A cross-sectional assessment of literacy and awareness, attitudes, and beliefs about colorectal cancer and its screening in Riyadh region

This study aims to explore the association between functional health literacy and awareness for, beliefs, and attitudes of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and CRC screening test in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 256 participants from two different tertiary level hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were recruited in this study. The participants were interviewed by a trained researcher between October and December 2015. All respondents answered a three-part questionnaire which included demographic data, questions related to CRC awareness, attitude, behaviour, and short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (STOFHLA). More than half of the participants had an inadequate awareness of functional health literacy skills (FHLS), 16.4 % had marginal of FHLS awareness and 17.6 % had adequate awareness about FHLS as assessed by the STOFHLA. Overall, the majority of the participants in both marginal and adequate aware groups showed a limited awareness about colorectal cancer screening and testing. A significant association was found on awareness of the patients about frequencies that they should have been tested for colorectal cancer and functional health literacy. No significant association was found between functional health literacy as assessed by STOFHLA and concerns of Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) (p = 0.384) and sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy might cause embarrassment (p = 0.089), harm (p = 0.917), and pain (p = 0.849). The present study revealed a low level of health literacy among Saudi adults in Riyadh region. Although the level of literacy was low, the bigger concern is that of the poor awareness and beliefs of Saudi adults about CRC and CRC screening.Khalid M. Almutairi, Wadi B. Alonazi, Abdulaziz Alodhayani, Jason M. Vinluan, Mohammad Ahmad, Sultana Abdulaziz Alhurishi, Nourah Alsadhan, Majed Mohammed Alsalem, Nader Eqaab Alotaibi, Alaa Mustafa Alaqee

Close link between breast cancer & apoptosis

The mammary gland represents an unique model system to allow investigation of factors that underpin biological initiation of apoptotic processes and related signal transduction pathways. One advantage is that the mammary gland, unlike most other organs, has the capacity to go through many cycles of growth, differentiation and anatomical structural development. Indeed, the mammary gland has evolved highly efficient processes (that straddle both lactation and post-lactational phases)  which regulate the balance between cell death and proliferation. This paper will discuss the molecular and cellular aspects of apoptosis in the mammary gland with a particular emphasis on the role of apoptosis in breast cancer development

Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women attending maternity clinics; multi center experience from Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women is linked with higher risk of spontaneous abortion or premature infants. This study aims to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in pregnant women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: 1000 blood samples were collected from women visiting various regional laboratories of Riyadh. Serum was tested for toxoplasmosis using ELISA technique. Results: The result revealed that 93% pregnant women were serologically negative and only 7% were positive. The study concludes that youngand aged women who have T. gondii infection should have more awareness about this infection and its complications. Conclusion: The study would be valuable in improving pregnancy care by encouraging the health workers to implement clinical and protective care plans side by side