Biomedical subjects

Anne Lanier

Publications and source records attributed to Anne Lanier.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Healing hearts: laughter and learning.

BACKGROUND: Cultural values of Alaska Native people acknowledge laughter as good medicine. It is heard in their words and stories. METHODS: To investigate how and in what ways laughter impacts learning from the learners' perspective, cancer education course evaluations were reviewed and a survey administered. RESULTS: 94% (235/259) of Community Health Aides and Community Health Practitioners surveyed emphasized the importance of laughter to support adult learning. Written comments are grouped into three main themes: (1) supporting a comfortable learning community, (2) relieving stress, and (3) enhancing learning. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates the value and significance of laughter to support people in their learning journey.

Alaska↗

PubMed2006

Breast cancer among Alaska Native women potentially exposed to environmental organochlorine chemicals.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if an increased rate of breast cancer in Alaska Native women is related to their consumption of a subsistence diet that may contain p,p'-dichlorodiphenylethylene (DDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case control design. METHODS: We analyzed banked serum collected between 1981 and 1987 from 126 Alaska Native women, including 63 case women who subsequently developed breast cancer and 63 age-matched control women who remained cancer-free. Serum was analyzed for DDT, DDE, 13 other chlorinated pesticides, and 28 PCB congeners. RESULTS: The geometric mean for p,p'-DDE levels among case women was 8.67 ppb (95% Confidence Interval 7.48, 10.04); among control women, the geometric mean was 7.36 ppb (6.53, 8.30). The geometric mean for total PCB levels among case women was 4.55 ppb (3.61, 5.74) and for control women, the geometric mean was 6.10 ppb (4.73, 7.86). Cancer status and total PCB levels varied across ethnicity (i.e., Eskimo, Aleut, and Indian) but DDE levels were uniform among these ethnic groups. Using conditional logistic regression analysis to adjust for potential confounders (e.g., ethnicity, family history of breast cancer, parity), we found an odds ratio of 1.43 (0.46, 4.47) for the highest tertile of DDE exposure and 0.42 (0.07, 2.38) for the highest tertile of total PCB exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Although the results are limited by small sample size and restricted risk factor information, our findings of higher DDE levels, but lower PCB levels among women with breast cancer are consistent with previous research. Our results confirm exposure to organochlorines among Alaska Native women but do not identify these exposures as a significant risk factor for breast cancer.

Alaska↗

PubMed2005

Using theater to promote cancer education in Alaska.

BACKGROUND: Cancer, a rare disease in the 1950s, is now the leading cause of death among Alaska Natives (AN). METHODS: Building on AN rich traditions of storytelling to share knowledge and wisdom, a 45 minute play, Understanding, was developed to address cancer-related issues specific to AN. RESULTS: Written audience evaluations assessed the impact of this theater-based education. After seeing the play, 327 (94.5%) people reported feeling more comfortable talking about cancer, 265 (66.1%) shared that they had learned about cancer, and 234 (61.7%) wrote healthy ways they intended to change their behavior. CONCLUSION: A postplay discussion provided an opportunity for the audience to share their stories, concerns, beliefs, and feelings.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Cancer education for Community Health Aides/Practitioners (CHA/Ps) in Alaska assessing comfort with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Village-based Community Health Aides and Community Health Practitioners (CHA/Ps) are the primary providers of health care in rural Alaska. METHODS: We discuss the development and results of a CHA/P cancer self-assessment survey, which assessed comfort with cancer knowledge and providing cancer information. RESULTS: A total of 402 responses were received from a mailed questionnaire to 477 CHA/Ps. Respondents were predominantly Alaska Native women. Using a 5-point Likert scale from don't know to very comfortable, approximately 50% of CHA/Ps reported feeling "OK" when providing information about cancer risk factors, cancer screening, surviving cancer, and providing care and support. CHA/Ps reported feeling less comfortable with discussing cancer diagnosis, treatment, pain, and loss and grief.

Adult↗