Effects of Serum Levels of Vitamin A and Precursors on Colorectal Cancer Mortlaity

Objective: To examine the relationship between serum levels of Vitamin A and precursors on Colorectal cancer mortality. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 14,358 adults who participated in NHANES III. Data was collected via in home interviews and visits by participants to a mobile examination centre for blood sample collection. Characteristics such as family income, educational attainment, marital status, race and ethnicity, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, self reported health, type of resident, body size, cancer status at base line, vegetable consumption and fruit juice consumption were examined. Hazard ratio estimates for all-cause and cancer-related deaths among individuals with different serum Vitamin A levels were obtained form Cox Proportional Hazards Regression. Public Health Implications: Colorectal cancer is a serious public health issue. According to the CDC, In 2011, a total of 135,260 individuals were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 51, 783 people died. Findings from this study can be utilized to conduct further research on the effects of Vitamin A and its precursors on colorectal cancer mortality and determine safe and effective dose for prevention. Additionally, findings from this study can be utilized to develop intervention strategies for colorectal cancer management, including educational interventions

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among People With Cardiovascular Diseases in Southeast Georgia

Background: Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Proper treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease is essential and can be challenged by non-disclosed use of complementary or alternative treatments. The objective of this study was to assess which demographics were associated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and if education affects the use of CAM. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a stratified random sample of residents of Southeastern Georgia. Sampling was stratified by urban/rural residence in order to reach sufficient rural residents. Participants that indicated they had been diagnosed with hypertension or heart disease were included in this analysis. Participants also self-reported if they used CAM, their reasons for CAM use, frequency of CAM use, source of knowledge and level of satisfaction with CAM. Results: Among the 50 respondents with cardiovascular disease, 17 (34%) reported using CAM. The most commonly used type of CAM was vitamins and minerals (used by 26% or participants) followed by massage (19%) and relaxation/breathing (17%). CAM use was not associated with race, education, income, rural residence, smoking or quality of life, controlling for age and sex. Conclusions: Although there were no associations of socio-demographic characteristics and CAM use, this study highlights the prevalence of CAM use among individuals with heart disease and types of CAM frequently used. These findings should drive future, larger studies to further understand treatment decisions of rural patients with cardiovascular disease

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among People With Cardiovascular Diseases in Southeast Georgia

Background: Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Proper treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease is essential and can be challenged by non-disclosed use of complementary or alternative treatments. The objective of this study was to assess which demographics were associated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and if education affects the use of CAM. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a stratified random sample of residents of Southeastern Georgia. Sampling was stratified by urban/rural residence in order to reach sufficient rural residents. Participants that indicated they had been diagnosed with hypertension or heart disease were included in this analysis. Participants also self-reported if they used CAM, their reasons for CAM use, frequency of CAM use, source of knowledge and level of satisfaction with CAM. Results: Among the 50 respondents with cardiovascular disease, 17 (34%) reported using CAM. The most commonly used type of CAM was vitamins and minerals (used by 26% or participants) followed by massage (19%) and relaxation/breathing (17%). CAM use was not associated with race, education, income, rural residence, smoking or quality of life, controlling for age and sex. Conclusions: Although there were no associations of socio-demographic characteristics and CAM use, this study highlights the prevalence of CAM use among individuals with heart disease and types of CAM frequently used. These findings should drive future, larger studies to further understand treatment decisions of rural patients with cardiovascular disease

Influence of Serum Lycopene on Fatality among Lung Cancer Patients: An 18-Year Follow Up of a National Cohort

A potent antioxidant, lycopene, is the most abundant and naturally-occurring carotenoid in tomatoes and tomato-based foods. It is frequently found in pink grapefruit, watermelon, guava, and papaya; and it provides fruits and vegetables their red and pink colors. Lycopene promotes high levels of free-radical scavenging compared to other carotenoids such as β-carotenoids. It inhibits cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis through multiple biochemical pathways. Epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of lycopene-rich foods is associated with decreased risk of prostate, lung, breast and GI tract cancers. To our knowledge, influence of lycopene on lung cancer mortality has not been characterized. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether there is an association between serum lycopene levels and lung cancer mortality. A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 14,358 adult participants in phase II of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1991-1994) (NHANES III). This served as baseline and was correlated with the National Death Index database for a 15 year (1991-2006) follow-up study. Hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause and cancer-related deaths for individuals with high, medium, and low serum lycopene levels were calculated using the Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Model. The unadjusted HR of deaths associated with low serum levels (25% cutoff) of lycopene were 1.67 (95%CI=1.24-2.23) and 1.00 (ref). After adjusting for multiple risk factors such as age and sex, the HR for lung cancer mortality were 1.00 (ref) and 1.45 (95%CI=1.08-1.96) for low serum levels (25% cutoff). Adjusted HR for lung cancer death using 3-level categorization (and adjusted for fruits and vegetables) was 1.67 (95%CI=1.03-2.71) for low vs. high levels of lycopene. Also, adjusted HR for lung cancer death using 3-level categorization (and unadjusted for fruits and vegetables) was 1.68 (95%CI=1.04-2.72) for low vs. high levels of lycopene. Results suggest that high serum lycopene levels significantly reduce the risk of death from lung cancer. Thus, not only does lycopene decrease risk of lung cancer development, it also decreases lung cancer mortality. Further studies are needed to explain the physiological mechanisms of this phenomenon

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in People with Cardiovascular Disease in Southeast Rural Georgia

Presentation given at the Georgia Southern University Research Symposium

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in People with Heart Disease in Southeast/Rural Georgia

This conference abstract was published at the Proceedings of the National Rural Health Association Annual Conference

Serum Levels of Vitamin A and its Precursors and Colorectal Cancer Fatality: An 18-yr Follow-Up Study of a National Cohort

Presentation given at Southeastern Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology, Tampa, FL

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in People with Heart Disease in Southeast/Rural Georgia

This presentation was given during the National Rural Health Association Annual Conference