Biomedical subjects

Usha Menon

Publications and source records attributed to Usha Menon.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Beliefs associated with fecal occult blood test and colonoscopy use at a worksite colon cancer screening program.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Although regular screening can decrease morbidity and mortality from CRC, screening rates nationwide are very low. This descriptive study assessed beliefs associated with fecal occult blood test and colonoscopy use among participants of a worksite colon cancer screening program. Randomly selected employees, aged 40 and older, were mailed a survey on CRC screening-related beliefs. Instruments were tested for reliability and validity. Results indicated that fecal occult blood test use was significantly associated with being female, Caucasian, having low perceived barriers, and provider recommendation. Colonoscopy use was significantly associated with higher knowledge, lower barriers, higher benefits, higher self-efficacy, and provider recommendation. Findings may be used to develop interventions designed to improve CRC screening rates.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Screening for ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer frequently presents late, when chances for long-term survival are poor. The increased survival advantage for patients diagnosed with early-stage ovarian cancer suggests that screening to detect early-stage disease might have an impact on disease mortality. Attempts are being made to develop effective screening procedures for early ovarian cancer in symptom-free women, using a variety of serum tumor markers, proteomic patterns, and ovarian morphological and vascular features. Two distinct screening strategies have emerged, one utilizing transvaginal scanning as the primary test, and the other involving measurement of the serum tumor marker CA125 as the primary test with transvaginal ultrasonography as the secondary test (multimodal screening). Large randomized trials are now underway to provide definitive data on the impact of screening on mortality and address morbidity, health economics and psychosocial issues.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMed2002

Colorectal cancer screening: an overview of current trends.

Colorectal cancer can be cured and, in some cases, even prevented if detected early through screening. Studies have demonstrated that regular screening for colorectal cancer with fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy can reduce mortality from this disease. Unfortunately, rates of participation in these screening tests are unacceptably low among the U.S. population. Nurses have a significant role to play in assisting individuals to incorporate regular colorectal cancer screening into their health maintenance routines.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

PubMed2002

Screening for ovarian cancer.

There has been considerable interest in the prospect of early detection of ovarian cancer through screening asymptomatic women, in both the general and 'high-risk' populations. Over the last decade screening strategies using the serum marker CA126 and transvaginal ultrasound have been refined and encouraging data have emerged on the impact of screening on ovarian cancer survival rates. Two randomized controlled trials are now underway in the general population to establish the impact of screening on ovarian cancer mortality while comprehensively tackling the issues of compliance, health economics and physical and psychological morbidity. In addition, trials in the high-risk population aimed at optimizing the current strategy have commenced in both the USA and the UK.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Population-based cancer screening.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of current issues surrounding the prevention of and screening for lung, breast, cervical, colorectal, ovarian, prostate, and skin cancer. DATA SOURCES: Original research, review articles, and published guidelines. DATA SYNTHESIS: Although morbidity and mortality rates have decreased for these cancers, prevention and early detection still require increased funding and research. CONCLUSIONS: More behavioral scientists must be trained in prevention and early detection of cancer, and increased research funding is necessary to encourage advances in primary and secondary prevention. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Oncology nurses should incorporate appropriate prevention and early-detection strategies into practice.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Comparisons of tailored mammography interventions at two months postintervention.

The recent decrease in breast cancer mortality has been linked in part to increased breast cancer screening. Although the percentage of women screened once is rising, rate of continued adherence is poor. The purpose of this article is to assess the effects of tailored mammography interventions implemented prospectively in a factorial design contrasting groups receiving either (a) usual care (no intervention), (b) tailored telephone counseling for mammography, (c) tailored mailed materials promoting mammography, or (d) a combination of tailored mail and telephone counseling. This prospective, randomized study with a 2 x 2 factorial design included women 51 years and older (N = 1,367) who were not adherent with mammography at baseline. The intervention is based on integration of the Transtheoretical and Health Belief Models. Participants were enrolled in one of two health maintenance organizations or seen in a university-related primary care clinic. Baseline data were collected on mammography history and beliefs and knowledge related to mammography. Data were collected via telephone interviews using previously developed scales. The follow-up interviewers were conducted with 976 women. The sample was 41% White, 56% African American, and 3% other. Mean age at baseline was 66.5. Logistic regression indicates that postintervention mammography status in all three intervention groups was significantly better than usual care, with odds ratios ranging from 1.66 (telephone only) to 2.16 (telephone plus mail).

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Ovarian cancer screening.

Ovarian cancer is the fourth commonest cause of cancer deaths in women. Multimodal screening with serum CA125 and transvaginal ultrasonography have been shown to improve survival. However, the results so far do not justify routine screening until the impact of screening on mortality has been assessed in larger randomized trials.

CA-125 Antigen↗

PubMed2002

Health-related research among Amish women: a review of findings.

The objective of this literature review is to explore and synthesize research related to Amish women's health issues. Literature searches were conducted on an extensive list of Internet-based databases, with a total of 767 articles identified. Inclusion criteria consisted of published, gender-based, and evidence-based research. The research reviewed covered a broad spectrum of health-related topics, and nearly all authors cited cultural factors as an explanation for the differences in Amish and non-Amish populations. However, the lack of evidence-based research and diversity of the topics prevented clear patterns of health-related issues to be discussed. Many researchers made broad-sweeping generalizations about the Amish, which can perpetuate the stereotypes and myths associated with their way of life. It is imperative that more evidence-based research be conducted to determine the cultural aspects and other factors that may influence health in this population.

Cultural Characteristics↗