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The article offers an overview of research paper that discussed the women-focused topics including the epidemiology of alcohol use among women, health and behavioral consequences of drinking, prenatal alcohol use and interventions, and enhanced alcohol treatment services. It also mentions the objectives of research to examine the harmful physiological and behavioral effects of alcohol in women.

Background and Aims The concern that alcohol advertising can have detrimental effects on vulnerable viewers has prompted the development of codes of responsible advertising practices. This paper evaluates critically the concept of vulnerability as it applies to (1) susceptibility to alcohol-related harm and (2) susceptibility to the effects of marketing, and describes its implications for the regulation of alcohol marketing. Method We describe the findings of key published studies, review papers and expert reports to determine whether these two types of vulnerability apply to population groups defined by (1) age and developmental history; (2) personality characteristics; (3) family history of alcoholism; (4) female sex and pregnancy risk; and (5) history of alcohol dependence and recovery status. Results Developmental theory and research suggest that groups defined by younger age, incomplete neurocognitive development and a history of alcohol dependence may be particularly vulnerable because of the disproportionate harm they experience from alcohol and their increased susceptibility to alcohol marketing. Children may be more susceptible to media imagery because they do not have the ability to compensate for biases in advertising portrayals and glamorized media imagery. Conclusion Young people and people with a history of alcohol dependence appear to be especially vulnerable to alcohol marketing, warranting the development of new content and exposure guidelines focused on protecting those groups to improve current self-regulation codes promoted by the alcohol industry. If adequate protections cannot be implemented through this mechanism, statutory regulations should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women with intellectual disability (ID) are surviving to the age group at greatest risk of developing breast cancer (50-69 years). These women are more likely to experience a greater number of risk factors placing them at an advanced threat of developing breast cancer. However, as a result of cognitive deficits and communication difficulties these women are dependent upon staff to support them to attend the breast screening clinics. The aim of this paper was to examine how community nurses and residential staff support women with ID to access breast screening services. Six focus groups were held with community nurses and residential staff who work in the field of ID in one region of the UK. The focus groups were tape recorded and the transcriptions were subjected to a thematic content analysis. Although many of the participants recognised the risk factors and signs/symptoms of breast cancer, there was still a deficit of knowledge. Both positive and negative experiences of women with ID attending for breast screening were reported; however, greater discussion focused on the latter. The participants identified 'a lack of health educational material' and also negative 'emotions, attitudes and physical barriers' as inhibiting factors for attendance. This paper highlights the need for developing a health promotion programme for women with ID focusing on breast awareness and information on screening, and also healthier lifestyles. Breast awareness via visual checks was identified for women with ID who refused to attend the breast clinics; however, issues of informed 'consent' and 'vulnerability' were raised for staff and also family carers having to undertake these checks. Development of user-friendly health educational literature using 'pictures, symbols, signs' and simplified words should be accessible to all ID staff, healthcare staff, and also women with ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine urban-rural differences and individual risk factors for a late stage of breast cancer at diagnosis in Australian women. Design Individual-level longitudinal data were linked with cancer registry data from New South Wales (New South Wales Cancer Registry linked by the Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL)), Queensland (Queensland Cancer Registry) and Victoria (The Cancer Council Victoria). Setting Participants were drawn from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health 1946-1951 cohort (n = 13 715). Participants The sample included 195 women identified from the linked cancer registry data with a breast cancer diagnosis. Interventions Rural or urban residence was measured using Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia Plus (ARIA+). Individual characteristics and socio-demographic variables examined included survey year, menopausal status, country of birth, education and marital status. Main outcome measures A late stage of breast cancer at diagnosis was defined based on the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours. Results A late stage of breast cancer diagnosis was observed in 36% of women residing in urban areas and 40% of women residing in rural areas. After adjusting for individual characteristics, we found that obesity was the strongest risk factor for a late stage of breast cancer at diagnosis. Conclusions Given that women are becoming increasingly obese, and that the rate of obesity is higher in the Australian rural population, this paper provides further evidence for targeting interventions for obesity, particularly in rural Australia, as a public health priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concepts of disease risk and its management are central to processes of medicalisation and pharmaceuticalisation. Through a narrative perspective, this paper aims to understand how such macro-level developments may (or may not) be experienced individually, and how an algorithm that is used for recruitment into a clinical trial may structure individual notions of being 'at risk' and 'in need of treatment'. We interviewed 31 women participating in the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene ( STAR), a chemoprevention trial conducted in the US between 1999 and 2006. Interviews were thematically analysed. Women in the study had experienced the threat of breast cancer and felt vulnerable to developing the disease prior to STAR participation. The diagnosis of 'being at risk' for cancer through an algorithm that determined risk-eligibility for STAR, opened up the possibility for the women to heal. The trial became a means to recognise and collectivise the women's experiences of vulnerability. Through medication intake, being cared for by study coordinators, and the sense of community with other STAR participants, trial participation worked to transform women's lives. Such transformative experiences may nevertheless have been temporary, enduring only as long as the close links to the medical institution through trial participation lasted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians challenges the association between menopausal hormone therapy (HT) and an increased risk of breast cancer. The review argues that the previous claims made by the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) about the risks of HT were overstated and not statistically significant. The authors suggest that clinicians should consider individual patients and their medical histories when discussing hormone therapy, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. The review also highlights the potential benefits of HT, such as decreased risk of breast cancer death and improved quality of life. However, it acknowledges that the association between combined HT and breast cancer risk remains a valid concern. The review aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of the risks and benefits of HT for women experiencing menopausal symptoms. [Extracted from the article]

This paper provides an update of a previous review ' Red Meat in the Diet' published in the Nutrition Bulletin in 2005. An update on red meat consumption levels in the UK and other countries is provided, and a summary of the nutritional content of red meat in the diet is given. Current evidence on dietary and lifestyle factors associated with red meat consumption and the effects of red meat intake on health and chronic disease outcomes are discussed. As there is now continued debate about the environmental impact of different aspects of our diet, sustainability issues regarding red meat were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol is a modifiable breast cancer risk, increasing risk in a dose‐dependent manner. Mid‐life women (aged 45–64 years) consume alcohol at higher rates than younger women and this, combined with age, make them a high‐risk group for breast cancer. This critical public health problem has a seemingly obvious solution (reduce drinking); however, women do not necessarily know alcohol causes breast cancer, and if they do, reducing consumption is not always possible, or desirable. To innovate public health responses, we employ an interpretative sociological framework 'candidacy' to understand women's perspectives on breast cancer risk relative to alcohol consumption and their social class. Drawing on 50 interviews with Australian mid‐life women, our findings reveal the socio‐structural determinants of 'candidacy', that mean modifying alcohol consumption for breast cancer prevention is impacted by social class. Utilising Bourdieu's relational capitals, our interpretations show how social class shapes women's ascriptions and enactments of breast cancer candidacy. We offer an important theoretical extension to 'candidacy' by demonstrating more or less fluidity in women's assessment of breast cancer risk according to their agency to adopt breast cancer prevention messages. Understanding the social class possibilities and limitations in women's perceptions of breast cancer risk provides a new opportunity to reduce inequities in breast cancer incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progestogen‐only pill (POP) is often a safe and effective option for women who prefer oral contraception but in whom combined hormonal contraception is unsuitable. This article outlines the choice of POPs available, their administration, efficacy and adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis: In persons with type 1 diabetes, the risk of cancer remains controversial. We wanted to examine the excess risk of cancer in a large population-based cohort diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before 15 years of age. Study population and methods: From 1 July 1977 to 31 December 2013, we prospectively and on a national scale included 18,724 persons (53% men) with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. For each person with type 1 diabetes, we selected four referents, matched for the date at birth and municipality of living at the time when the case developed diabetes. Cases and referents were linked to national registers of cancer and of the cause of death. Results: A total of 125 persons (61% women) with diabetes had 135 different cancers, all diagnosed after the diabetes diagnosis. The median duration from diabetes diagnosis to first cancer diagnosis was 19 years (interquartile range 10-26). The median age at cancer diagnosis in the diabetes group was 28 years (interquartile range 20-35). The overall standardized incidence ratio (95%), using the Swedish general population as referents for women with diabetes was 1.28 (1.02, 1.58) and when comparing women with diabetes with matched referents, we found a hazard ratio of 1.42 (1.10, 1.85). No elevated risk was seen for men. Cancers of the breast and testis were the most common types in women and men respectively. Conclusions: Women with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes had a small but significantly elevated risk of cancer. No such tendency was seen for men. The reason behind this is unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Suppose that you have deeply personal information that you do not want to share. Further suppose that this information could help others, perhaps even saving their lives. Should you reveal the information or keep it secret? With the increasing prevalence of genetic testing, more and more people are finding themselves in this situation. Although a patient's genetic results are potentially relevant to all her biological family members, her first‐degree relatives—parents, children, and full siblings—are most likely to be affected. This is especially true for genetic mutations—like those in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes—that are associated with a dramatically increased risk of disease. Fortunately, people are usually willing to share results with their at‐risk relatives. Occasionally, however, a patient refuses to disclose her findings to anyone outside her clinical team. Ethicists have written little on patients’ moral duties to their at‐risk relatives. Moreover, the few accounts that have been advanced are problematic. Some unnecessarily expose patients’ genetic information to relatives who are unlikely to benefit from it, and others fail to ensure that patients’ most vulnerable relatives are informed of their genetic risks. Patients’ duty to warn can be defended in a way that avoids these problems. I argue that the duty to share one's genetic results is grounded in the principle of rescue—the idea that one ought to prevent, reduce, or mitigate the risk of harm to another person when the expected harm is serious and the cost or risk to oneself is sufficiently moderate. When these two criteria are satisfied, a patient will most likely have a duty to warn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims To assess the burden of excessive alcohol use, researchers estimate alcohol-attributable fractions (AAFs) routinely. However, under-reporting in survey data can bias these estimates. We present an approach that adjusts for under-reporting in the estimation of AAFs, particularly within subgroups. This framework is a refinement of a previous method conducted by Rehm et al. Methods We use a measurement error model to derive the 'true' alcohol distribution from a 'reported' alcohol distribution. The 'true' distribution leverages per-capita sales data to identify the distribution average and then identifies the shape of the distribution with self-reported survey data. Data are from the National Alcohol Survey (NAS), the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) and the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). We compared our approach with previous approaches by estimating the AAF of female breast cancer cases. Results Compared with Rehm et al.'s approach, our refinement performs similarly under a gamma assumption. For example, among females aged 18-25 years, the two approaches produce estimates from NHSDA that are within a percentage point. However, relaxing the gamma assumption generally produces more conservative evidence. For example, among females aged 18-25 years, estimates from NHSDA based on the best-fitting distribution are only 19.33% of breast cancer cases, which is a much smaller proportion than the gamma-based estimates of approximately 28%. Conclusions A refinement of Rehm et al.'s approach to adjusting for underreporting in the estimation of alcohol-attributable fractions provides more flexibility. This flexibility can avoid biases associated with failing to account for the underlying differences in alcohol consumption patterns across different study populations. Comparisons of our refinement with Rehm et al.'s approach show that results are similar when a gamma distribution is assumed. However, results are appreciably lower when the best-fitting distribution is chosen versus gamma-based results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses women's increasing engagement with alcohol, and drug use disorders. Topics discussed include effect of alcohol use disorders having significant psychological, social, and economic burden on individuals, their families, and the wider society; mentions that physical effects of alcohol happen sooner and at lower doses in women; and notes that women might not identify with health messages and interventions that were developed for a predominantly male audience.

An editorial is presented on the approach on understanding latitudinal differences in migraine epidemiology. It expresses the view that the philosophy of migraine affects the way individuals and the society respond to the condition at the same time. It notes flexibility, adaptability, analysis, expectations, decision making, and locus of control are all dependent on how the condition is viewed.

The objective of this study was to outline the biological pathways of alcohol-attributable breast cancer, the epidemiological risk relationship between alcohol consumption and breast cancer, and the global burden of breast cancer incidence and mortality attributable to alcohol consumption, with a focus on light drinking. First, the literature regarding the biological mechanisms of how alcohol affects the risk of breast cancer was reviewed and summarized. Second, a search of meta-analyses that evaluated the risk relationship between alcohol consumption and breast cancer was conducted. Last, the burden of alcohol-attributable breast cancer incidence and mortality was estimated by means of a Population-Attributable Fraction methodology. Data on alcohol consumption were obtained from the Global Information System on Alcohol and Health, and data on cancer incidence and mortality were obtained from the GLOBOCAN database. Alcohol consumption affects breast cancer risk through the alteration in hormone levels and the associated biological pathways, the metabolism of ethanol resulting in carcinogens, and the inhibition of the one carbon metabolism pathway. The systematic review found 15 meta-analyses on the risk relationship between alcohol consumption (also light consumption) and the risk of breast cancer. All but 2 of these analyses showed a dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk of breast cancer. An estimated 144,000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 88,000 to 200,000) breast cancer cases and 38,000 (95% CI: 2,400 to 53,000) breast cancer deaths globally in 2012 were attributable to alcohol, with 18.8% of these cases and 17.5% of these deaths affecting women who were light alcohol consumers. All levels of evidence showed a risk relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk of breast cancer, even at low levels of consumption. Due to this strong relationship, and to the amount of alcohol consumed globally, the incidence of and mortality from alcohol-attributable breast cancer is large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tooth agenesis and tumor are two totally different diseases occurring at different ages. In the past 10 years, more and more evidences suggested there was a relationship between them. High prevalence of breast, colon, lung, and ovary tumor was observed in tooth agenesis patients. But it is still controversial. Therefore, to have a greater understanding of the possible association, a critical review on molecular association for genes involving tooth agenesis and tumorigenesis is necessary. In this current review, we summarized the reported cases of tooth agenesis with different kinds of tumors and the molecular relationship between these two diseases through causative genes. The results indicated tooth agenesis might be a prospective predictive marker for tumor. Through this review, we want to draw more attention on this topic and hope it will be an effective way to predict the risk of tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key content: The role of the Fanconi Anaemia‐BRCA pathway in hereditary breast‐ovarian cancer syndrome. Recent research has led to the identification of further inherited mutations associated with ovarian carcinoma.The improved knowledge of the mismatch repair pathway has led to a greater understanding of how hereditary mutations influence hereditary gynaecological cancer.Unusual carcinomas are often associated with unusual germline mutations. Learning objectives: An outline of the incidence, prevalence and inheritance patterns of germline mutations associated with gynaecological cancer.Discussion of the molecular mechanisms that are interrupted due to these mutations and the carcinomas they are likely to influence. Ethical issues: The future implications of advanced sequencing technologies on genetic screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key content Obesity is a major public health issue worldwide and lifestyle factors affecting weight should be addressed at every opportunity., Weight gain is not affected by the menopause or administration of hormone replacement therapy., Menopause favours the development of central adiposity., Obesity is a risk factor for menopausal symptoms and depression., Increased adiposity affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function, which may manifest as menstrual dysfunction and late onset of menopause., Learning objectives To understand the impact of obesity on both general and reproductive health in women in midlife., To understand the pathophysiology underlying these changes., To understand the significance of fat distribution on metabolism and disease., Ethical issues While there is evidence that there is a genetic predisposition towards obesity, lifestyle is also recognised as a significant risk factor., The cost of obesity to the UK National Health Service is huge and it is a potentially avoidable problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background While alcohol consumption has been linked to breast cancer in women, few studies have controlled for possible biases created by including former or occasional drinkers in the abstainer reference group. We explored the potential for such misclassification errors as sources of bias in estimates of the alcohol-breast cancer relationship. Methods Meta-analyses of population case-control, hospital case-control, and cohort studies to examine relationships between level of alcohol use and breast cancer morbidity and/or mortality in groups of studies with and without different misclassification errors. Results Of 60 studies identified, only 6 were free of all misclassification errors. The abstainer reference group was biased by the inclusion of former drinkers in 49 studies, occasional drinkers (<10 g ethanol [EtOH] per week) in 22 and by both these groups in 18. Occasional drinkers were also mixed with light or hazardous-level drinkers in 22 studies. Unbiased estimates of the odds ratio (OR) for breast cancer were 1.011 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.891 to 1.148) among former drinkers ( n = 11) and 1.034 (95% CI: 1.003 to 1.064) among occasional drinkers ( n = 17). Hazardous-level drinking (>20 g < 41 g EtOH/d) was not significantly associated with breast cancer in studies with occasional drinker bias. However, in studies free from occasional drinker bias, the OR for breast cancer was 1.085 (95% CI: 1.015 to 1.160) for low-level (<21 g/d) drinkers ( n = 17), 1.374 (95% CI: 1.319 to 1.431) for hazardous-level drinkers ( n = 26), and 1.336 (95% CI: 1.228 to 1.454) for harmful-level (>40 g/d) drinkers ( n = 9). Conclusions While the great majority of studies of the alcohol-breast cancer link include misclassification errors, only misclassification of occasional drinkers was found to bias risk estimates significantly. Estimates based on error-free studies confirmed that low, hazardous and harmful levels of alcohol use each significantly increase the risk of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed invasive cancer in New Zealand women and modifiable lifestyle risk factors may contribute to this. Aim To estimate population attributable risks for modifiable lifestyle factors and breast cancer in New Zealand. Methods Estimates of the magnitude of the impact of modifiable lifestyle risk factors for breast cancer (relative risks and odds ratios obtained from published epidemiological studies) and the prevalence of exposure in New Zealand were used to calculate the population attributable risk percent ( PAR%) for each risk factor. The PAR% show the relative importance of these considered risk factors and give an indication of the potential impact of reducing the prevalence of these lifestyle risk factors on the incidence of breast cancer in New Zealand. Results Six modifiable lifestyle factors were identified for breast cancer. These were obesity, lack of physical activity, high alcohol intake, oral contraceptive use, hormone replacement therapy ( HRT) and delayed first birth. The PAR% for these risk factors ranged from 1% for delayed first birth to 10% for obesity (16% for Maori women and 17% for Pacific women). Conclusions The most important primary preventive strategies to reduce the risk of breast cancer in New Zealand are lifestyle changes to reduce obesity, promoting regular physical activity (which may in turn reduce the prevalence of obesity), reducing HRT use and avoiding high alcohol intake. Strategies that encourage regular physical activity and reduce obesity could also have other benefits, such as reduced risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key content Increasing availability and expanding usage of infertility treatment is a concern with regard to a possible increase in the risk of future malignancy development for women and their offspring., Infertile women are at significantly increased risk of developing ovarian and uterine cancers, especially nulliparous women., Earlier studies pointed to a possible increase in the risk of ovarian cancer following large doses and multiple cycles of clomiphene citrate., Recent studies did not observe any increase in malignancy risk due to infertility medications. Other confounding factors, such as infertility itself, may well be the reason for the increased percentage of cancer cases noted in earlier studies., Uterine cancer risk is possibly increased following multiple cycles and high doses of clomiphene citrate., There is no strong evidence linking infertility treatment with non-gynaecological or childhood cancers, with the possible exception of melanoma., Learning objectives To highlight the available evidence linking infertility treatment with gynaecological, non-gynaecological and childhood cancers., How to counsel women about any possible risk of future neoplasia after infertility treatment., Ethical issues Is it ethical to persevere with multiple fertility treatment cycles if it might be associated with increased risk of neoplasia in the future? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The commonly held assumption that rodent mammary tumors resulting from elevated prolactin are species-specific, or not biologically relevant to humans, is incorrect. Substantial epidemiological, clinical, and biological evidence now exists confirming the role of prolactin in human breast cancer. This evidence is evaluated and the argument presented that the tumorigenic risk from prolactin is therefore not species-specific to rodents but directly applies to humans. Further, as the mechanisms of prolactin-induced mammary tumor promotion and development appear analogous between rodents and humans, mammary tumorigenic findings in rodent carcinogenicity bioassays are both predictive and biologically relevant to the human response. Toxicologists and regulators need to consider this in carcinogenicity risk assessments. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]