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Background: Dietary counselling provided by a dietitian, with or without oral nutritional supplements, can impact on nutritional and clinical outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy. However, little is known about the role of adherence to oral nutritional interventions in this population. This review aimed to map the literature for evidence of adherence to oral nutritional interventions in HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy and to identify gaps in knowledge in this field. Methods: A scoping review methodology was used to identify studies, extract data, and collate and summarise results. We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central and CINAHL, from the earliest available time up to 8 January 2020. Results: In total, 2315 unique articles were identified, 163 studies were assessed in full and niner were included in the scoping review. The use of different measures to assess adherence and variability in the timing of the assessments was noted across studies. Despite identifying studies that have measured adherence to oral nutritional interventions, very few studies monitored its influence on clinical and nutritional outcomes in HNC patients or reported factors related to adherence. Conclusions: A robust evidence base is lacking for adherence to oral nutritional intervention in HNC patients. Overall, further studies evaluating the impact of oral nutritional interventions in HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy should measure adherence to the intervention. Early recognition of non‐adherence and the contributing factors could ensure intensification of nutritional support and better health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: LATIN is a multinational case-control study designed to identify risk factors for agranulocytosis and to estimate the incidence rate of the disease in some Latin American countries.Methods: Each study site in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico conducted an active search of agranulocytosis patients in hematology clinics and looked for possible associations with drug use.Results: The overall incidence rate was 0.38 cases per 1 million inhabitant-years. Agranulocytosis patients more often took medications already associated with agranulocytosis than controls (p = 0.01), mainly methimazole (OR 44.2, 95% CI 6.8 to infinity). The population attributable risk percentage (etiologic fraction) was 56%. The use of nutrient supplements was more frequent among patients than controls (p = 0.03).Conclusions: Agranulocytosis seems to be very rare in Latin America. The lower than expected number of cases identified during the study period precluded estimation of the risk associated to individual drugs, with the exception of methimazol. However, this is the longest series of agranulocytosis cases ever gathered in Latin America, and information on drug exposures was collected prospectively. The conclusion is that drug-induced agranulocytosis does not seem to be a major public health problem in the study regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main cause of invasive cervical cancer, but cofactors may act in conjunction with HPV. We performed a pooled analysis of seven case-control studies to examine the effect of one possible HPV cofactor, herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) infection, in the etiology of invasive cervical cancer.Methods: Blood and exfoliated cervical specimens were obtained from 1263 case patients with invasive cervical cancer (1158 with squamous-cell carcinomas and 105 with adeno- or adenosquamous-cell carcinomas) and 1117 age-matched control subjects. Western blot analysis and/or an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect type-specific serum antibodies to HSV-2 and HSV-1, and Chlamydia trachomatis serum antibodies were detected using a micro-immunofluorescence assay. HPV DNA was detected using a polymerase chain reaction assay. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed from unconditional logistic regression models.Results: Overall, HSV-2 seropositivity was higher among case patients with squamous-cell carcinoma (44.4%, 95% CI = 41.5% to 47.3%) or adeno- or adenosquamous-cell carcinoma (43.8%, 95% CI = 34.2% to 53.5%) than among control subjects (25.6%, 95% CI = 23.0% to 28.2%). Cervical specimens from 1098 (94.8%) squamous-cell carcinoma case patients, 95 (90.5%) adeno- or adenosquamous carcinoma case patients, and 164 (14.7%) control subjects were positive for HPV DNA. Among the HPV DNA-positive women, HSV-2 seropositivity was associated with increased risks of squamous-cell carcinoma (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.41 to 3.40) and adeno- or adenosquamous-cell carcinoma (OR = 3.37, 95% CI = 1.47 to 7.74) after adjustment for potential confounders. A similar association between HSV-2 seropositivity and squamous-cell carcinoma risk was observed after further controlling for markers of sexual behavior (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.24 to 3.09). Among control subjects, HSV-2 seropositivity was associated with markers of sexual behavior, but not with cervical HPV DNA positivity.Conclusion: HSV-2 infection may act in conjunction with HPV infection to increase the risk of invasive cervical carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four-hundred-forty-five husbands of women with invasive cervical carcinoma, 165 of women with in situ cervical cancer, and 717 of control women (age range 19-82 years) were interviewed and a sample of exfoliated cells from the penis obtained in seven case-control studies conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The characteristics of human papillomavirus-positive and human papillomavirus-negative husbands were compared using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Thirteen per cent of the husbands of control women, 18% of the husbands of women with invasive cervical carcinoma, and 21% of the husbands of in situ cervical carcinoma women were positive for penile human papillomavirus DNA. Human papillomavirus 16 was detected in 45 husbands, human papillomavirus 18, 31 or 33 in 19, and human papillomavirus 6/11 in 6, but the majority of human papillomavirus infection (158) was with other or unspecified human papillomavirus types. The same human papillomavirus type was seldom identified in both husband and wife. The strongest variation in penile human papillomavirus infection was by country, with percentages among the husbands of control women ranging between 3% in Spain and 39% in Brazil. Having had over 50 lifetime sexual partners, compared with only one, was associated with an odds ratio of 2.3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Selecting controls is one of the most difficult tasks in the design of case-control studies. Hospital controls may be inadequate and random controls drawn from the base population may be unavailable. The aim was to assess the use of hospital visitors as controls in a case-control study on the association of organochlorinated compounds and other risk factors for breast cancer conducted in the main hospital of the "Instituto Nacional de Câncer" -- INCA (National Cancer Institute) in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). METHODS: The study included 177 incident cases and 377 controls recruited among female visitors. Three different models of control group composition were compared: Model 1, with all selected visitors; Model 2, excluding women visiting relatives with breast cancer; and Model 3, excluding all women visiting relatives with any type of cancer. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to test the associations. RESULTS: Age-adjusted OR for breast cancer associated with risk factors other than family history of cancer, except smoking and breast size, were similar in the three models. Regarding family history of all cancers, except for breast cancer, there was a decreased risk in Models 1 and 2, while in Model 3 there was an increased risk, but not statistically significant. Family history of breast cancer was a risk factor in Models 2 and 3, but no association was found in Model 1. In multivariate analysis a significant risk of breast cancer was found when there was a family history of breast cancer in Models 2 and 3 but not in Model 1. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that while investigating risk factors unrelated to family history of cancer, the use of hospital visitors as controls may be a valid and feasible alternative.

Como parte integrante da avaliação de desempenho do Programa de Atenção à Saúde no Envelhecimento, desenvolvido em uma unidade básica de saúde, foi mensurada a efetividade da hipertensão arterial, segundo a redução dos níveis de pressão arterial em indivíduos hipertensos submetidos a ações programáticas para controle da doença, procurando identificar condições associadas com tal redução. Dos 396 pacientes portadores de hipertensão arterial sistêmica inscritos no Programa, no período de 01/01/92 a 30/06/93, foram considerados para esta avaliação 250 casos que apresentavam, além de níveis pressóricos elevados (PA superscript three 160/95 mmHg) em atendimentos iniciais no serviço (anteriores à inscrição no programa), pelo menos duas consultas médicas no seguimento programático. As diferenças de níveis pressóricos entre as medidas realizadas nas consultas anteriores ao início do atendimento programático, e as realizadas a partir do início destes atendimentos foram analisadas segundo o nível pressórico inicial, idade, sexo, diagnósticos na inscrição e faltas ao agendamento programático. Obteve-se redução na pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) de 5 mmHg ou mais, e/ou redução de 10 mmHg ou mais na pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) em l97 (78,8%) pacientes. A média da redução da PAD foi 8,8 mmHg (d.p. = 11,4), e da PAS foi 17,7 mmHg (d.p. = 18,6). Resultados de diversos estudos epidemiológicos permitem inferir redução do risco de mortalidade por doença cardiovascular em proporção considerável de indivíduos inscritos no Programa. Em 111 (44,4%) indivíduos ocorreu normalização da pressão aos níveis preconizados pelo Programa. A análise por meio de regressão linear múltipla demonstrou que, entre as variáveis estudadas, a pressão inicial e a percentagem de faltas no seguimento programático estiveram associadas de modo independente com a redução da PAS e da PAD. A idade esteve associada independentemente apenas com a redução da PAS. A participação da idade e da percentagem de faltas no seguimento programático revelam que o resultado final do trabalho programático não é insensível aos diferentes modos com que as pessoas assumem o cuidado com a própria saúde.

This paper, the result of cooperation between PAHO and the Brazilian Ministry of Health, presents conclusions and recommendations of a Technical Advisory Committee to protect public health in the surroundings of a deactivated organochorine factory located in a 19.4 million-m2 area owned by the Brazilian Government. Large amount of residues and leftover products that were used for malaria and other vectorborne diseases control remained in this urban area with some rural characteristics, without any protective measures, for over 30 years. A review of all known information regarding the site provided the basis for deciding on population exposure. á, â, ã and ä-HCH, DDT, DDD and DDE, TCPs, TCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs were considered of interest to public health because they had complete route of exposure for soil, water and locally produced cow milk and eggs, in concentration levels that represent risks to human health. Human exposure information was not population-based but all the samples collected in the area presented higher levels of these compounds than control samples. Dioxin and furans were not analyzed in any of the human studies. HCH totals were found of up to 2.43 mg/Kg in human milk fat and DDT totals of up to 4.78 mg/Kg. Three different exposure groups were identified in the area: (1) 370 families of old employees of the factory or actual employees of public structures in the region; (2)1000 families living in the area, although separated by physical barriers, and (3) 70 families in illegal peripheral occupation. Three other exposure groups are defined but not yet quantified: (4) ex-employees of the factory living elsewhere; (5) exresidents of a youth shelter shut down in the mid 90's and (6) the entire population in the surroundings. Actual information only allows for conclusions for the first group. Removing group (1) from the area and banning farming activities were recommended. New studies are needed for the other exposure groups. Future health studies and other scientific investigations should be linked to an improvement of local health assistance and articulated through specialized reference centers. Population data must be organized and updated to allow for follow-up studies. The use of exposure biomarkers in group (1) for establishing actual levels of exposure and monitoring the effectiveness of the planned actions was indicated. A permanent committee of research institutions and local health services representatives should be established to monitor the process and to promote communication of risks and participation of the involved population in setting priorities and approval of new research projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The success of HPV vaccination programs will require awareness regarding HPV associated diseases and the benefits of HPV vaccination for the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cervical cancer prevention, vaccines, and factors associated with HPV awareness among young women after birth of the first child. Methods This analysis is part of a cross-sectional study carried out at Hospital Maternidade Leonor Mendes de Barros, a large public maternity hospital in Sao Paulo. Primiparous women (15-24 years) who gave birth in that maternity hospital were included. A questionnaire that included questions concerning knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and vaccines was applied. To estimate the association of HPV awareness with selected factors, prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using a generalized linear model (GLM). Results Three hundred and one primiparous women were included; 37% of them reported that they "had ever heard about HPV", but only 19% and 7%, respectively, knew that HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and that it can cause cervical cancer. Seventy-four percent of interviewees mentioned the preventive character of vaccines and all participants affirmed that they would accept HPV vaccination after delivery. In the multivariate analysis, only increasing age (P for trend = 0.021) and previous STI (P < 0.001) were factors independently associated with HPV awareness ("had ever heard about HPV"). Conclusions This survey indicated that knowledge about the association between HPV and cervical cancer among primiparous young women is low. Therefore, these young low-income primiparous women could benefit greatly from educational interventions to encourage primary and secondary cervical cancer prevention programs.

Background & Aims: Organized colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is not widely practiced in Latin America and the results of regional studies may help overcome barriers for implementation of national screening programs. We aimed to describe the implementation and findings of a fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-based program in Brazil., Methods: In a prospective population-based study, asymptomatic individuals (50-75 years old) from Sao Paulo city were invited to undergo FIT for CRC screening. Participants with positive FIT (≥10 μg Hb/g feces) were referred for colonoscopy. Subjects were classified into groups according to the presence of CRC, precursor lesions, and other benign findings, possibly related to bleeding., Results: Of a total of 9881 subjects, 7.8% had positive FIT and colonoscopy compliance was 68.9% (n = 535). Boston scale was considered adequate in 99% and cecal intubation rate was 99.4%. CRC was diagnosed in 5.9% of the cases, adenoma in 63.2%, advanced adenoma in 31.4%, and advanced neoplasia in 33.0%. Age was positively associated with CRC (P = .03). Higher FIT concentrations were associated with increased detection of CRC (P < .008), advanced adenoma (P < .001), and advanced neoplasia (P < .001)., Conclusions: Implementation of a FIT-based CRC screening program was feasible in a low-resource setting, and there was a high yield for neoplasia in individuals with a positive FIT. This approach could be used as a model to plan and disseminate organized CRC screening more broadly in Brazil and Latin America., (Copyright © 2024 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) followed by a colonoscopy is an efficacious strategy to improve the adenoma detection rate and Colorectal Cancer (CRC). There is no organized national screening program for CRC in Brazil. The aim of this research was to describe the implementation of an organized screening program for CRC through FIT followed by colonoscopy, in an urban low-income community of São Paulo city. The endpoints of the study were: FIT participation rate, FIT positivity rate, colonoscopy compliance rate, Positive Predictive Values (PPV) for adenoma and CRC, and the rate of complications. From May 2016 to October 2019, asymptomatic individuals, 50-75 years old, received a free kit to perform the FIT. Positive FIT (≥ 50 ng/mL) individuals were referred to colonoscopy. 10,057 individuals returned the stool sample for analysis, of which (98.2%) 9,881 were valid. Women represented 64.8% of the participants. 55.3% of individuals did not complete elementary school. Positive FIT was 7.8% (776/9881). The colonoscopy compliance rate was 68.9% (535/776). There were no major colonoscopy complications. Adenoma were detected in 63.2% (332/525) of individuals. Advanced adenomatous lesions were found in 31.4% (165/525). CRC was diagnosed in 5.9% (31/525), characterized as adenocarcinoma: in situ in 3.2% (1/31), intramucosal in 29% (9/31), and invasive in 67.7% (21/31). Endoscopic treatment with curative intent for CRC was performed in 45.2% (14/31) of the cases. Therefore, in an urban low-income community, an organized CRC screening using FIT followed by colonoscopy ensued a high participation rate, and high predictive positive value for both, adenoma and CRC., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Objective: To analyze the trends of cervical cancer mortality in Brazilian Southeastern states, and to compare them to Brazil and other regions between 1980 and 2020., Methods: Time series study based on data from the Sistema de Informações de Mortalidade (Brazilian Mortality Information System). Death data were corrected by proportional redistribution of deaths from ill-defined causes and cervical cancer of unspecified portion. Age-standardized and age-specific rates were calculated by screening target (25-39 years; 40-64 years) and non-target (65 years or older) age groups. Annual percentage changes (APC) were estimated by linear regression model with breakpoints. The coverage of Pap Smear exam in the Unified Health System (SUS) was evaluated between 2009 and 2020 according to age group and locality., Results: There were increases in corrected mortality rates both in 1980 and in 2020 in all regions, with most evident increments at the beginning of the series. There was a decrease in mortality nationwide between 1980-2020; however, the state of São Paulo showed a discrete upward trend in 2014-2020 (APC=1.237; 95%CI 0.046-2.443). Noteworthy is the trend increment in the 25-39 year-old group in all study localities, being sharper in the Southeast region in 2013-2020 (APC=5.072; 95%CI 3.971-6.185). Screening coverage rates were highest in São Paulo and lowest in Rio de Janeiro, with a consistent decline from 2012 onwards at all ages., Conclusions: São Paulo is the first Brazilian state to show a reversal trend in mortality from cervical cancer. The changes in mortality patterns identified in this study point to the need for reorganization of the current screening program, which should be improved to ensure high coverage, quality, and adequate follow-up of all women with altered test results.

We describe the characteristics of cases of breast cancer among women assisted at hospitals affiliated to the public health system in the state of São Paulo (Brazil), analysing the effects of level of education and travel burden to point of treatment. We conducted a retrospective analysis of invasive breast cancer among women diagnosed between 2000 and 2015. Data were extracted from the hospital-based cancer registries of Fundação Oncocentro de São Paulo-FOSP. The outcome was clinical stage at diagnosis (stage III-IV versus I-II). The explanatory variables were educational level and travel burden. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated. Multiple imputations were used for missing educational level (31%). The study included 81,669 women with invasive breast cancer diagnosed between 2000 and 2015. The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 56.8 years (standard deviation 13.6 years). 38% of patients were at an advanced stage at diagnosis (stage III-IV). Women with lower levels of education and those who received cancer care in municipalities other than where they lived were more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. In conclusion, promotion of breast cancer awareness and improving pathways to expedite breast cancer diagnosis and treatment could help identify breast tumors at earlier stages., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose: This study aimed to explore whether adherence to intensive nutritional care during radiotherapy would avoid a meaningful worsening in quality of life in head and neck cancer patients; and whether adherence was associated with better nutritional outcomes., Methods: Observational prospective study that assessed head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy at a large oncology hospital, between August 2018 and April 2019. The main outcome was minimal clinically important difference in quality of life, assessed with EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ H&N35, between baseline and 12 weeks. To illustrate clinically significant changes in quality of life over timeby adherence, a heat map analysis was performed. We also evaluated nutritional outcomes., Results: Eighty patients were included, half of them (53.8%) were considered adherent. There were no significant difference in quality of life between groups at baseline, with the exception of swallowing (p = 0.029) and coughing (p < 0.01). After treatment, the heat map demonstrated that adherent patients had nonsignificant clinical change in function scales, while non-adherent patients had a clinically significant worsening in physical, cognitive and social function. The prevalence of malnutrition increased significantly only in non-adherent patients (p < 0.01)., Conclusion: Adherence to intensive nutritional care may be able to avoid a meaningful worsening in quality of life and result in better nutritional outcomes in head and neck cancer patients. Our results may help to increase the awareness of the assessment of adherence and minimal clinically important difference in quality of life for research purposes and clinical practice., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cervical cancer screening is a multistage process, therefore access to both the primary test and subsequent diagnostic procedures is essential. Considering women undergoing screening on the public health system in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, we aimed to estimate the proportion of women accessing colposcopy within six months of an abnormal smear result. We retrieved records from two administrative databases, the Information System on Uterine Cervical Cancer (SISCOLO) that contains smear results and the Outpatient Information System of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SIA/SUS) that records colposcopies. A reference cohort consisted of women, aged 25 years or older, with an abnormal smear result between May 1, 2014, and June 30, 2014. We excluded prevalent cases. We linked the reference cohort and records in the SIA/SUS extending to December 31, 2014. After excluding prevalent cases, 1,761 women with abnormal cytology results were left. A total of 700 (39.8%) women were linked to a colposcopy record within the follow-up period; this dropped to 671 (38.1%) women when follow-up was censored at six months. We could notice a slightly higher attendance in women living in the metropolitan region of São Paulo compared with residents of the rest of the state. We found no association between colposcopy attendance and age or cytology class. These results emphasize that access to colposcopy in the public health system in São Paulo is limited. This compromises the quality of screening, and the issue needs to be prioritized in service planning.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and effect of adherence to intensive nutritional care on nutritional outcomes and survival in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy., Methods: Three-hundred and seventeen head and neck cancer patients referred to intensive nutrition support during radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who missed less than 25% of their appointments with the dietitian were considered adherent. Primary outcome was percentage weight loss during treatment. Secondary outcomes were overall survival and patients' capacity to accomplish their caloric and protein recommendations. Logistic regression was used to examine predictors of weight loss and Kaplan-Meier to estimate survival., Results: Less than half of the patients (n = 145, 45.7%) were adherent. Statistically significant less weight loss in the adherent group (42.8% vs 55.8%; p = 0.02) was found, despite no difference in energy or protein intake. Logistic regression models after adjusting for other variables demonstrated that adherence resulted in 43% protection from significant weight loss (odds ratio 0.57, 95% CI 0.34-0.97). Overall survival was not different between groups., Conclusion: Findings demonstrated that patients who were adherent to weekly contacts with the dietitian had less weight loss, but not better survival or nutritional intake. Additional investigation of factors that may act as barriers or enablers for adherence could help improve the outcomes in this population., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The increasing number of cancer patients has an escalating economic impact to public health systems (approximately, International dollars- Int$ 60 billion annually in Brazil). Physical activity is widely recognized as one important modifiable risk factor for cancer. Herein, we estimated the economic costs of colon and post-menopausal breast cancers in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) attributable to lack of physical activity., Methods: Population attributable fractions were calculated using prevalence data from 57,962 adults who answered a physical activity questionnaire in the Brazilian National Health Survey, and relative risks of colon and breast cancer from a meta-analysis. Annual costs (1 Int$ = 2.1 reais) with hospitalization, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were obtained from the Hospital and Ambulatory Information Systems of the Brazilian SUS. Two counterfactual scenarios were considered: theoretical minimum risk exposure level (≥8000 MET-min/week) and physical activity guidelines (≥600 MET-min/week)., Results: Annually, the Brazilian SUS expended Int$ 4.5 billion in direct costs related to cancer treatment, of which Int$ 553 million due to colon and breast cancers. Direct costs related to colon and breast cancers attributable to lack of physical activity were Int$ 23.4 million and Int$ 26.9 million, respectively. Achieving at least the physical activity guidelines would save Int$ 10.3 mi (colon, Int$ 6.4 mi; breast, Int$ 3.9 mi)., Conclusions: Lack of physical activity accounts for Int$ 50.3 million annually in direct costs related to colon and post-menopausal breast cancers. Population-wide interventions aiming to promote physical activity are needed to reduce the economic burden of cancer in Brazil.

Background: Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher in Brazil than in western countries. Access to cytology-based screening has increased in the country in recent decades, but few studies have assessed the quality of the follow-up care of women with abnormal screening tests that require further investigation., Methods: A record-linkage cohort study was conducted in São Paulo state. Women aged 25+ years, who were screened in 2010, and whose test revealed a high-grade, or more severe, lesion were eligible. Follow-up information on diagnostic investigations, treatments and mortality was obtained through record-linkage of health databases. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate median times between screening and diagnostic investigation, and diagnosis and treatment initiation. Cox survival models were used to identify correlates of the length of these time intervals., Results: 4300 women had a high-grade, or more severe, test result. Of these, 2788 (64.8 %) had a diagnostic investigation record, 1763 (41 %) a confirmed diagnosis of a precursor lesion or cancer, and 1247 (70.7 %) a treatment record. The median time to diagnosis was 190 days, with the probability of undergoing a diagnostic investigation within 30 days of the abnormal screening test being 7%. The median time to treatment was 81 days, with the probability of undergoing treatment within 60 days of a confirmed diagnosis being 44 %. Delays in diagnosis and treatment were associated with area-based healthcare indicators., Conclusion: Times to diagnosis and treatment were long, well above recommendations. Strategies to improve follow-up care must be prioritized to ensure screening reduces cervical cancer incidence and mortality., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Self-isolation is strongly recommended for cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, but may lead to physical inactivity and prolonged sitting time. The benefits of physical activity for cancer patients are manifold, such as reduced anxiety, fewer depressive symptoms, less fatigue, better quality of life, and improved physical function. In the last decade, several oncology-related organizations have provided guidance and summarized the evidence on the role of physical activity for cancer survivors. In this comment, we provide a brief summary of these recommendations and benefits of physical activity for cancer patients; and we recommend that oncologists and health practitioners should promote an active lifestyle for these patients during the pandemic and thereafter. Suggestions for implementing these actions in the clinical settings are also provided.

Objective: To investigate factors associated with colposcopy attendance in HPV-positive women in São Paulo, Brazil., Methods: We analyzed data from a prospective cohort of women positive for high-risk HPV (hr-HPV) undergoing cervical cancer screening in primary care services in São Paulo, Brazil. Non-pregnant women attending routine screening between December 2014 and March 2016 were offered an hr-HPV test, and those testing positive and aged 25 years or older were invited for colposcopy. Sociodemographic information was recorded at study enrollment. We compared variables between women who did and did not attend colposcopy within a logistic regression framework., Results: Of 1537 hr-HPV-positive women, 1235 (80.4%) attended for colposcopy, with a median time from primary test to colposcopy of 132 days. Younger age (P<0.001) and concurrent negative cytology results (P=0.025) were associated with lower attendance. Women registered at units providing both the primary test and colposcopy were more likely to attend than those at units making external referrals (788/862 [91.4%] versus 447/675 [66.2%], P<0.001)., Conclusion: Non-attendance for colposcopy may limit the success of future screening programs based on hr-HPV testing in Brazil. Transfer of colposcopy services to primary care is a simple and effective facilitator of attendance., (© 2020 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.)

Background: Muscle-strengthening activities have been recommended for health benefits. However, it is unclear whether resistance training is associated with cancer risk, independent of total physical activity., Methods: A prospective cohort study followed 33,787 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1992-2014). Cumulative average of resistance training (hours/week) was assessed through biennial questionnaires up to 2 years before cancer diagnosis. Cox regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI)., Results: During 521,221 person-years of follow-up, we documented 5,158 cancer cases. Resistance training was not associated with total cancer risk (HR per 1-h/week increase: 1.01; 95% CI 0.97, 1.05). We found an inverse association between resistance training and bladder cancer (HR per 1-h/week increase: 0.80; 95% CI 0.66, 0.96) and kidney cancer (HR per 1-h/week increase 0.77; 95% CI 0.58, 1.03; P trend  = 0.06), but the association was marginal for the latter after adjustment for confounders and total physical activity. Compared to participants engaging in aerobic activities only, combined resistance training and aerobic activities showed stronger inverse associations with kidney cancer risk., Conclusions: Resistance training was associated with lower risk of bladder and kidney cancers. Future studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Background: Since March 2014, the quadrivalent HPV vaccine has been incorporated into the Brazilian Unified Health Care System and began to be offered, without direct costs, for girls from 9 to 13 years of age. Older female adolescents would have the option to be vaccinated at private health care system being responsible for the payment of HPV vaccine. The present study aimed to evaluate the coverage rates and predictors of HPV vaccination in Brazil among two groups of female adolescents: eligible and non-eligible for the HPV vaccination public program., Methods: We used data from the 2015 Brazilian National Adolescent School-Based Health Survey, which involved a probabilistic sample of 5404 female adolescents students at public and private schools. Using a questionnaire, we gathered information on sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behavior, and respondent perception of parental supervision and have been vaccinated for HPV. Age-specific vaccination rates were analyzed in girls aged 9 to 13 at the time of public vaccination (eligible for public policy), as well among those 14 to 17 years old not eligible by the Ministry of Health for vaccination. We used Poisson regression models to investigate associated factors., Results: HPV vaccine coverage was 83.5 and 21.8% among eligible and non-eligible populations, respectively. In both populations, the chance of being vaccinated decreased with older age. In the eligible population there is a greater chance of being vaccinated among ethnic group "pardas" but not with other indicators of socioeconomic status. In the non-eligible population, there was a clear association between higher vaccine coverage and greater maternal education and living with the mother., Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of public policies to minimize inequities in access to cancer prevention measures in vulnerable adolescents. A public policy of HPV vaccination for older female adolescents would increase coverage with possible reduction of HPV-related diseases in this group of women.

Objective: This study aimed to compare nutritional outcomes before and after implementation of weekly dietetic counseling (intensive nutritional care) in head and neck cancers patients., Methods: A retrospective study with all head and neck patients, who received radiotherapy between January 2010 and December 2017 were performed. The main outcome was significant weight loss. Compliance to caloric and protein recommendations were also evaluated., Results: In all, 472 patients were included. Weight loss was not different between before and after implementation (-6.7%; IQ -10.5/-1.9 vs -5.0%; IQ -9.8/-0.7;p=0.06).There were no significant difference in terms of meeting the recommended intake. Higher baseline body mass index and oral nutritional support predicted significant weight loss., Conclusion: Implementation of intensive nutritional care did not have an impact on weight loss and energy and protein intake in head and neck cancer patients. Further research would be of value to determine the appropriate service-delivery model to achieve optimal patient outcomes., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

OBJECTIVE To estimate the magnitude and identify patterns of change in prostate cancer mortality in the state of São Paulo and in the 17 regional health care networks, according to age groups from 50 years onwards, in the period between 2000 to 2015. METHODS Age-adjusted mortality rates (per 100,000 men) were calculated by the direct method using the Segi world population as standard. Joinpoint regression was used to calculate the average annual percent change (AAPC), with a confidence interval of 95% (95%CI), by regional network and age group (50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80 years or more). RESULTS For the state of São Paulo, age-adjusted mortality rates were 15.2, 13.3 and 11.9 per 100,000 men, respectively, in the periods between 2000 to 2005, 2006 to 2010 and 2011 to 2015, with a significant decrease trend (AAPC = -2.10%; 95%CI -2.42 - -1.79) each year. Among the 17 networks, 11 presented significant mean annual reductions, ranging from -1.72% to -3.05%. From the age of 50 onwards, there was a sharper reduction in the groups from 50 to 59 (AAPC = -2.33%; 95%CI -3.04 - -1.62) and 60 to 69 years (AAPC = -2.84%; 95%CI - 3.25 - -2.43). CONCLUSION Although reductions in mortality are still slight, they indicate progress in prostate cancer control actions. Screening actions and changes in therapeutic behaviors in recent decades may be modifying incidence and survival, resulting in changes in the mortality profile. More detailed studies will be useful in understanding the factors that lead to the interregional variations found.

Background: Studies on the impact of counterfactual scenarios of physical activity on premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are sparse in the literature. We estimated preventable premature deaths from NCDs (diabetes, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and breast and colon cancers) in Brazil by increasing population-wide physical activity (i) to theoretical minimum risk exposure levels; (ii) reaching the physical activity recommendation; (iii) reducing insufficient physical activity by 10%; and (iv) eliminating the gender differences in physical activity., Methods: Preventable fractions were estimated using data from a nationally representative survey, relative risks from a meta-analysis and number of premature deaths (30-69 years) from the Brazilian Mortality Information System., Results: Physical activity could potentially avoid up to 16 700 premature deaths from NCDs in Brazil, corresponding to 5.75 and 3.23% of premature deaths from major NCDs and of all-causes, respectively. Other scenarios suggested the following impact on premature deaths: reaching physical activity recommendation (5000 or 1.74% of major NCDs); 10% reduction in insufficient physical activity (500 or 0.17% of major NCDs); eliminating gender differences in physical activity (1000 or 0.33% of major NCDs)., Conclusions: Physical activity may play an important role to reduce premature deaths from NCD in Brazil., (© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health.)

Every year there are approximately 16,000 new cases of cervical cancer in Brazil. Novel screening technologies may reduce this number by expanding the population coverage but also by improving the detection rate of precursor lesions. We aimed to evaluate human papillomaviruses (HPV)-DNA testing in the context of routine cervical cancer screening in the public health system of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Women participating in the primary screening program were invited to enroll. Liquid-based cytology samples were collected and cytology and Hr-HPV DNA testing were performed in parallel. Cytologists were blind to HPV results. Women older than 24 years with a positive high-risk HPV test and/or cytology class ≥ ASC-US were referred to colposcopy. From December 2014 to December 2016, 16,102 women joined the study. High-risk human papillomavirus (HR HPV) DNA prevalence was 14.9%, whereas cytologic abnormalities were found in 7.2% of the women. Per protocol, 1,592 Hr-HPV + women, in addition to 72 patients with cytologic classification > low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) were referred. A total of 80 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2 + ) cases were diagnosed, 79 were Hr-HPV DNA + and 18 had normal cytology. Hr-HPV DNA detected a significant number of patients with premalignant lesions missed by cytology and all 16 CIN3 + cases were Hr-HPV DNA + HPV genotyping may be useful in the management of Hr-HPV + women, reducing the burden of colposcopic referral for those harboring genotypes with a weaker association to CIN3 + Use of HPV-DNA testing was shown to be feasible and advantageous over current cytologic screening in the public health system., (©2019 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Several biological mechanisms linking physical activity with cancer have been proposed. However, the influence of specific components of physical activity (volume, type and intensity), and their interaction with adiposity and diet, on cancer-related biomarkers remain unclear. We used cross-sectional data on 7,219 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1992-1994) with C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor 2 (TNFαR2), adiponectin, C-peptide and triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL). Details on physical activity, diet and adiposity were assessed by questionnaires. We used multivariable-adjusted linear regression analyses to estimate relative concentrations of biomarkers by physical activity. Total physical activity was favorably associated with all biomarkers in a fairly linear manner. Comparing the highest (63+ metabolic equivalent (MET)-hr/week) to the lowest (0-8.9 MET-hr/week) physical activity groups, the percent relative difference in concentration of biomarkers was -31% for CRP, -22% for IL6, -8% for TNFαR2, +9% for adiponectin, -22% for C-peptide, and -20% for TG/HDL. These differences were modestly attenuated after adjustment for adiposity. For the same total MET-hours of physical activity, the association was stronger for men engaging in both aerobic and resistance exercises compared to those engaging in aerobic only. However, no difference was found between those engaging in vigorous activities (≥20% of total MET-hours) compared to those who did smaller amount of vigorous activities. Physical activity showed similar associations for these biomarkers regardless of adiposity and dietary pattern. In conclusion, high physical activity, preferably aerobic plus resistance training, was associated with favorable cancer-related biomarkers., (© 2019 UICC.)