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Women hold diverse beliefs about cancer etiology, potentially affecting their use of cancer preventive behaviors. Research has primarily focused on cancer causal attributions survivors and participants from non-diverse backgrounds hold. Less is known about attributions held by women with and without a family history of cancer from a diverse community sample. Participants reported factors they believed cause cancer. Open-ended responses were coded and relations between the top causal attributions and key factors were explored. Findings suggest certain socio-cultural factors play a role in the causal attributions women make about cancer, which can, in turn, inform cancer awareness and prevention messages. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Transition to adult services for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) has emerged as an important event in the life course of individuals with disabilities. Issues that interfere with efficient transition to adult health care include the perspectives of stakeholders, age limits on pediatric service, complexity of health conditions, a lack of experienced healthcare professionals in the adult arena, and health care financing for chronic and complex conditions. The purposes of this study were to develop a definition of successful transition and to identify determinants that were associated with a successful transition. The 2007 Survey of Adult Transition and Health dataset was used to select variables to be considered for defining success and for identifying predictors of success. The results showed that a small percentage of young adults who participated in the 2007 survey had experienced a successful transition from their pediatric care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies show that daughters of mothers with breast cancer may be at increased risk for developing the disease. However, daughters' adherence to health behavior and screening recommendations, compared to the general population, is unknown. Methods: Telephone interviews explored characteristics of adult daughters ( n=147), including primary and secondary preventive behaviors, body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), physical activity, fruit/vegetable intake, alcohol intake, smoking, and mammography. Daughters of mothers with breast cancer were recruited from the community and were compared with Virginia women ( n=2528) from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Differences were examined using logistic regression, adjusting for demographic covariates. Results: Daughters were younger ( p<0.001), more highly educated ( p<0.001), and more likely to never have been married ( p<0.001) than BRFSS participants, but groups were similar by race. In adjusted analyses, daughters were significantly more likely to have ever had a mammogram ( p<0.001) and to have had one recently ( p=0.001). Daughters also were significantly less likely to consume>3 fruit/vegetable servings daily ( p=0.032) compared to BRFSS results. There were no differences in BMI, smoking rates, alcohol consumption, or level of physical activity at work. Conclusions: Daughters with familial breast cancer risk were more likely to receive mammography screening than BRFSS participants, but they were no different in BMI, physical activity at work, exercise, or smoking than BRFSS participants and were less likely to consume more fruits and vegetables. More research is needed to explore group differences in screening practices compared to modifiable health behaviors in daughters of mothers with breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The availability of genetic tests for cancer susceptibility is increasing. Current tests, however, have limited clinical sensitivity. Even when clinically valid tests are available, the genetic counseling and informed consent process might not be feasible for dying patients with cancer. DNA banking preserves the opportunity for future research or clinical testing and may provide critical opportunities for surviving relatives. This study explored the current practices and potential for DNA banking for cancer susceptibility among oncologists specializing in palliative care. Methods: Palliative care oncologists actively providing clinical care for dying patients with cancer were recruited for an online survey. Descriptive statistics for DNA banking practices, perceived qualification to recommend banking, and potential predictors were assessed. Results: Data were collected from 49 physicians (37% recruitment rate). Eighty percent reported assessing at least some patients for genetic cancer susceptibility in the past 12 months. No participants reported banking DNA for patients in the past 12 months. Only 5% reported feeling at least somewhat qualified to order DNA banking. A Web-based risk assessment tool and genetic counselor on staff were perceived as the most helpful potential resources. Conclusion: Despite its potential, DNA banking is not being used by palliative care oncologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]