Pre-diagnosis lifestyle, health history and psychosocial factors associated with stage at breast cancer diagnosis – Potential targets to shift stage earlier
This study aimed to examine associations between risk factors for breast cancer diagnosis, prior to and and at diagnosis. Some protective factors include older age at diagnosis, high household income, parity, smoking, spending time in the sun (high ultraviolet), having a mammogram, and high daily protein intake. Factors that increase risk of later stage at diagnosis include comorbidities, stressful situations, and high daily caloric intake.
The association between religiosity, spirituality, and breast cancer screening: A cross-sectional analysis of Alberta’s Tomorrow Project
Researchers explored data from 2,569 ATP participants regarding religiosity, spirituality, and breast cancer screening. They found that greater religiosity and spirituality salience were unrelated to mammogram receipt. However, they suggest future research to investigate subgroups of the population and whether religiosity and spirituality may promote screening amongst those with strong pre-existing connections to faith.
Analysis of human serum and urine for tentative identification of potentially carcinogenic pesticide-associated N-nitroso compounds using high-resolution mass spectrometry
Using data from 64 Atlantic PATH participants, this study marks the first biomonitoring investigation of PANN compounds in human serum and urine. A majority of the participants were found to have been exposed to some nitrosatable pesticides and potentially carcinogenic PANN compounds.
Socio-Demographic Factors Associated With COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Middle-Aged Adults During the Quebec’s Vaccination Campaign
This study aimed to describe how socioeconomic and demographic characteristics affect vaccine hesitancy. Using data from 6,105 CARTaGENE participants, researchers found that those born outside of Canada and those with a household income under $100,000 had the greatest hesitancy.
Lifestyle factors and lung cancer risk among never smokers in the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath)
Data from 950 CanPath participants were analyzed to understand why 15-25% of lung cancers occur in never smokers. Researchers found a link between lung cancer risk, sleep, and fruit and vegetable intake amongst never smokers.
Toenail speciation biomarkers in arsenic-related disease: a feasibility study for investigating the association between arsenic exposure and chronic disease
With data from 60 Atlantic PATH participants, this study aimed to develop a method to analyze arsenic in toenails, distinguish arsenic speciation profiles in those with chronic diseases, and assess the novel method’s feasibility to find speciation pattern differences between the disease groups. This is the first study to describe arsenic speciation patterns in those with arsenic-related diseases using toenails!
Meta-GWAS Reveals Novel Genetic Variants Associated with Urinary Excretion of Uromodulin
This study is a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies to understand the mechanisms that regulate urinary excretion of uromodulin. Researchers identified two novel significant loci, providing insight into uromodulin’s biology, keratins’ role in the kidney, and the UMOD-PDILT locus’s influence on kidney function.
The BC Generations Project as a Tumor Tissue Resource for Cancer Research
BCGP is making significant strides in its utility as a high-quality tumor tissue research resource. The BC Cancer Registry recently implemented a text mining solution to allow BCGP to capture pathology reports for 100% of all newly diagnosed BCGP cancer cases!
FGF23-Klotho axis and fractures in patients without and with early CKD: A case-cohort analysis of CARTaGENE
Researchers sought to assess the relationship between fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) and fractures, especially in chronic kidney disease (CKD). With data and biological samples from 312 CARTaGENE participants (153 with CKD), they found that c-terminal FGF-23 (cFGF-23) greatly reduced the relationship between CKD status and fractures.
Evaluation of Adiposity and Cognitive Function in Adults
Researchers sought to undercover the association between adipose tissue (amount and distribution) and cognitive scores. Using data from 9,189 participants, they found that higher visceral adipose tissue and body fat percentage correlated with increased vascular brain injuries and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as lower cognitive scores.