Suboptimal Vitamin D levels among adult survivors of childhood cancers

Purpose: Vitamin D plays an important role in many bodily systems, with increasing evidence suggesting its importance for the prevention of chronic diseases and cancer. The identification of vitamin D levels in childhood cancer survivors becomes, therefore, particularly relevant, given that optimizing levels may contribute to the prevention of secondary malignancies and chronic diseases.Methods: A cross - sectional analysis of serum 25 - hydroxyvitamin D levels among adult survivors of childhood cancers living in New York State and surrounding areas (n = 139) was performed. Independent variables included gender, race/ethnicity, cancer site, year of diagnosis, past medical and surgical history, prior radiation therapy; prior chemotherapy, age at diagnosis, age at last clinic visit, year of last clinic visit, height, weight, body mass index, and vitamin D supplementation.Results: Overall, 34% of survivors were vitamin D deficient (< 20 ng/ml), 39% were classified as insufficient (20 - 29 ng/ml) and 27% (≥ 30 ng/ml) were classified as having sufficient levels. Despite vitamin D supplementation among 41 patients, 68.3% continued to have insufficient or deficient levels. Participants with a BMI > 25 demonstrated lower levels of vitamin D (p < 0.05). Vitamin D levels did not vary by age group, race, ethnicity, diagnosis, or years since diagnosis.Conclusion: Given the growing awareness of the role of vitamin D and the documented late effects of treatment for childhood cancers, the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency within the childhood cancer survivor population is of concern. Vitamin D represents an important target for surveillance and intervention to help improve long - term outcomes of childhood cancer survivors

Suboptimal Vitamin D levels among adult survivors of childhood cancers

Purpose: Vitamin D plays an important role in many bodily systems, with increasing evidence suggesting its importance for the prevention of chronic diseases and cancer. The identification of vitamin D levels in childhood cancer survivors becomes, therefore, particularly relevant, given that optimizing levels may contribute to the prevention of secondary malignancies and chronic diseases.Methods: A cross - sectional analysis of serum 25 - hydroxyvitamin D levels among adult survivors of childhood cancers living in New York State and surrounding areas (n = 139) was performed. Independent variables included gender, race/ethnicity, cancer site, year of diagnosis, past medical and surgical history, prior radiation therapy; prior chemotherapy, age at diagnosis, age at last clinic visit, year of last clinic visit, height, weight, body mass index, and vitamin D supplementation.Results: Overall, 34% of survivors were vitamin D deficient (&lt; 20 ng/ml), 39% were classified as insufficient (20 - 29 ng/ml) and 27% (≥ 30 ng/ml) were classified as having sufficient levels. Despite vitamin D supplementation among 41 patients, 68.3% continued to have insufficient or deficient levels. Participants with a BMI &gt; 25 demonstrated lower levels of vitamin D (p &lt; 0.05). Vitamin D levels did not vary by age group, race, ethnicity, diagnosis, or years since diagnosis.Conclusion: Given the growing awareness of the role of vitamin D and the documented late effects of treatment for childhood cancers, the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency within the childhood cancer survivor population is of concern. Vitamin D represents an important target for surveillance and intervention to help improve long - term outcomes of childhood cancer survivors.</p

Multidimensional scaling research in vocational psychology

This review summarizes and evaluates the use of multidimensional scaling in vocational psychology. Multidimensional scaling applications are found in two primary areas: vocational interests and occupational perceptions. These areas correspond to the two major uses of multidimensional scaling: configural verification and dimensional identification. Two issues-the relationship between multidimensional scaling and alternative data analytic methods, and the selection of occupational stimuli-are discussed. A number of developing areas for the application of multidimensional scaling are identified

Gaining Research Access to Retarded Children in Public Schools

The issue of gaining research access to mentally retarded children attending public schools is discussed. Preliminary steps completed prior to conducting a research investigation in the school settings were described within the framework of two independent studies. The important role of the special education teacher in conducting research in the natural environment is delineated

Evaluation and Refinement of a Prostate Cancer Treatment Seminar

Significance & Background: Prostate cancer survivors represent a large and growing group. Prostate cancer survivors have a variety of psychosocial and medical needs that change over time. In 2009, a seminar was developed by a multidisciplinary team at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) to help prostate cancer patients and their families learn about and prepare for treatment and disease related issues. Purpose: To report on the lessons learned during the execution and evaluation of a newly develop prostate cancer treatment seminar. Program: The prostate cancer treatment seminar is 90 minutes long and is delivered by RPCI clinicians, allied health professionals and behavioral scientists. The seminar provides attendees with information on: social work assistance, patient navigation, physical therapy, nutrition, pastoral care, psychology services, and nursing/clinic services. Results: Survey results from a process evaluation indicated that a majority of seminar attendees were very satisfied with the seminar information and most attendees found the information useful. Process evaluation data also revealed that many eligible patients were not attending the seminar, particularly African Americans and Latinos. Interview data from non attendees revealed that transportation, competing schedules, and health issues were common barriers to attendance. In 2010, the seminar was video tape recorded and a DVD was created to expand the seminar’s reach. Conclusion: The addition of the DVD has resulted in a vast improvement in the numbers of prostate cancer patients who receive the seminar content. More than twice the amount of patients now receive the seminar information via DVD than in-person. In person attendees and DVD viewers have similar ratings regarding the seminar’s usefulness

Tobacco Cessation May Improve Lung Cancer Patient Survival

Introduction:This study characterizes tobacco cessation patterns and the association of cessation with survival among lung cancer patients at Roswell Park Cancer Institute: an NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.Methods:Lung cancer patients presenting at this institution were screened with a standardized tobacco assessment, and those who had used tobacco within the past 30 days were automatically referred to a telephone-based cessation service. Demographic, clinical information, and self-reported tobacco use at last contact were obtained via electronic medical records and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute tumor registry for all lung cancer patients referred to the service between October 2010 and October 2012. Descriptive statistics and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess whether tobacco cessation and other factors were associated with lung cancer survival through May 2014.Results:Calls were attempted to 313 of 388 lung cancer patients referred to the cessation service. Eighty percent of patients (250 of 313) were successfully contacted and participated in at least one telephone-based cessation call; 40.8% (102 of 250) of persons contacted reported having quit at the last contact. After controlling for age, pack year history, sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, time between diagnosis and last contact, tumor histology, and clinical stage, a statistically significant increase in survival was associated with quitting compared with continued tobacco use at last contact (HR = 1.79; 95% confidence interval: 1.14–2.82) with a median 9 month improvement in overall survival.Conclusions:Tobacco cessation among lung cancer patients after diagnosis may increase overall survival