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Biomedical subjects

K M Cummings

Publications and source records attributed to K M Cummings.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Use of smokeless tobacco in a group of professional baseball players.

This paper describes the smokeless tobacco use practices and oral health problems of members of a minor league professional baseball team. Seventeen of 25 ball-players reported current use of smokeless tobacco. Gingival recession and lesions in the oral mucosa were more common in smokeless tobacco users than nonusers. Reported use of smokeless tobacco was greater during baseball season than in the off-season. Of the 19 current and past users, 15 reported first using smokeless tobacco after entering professional baseball. To discourage the use of smokeless tobacco by professional athletes, teams should stop accepting free samples and do a better job educating players about health consequences associated with use.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Attributions of responsibility in adolescent cancer patients and their parents.

Attributions of responsibility have been shown to be important determinants of illness behavior in adults. This study examines the salience of attributional judgements among adolescents with cancer. Patients and their parents were categorized according to their attributions of responsibility for the cause of and solution to the adolescent's health problems into one of four attributional models. Of the four possible models, only two were represented: the medical and compensatory. Only 37.5% of parent/child pairs were concordant for model choice. Patients whose attributions conformed to those of the compensatory model sought more information (F = 5.1, (P = .03), were satisfied with the information supplied (F = 3.5, P = .07), and expressed the belief that a greater percentage of prescribed medications needed to be taken if a cure was to result (F = 4.1, P = .05). Side effects were more often experienced by patients whose responsibility attributions exemplified the medical model (F = 5.09, P = .03). Model concordance did not relate to parent/child agreement on health-related beliefs, patient age, sex, or compliance measures (P greater than .05). No relationship was found between parent-child model concordance and patient's self-reported medication compliance. The present data do not support the notion that attributions of responsibility for cause and solution of cancer should be important targets of interventions designed to increase medication compliance among cancer patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Incidence of nosocomial aspergillosis in patients with leukemia over a twenty-year period.

The incidence of invasive nosocomial aspergillosis was studied in leukemia patients at an oncology center from 1964 to 1983. A total of 97 cases of aspergillosis occurred in 1,866 patients, yielding an overall case rate of 5.2 cases per 100 patients and an incidence rate of 9.1 per 10,000 patient days. The highest incidence rate was in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (13.7 cases per 10,000 patient days), followed by patients with acute myelogeneous leukemia (10.6 cases per 10,000 patient days). Subdividing patients after 1978 into those receiving bone marrow transplantation and those who did not demonstrated the predisposition of transplant recipients to aspergillosis. The rates of aspergillosis among those patients who did not receive a bone marrow transplant were highest for patients with acute myelogeneous leukemia. Increases in the annual rates of aspergillosis over time coincided with the level of internal renovation activity and major construction projects upwind of patient care facilities.

Aspergillosis↗
PubMed1989

Mortality in a northeastern Native American cohort, 1955-1984.

Patterns of mortality among members of the Seneca Nation of Indians between January 1, 1955, and December 31, 1984, were investigated. The study cohort consisted of all members of the Seneca Nation residing in New York State who were listed in the tribal rolls as of January 1, 1955 (n = 3,262). Deaths among cohort members were identified through a computer match against New York State vital records files. Sex-specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated on the basis of mortality patterns exhibited by the general population of New York State, exclusive of New York City. Seneca Nation males demonstrated an excess of deaths from all causes (SMR = 124), while all-cause mortality among Seneca Nation females did not differ from that expected (SMR = 106). Both males and females exhibited excess mortality from infectious diseases, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis of the liver, and accidents and injuries. Excess mortality was also noted among males for deaths due to atherosclerosis and hernia/intestinal obstruction and among females for deaths due to pneumonia, chronic nephritis, and homicide. Both sexes exhibited a deficit of deaths due to malignant neoplasms and circulatory diseases. Findings from this study will be useful to those responsible for the planning and implementation of health care programs among the Seneca Nation of Indians and other Native American groups.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed1989

Measurement of lifetime exposure to passive smoke.

This study describes the passive smoking histories of 380 never smokers who participated in a study on the respiratory health effects of tobacco smoke exposure conducted at a cancer screening clinic in Buffalo, New York, in 1986. Subjects were asked to report on their exposure to tobacco smoke during childhood years at home, as an adult at home, and as an adult at work. A total of 73 and 67% of subjects reported at least one year of continuous exposure to tobacco smoke at home as a child and as an adult, respectively. A total of 87% of subjects reported exposure to tobacco smoke at work. Subjects under age 40 years were more likely to report exposure to tobacco smoke at home as a child than were subjects aged 40 and older. Males and females differed in their reported exposure to tobacco smoke at home during adult years, with females reporting nearly twice as much exposure. Adult exposure at home also varied with age, with female subjects over age 55 years more likely to report having lived with other smokers. Age-adjusted correlations between childhood, adult home, and workplace exposure measures revealed little association between reports of exposure during different life stages. This study also evaluated concordance between subjects' exposure reports and those of surrogates who were asked to report on the subject's exposure at home, at work, and during childhood. Results showed good agreement between subjects and surrogates on most exposure measures. The results of this study underscore the need to obtain a complete exposure history from subjects when attempting to represent lifelong passive smoke exposure.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1989

Correlates of adolescents' use of smokeless tobacco.

Data are presented on the prevalence and correlates of smokeless tobacco use among a group of 568 adolescents from five public schools located in western New York State. Two of the five schools were located in rural communities, two were located in suburbs of Buffalo, and one school was located in the city of Buffalo. Nineteen percent of males reported current use of smokeless tobacco. There was very little regular use among girls, although 18% reported having tried it. Sharp regional differences in the use of smokeless tobacco were observed with the highest percentage of users among students from rural communities. Experimentation with cigarette smoking was associated with use of smokeless tobacco, however, few regular users of smokeless tobacco were current smokers. As is the case with cigarette smoking, social influences, especially those of peers and family members, were important factors associated with use of smokeless tobacco. Study findings suggest that programs that attempt to prepare students to cope with social pressures for using and stress the immediate negative consequences of use (i.e., stained teeth, bad breath) are more likely to be successful in discouraging adolescents from using smokeless tobacco than programs that only educate about the detrimental health effects of chewing and/or dipping tobacco.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Mortality patterns among a Native American population in New York State.

This study investigated patterns of mortality among a Native American tribe, the Seneca Nation of Indians (SNI). The names of 962 tribal members reported to have died in New York State between 1955 and the end of 1984 were identified through a review of tribal roll books maintained by the Seneca Nation. Positive matches were obtained for 796 (83%) of these individuals using New York State mortality files for the period under investigation. Standardized Proportionate Mortality Ratios (PMR) were computed for major causes of death based on cause-specific mortality patterns in the New York State population for each sex during the same time period. Significantly elevated risks of mortality were observed for all infectious diseases, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis, and accidents. Depressed mortality ratios were noted for deaths due to all cancers combined, and for cancers of the lung, pancreas, breast, and lymphatic/hematopoietic cancers. Changes in mortality risks over time were also observed.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed1988

Correlates of participation in a worksite stop-smoking contest.

Smokers employed at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, a cancer hospital and research center located in Buffalo, New York, were offered the opportunity to participate in a quit-smoking contest in which cash prizes were awarded for stopping smoking. Information on the smoking habits and attitudes of employees collected in a survey 3 months before the contest was used to predict the characteristics of smokers associated with contest participation. The same variables were also used to predict cessation among contest participants 3 months after the start of the contest. Overall, 14% of smokers enrolled in the contest, with one-third still abstinent 3 months later. Contest participation was associated with the smoker's reported desire to stop smoking and the number of symptoms related to smoking. Smoking cessation was related to the strength of the smoking habit, the confidence in the ability to quit, and the smoking status and relationship of the respondent's partner in the contest.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1988

Experiences with multiphasic screening for cancer.

This study reports on our experiences with a multiphasic cancer screening clinic for the detection of early-stage cancers. The clinic under review is the Prevention-Detection Clinic (PDC) housed at Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo. The PDC offers both free cancer screening examinations and risk-reduction education and counseling. Since its inception in May 1979 through 1984, over 13,000 individuals have been screened and counseled. Names of screenees were recently matched against the files of the Western New York Tumor Registry, a population-based cancer registry, to identify screenees subsequently diagnosed with cancer. Matching identified a total of 332 individuals with a cancer diagnosis. Of these, 98 individuals were found to have been diagnosed prior to screening. Of the remaining 234 individuals, 135 were diagnosed after referral from the PDC, 23 went undetected at screening, and 76 were either diagnosed several years after screening or with recurrent disease. The majority of cancers (67%) were detected with in situ/localized stages of disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Format and quitting instructions as factors influencing the impact of a self-administered quit smoking program.

This article presents results from an experimental study designed to evaluate the effects of two features of self-help smoking cessation booklets, format (i.e., day-by-day plan for quitting versus a less structured menu format) and quitting instructions (i.e., "cold turkey" versus gradual reduction) on smoking cessation. Four separate self-help booklets were developed for comparison in this study. Each varied on a combination of the two study factors, but were similar in content, length, style, and readability. The four booklets provided similar advice on how to quit smoking, emphasizing behavioral self-management principles. In addition to the experimental booklets, a fifth control booklet provided general information about smoking and its adverse effects, but no specific advice on quitting. Study subjects included 1,534 adult cigarette smokers who called a stop smoking hotline in Buffalo, New York seeking information on how to quit. Subjects were followed up by phone one month and six months after enrollment to assess changes in smoking behavior. Overall, 18% of subjects reported of being off cigarettes for at least one week at the time of the six month follow-up interview. The format of the booklet and quitting instructions had no effect on smoking cessation rates. In addition, the four booklets emphasizing behavioral self-management skills were no more effective than the control booklet (6 month non-smoking prevalence rate: 17% versus 19%). It is recommended that future self-help quit smoking booklets include information aimed at motivating cessation and focus less attention on teaching strategies for quitting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The role of parent-adolescent concordance in compliance with cancer chemotherapy.

In an attempt to examine factors affecting compliance with orally administered chemotherapy agents, we have examined the relation of agreement of parents and their adolescent children on various treatment-related issues and compliance with cancer chemotherapy. In a longitudinal study, 16 parent/cancer patient pairs were interviewed regarding their knowledge and understanding of illness, medications, and treatment, and their medication compliance. Adolescent responses matched closely those of parents on topics pertaining to medication dose, frequency, number, and purpose. Age was positively correlated with agreement for medication instructions. Disagreements were more commonly found in patients under 17 years of age. Compliance was greater when parents and patients agreed on who was responsible for medication administration, and on their understanding of medication instructions, number, and effectiveness. Treatment of the adolescent oncology patient should include consideration of psychosocial developmental factors, encourage parent-child communication, and place less reliance on self-administered therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The use of a cancer registry in a mass screening program for colorectal cancer.

This paper presents the results of our experiences in utilizing a population-based registry in the follow-up of individuals screened for colorectal cancer. The colorectal screening program under study was conducted in the Western New York area in 1984. A total of 58,934 stool guaiac slide kits were distributed and 11,497 persons returned them for testing. Of these, one or more slides were positive in 264 persons. The names of all persons returning kits for testing were subsequently matched against the names of all individuals reported to the Western New York Tumor Registry as having been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 1984. Through this mechanism, 18-positive matches were uncovered; 16 were found in the screening registry as having had a positive guaiac test; the remaining 2 were found to have had negative guaiac test results. The results of this screening program and the methods of follow-up employed are discussed.

Colonic Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Nosocomial infection rates at an oncology center.

Nosocomial infection rates were computed for 5,031 patients at an oncology center during a 20-month period. Twelve percent of the patients developed nosocomial infections, accounting for a total of 802 infections. The overall incidence of nosocomial infections during this study period was 6.27 infections per 1,000 patient days. The highest incidence of nosocomial infections was found in patients having acute myelogenous leukemia (30.49 infections per 1,000 patient days); bone and joint cancer (27.27 infections per 1,000 patient days); and liver cancer (26.58 infections per 1,000 patient days). The respiratory tract was the most common site of infection, followed by bloodstream, surgical wound, and urinary tract infections. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and coagulase-negative staphylococci were most frequently implicated as pathogens. The distribution of specific types of infection according to underlying malignancy was also tabulated. These data provide nosocomial infection rates, common pathogens, and sites of infection for cancer patients, thus assisting in directing appropriate therapy for these patients.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1987

Weight gain following smoking cessation: a possible role for nicotine replacement in weight management.

This study examined nicotine dependence as a factor in weight gain following smoking cessation in a group of 104 recent ex-smokers. Nicotine dependence was measured using the eight-item Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire. Findings support the hypothesis that weight gain following smoking cessation is greater among more nicotine dependent persons. Heavier smokers (greater than or equal to 26 cigs/day), those who reported smoking when they are ill, and those who reported smoking their first cigarette of the day within 30 minutes of waking up reported the greatest increases in weight one month after quitting. Twenty subjects reported using nicotine gum to help them quit smoking. A significant inverse correlation (r = -.17) was found between weight gain and the number of pieces of nicotine gum chewed per day. Stratification by the number of cigarettes smoked daily (greater than or equal to 26 cigs/versus less than 26 cigs/day) indicated that the correlation between weight gain and the number of pieces of nicotine gum chewed per day was significant only for heavy smokers (r = -.37 versus r = -.08). This finding suggests that nicotine replacement may help prevent weight gain following smoking cessation, especially for the more dependent smokers.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Vitamin A and tumor recurrence in bladder cancer.

Results are presented from an investigation concerning the effects of vitamin A on tumor recurrence in a group of 102 patients having early-stage bladder cancer. An odd's ratio of 1.34 was found for tumor recurrence between high and low consumers of vitamin A (p greater than 0.05). Moreover, the rate of tumor recurrence per 1,000 person-months at risk was found to be 1.8 times higher among low, relative to high, consumers of vitamin A (p less than 0.05). While these results are encouraging, larger data sets need to be assembled and analyzed before any definitive conclusions can be reached.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Women's knowledge and beliefs about breast cancer risk factors, symptoms, detection methods, and treatments.

This paper presents results from a survey of adult women that assessed knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding the causes, symptoms, detection methods, and treatment of breast cancer. The study population was determined through random selection of household telephone numbers from the Buffalo, New York area telephone directory. Completed interviews were collected from 563 women over the age of 18. Telephone interviews were conducted by trained interviewers, between April and July of 1985. Survey results are compared to those found in the 1979 National Cancer Institute nationwide survey on breast cancer to evaluate if ther have been changes in public awareness about the disease. Differences in knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding breast cancer were also studied in relation to age, race, and educational background. Overall, women's knowledge about breast cancer has significantly increased since the 1979 survey. However, while more women can name mammography as a diagnostic tool only 15% of women who have heard of mammography reported having had a mammogram. Generally, younger women, white women and those with some college education were more knowledgeable about breast cancer risk factors, symptoms, detection methods, and treatments. Results from this study suggest that although knowledge about breast cancer has improved, women have not adopted recommended early detection practices. Special efforts need to be directed toward health professionals, making mammography more accessible to women who are nonwhite, older and with no college education.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Impact of a newspaper mediated quit smoking program.

We present the results of a survey conducted to evaluate the impact of a newspaper mediated smoking cessation program conducted in Buffalo, New York in January 1987. Over half of all smokers surveyed reported exposure to the newspaper series; 13 per cent reported that the series prompted them to try to quit smoking, and 4 per cent stopped smoking for at least one week. We estimate that over 9,600 smokers in Erie County, New York stopped smoking for at least one week as a result of the newspaper's smoking cessation program.

Adolescent↗