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Advances in Breast Cancer Research and Health Promotion

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Women's Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 12625

Special Issue Editor

Department of Breast- and Endocrine Surgery Clinic of Cancer, Oslo University Hospital, 0010 Oslo, Norway
Interests: breast cancer; surgery; translational research; oncoplastic surgery; breast cancer survivors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women all over the world. The prognosis is generally good, with a five-year overall survival rate above 90% for all stages. It is still the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Surgical treatment of breast cancer has changed dramatically over the years. Initially, treatment involved major surgery with long hospitalization, but it is now mostly accomplished as an outpatient procedure with a quick recovery. Thanks to well-designed retrospective and randomly controlled prospective studies, guidelines are continually changing. We are presently in an era where safely de-escalating surgery is increasingly emphasized. Breast cancer is a heterogenous disease, where a "one-size-fits-all" treatment approach is not appropriate. There is often more than one surgical solution carrying equal oncological safety for an individual patient. In these situations, it is important to include the patient in the treatment decision-making process through well informed consent. For this to be optimal, the physician must be fully updated on the surgical options. A consequence of an improved prognosis is more breast cancer survivors, and therefore physical appearance and quality of life is more in focus. Modern breast cancer treatment is increasingly personalized from a surgical point of view but is dependent on a multidisciplinary approach. 

There is continuous ongoing research in the field of breast cancer, both preclinical and clinical. With this special issue we invite authors to contribute with their promising work.

Dr. Margit L. H. Riis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • breast cancer
  • surgery
  • translational research
  • oncoplastic surgery
  • breast cancer survivors

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 511 KiB  
Article
The Impact of IT-Based Healthcare Communication on Mammography Screening Utilization among Women in the United States: National Health Interview Survey (2011–2018)
by Noof Alabdullatif, Alejandro Arrieta, Lucie Dlugasch and Nan Hu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12737; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191912737 - 05 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1408
Abstract
Effective patient–provider communication improves mammography utilization. Using information technology (IT) promotes health outcomes. However, there are disparities in access to IT that could contribute to disparities in mammography utilization. This study aims to assess the association between IT-based health care communication and mammography [...] Read more.
Effective patient–provider communication improves mammography utilization. Using information technology (IT) promotes health outcomes. However, there are disparities in access to IT that could contribute to disparities in mammography utilization. This study aims to assess the association between IT-based health care communication and mammography utilization and to evaluate if this effect is modified by race/ethnicity and age. To this end, this study was conducted using the National Health Interview Survey from 2011 to 2018. A total of 94,290 women aged 40 years and older were included. Multiple logistic regression models were used, and odds ratios were reported. The study found that all IT-based healthcare communication strategies were significantly associated with mammography utilization in all years from 2011 to 2018. In 2018, women who looked up health information on the internet, scheduled a medical appointment on the internet, and communicated with providers by email had a significantly higher chance to use mammography (p ≤ 0.005 for all strategies across all years). White women and women aged 50 years and older benefited the most from IT-based healthcare communication. In conclusion, facilitating access to IT may help increase mammography utilization, which may contribute to eliminating disparities in breast cancer mortality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Breast Cancer Research and Health Promotion)
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13 pages, 701 KiB  
Article
An Evidence-Based Somatic Acupressure Intervention Protocol for Managing the Breast Cancer Fatigue-Sleep Disturbance-Depression Symptom Cluster: Development and Validation following the Medical Research Council Framework
by Jing-Yu (Benjamin) Tan, Tao Wang, Isabella Zhao, Mary Janice Polotan and Sabina Eliseeva
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 11934; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191911934 - 21 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1892
Abstract
Background: Somatic acupoint stimulation (SAS) has been frequently utilised as a promising intervention for individual cancer-related symptom management, such as fatigue, sleep disturbance and depression. However, research evidence regarding the role of SAS in mitigating the fatigue-sleep disturbance-depression symptom cluster (FSDSC) has been [...] Read more.
Background: Somatic acupoint stimulation (SAS) has been frequently utilised as a promising intervention for individual cancer-related symptom management, such as fatigue, sleep disturbance and depression. However, research evidence regarding the role of SAS in mitigating the fatigue-sleep disturbance-depression symptom cluster (FSDSC) has been scant. This study was conducted to develop an evidence-based SAS intervention protocol that can be further implemented in a Phase II randomized controlled trial (RCT) to manage the FSDSC in breast cancer survivors. Methods: The Medical Research Council Framework for Developing and Evaluating Complex Intervention (MRC framework) was employed to guide the development procedures of the SAS intervention protocol, including the identification of an existing evidence base, the identification of theories and practice standards, and the validation of the SAS intervention protocol. A content validity study was performed through an expert panel to assess the scientific and practical appropriateness of the SAS intervention protocol. The content validity index (CVI), including item-level CVI and protocol-level CVI, were calculated to evaluate the consensus level of the expert panel. Results: Key components of the SAS protocol, including the acupoint formula, the SAS modality, technique, intensity and frequency were identified for both a true and placebo SAS intervention based on the best available research evidence retrieved from systematic reviews, clinical trials, and relevant theories, particularly regarding the inflammatory process, yin-yang theory, zang-fu organs and meridians theory, and acupressure practical standards. The true SAS intervention was determined as daily self-administered acupressure on specific acupoints for seven weeks. The placebo SAS was designed as light acupressure on non-acupoints with the same frequency and duration as the true SAS. Excellent content validity was achieved after one round of expert panel assessment, with all the key components of the true and placebo SAS protocols rated as content valid (CVI ranged from 0.86 to 1.00). Conclusions: A research-informed, theory-driven and practically feasible SAS intervention protocol for the FSDSC management in breast cancer survivors was developed following the MRC framework. The feasibility and acceptability of the SAS intervention will be further tested in breast cancer survivors through a Phase II RCT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Breast Cancer Research and Health Promotion)
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10 pages, 668 KiB  
Article
Work Ability after Breast Cancer: Study of Healthcare Personnel Operating in a Hospital of South Italy
by Francesca Vella, Veronica Filetti, Luigi Cirrincione, Venerando Rapisarda, Serena Matera, Alenka Skerjanc, Emanuele Cannizzaro and Ermanno Vitale
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10835; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191710835 - 31 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1174
Abstract
Breast cancer (BrC) treatment can produce disabilities that often impact the quality of daily life and impact the social and working relationships of the patient. This paper looked into the remaining work ability in a group of female healthcare personnel (HCPs) with BrC [...] Read more.
Breast cancer (BrC) treatment can produce disabilities that often impact the quality of daily life and impact the social and working relationships of the patient. This paper looked into the remaining work ability in a group of female healthcare personnel (HCPs) with BrC in Southern Italy. Each HCP was subjected to a medical check, routine blood tests, and a questionnaire on the work ability index (WAI). Of 980 (100%) HCWs undergoing health control, 6% (n = 54) had experienced BRC, and only 66.6% (n = 36) agreed to take part in the study. A total of 28 (78%) were on night shifts. The WAI score was quite low in 5 (13.8%) cases, moderate in 10 (27.7%) cases, good in 14 (38.8%) cases, and excellent in 7 (19.5%) HCWs. Among all health figures, in nurses as well as technical staff, lower WAI scores were observed. HCWs reported various comorbidities, which affected WAI score, such as limited mobility in the upper limbs, arm/shoulder pain, numbness, and lymphoedema. The main complication that negatively affects any work activity is the morbidity in the upper limbs. This seems to affect the ability to perform tasks, and the re-entry to work is highlighted on sick leave days. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Breast Cancer Research and Health Promotion)
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22 pages, 1322 KiB  
Article
Feasibility and Acceptability of Personalized Breast Cancer Screening (DECIDO Study): A Single-Arm Proof-of-Concept Trial
by Celmira Laza-Vásquez, Montserrat Martínez-Alonso, Carles Forné-Izquierdo, Jordi Vilaplana-Mayoral, Inés Cruz-Esteve, Isabel Sánchez-López, Mercè Reñé-Reñé, Cristina Cazorla-Sánchez, Marta Hernández-Andreu, Gisela Galindo-Ortego, Montserrat Llorens-Gabandé, Anna Pons-Rodríguez and Montserrat Rué
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10426; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191610426 - 21 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2412
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of offering risk-based breast cancer screening and its integration into regular clinical practice. A single-arm proof-of-concept trial was conducted with a sample of 387 women aged 40–50 years residing in the [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of offering risk-based breast cancer screening and its integration into regular clinical practice. A single-arm proof-of-concept trial was conducted with a sample of 387 women aged 40–50 years residing in the city of Lleida (Spain). The study intervention consisted of breast cancer risk estimation, risk communication and screening recommendations, and a follow-up. A polygenic risk score with 83 single nucleotide polymorphisms was used to update the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium risk model and estimate the 5-year absolute risk of breast cancer. The women expressed a positive attitude towards varying the frequency of breast screening according to individual risk and, especially, more frequently inviting women at higher-than-average risk. A lower intensity screening for women at lower risk was not as welcome, although half of the participants would accept it. Knowledge of the benefits and harms of breast screening was low, especially with regard to false positives and overdiagnosis. The women expressed a high understanding of individual risk and screening recommendations. The participants’ intention to participate in risk-based screening and satisfaction at 1-year were very high. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Breast Cancer Research and Health Promotion)
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17 pages, 1962 KiB  
Article
An Integrated Machine Learning Scheme for Predicting Mammographic Anomalies in High-Risk Individuals Using Questionnaire-Based Predictors
by Cheuk-Kay Sun, Yun-Xuan Tang, Tzu-Chi Liu and Chi-Jie Lu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9756; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19159756 - 08 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1674
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the important predictors related to predicting positive mammographic findings based on questionnaire-based demographic and obstetric/gynecological parameters using the proposed integrated machine learning (ML) scheme. The scheme combines the benefits of two well-known ML algorithms, namely, least absolute shrinkage [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the important predictors related to predicting positive mammographic findings based on questionnaire-based demographic and obstetric/gynecological parameters using the proposed integrated machine learning (ML) scheme. The scheme combines the benefits of two well-known ML algorithms, namely, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) logistic regression and extreme gradient boosting (XGB), to provide adequate prediction for mammographic anomalies in high-risk individuals and the identification of significant risk factors. We collected questionnaire data on 18 breast-cancer-related risk factors from women who participated in a national mammographic screening program between January 2017 and December 2020 at a single tertiary referral hospital to correlate with their mammographic findings. The acquired data were retrospectively analyzed using the proposed integrated ML scheme. Based on the data from 21,107 valid questionnaires, the results showed that the Lasso logistic regression models with variable combinations generated by XGB could provide more effective prediction results. The top five significant predictors for positive mammography results were younger age, breast self-examination, older age at first childbirth, nulliparity, and history of mammography within 2 years, suggesting a need for timely mammographic screening for women with these risk factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Breast Cancer Research and Health Promotion)
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13 pages, 2677 KiB  
Article
Dietary Acid Load, Serum Polychlorinated Biphenyl Levels, and Mortality Following Breast Cancer in the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project
by Briana N. C. Chronister, Tianying Wu, Regina M. Santella, Alfred I. Neugut, Mary S. Wolff, Jia Chen, Susan L. Teitelbaum and Humberto Parada, Jr.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 374; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19010374 - 30 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1558
Abstract
Dietary acid load (DAL) may be associated with all-cause mortality (ACM) and breast cancer-specific mortality (BCM), and these associations may be modified by serum polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels. Participants included 519 women diagnosed with first primary in situ or invasive breast cancer in [...] Read more.
Dietary acid load (DAL) may be associated with all-cause mortality (ACM) and breast cancer-specific mortality (BCM), and these associations may be modified by serum polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels. Participants included 519 women diagnosed with first primary in situ or invasive breast cancer in 1996/1997 with available lipid-corrected PCB data. After a median of 17 years, there were 217 deaths (73 BCM). Potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) scores calculated from a baseline food frequency questionnaire estimated DAL. Cox regression estimated covariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between PRAL and NEAP with mortality. We evaluated effect measure modification by total serum PCB levels (>median vs. ≤median). PRAL quartile 4 versus quartile 1 was associated with an ACM HR of 1.31 (95%CI = 0.90–1.92). In the upper median of PCBs, ACM HRs were 1.43 (95%CI = 0.96–2.11) and 1.40 (95%CI = 0.94–2.07) for PRAL and NEAP upper medians, respectively. In the lower median of PCBs, the upper median of NEAP was inversely associated with BCM (HR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.19–0.85). DAL may be associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality following breast cancer among women with high total serum PCB levels, but inversely associated with breast cancer mortality among women with low PCB levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Breast Cancer Research and Health Promotion)
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13 pages, 356 KiB  
Article
Pain Control, Acceptance and Adjustment to the Disease among Patients with Ovarian, Endometrial and Breast Cancer in Poland
by Aleksandra Czerw, Urszula Religioni, Katarzyna Sygit, Agnieszka Nieradko-Heluszko, Dominika Mękal, Olga Partyka, Marcin Mikos, Mateusz Eid, Łukasz Strzępek and Tomasz Banaś
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12148; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182212148 - 19 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1627
Abstract
Background: Breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer are among the most common causes of morbidity and mortality of women in Poland. In 2016, breast cancer was the most common cause of morbidity and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, endometrial cancer [...] Read more.
Background: Breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer are among the most common causes of morbidity and mortality of women in Poland. In 2016, breast cancer was the most common cause of morbidity and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, endometrial cancer was the third most common cause of morbidity and the seventh leading cause of death, and ovarian cancer was the fifth most common cause of morbidity and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in women. The aim of the study was to assess the strategy of pain control, acceptance of the cancer and adjustment to life with disease in women with ovarian cancer, endometrial and breast cancer. This study shows how level of pain control, acceptance, and adjustment can differ among patients with the three kinds of cancer and which factors have the most influence on patients’ adjustment to the disease. Methods: The study was carried out with 481 patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer, endometrial and breast cancer. In the study BPCQ, CSQ, AIS and Mini-MAC questionnaires were used. Results: In the BPCQ questionnaire the highest result was acquired in the scope of the impact of doctors (M = 16.45, SD = 4.30), differentiated by cancer location and socio-economic variables. In the CSQ test, the highest result was achieved by praying/hoping, differentiated by cancer location and socio-economic variables. The average AIS acceptance score was M = 27.48 (SD = 7.68). The highest result of the Mini-Mac scale was obtained by patients in the area of fighting spirit (M = 22.94, SD = 3.62), and these results depended on socio-economic and treatment-related variables but were not differentiated by cancer location. Conclusions: Patients attribute the highest importance in the disease to the influence of physicians, praying/hoping, and fighting spirit. The awareness of the pain management strategies of patients with cancer allows appropriate psychological support to be designed for specific groups of patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Breast Cancer Research and Health Promotion)
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