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Background: The genetic risk of aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) is hard to be assessed due to the lack of aggressiveness-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Prostate volume (PV) is a potential well-established risk factor for aggressive PCa, we hypothesize that polygenic risk score (PRS) based on benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) or PV-related SNPs may also predict the risk of aggressive PCa or PCa death. Methods: We evaluated a PRS using 21 BPH/PV-associated SNPs, two established PCa risk-related PRS and 10 guideline-recommended hereditary cancer risk genes in the population-based UK Biobank cohort (N = 209,502). Results: The BPH/PV PRS was significantly inversely associated with the incidence of lethal PCa as well as the natural progress in PCa patients (hazard ratio, HR = 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87–0.98, P = 0.02; HR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.86–0.98, P = 0.01). Compared with men at the top 25th PRS, PCa patients with bottom 25th PRS would have a 1.41-fold (HR, 95% CI 1.16–1.69, P = 0.001) increased PCa fatal risk and shorter survival time at 0.37 yr (95% CI 0.14–0.61, P = 0.002). In addition, patients with BRCA2 or PALB2 pathogenic mutations would also have a high risk of PCa death (HR = 3.90, 95% CI 2.34–6.51, P = 1.79 × 10–7; HR = 4.29, 95% CI 1.36–13.50, P = 0.01, respectively). However, no interactive but independent effects were detected between this PRS and pathogenic mutations. Conclusions: Our findings provide a new measurement of PCa patients' natural disease outcomes via genetic risk ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing need to distinguish between sex and gender. While sex is assigned at birth, gender is socially constructed and may not correspond to one's assigned sex. However, in most research studies, sex or gender is assessed in isolation or the terms are used interchangeably, which has implications for research accuracy and inclusivity. We used data from the UK Biobank to quantify the prevalence of disagreement between chromosomal and self-reported sex and identify potential reasons for discordance. Among approximately 200 individuals with sex discordance, 71% of discordances were potentially explained by the presence of intersex traits or transgender identity. The findings indicate that when describing sex-and/or gender-specific differences in health, researchers may be limited in their ability to draw conclusions regarding specific sex and/or gender health information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is estimated that nearly 600 000 cancer cases in the UK could have been avoided in the past 5 years if people had healthier lifestyles, with the principle modifiable risk factors being smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, and inactivity. There is growing interest in the use of cancer risk information in general practice to encourage lifestyle modification. Aim: To explore the views and experiences of patients and practitioners in relation to cancer prevention and cancer risk discussions in general practice. Design & setting: Qualitative study among patients and practitioners in general practices in Glasgow, UK. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine practitioners (five GPs and four practice nurses, recruited purposively from practices based on list size and deprivation status), and 13 patients (aged 30-60 years, with two or more specified comorbidities). Results: Currently, cancer risk discussions focus on smoking and cancer, with links between alcohol and/or obesity and cancer rarely made. There was support for the use of the personalised cancer risk tool as an additional resource in primary care. Practitioners felt practice nurses were best placed to use it. Use in planned appointments (for example, chronic disease reviews) was preferred over opportunistic use. Concerns were expressed, however, about generating anxiety, time constraints, and widening inequalities. Conclusion: Health behaviour change is complex and the provision of information alone is unlikely to have significant effects. Personalised risk tools may have a role, but important concerns about their use remain, particularly in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survival rates for patients living with cancer are increasing, due to recent advances in detection, prevention and treatment. It has been estimated that there were 28 million cancer survivors around the world in 2012. In the UK, for patients diagnosed in 2007, it is predicted that more than half of them will survive their cancer for 5 years or more. A large majority of cancer survivors report unmet supportive care needs and distressing symptoms and adverse long-term consequences related to their cancer. Cancer management could be optimized to better meet patients demand through technology, including mobile health (m-Health). m-Health is defined as the use of mobile communications and network technologies for health care. m-Health can help both patients and health-care professionals and play an important part in managing and delivering cancer care including managing side effects, supporting drug adherence, providing cancer information, planning and follow up and detecting and diagnosing cancer. Health authorities have already published guidelines regulating m-Health to insure patient safety and improve the accountability of its applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The incidence of gastric cancer in Japan is four times higher than in the UK. It usually arises in a stomach with corpus predominant or pangastritis that has undergone extensive atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. We hypothesised that a Japanese population would have a more severe gastritis with a corpus predominant or pangastritis pattern and a greater degree of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia than that found in the UK. To test this we designed a comparative trial. Methods: A total of 252 age matched consecutive patients were recruited from the endoscopy services in Leeds and Tokyo. In each centre, 21 patients were prospectively selected from each decennial, between the ages of 20–80 years. All had epigastric discomfort as their predominant symptom. Patients with peptic ulcer, cancer, and oesophagitis were excluded. Five gastric biopsies were examined by two histopathologists using the updated Sydney system. Helicobacter pylori infection was assessed by histology and culture of biopsies and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot of plasma. Results: Gastritis was found by both pathologists in 59 (47%) UK and 76 (60%) Japanese patients (χ² test, p=0.04). In those patients with gastritis, corpus predominant or pangastritis was commoner in the Japanese (63% Japan v 36% in the UK (χ² test, p=0.003) Atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were more extensive and severe (Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.001 ) and chronic inflammation and polymorph activity were also greater, especially in the corpus (Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.001 ). Fifty three of 59 UK gastritis patients (90%) and 67/76 (88%) (χ² test, p = 1) Japanese gastritis patients were positive for H pylori. Using a previously described ‘gastric cancer risk index’ among H pylori positive patients, there were significantly more Japanese than UK subjects with a ‘high risk’ score. Conclusion: In Japanese as opposed to English patients, gastritis is more prevalent and severe with more corpus predominant atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. These differences may partially explain the higher incidence of gastric cancer in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]