Survey of awareness and beliefs about cancer (ABC) in Tehran Province, Iran

Introduction Knowledge, attitudes, and practices are essential measures for planning and evaluating cancer control programs. Little is known about these in Iran. Methods We conducted a population-based interview survey of adults aged 30–70 using the Farsi version of the Awareness and Beliefs about Cancer questionnaire in the capital province of Tehran, Iran, 2019. We calculated weighted estimates of levels of cancer knowledge, attitudes, and practices to allow for different selection probabilities and nonresponse. We used multivariate logistic regression to understand demographic factors associated with bowel, cervix, and breast screening practices. Results We interviewed 736 men and 744 women. The mean number of recalled cancer warning signs was less than one; 57.7% could not recall any cancer warning signs. Participants recognized 5.6 out of 11 early cancer warning signs and 8.8 of 13 cancer risk factors. Most (82.7%) did not know that HPV infection was a cancer risk factor. Approximately, half had negative attitudes towards cancer treatment, but over 80% had positive attitudes towards the effectiveness of screening for improving survival. Colorectal, breast, and cervical screening rates were 24%, 42%, and 49%, respectively. Higher socioeconomic status increased the odds of taking up screening for cancer. Women aged 60–70 were less likely to report taking up breast and cervical screening than younger women. Discussion The Iranian population has poor awareness and negative attitudes about cancer, and participation in screening programs is low. Public awareness and early detection of cancer should be promoted in Iran

A study on methanol herbal plant extract of garlic, green tea and Echinacea on immunity level of Mugil cephalus

Medicinal herbs are non-specific stimulants for the immune response, as useful material for fish and other aquatic animals are known. 1080 grey mullet larvae with an average weight of g 0.75 ± 0.02 and an average length cm 4.40 ± 0.81 were purchased from Ramin port is located 5 km far from the fishing port of Chabahar. This research is based on nine treatments and control designed with 3 replications and a control treatment. Each 3 treatments with its replications dedicated to garlic, green tea and Echinacea. 38.7 ±1.85 micrograms per ml was highest lysozyme activity, phagocytosis rate (56 ± 1.55%) and respiratory burst (1.61 ± 0.18 absorbance at 620 nm) in the treatment with 100 mg of garlic extract per kilogram food was observed. The highest lysozyme activity by the extract of Echinacea was observed in treatment of 200 per million as 15.73 ± 1.13 mg green tea by 11.6 ± 0.3 were recorded in the same concentration. The highest activity of lysozyme (11.3 ± 0.7 micrograms per ml), the phagocytosis (33.3 ± 1.49%) and respiratory burst (0.57 ± 0.08 absorbance at 620 nm) in treatment green tea extract 200 mg per kg of food was observed. According to the results seems lysozyme activity and phagocytosis, which is considered an indicator of the safety of non-proprietary are influenced highly by diets containing garlic