Il presente lavoro di tesi affronta il tema della prevenzione del tumore alla mammella nell’ambito del contesto italiano. Con un primo studio ci si pone l’obiettivo di indagare le conoscenze, le rappresentazioni, le emozioni ed i comportamenti che donne del nord e del sud d’Italia hanno riguardo il concetto di prevenzione del tumore alla mammella. Nello specifico si vuole indagare se la cultura e il luogo di provenienza delle donne hanno un’influenza sulle loro rappresentazioni riguardo l’argomento di interesse. Questo obiettivo è stato perseguito con l’utilizzo di focus group condotti in Lombardia e in Campania. I risultati a questo studio hanno messo in luce notevoli differenze tra i due gruppi, in particolare rispetto alle conoscenze e alle pratiche preventive messe in atto. Con un secondo studio si vuole indagare un ampio campione (N= 2070) di donne lombarde che partecipano allo screening mammografico (programma preventivo offerto dal SSN). All’interno di tale campione si voglio individuare profili psicologici caratterizzanti le donne e i predittori dell’ansia pre-screening, una variabile frequente tra i soggetti che si sottopongono a mammografia preventiva. I risultati a questo studio evidenziano la presenza di tre profili psicologici (cluster) all’interno dei quali si suddivide il campione. Questi profili differenziano le donne e le motivazioni che le conducono a prendere parte al programma di screening. Sempre grazie alle analisi effettuate per soddisfare gli obiettivi del secondo studio è stato possibile determinare che bassa stabilità emotiva, bassa qualità di vita e basso ottimismo hanno influenza nell’incrementare i livelli di ansia in donne in attesa di sottoporsi a screening mammografico. / The present dissertation deals with the topic of breast cancer prevention in the Italian context. The first study of the research aimed to explore the knowledge, the representations, the emotions and the behaviors that northern and southern women have about breast cancer prevention. We want to investigate if cultural and contextual factors influence representations that women have about the topic of interest. We satisfied the objective of the first study conducting focus group in a northern and in a southern region of Italy. The outcome of this study highlighted differences between the two groups especially concerning women knowledge and their behaviors in regard to breast cancer prevention. The second study aimed to investigate a sample (N=2075) of Italian northern women that choose to take part in the national breast cancer screening. The specific objectives of this study were the identification of psychological profiles that characterize this sample and pre-screening anxiety predictors, a common variable among women waiting to have a mammogram. The results at this study highlighted three clusters that differentiated women and the reason why they decide to take part in the prevention program. Analysis performed for the second study identified low emotional stability, low quality of life and low optimism as pre-screening anxiety predictors.

The purpose of this naturalistic inquiry was to understand factors that influence patients’ commitment to colorectal cancer screening, specifically colonoscopy. Fifteen personcentred interviews were conducted: 10 with individuals who had completed screening, and 5 with individuals who declined. Three subthemes (relationship, motivation, and human agency) were associated with the overarching theme of regard or disregard for vulnerability. Participants who perceived a disregard for their vulnerability by their health care provider (HCP) frequently chose to decline screening even though they showed a high level of commitment to health promotion. Participants who perceived a regard for vulnerability by their HCP frequently chose to accept screening. The nursing profession can show a regard for patient vulnerability by enhancing communication techniques and concentrating on being attentive to patient concerns which will build a trusting relationship with patients and enhance screening rates. Persistence in the relationship can change a patient’s decision in time. / 132 leaves : col. ill. ; 29 cm

[Truncated abstract] Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major malignancy complicating chronic liver disease. New therapies for the prevention of HCC are required due to the limited success and high tumour recurrence rates of existing treatments. Emerging evidence suggests that HCC arise from the transformation of adult liver progenitor cells (LPCs), which have the capacity to differentiate into hepatocytes and biliary cells during liver regeneration. LPC activation precedes neoplasia in experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. LPCs share antigenic epitopes with HCCs, including α-fetoprotein (AFP) and M2- pyruvate kinase (M2PK). In animal models of hepatocarcinogenesis, attenuation of the LPC response reduces the incidence of HCC following prolonged liver injury via a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) dependent mechanism. As TNF is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, these data suggest that anti-inflammatory agents may be effective in inhibiting LPC activation and hepatocarcinogenesis. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible enzyme that mediates the production of many prostaglandins during inflammation and carcinogenesis. Recent investigations show that the administration of selective COX-2 inhibitors (SC2Is) may reduce the incidence of a variety of tumours including breast, colon and skin. The broad aim of this thesis was to conduct a series of detailed studies on the effects of a SC2I on LPC activation and the hepatic pathologies associated with hepatocarcinogenesis in order to test the hypothesis that S2CIs may be a beneficial therapy that can reduce liver injury and pre-neoplastic changes in the choline-deficient, ethionine supplemented (CDE) murine model of hepatocarcinogenesis. Administration of a SC2I (SC-236) significantly inhibited a variety of hepatic cell populations that expand during the first month of the CDE mouse model of hepatocarcinogenesis (a choline deficient, ethionine supplemented diet). Numbers of M2PK-positive LPCs (which are more hepatocytic in morphology and are also COX-2 positive) and inflammatory cells were all significantly reduced by SC-236. In contrast, numbers of A6-positive LPCs (which are more biliary cell-like in morphology and do not express COX-2) were unchanged. ... In summary, these data suggest that COX-2 inhibitors such as SC-236 inhibit LPC activation and a variety of pre-neoplastic liver pathologies as a result of COX-2 dependent and independent mechanisms that may be mediated through inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and induction of apoptosis. Moreover, SC2Is may be useful as preventative treatment strategies for HCC in patients with chronic liver disease.

Introdução: Mulheres portadoras de mutações germinativas BRCA1 ou BRCA2 apresentam um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário em comparação com a população geral, enquanto a salpingo-ooforectomia redutora de risco (SORR) reduz significativamente a incidência desses cânceres. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as características clínicas e patológicas de uma população franco-canadense que realizou a SORR. A morbidade cirúrgica também foi avaliada. Materiais e Métodos: Entre dezembro de 1999 e dezembro de 2009, todas as pacientes submetidas à SORR foram identificadas. Os prontuários médicos foram revisados. Estatística descritiva, teste exato de Fischer, e teste t de Student foram utilizados para análise. Resultados: Durante o período de estudo, a SORR foi realizada em 119 mulheres. A média de idade no momento da cirurgia foi de 49 anos (35-72 anos); e 63 pacientes (53%) estavam na pré-menopausa. Sessenta e duas mulheres (52%) tinham uma história de câncer de mama in situ ou invasor. Mutações nos genes BRCA1 e BRCA2 estavam presentes em 34 pacientes (29%) e 42 pacientes (35%), respectivamente. Desse modo, 43 pacientes (36%) foram consideradas como tendo um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário, apesar de um teste negativo para ambos os genes (n = 23) ou desconhecido, porque o paciente recusou teste genético (n = 20). A maioria das pacientes com útero foi submetida a uma histerectomia complementar (65%). Seis complicações ocorreram (3 hematomas, 2 arritmias cardíacas e uma cistostomia). Em uma paciente (0,8%), um carcinoma ovariano de alto grau estadio II foi descoberto no momento da cirurgia. Atipias de tubas de falópio foram identificadas na patologia final em 8 casos (6,7%). Após um acompanhamento médio de 22 meses, 4 mulheres (3,4%) desenvolveram câncer de mama e uma paciente (0,8%) desenvolveu câncer peritoneal. Conclusões: a SORR é altamente eficaz na prevenção de câncer de ovário, tuba de falópio, e de carcinomas de mama em uma população franco-canadense de alto risco, sendo que a morbidade cirúrgica é baixa. / Background: Women with germ line BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have a marked increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer compared with the general population, whereas risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) significantly lowers the incidence of these cancers. The objective of this study was to review the clinical and pathological characteristics of a French Canadian population undergoing RRSO. Surgical morbidity was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: From December 1999 to December 2009, all women who underwent RRSO at our institution were identified. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Descriptive statistics, the Fischer exact test, and the Student t test were used for analysis. Results: During the study period, RRSO was performed on 119 women. Mean age at surgery was 49 years (35-72 years), and 63 patients (53%) were premenopausal. Sixty two women (52%) had a history of in situ or invasive breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were present in 34 patients (29%) and 42 patients (35%), respectively, whereas 43 patients (36%) were considered to have an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, despite a personal genetic test, which was either negative (n = 23) or unknown because the patient declined genetic testing (n = 20). Most patients with an uterus in place had a complementary hysterectomy (65%). Six complications occurred (3 hematomas, 2 cardiac arrhythmias, and 1 cystotomy). In one patient (0.8%), a high-grade stage II ovarian cancer was discovered at the time of surgery. Fallopian tube atypias were identified on final pathology in 8 cases (6.7%). After a median follow-up of 22 months, 4 women (3.4%) developed breast cancer and one woman (0.8%) developed peritoneal cancer. Conclusions: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy is highly effective in preventing ovarian, fallopian tube, and breast cancers in a high-risk French Canadian population; and the surgical morbidity is low.

Introdução: Mulheres portadoras de mutações germinativas BRCA1 ou BRCA2 apresentam um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário em comparação com a população geral, enquanto a salpingo-ooforectomia redutora de risco (SORR) reduz significativamente a incidência desses cânceres. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as características clínicas e patológicas de uma população franco-canadense que realizou a SORR. A morbidade cirúrgica também foi avaliada. Materiais e Métodos: Entre dezembro de 1999 e dezembro de 2009, todas as pacientes submetidas à SORR foram identificadas. Os prontuários médicos foram revisados. Estatística descritiva, teste exato de Fischer, e teste t de Student foram utilizados para análise. Resultados: Durante o período de estudo, a SORR foi realizada em 119 mulheres. A média de idade no momento da cirurgia foi de 49 anos (35-72 anos); e 63 pacientes (53%) estavam na pré-menopausa. Sessenta e duas mulheres (52%) tinham uma história de câncer de mama in situ ou invasor. Mutações nos genes BRCA1 e BRCA2 estavam presentes em 34 pacientes (29%) e 42 pacientes (35%), respectivamente. Desse modo, 43 pacientes (36%) foram consideradas como tendo um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário, apesar de um teste negativo para ambos os genes (n = 23) ou desconhecido, porque o paciente recusou teste genético (n = 20). A maioria das pacientes com útero foi submetida a uma histerectomia complementar (65%). Seis complicações ocorreram (3 hematomas, 2 arritmias cardíacas e uma cistostomia). Em uma paciente (0,8%), um carcinoma ovariano de alto grau estadio II foi descoberto no momento da cirurgia. Atipias de tubas de falópio foram identificadas na patologia final em 8 casos (6,7%). Após um acompanhamento médio de 22 meses, 4 mulheres (3,4%) desenvolveram câncer de mama e uma paciente (0,8%) desenvolveu câncer peritoneal. Conclusões: a SORR é altamente eficaz na prevenção de câncer de ovário, tuba de falópio, e de carcinomas de mama em uma população franco-canadense de alto risco, sendo que a morbidade cirúrgica é baixa. / Background: Women with germ line BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have a marked increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer compared with the general population, whereas risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) significantly lowers the incidence of these cancers. The objective of this study was to review the clinical and pathological characteristics of a French Canadian population undergoing RRSO. Surgical morbidity was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: From December 1999 to December 2009, all women who underwent RRSO at our institution were identified. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Descriptive statistics, the Fischer exact test, and the Student t test were used for analysis. Results: During the study period, RRSO was performed on 119 women. Mean age at surgery was 49 years (35-72 years), and 63 patients (53%) were premenopausal. Sixty two women (52%) had a history of in situ or invasive breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were present in 34 patients (29%) and 42 patients (35%), respectively, whereas 43 patients (36%) were considered to have an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, despite a personal genetic test, which was either negative (n = 23) or unknown because the patient declined genetic testing (n = 20). Most patients with an uterus in place had a complementary hysterectomy (65%). Six complications occurred (3 hematomas, 2 cardiac arrhythmias, and 1 cystotomy). In one patient (0.8%), a high-grade stage II ovarian cancer was discovered at the time of surgery. Fallopian tube atypias were identified on final pathology in 8 cases (6.7%). After a median follow-up of 22 months, 4 women (3.4%) developed breast cancer and one woman (0.8%) developed peritoneal cancer. Conclusions: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy is highly effective in preventing ovarian, fallopian tube, and breast cancers in a high-risk French Canadian population; and the surgical morbidity is low.

Human papillomaviruses, also known in English as human papillomavirus, shortened HPV, are uncoated DNA viruses, called naked, that belong to the family Papoviridae. These are viruses which are known as small tumour viruses. Today, more than 100 types of human papillomaviruses are known, of which more than 40 infect the genital tract of men and women. Human papillomavirus is not only an agent of genital warts, which have been known and described in the medicine for two millennia, but also plays an important role in the development of cancer. Since the first thoughts about the relationship of viral infections and tumour, the development of knowledge came to the current view of HPV as an independent risk factor, particularly in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. Papillomavirus types 16 and 18 play an important role in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. Today, it has been scientifically proven that papillomavirus infection is a starting factor for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is not only a serious health problem but also a medical and social one in Europe. It is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. HPV infection is currently the most common sexually transmitted disease. Up to 80 % of sexually active population meet HPV infection during their life, the highest prevalence rate of HPV is found in the age group of 18-25 years. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease after the development of a vaccine against HPV and introduced screening. The first, theoretical, part of the paper gives a comprehensive overview of various aspects of human papillomavirus infections based on the study of professional literature. In the second, research, part of my paper I focused on evaluating the approaches to the prevention of human papillomavirus infection as well as the cervical cancer in girls and women in České Budějovice and also the level of vaccination in students of the Faculty of Health and Social Studies against HPV. Based on the objectives of the paper hypotheses were drawn. Both objectives of the paper have been achieved.

Introdução: Mulheres portadoras de mutações germinativas BRCA1 ou BRCA2 apresentam um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário em comparação com a população geral, enquanto a salpingo-ooforectomia redutora de risco (SORR) reduz significativamente a incidência desses cânceres. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as características clínicas e patológicas de uma população franco-canadense que realizou a SORR. A morbidade cirúrgica também foi avaliada. Materiais e Métodos: Entre dezembro de 1999 e dezembro de 2009, todas as pacientes submetidas à SORR foram identificadas. Os prontuários médicos foram revisados. Estatística descritiva, teste exato de Fischer, e teste t de Student foram utilizados para análise. Resultados: Durante o período de estudo, a SORR foi realizada em 119 mulheres. A média de idade no momento da cirurgia foi de 49 anos (35-72 anos); e 63 pacientes (53%) estavam na pré-menopausa. Sessenta e duas mulheres (52%) tinham uma história de câncer de mama in situ ou invasor. Mutações nos genes BRCA1 e BRCA2 estavam presentes em 34 pacientes (29%) e 42 pacientes (35%), respectivamente. Desse modo, 43 pacientes (36%) foram consideradas como tendo um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário, apesar de um teste negativo para ambos os genes (n = 23) ou desconhecido, porque o paciente recusou teste genético (n = 20). A maioria das pacientes com útero foi submetida a uma histerectomia complementar (65%). Seis complicações ocorreram (3 hematomas, 2 arritmias cardíacas e uma cistostomia). Em uma paciente (0,8%), um carcinoma ovariano de alto grau estadio II foi descoberto no momento da cirurgia. Atipias de tubas de falópio foram identificadas na patologia final em 8 casos (6,7%). Após um acompanhamento médio de 22 meses, 4 mulheres (3,4%) desenvolveram câncer de mama e uma paciente (0,8%) desenvolveu câncer peritoneal. Conclusões: a SORR é altamente eficaz na prevenção de câncer de ovário, tuba de falópio, e de carcinomas de mama em uma população franco-canadense de alto risco, sendo que a morbidade cirúrgica é baixa. / Background: Women with germ line BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have a marked increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer compared with the general population, whereas risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) significantly lowers the incidence of these cancers. The objective of this study was to review the clinical and pathological characteristics of a French Canadian population undergoing RRSO. Surgical morbidity was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: From December 1999 to December 2009, all women who underwent RRSO at our institution were identified. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Descriptive statistics, the Fischer exact test, and the Student t test were used for analysis. Results: During the study period, RRSO was performed on 119 women. Mean age at surgery was 49 years (35-72 years), and 63 patients (53%) were premenopausal. Sixty two women (52%) had a history of in situ or invasive breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were present in 34 patients (29%) and 42 patients (35%), respectively, whereas 43 patients (36%) were considered to have an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, despite a personal genetic test, which was either negative (n = 23) or unknown because the patient declined genetic testing (n = 20). Most patients with an uterus in place had a complementary hysterectomy (65%). Six complications occurred (3 hematomas, 2 cardiac arrhythmias, and 1 cystotomy). In one patient (0.8%), a high-grade stage II ovarian cancer was discovered at the time of surgery. Fallopian tube atypias were identified on final pathology in 8 cases (6.7%). After a median follow-up of 22 months, 4 women (3.4%) developed breast cancer and one woman (0.8%) developed peritoneal cancer. Conclusions: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy is highly effective in preventing ovarian, fallopian tube, and breast cancers in a high-risk French Canadian population; and the surgical morbidity is low.

Orientador: Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T03:54:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Amorim_VivianMaeSchmidtLima_M.pdf: 4488126 bytes, checksum: 21881a106ebbf7f21647cafe00bfac77 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo:Justificativa: O câncer de mama e do colo de útero são neoplasias com altas taxas de incidência e mortalidade no Brasil e que dispõem de métodos eficazes de rastreamento para detecção precoce, oferecidos pelo Sistema Único de Saúde. Existe a necessidade de se identificar os subgrupos de mulheres que não realizam as práticas preventivas para esses agravos, como forma de se desenvolver estratégias, nas três esferas de governo, que venham minimizar as desigualdades ainda existentes em relação ao acesso aos serviços de saúde, a oferta de cuidados básicos, ao diagnóstico, tratamento e reabilitação nas questões relativas à saúde da mulher. Objetivos: Analisar as práticas de detecção precoce para o câncer de mama e do colo uterino, segundo características sociodemográficas, morbidade e comportamentos relacionados à saúde. Material e Métodos: Estudo do tipo transversal, de base populacional, tendo como população de estudo todos os indivíduos do sexo feminino com idade igual ou superior a 40 anos, não institucionalizados, residentes na área urbana de Campinas. Para a obtenção da amostra, os setores censitários do município de Campinas, foram agrupados em três estratos, segundo o percentual de chefes de família com nível universitário. Foram sorteados 10 setores censitários de cada estrato, e de cada setor censitário foram sorteados os domicílios e selecionados os indivíduos que seriam entrevistados, segundo os domínios de sexo e idade. As informações foram obtidas por meio de questionário estruturado em 19 blocos temáticos, com a maioria das questões fechadas, aplicado diretamente à pessoa sorteada.. O presente estudo incluiu 290 indivíduos pertencentes a dois domínios: mulheres de 20 a 59 anos e mulheres de 60 anos ou mais. Foram incluídos na análise dois grupos de variáveis: as independentes, compostas por variáveis sociodemográficas, comportamentos relacionados à saúde e estado da saúde e as dependentes, referentes à realização das práticas preventivas para a detecção do câncer de mama e do colo de útero. Para as análises estatísticas foi utilizado o programa STATA 7.0, que possibilitou levar em consideração as variáveis do plano de amostragem e o efeito de delineamento. As análises incluíram estimativas de prevalência, de razões de odds brutas e modelos de regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: O presente estudo possibilitou verificar que 83,3% das mulheres com 40 anos ou mais de idade, residentes em Campinas, encontram-se com a prática adequada em relação ao exame de Papanicolaou; 8,5% das mulheres entre 40 e 59 anos de idade e 11,1% das mulheres com 60 anos ou mais nunca haviam realizado o exame de Papanicolaou. Entre os principais motivos alegados pelas mulheres que nunca realizaram o exame citológico, destacam-se: achar que a realização deste exame não é necessária (43,5%), sentir vergonha (28,1%) e dificuldades relacionadas ao serviço prestador do exame (13,7%). Foram detectados, na análise univariada, os seguintes fatores associados à não-realização do exame citológico: idade, raça/cor, escolaridade, número de pessoas no domicílio, posse de bens, a não realização de exames preventivos para o câncer de mama. Os resultados da análise de regressão logística múltipla hierarquizada apontaram que não estar com a prática adequada quanto ao exame de Papanicolaou é mais freqüente nas mulheres entre 40 a 59 anos de idade, com escolaridade de até 4 anos, não brancas, e que não tiveram consulta odontológica no último ano. Verificou-se que 43,2% das mulheres que haviam feito o Papanicolaou tinham-no realizado em serviços do SUS. Em relação às práticas relativas à detecção precoce do câncer de mama, 50,8% das mulheres não fizeram mamografia nos últimos dois anos e dessas, 42,5% nunca haviam feito a mamografia e 8,3% realizaram-na há mais de 2 anos; 38,2 % não foram submetidas ao exame físico das mamas no ano que antecedeu a entrevista. Entre as mulheres com 70 anos ou mais de idade foram encontradas as maiores proporções de não realização da mamografia (67,7%) e do exame clínico das mamas (56,5%). Para a não realização do exame físico anual das mamas, nas análises univariadas, foram encontradas associações com: idade, raça/cor, situação conjugal, escolaridade, posse de bens, consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, prática de atividade física, do auto exame da mama, da mamografia e da citologia oncótica, e o uso de serviços odontológicos. Para a não realização da mamografia nos dois anos que antecederam a entrevista foram encontrados, nas análises univariadas, os seguintes fatores associados: idade, raça/cor, renda familiar per capita, posse de bens, consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, a prática do exame físico anual das mamas e da citologia oncótica. Os resultados do modelo de regressão logística múltipla mostraram que a não-realização do exame clínico das mamas foi mais freqüente entre as mulheres que vivem sem companheiro, que residem em domicílios com mais de quatro moradores, que não ingerem bebidas alcoólicas, que não realizaram o auto-exame das mamas e que não fizeram consulta odontológica no último ano. A não-realização da mamografia foi mais prevalente nas mulheres idade igual ou superior a 70 anos, não brancas, e que não ingeriam bebida alcoólica. Dos exames relatados, 28,8% das mamografias e 38,1% dos exames clínicos de mamas foram realizados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Conclusão: Esse estudo mostrou importantes características das mulheres que não realizam de forma adequada as práticas preventivas para o câncer de colo de útero e o de mama e que estratégias necessitam serem desenvolvidas pelos gestores da saúde, nos três níveis de governo, com o objetivo de minimizar as desigualdades de acesso, garantindo-se os princípios da equidade e da integralidade das ações pertinentes ao programa da saúde da mulher / Abstract: Background: Brazil has high incidence and mortality rates of breast and cervical cancer even though effective screening methods for early detection are provided by the Unified Health System-SUS. There is a need to identify subgroups of women who do not undergo preventive practices for these conditions, so as to develop strategies at the three levels of government in order to minimize the inequalities that still exist in terms of access to health services, offer of basic care, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation in issues related to women¿s health. Objectives: To analyze early detection practices for breast and cervical cancer, according to socio-demographic characteristics, morbidity and health-related behaviors. Methods: Cross-sectional, population-based study of all non-institutionalized women, 40 years old and over, and living in the urban area of Campinas. The sample was constructed by dividing the census sectors of Campinas into three strata groups according to the percentage of heads of households with college education. Ten census sectors were drawn from each stratum, and households were drawn and individuals selected for interviews from each census sector, according to gender and age. Information was derived from a questionnaire structured in 19 theme blocks, mostly with closed questions asked directly to the individual drawn. The present study included 290 individuals as follows: women, 20 to 59 years old and women 60 and over. Two groups of variables were analyzed: independent variables, encompassing socio-demographic variables, health-related behaviors and individual and family members¿ health status in terms of undergoing preventive practices to detect breast and cervical cancer. Statistical analysis was performed by using the STATA 7.0 program, which enabled taking into account the variables of the sample plan and design effect. Analyses included prevalence estimates, overall odds ratio and multiple regression logistic models. Results: The present study made it possible to verify that 83.3% of women 40 years and over, living in Campinas, have an inappropriate practice in relation to Pap smears; 8.5% of women between 40 and 59 years of age and that 11.1% of women 60 and over had never undergone a Pap smear. Among the major reasons pointed out by the women that had never had oncotic cytology, the following stand out: believing the test is not necessary (43.5%), being embarrassed (28.1%), and obstacles related to the service performing the test (13.7%). The univariate analysis detected the following factors associated with not having a cytology smear: age, race/color, schooling, number of individuals in the household, having assets, not doing preventive exams for breast cancer. The result of the hierarchy multiple regression logistic analysis pointed out that not having an appropriate practice in relation to Pap smears is more frequent in non-white women between 40 and 59 years of age, with up to 4 years of schooling and that had not had a dental appointment in the past year. The study verified that 43.2% of women that had been submitted to a Pap smear had done so in a SUS service. Regarding practices related to early detection of breast cancer, 50.8% of women had not had a mammogram in the past two years, and of these, 42.5% had never had a mammogram, and 8.3% had had one more than 2 years before; 38.2% had not been submitted to a breast examination in the year preceding the interview. The largest ratios of not having a mammogram (67.7%) and of not having a clinical breast exam (56.5%) were found among women 70 years old and over. The following associations were found in the univariate analyses for not having an annual breast exam: age, race/color, marital status, schooling, having assets, liquor consumption, exercising, breast self-examination, mammogram and cytology, and utilization of dental services. The following associated factors were found in the univariate analyses for not having a mammogram in the two years preceding the interview: age, race/color, per capita family income, having assets, liquor consumption, having had an annual breast exam and cytology. The results of the multiple regression logistic model showed that not having a clinical breast exam was more frequent among women that: live without a companion or in households with more than four residents, do not drink liquor, do not perform self breast examination and did not have a dental appointment in the past year. Not having a mammogram was more prevalent in non-white women 70 years or over, and that did not drink liquor. Of the tests mentioned, 28.8% of mammograms and 38.1% of clinical breast exams were performed by the SUS. Conclusion: The study showed the major features of women that did not have appropriate preventive practices for cervical and breast cancer, and that health managers should develop strategies at the three levels of government in order to minimize access inequalities and to guarantee the principles of equity and integrality of the actions of women¿s health programs / Mestrado / Mestre em Saude Coletiva

O câncer de mama é a neoplasia maligna mais prevalente entre as mulheres no mundo e representa 23% de todos os cânceres femininos. Buscou-se avaliar a implementação de um programa de rastreamento mamográfico para as mulheres que vivem na área de Barretos usando uma unidade móvel (UM) e uma unidade fixa (UF). Um total de 54.238 mulheres com idade entre 40 a 69 anos reside nesta área e são elegíveis para a participação no programa. Os dados epidemiológicos das mulheres foram examinadas entre 01 de abril de 2003 e 31 de março de 2005. A análise estatística foi constituída pela avaliação das freqüências dos parâmetros clínicos e as características do tumor usando o teste de Qui-quadrado com correção de Bonferroni, com valor de confiança de p<0,05. Um total de 17.964 mulheres (media de 51 anos de idade) foram efetivamente examinadas por mamografia, o que representou 33,1% de todas as mulheres elegíveis (18,6 exames por dia na UF e 26,3 na UM). Setenta e seis casos foram diagnosticados como câncer de mama (41, ou 54%, no UM), o que representa 4,2 casos de câncer de mama para cada 1.000 exames. Foi observada diferença significativa na detecção de câncer entre mulheres com idade entre 50-59 e 60-69 anos (p<0,001) e com idade entre 40-49 e 60-69 anos (p<0,001). Não foram observadas diferenças entre 40 a 49 e 50-59 anos (p = 0,164). O programa de rastreamento mamografico é viável no território nacional e os resultados preliminares são animadores / Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide and enrolls 23% of all female cancers. We sought to evaluate the implementation of a screening program for women who living in Barretos county area using a mobile unit (MU) and a fixed unit (FU). A total of 54,238 women aged 40 to 69 years is living in this area and are eligible for breast screening. Epidemiologic-based data supported the study design and the women were examined from April 01, 2003 to March 31, 2005. Statistical analysis supported the evaluation of clinical parameters frequencies and tumor characteristics using Chi-test and Bonferroni correction test, with confidence value of p<0,05. Overall of 17,964 women (media of 51 years old) were effectively examined by mammogram which represented 33,1% of all eligible women (18,6 in RA and 26,3 exams in MU per day). Seventy-six cases were diagnosed as breast cancer (41, or 54%, at MU), which represents 4,2 cases of breast cancer for each 1.000 exams. It was observed significant difference of cancer detection between women aged 50 to 59 and 60 to 69 yrs (p<0, 001) and between women aged 40 to 49 and 60 to 69 yrs (p<0,001). No differences were observed between aged 40 to 49 and 50 to 59 yrs (p=0,164). The program for mammogram screening is feasible to be implementing in Brazil territory and the preliminary results are encouraging

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Human Nutrition / Weiqun Wang / Wheat lignans are phenylpropane dimers linked by β-β bonds with a 1, 4-diarylbutane structure. They are biosynthesized in the cell cytoplasm through action of enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway. Pinoresinol lariciresinol reductase (PLR) catalyzes the final steps of biosynthesis of wheat lignans. In epidemiological and clinical investigations, studies show that high plasma lignan amounts correlate with reduced risks of breast, colon, and prostate cancers. However, in some of the studies, the results are not consistent. More consistent results are observed when animal and cell culture models are used. Our previous studies in the Wang lab demonstrated that treatment of human colon cancer cells, SW480 with lignans results in a dose and time dependent inhibition of cancer cell growth. In the first paper, we investigated direct experimental cancer preventative characteristics of a wheat lignan, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) vs. its metabolite enterolactone in human colon cancer SW480 cells. Treatment of cancer cells with 0-40 µM SDG or enterolactone resulted into inhibition of cancer cell growth as observed by reduction of cell numbers. The reduction appeared related to induction of S-phase cell cycle arrest rather than cytotoxic effect. Further analysis revealed that SDG was more stable in cell culture medium than enterolactone. HPLC-MS/ESI showed that enterolactone is the principle metabolite in cancer cells but undetectable SDG or its metabolites were in the cells treated with SDG. In the second paper, we investigated over expression of the PLR gene and enhancement of lignan levels in transgenic wheat. We transformed wheat cultivars (‘Bobwhite’, ‘Madison’, and ‘Fielder’ respectively) with the Forsythia intermedia PLR gene under the regulatory control of the maize ubiquitin promoter. Of the total 217 transgenic wheat lines, we successfully obtained 7 transformants with the inserted ubiquitin PLR gene as screened by PCR. Real-time PCR further indicated 109-117% PLR over expression over the transgenic control in 3 transformants of the 7 at T0 generation. In addition, the levels of SDG, as determined by HPLC was found to be significantly elevated in one of the 3 positive transgenic plants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reported that genetically engineered wheat with over expressed PLR enzyme enhancing phytochemical lignan has been successfully achieved.