PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G M Swanson

Publications and source records attributed to G M Swanson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Diet and nasopharyngeal cancer in a low-risk population.

Asian studies have reported that risk of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is increased in individuals who frequently consume salted fish, which contains high levels of N-nitroso compounds. As part of a collaborative, population-based, case-control study in the U.S., where the annual incidence of the disease is low, we investigated whether dietary intake of preformed nitrosamines or nitrosamine precursors, or of antioxidants including vitamin C and carotenoids, was associated with altered risk of NPC overall, or of specific histologic subtypes of disease. Cases (n = 133) identified at 5 population-based cancer registries and controls (n = 212) identified through random digit dialing completed a telephone interview and self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Dietary exposures were expressed as quartiles of intake, and odds ratios (ORs) calculated using the lowest quartile of intake as the reference category. Risk of non-keratinizing and undifferentiated tumors of the nasopharynx was increased in frequent consumers of preserved meats, which contain high levels of added nitrites. ORs in the 2nd, 3rd and highest quartile were 1.99, 4.35 and 4.59, although 95% confidence intervals did not exclude 1.0. Risk of differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, but not other histologic types, was significantly reduced in individuals with vitamin C intake above the lowest quartile (ORs 0.30, 0.33 and 0.30 in the 2nd, 3rd and highest quartiles, respectively). This association was markedly stronger among non-smokers and former smokers than among current smokers. Finally, individuals who reported consuming supplemental vitamins were at an approximately 50% reduced risk of NPC. Our results indicate that future studies should consider the effects of dietary risk factors on the risk of specific histologic subsets of NPC, and not assume that the disease is etiologically homogeneous.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Dietary and nutritional factors and pancreatic cancer: a case-control study based on direct interviews.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between diet and pancreatic cancer remains unclear. In this study, we assessed the role of diet and nutrition as risk factors for pancreatic cancer, using data obtained from direct interviews only, rather than data from less reliable interviews with next of kin. We evaluated whether dietary factors could explain the higher incidence of pancreatic cancer experienced by black Americans compared with white Americans. METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in Atlanta (GA), Detroit (MI), and 10 New Jersey counties from August 1986 through April 1989. Reliable dietary histories were obtained for 436 patients and 2003 general-population control subjects aged 30-79 years. RESULTS: Obesity was associated with a statistically significant 50%-60% increased risk of pancreatic cancer that was consistent by sex and race. Although the magnitude of risk associated with obesity was identical in blacks and whites, a higher percentage of blacks were obese than were whites (women: 38% versus 16%; men: 27% versus 22%). A statistically significant positive trend in risk was observed with increasing caloric intake, with subjects in the highest quartile of caloric intake experiencing a 70% higher risk than those in the lowest quartile. A statistically significant interaction between body mass index (weight in kg/height in m2 for men and weight in kg/height in m1.5 for women) and total caloric intake was observed that was consistent by sex and race. Subjects in the highest quartile of both body mass index and caloric intake had a statistically significant 180% higher risk than those in the lowest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer and appears to contribute to the higher risk of this disease among blacks than among whites in the United States, particularly among women. Furthermore, the interaction between body mass index and caloric intake suggests the importance of energy balance in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Occupational risk factors and prostate cancer in U.S. blacks and whites.

Although prostate cancer is a major disease, causal factors are only partially understood. We examined occupational risk factors for this disease in a large case control study among U.S. blacks and whites. The study included 981 new pathologically confirmed prostate cancer cases (479 blacks and 502 whites) diagnosed between 1986 and 1989, and 1,315 population controls (594 blacks and 721 whites) who resided in Atlanta, Detroit, and 10 countries in New Jersey, covered by population-based cancer registries. Information on occupation, including a lifetime work history, was collected by in-person interview. No clear patterns of risk were found for U.S. whites versus blacks, nor for white-collar versus blue-collar jobs. Farming was related to prostate cancer (OR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.18-3.98). Risk was restricted, however, to short-term workers and workers in crop production. Risk was not limited to those farming after 1950, when widespread use of pesticides started. Risks increased with increasing years of employment in firefighting (chi 2trend, p = 0.02) and power plant operations (chi 2trend, p = 0.03), and were elevated among long-term railroad line-haulers (OR = 5.85; 95% CI = 1.25-27.4); jobs with potential polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposures. Risk was elevated among athletes (OR = 5.38; 95% CI = 1.48-19.6). However, most of the cases were athletes before 1960, so the potential use of anabolic steroids was excluded. Although some clues about potential occupational associations were found, the overall results show that occupation is not a major determinant of prostate cancer risk.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1998

Dietary factors and the risk of squamous cell esophageal cancer among black and white men in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate dietary factors for squamous cell esophageal cancer and whether these factors may contribute to the five-fold higher incidence of this cancer in the black versus white population of the United States. METHODS: Data from a food frequency questionnaire were analyzed for 114 white men and 219 black men with squamous cell esophageal cancer, and 681 white and 557 black male controls from three areas of the United States who participated in a population-based case-control study of esophageal cancer. RESULTS: Protective effects were associated with intake of raw fruits and vegetables (odds ratio for high versus low consumers = 0.3 in both white and black men) and use of vitamin supplements (especially vitamin C; odds ratio for high versus low consumers = 0.4 in both races), with the frequency of consumption of raw fruits and vegetables and vitamin supplements being greater for white than black controls. In addition, elevated risks were associated with high versus low intake of red meat (OR = 2.7 for blacks and 1.5 for whites) and processed meat (OR = 1.6 for blacks and 1.7 for whites), with the levels of consumption being greater for black than white controls. CONCLUSIONS: In the United States, these dietary factors may contribute in part to the much higher incidence of squamous cell esophageal cancer among black compared to white men.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Lung carcinoma in African Americans and whites. A population-based study in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan.

BACKGROUND: African Americans are at higher risk for lung carcinoma than whites in the United States. This racial disparity is greater among younger people. The authors evaluated whether racial differences in lung carcinoma risk can be explained by differences in cigarette smoking behaviors. METHODS: For this study, 5588 population-based cases of African Americans and whites with pathologically confirmed lung carcinoma, diagnosed between 1984 and 1987, were identified through the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System. Also identified were 3692 population-based controls. Logistic regression methods were used to evaluate the risk of lung carcinoma associated with race both within cigarette smoking category and after adjustment for cigarette-smoking behaviors. RESULTS: The difference in lung carcinoma incidence between African Americans and whites was explained almost entirely by differences in smoking habits among study participants age 55-84 years. However, among males age 40-54 years, African Americans were 2-4 times more likely to develop lung carcinoma of any histologic type than whites even after adjustments were made for smoking habits. Similar excesses in risk among African American females age 40-54 years were demonstrated only for squamous cell and small cell carcinomas (odds ratios [OR] and 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 3.7 [1.5-8.9] and 2.7 [1-7.3], respectively). Also, in this younger age group, African American male nonsmokers and smokers of 1-40 pack-years had a significantly higher risk of lung carcinoma than white males belonging to the same age group with a similar cigarette-smoking history (ORs and 95% CIs = 8 [2-32.8] and 3.1 [1.9-5.4] respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated risk for lung carcinoma among younger (but not among older) African Americans, particularly among males, exists both within cigarette smoking exposure level and beyond that associated with smoking habits. This may indicate a high risk group particularly susceptible to lung carcinogens, or it may indicate unique exposures not yet identified.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Genetic analysis of families with nonsmoking lung cancer probands.

As part of a genetic epidemiologic study of lung cancer among nonsmokers, we investigated the role of genetic predisposition in familial aggregation. Cases were identified from the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System. Information on lung cancer occurrence, smoking habits (active or passive), and chronic respiratory diseases in first-degree relatives was obtained for 257 nonsmoking lung cancer probands (71 males, 186 females) diagnosed at ages 40-84 years. Among the 2,021 first-degree relatives, 24 (2.6%) males and 10 (1.1%) females were reported as having lung cancer. The occurrence of lung cancer among smoking and nonsmoking relatives was 4.5% and 1.1% in males and 2.8% and 0.4% in females, respectively. To evaluate the role of a putative Mendelian gene (one locus, two alleles) in the presence of other risk factors, we performed complex segregation analyses on the data using two different regressive model approaches [Segregation Analysis of a Discrete Trait Under a Class A Regressive Logistic Model, V4.0 (REGD) and Segregation Analysis of a Truncated Trait, V2.0, Model 1(REGTL)] as implemented in the Statistical Analysis for Genetic Epidemiology (SAGE) program. Using either approach, an environmental model best explained the observed lung cancer aggregation in families ascertained through nonsmoking probands. Based on our final model, only 0.04% of this population had a very high risk and 4.2% had a moderate risk of lung cancer. The rest of the population had virtually no risk of lung cancer during their lifetime unless they have multiple risk factors. Among the high-risk individuals without any risk factor under study, the estimated risks at ages 40, 60, and 80 years in males were 16.7%, 83.6%, and 95.4%, and in females were 14.0%, 72.2%, and 88.0%, respectively. Among at-moderate-risk smokers the estimated risks at the same age and gender groups were essentially the same as in the high-risk nonsmokers. Our results suggest that the pattern of lung cancer occurrence in families of nonsmoking lung cancer patients differs from that in families of smoking lung cancer patients. Despite the profound effect of smoking on the risk of lung cancer, other environmental and/or genetic risk factors need to be identified.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Cancers of the salivary gland: workplace risks among women and men.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of salivary gland cancers associated with diverse occupations and industries. METHODS: A population-based case referent study utilized data obtained from a SEER program cancer registry for cases and by telephone interview for cases and referents to evaluate workplace risks of salivary gland cancer for black and white women and men. RESULTS: Significantly elevated odds ratios were observed among women employed as hairdressers and those working in beauty shops. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of salivary gland cancer is elevated among women employed as hairdressers. Further research should assess dyes, sprays, and other inhaled chemicals that may be acting as carcinogens.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Drinking practices and risk of squamous-cell esophageal cancer among Black and White men in the United States.

To evaluate whether the fivefold greater incidence rate of squamous-cell esophageal cancer in Black compared with White men is due to type of alcoholic beverage consumed or to other qualitative differences in alcohol consumption, we conducted a population-based case-control study with 373 males diagnosed with squamous-cell esophageal cancer (124 Whites and 249 Blacks) and 1,364 male controls (750 Whites and 614 Blacks) from three geographic areas in the United States. Included were all histologically confirmed cases newly diagnosed from 1 August 1986 through 30 April 1989, among White and Black men aged 30 to 79 years. Risks varied to some extent according to type of alcohol used, with beer a stronger contributor in Whites, and wine and liquor stronger contributors in Blacks. However, most of the differences in the odds ratios by type of alcohol and race were eliminated after controlling for average weekly amount of total alcohol consumed. Thus, while alcohol use in all forms is an important risk factor for squamous-cell esophageal cancer in Whites and Blacks, type of alcoholic beverage used does not appear to account for the racial differences in incidence.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Multiple myeloma among Blacks and Whites in the United States: role of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

In the United States, the incidence rates of multiple myeloma in Blacks are more than twice those in Whites, but the etiology of this cancer is poorly understood. A population-based case-control interview study of 571 subjects (365 White, 206 Black) with multiple myeloma and 2,122 controls (1,155 White, 967 Black) living in three areas of the United States (Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey) offered the opportunity to investigate the relationship with smoking and alcohol drinking and to evaluate whether these factors might contribute to the excess risk of multiple myeloma in Blacks. For Blacks and Whites of either gender, there were no significantly elevated risks associated with ever use of cigarettes or alcoholic beverages and no consistent patterns with either intensity or duration of use. These data support previous studies indicating that smoking and drinking are not related causally to the risk of multiple myeloma, and thus cannot account for the racial disparity in incidence rates.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Human exposure to mercury: a critical assessment of the evidence of adverse health effects.

The ubiquitous nature of mercury in the environment, its global atmospheric cycling, and its toxicity to humans at levels that are uncomfortably close to exposures experienced by a proportion of the population are some of the current concerns associated with this pollutant. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the scientific quality of published reports involving human exposures to mercury and associated health outcomes as an aid in the risk evaluation of this chemical. A comprehensive review of the scientific literature involving human exposures to mercury was performed and each publication evaluated using a defined set of criteria that are considered standards in epidemiologic and toxicologic research. Severe, sometimes fatal, effects of mercury exposure at high levels were primarily reported as case studies. The disasters in Minamata, Japan, in the 1950s and in Iraq in 1971-1972 clearly demonstrated neurologic effects associated with ingestion of methylmercury both in adults and in infants exposed in utero. The effects were convincingly associated with methylmercury ingestion, despite limitations of the study design. Several well-conducted studies have investigated the effects of methylmercury at levels below those in the Iraq incident but have not provided clear evidence of an effect. The lower end of the dose-response curve constructed from the Iraq data therefore still needs to be confirmed. The studies of mercury exposure in the workplace were mainly of elemental or inorganic mercury, and effects that were observed at relatively low exposure levels were primarily neurologic and renal. Several studies have investigated effects associated with dental amalgam but have been rated as inconclusive because of methodologic deficiencies. In our overall evaluation, 29 of 110 occupational studies and 20 of 54 studies where exposure occurred in the natural environment provided at least suggestive evidence of an exposure-related effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Familial risk of lung cancer among nonsmokers and their relatives.

The role of family history of lung cancer in predicting lung cancer risk among nonsmokers and their relatives was evaluated in a population-based family study conducted in metropolitan Detroit. Lung cancer risk factor data were collected through telephone interviews with 257 nonsmoking lung cancer cases 40-84 years of age diagnosed between 1984 and 1987, their 2,252 relatives, 277 nonsmoking controls, and their 2,408 relatives. Lung cancer in a first-degree relative was associated with a 7.2-fold (95% confidence interval 1.3-39.7) increased risk of lung cancer among nonsmokers in the 40- to 59-year-old age group. This significant increased risk remained after adjustment for the smoking, occupational, and medical history of each family member (relative risk = 6.1, 95% confidence interval 1.1-33.4). Offspring of nonsmoking cases comprised another lung cancer high risk group (relative risk = 7.2, 95% confidence interval 0.5-103). A positive family history did not increase lung cancer risk among nonsmokers 60-84 years of age or their relatives. These findings suggest that susceptibility to lung cancer in families of nonsmoking cases may be evident only in a subset of relatives of early-onset nonsmoking cases.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

Alcohol use and prostate cancer risk in US blacks and whites.

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in US men (more than 165,000 cases per annum) and occurs substantially more frequently in blacks than in whites. The causes of this disease are, however, poorly understood. Alcohol consumption, which has been clearly related to malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract, may also increase risk of cancer at other sites, including the prostate. The authors investigated alcohol use as a risk factor for prostate cancer among US blacks and whites. A population-based, case-control study was carried out among 981 men (479 blacks and 502 whites) with pathologically confirmed prostate cancer diagnosed between August 1, 1986, and April 30, 1989, and 1,315 controls (594 blacks and 721 whites) who resided in Atlanta, Georgia; Detroit, Michigan; and 10 counties in New Jersey, geographic areas covered by three population-based cancer registries. In-person interviews elicited information on alcohol use and other factors possibly related to prostate cancer. Compared with never-users, risk for prostate cancer increased with amount of alcohol drunk (chi2 (trend), p < 0.001), with significantly elevated risks seen for those who had 22-56 drinks per week (odds ratio = 1.4; 95% confidence interval 1.0-1.8) and 57 or more drinks per week (odds ratio = 1.9; 95% confidence interval 1.3-2.7). The finding was consistent among blacks (chi2 (trend), p < 0.01) and whites (chi2 (trend), p < 0.05), and among young and old subjects; it was not restricted to a specific type of alcoholic beverage. In this first large study among US blacks and whites, increased risk for prostate cancer was associated with increased alcohol use. The risk was similar for whites and blacks and could not be attributed to tobacco use or to a number of other potential confounders.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Socioeconomic status and the incidence of multiple myeloma.

This population-based case-control study examined the risk of multiple myeloma in relation to socioeconomic status. Subjects included 689 cases with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma during 1977-1981 from four U.S. populations and 1,680 controls selected from residents of these same populations. We collected lifetime occupational histories and coded them according to the 1970 Duncan Socioeconomic Index and Nam-Powers Socioeconomic Status scores. We classified scores for the occupations held the longest, highest ever held, and held most recently into quartiles based on the distribution among controls. After adjusting for age group, race, and study site, risk of multiple myeloma was inversely associated with socioeconomic status scores in both men and women. Risk among persons in the lowest quartile of scores was 63% higher (95% confidence interval 21%-119%) than that among those in the highest quartile when the highest Nam-Powers score was used. Similar trends were evident for all three methods of classifying occupational history and for both Duncan and Nam-Power scores. These results changed little after removing from analyses occupations previously associated with increased risk. The occupation-based scores were stronger predictors of risk than years of education. As a proxy measure of occupational, environmental, or life-style factors, socioeconomic status may be a clue to etiologic factors for multiple myeloma.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1996

Breast cancer screening in rural populations: a pilot study.

This report describes the development and implementation of a pilot intervention project designed to determine the economic, logistic, behavioral, and attitudinal variables that influence rural women's participation in a community-based breast cancer screening program. This paper reports on survey responses of women who registered for this pilot breast cancer screening program. It includes information on all women who registered for the project--both those who received breast cancer screening and those who did not. The study is a pilot intervention project, the overall goal of which was to develop a network of community providers, organizations, and volunteers to facilitate breast cancer screening among rural women. Of the 159 women registered for this pilot program, 101 (63.5%) were screened (receiving both a clinical breast examination and mammogram). The attitudes of women surveyed through the project confirm the importance of a physician recommendation for breast cancer screening. More than 90 percent of both the screened and unscreened groups of women stated that a doctor's recommendation to have breast cancer screening is important. Further, nearly 42 percent of the unscreened group had never had a physician recommend breast cancer screening. Despite existing barriers to screening, this pilot study demonstrated that health care professionals and regional organizations that have not traditionally been associated with delivering health care in this particular community setting can successfully work together to implement breast cancer screening programs.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Skin cancer prevention and detection practices in a Michigan farm population following an educational intervention.

Farmers face an increased risk of skin cancer, presumed to be secondary to their increased occupational exposure to sunlight. This study examines skin cancer prevention and detection beliefs and practices among adult farmers in defined control and comparison farming communities in four contiguous counties of Michigan, before and after a community-based educational intervention. The educational intervention included mailing packets containing information on skin cancer risks and community sources for screening, disseminating articles in local newspapers on skin cancer prevention and control measures, and providing information and screening at local county fairs and agricultural community fairs. The responses of 2,999 survey participants were analyzed to identify the interrelationships among their beliefs and their descriptions of their (primary preventive) self-care and professional medical care seeking (for detection and treatment) practices. Factors associated with the likelihood of skin cancer screening and with measures of knowledge and practices associated with medical care of skin cancer were examined. The intervention appeared to improve the practice of preventive behaviors and seeking medical care.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1996

Cancer prevention and control: a science-based public health agenda.

A public health agenda for cancer prevention and control is presented that is based upon scientific evidence from epidemiologic studies. This agenda gives priority to primary prevention focused upon tobacco, diet, sexual activity, alcohol, sunlight, and physical activity. In addition, secondary prevention or screening is discussed, comparing ACS guidelines and NCI statements. The immediate task for public health is to develop cancer prevention programs that will eliminate the disparity in cancer morbidity and mortality across racial and ethnic groups and reduce risk in all segments of the population.

Adolescent↗