occurring in 53 percent of the patients, somatic UGT family amplifications which occurred in 20% the patients, a novel in-frame fusion BTBD7-SLC2A5 occurred in 12 % of the patients. In addition, we pointed out that IRF8 deletion at 16q24.2 is a candidate driver in prostate cancer and patients with IRF8 deletion have worse prognosis. Our data revealed similarities and disparities in genomic alterations of prostate cancer between Sardinians and other ethnic groups. As well we have conducted a study based on Chinese prostate cancer cohort and have seen greater molecular disparities from TCGA cohort than in the Sardinian prostate cancer cohort. In Chinese cohort we have identified 37 genes significantly mutated and 20 of them have not implicated in prostate cancer in Caucasian and reveals a set of genomic markers that may inform the ethnic disparities

A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF TIME TO PRESENTATION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT FOR INDIANA FARMERS WITH PROSTATE CANCER AND MEASUREMENTS OF TRADITIONAL MASCULINITY IDEOLOGY

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Indiana University, School of Public Health, 2020Introduction: The most common and second-deadliest cancer in the U.S. for men is prostate cancer (PCa). Extensive research shows that farmers have higher PCa incidence and mortality than nonfarmers. This study aims to better understand U.S. farmers’ increased risk of PCa by exploring care-seeking behaviors and masculinities in Indiana farmers with a history of PCa. Methods: Eleven farmers with a PCa history completed a questionnaire about their traditional masculinity beliefs and an interview focused on their PCa experiences, from signs and symptoms to after treatment. Interview questions were based on three theories, and the questionnaire was the 21-item Male Role Norms Inventory-Short Form (MRNI-SF). Results: MRNI-SF results showed farmers endorsed traditional masculine norms. Specifically, they agreed with avoiding femininity, having negative attitudes towards sexual minorities, being self-reliant through mechanical skills, toughness, and sex being important. Farmers did not endorse men being dominant nor with men restricting emotions. Seven themes described farmers’ PCa experiences: the body was an occasional guide for detection, routine checkups were the primary method of suspicion, PSA-testing was a powerful predictor, biopsy was somewhat of a bugaboo, diagnosis put psychological health on display, healthcare professional characteristics and others’ experiences reigned paramount in treatment decisions, and treatments invoked physical concerns and side effects. Discussion: Farmers did not agree with men always dominating and restricting emotions, which does not reflect previous studies. More research is suggested utilizing the MRNI-SF with larger populations of farmers. Based on the themes, increased somatic awareness is suggested for farmers, as well as continued routine checkups and PSA-testing. Farmers also require improved health education and resources to prepare for a PCa biopsy, to cope with a diagnosis, to make treatment decisions, and to manage treatment symptoms

Grand Celebration: 10th Anniversary of the Human Genome Project

In 1990, scientists began working together on one of the largest biological research projects ever proposed. The project proposed to sequence the three billion nucleotides in the human genome. The Human Genome Project took 13 years and was completed in April 2003, at a cost of approximately three billion dollars. It was a major scientific achievement that forever changed the understanding of our own nature. The sequencing of the human genome was in many ways a triumph for technology as much as it was for science. From the Human Genome Project, powerful technologies have been developed (e.g., microarrays and next generation sequencing) and new branches of science have emerged (e.g., functional genomics and pharmacogenomics), paving new ways for advancing genomic research and medical applications of genomics in the 21st century. The investigations have provided new tests and drug targets, as well as insights into the basis of human development and diagnosis/treatment of cancer and several mysterious humans diseases. This genomic revolution is prompting a new era in medicine, which brings both challenges and opportunities. Parallel to the promising advances over the last decade, the study of the human genome has also revealed how complicated human biology is, and how much remains to be understood. The legacy of the understanding of our genome has just begun. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the essential completion of the Human Genome Project, in April 2013 Genes launched this Special Issue, which highlights the recent scientific breakthroughs in human genomics, with a collection of papers written by authors who are leading experts in the field