Journal of Cancer Education最新文献

The Cancer Epidemiology Education in Special Populations (CEESP) Program has enabled U.S.-based public health graduate students to develop their summer research projects based on their choice of mentors, topics, and research sites in global and U.S. domestic settings. In this study, we predicted CEESP student success by the production of a first-authored publication from the summer research experience. Producing a publication requires designing a scientifically sound research study, collecting the proposed data, managing challenges and hurdles during the field experience, collaborating with off-campus mentors, addressing cultural issues, analyzing the data, and writing a publishable manuscript. The data from the first 17 years of the program included data from 203 students. The results showed that the significant predictors of publication included (a) favorable evaluation by the Advisory Committee at the time of selecting students (OR,5.21, 95% CI, 1.97-13.79), (b) building on previous CEESP students' research data and infrastructure (OR,2.11, 95% CI, 1.02-4.37), (c) persistence (OR,18.61, 95% CI, 5.19-66.74) and resourcefulness (OR, 17.51, 95% CI, 4.21-62.01) of the student, (d) student utilization of the CEESP data for thesis or dissertation after the summer (OR, 7.56.75, CI 1.84-31.11), and (e) pursuing careers and education in cancer after the summer (OR, 8.84, 95% CI, 3.3-23.42). The study highlights the importance of the rigorous evaluation of students at the time of admission to the program and the value of tailored and continuous mentoring during all stages of research training. The study also highlights the critical role of establishing and maintaining a solid infrastructure of training students over time and the need for opening doors for trainees' career development after the summer experience. The study may have implications for increasing the critical mass of cancer researchers and improving the short- and long-term outcomes of programs focused on cancer education and research training of students.

Guided by the Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Service Utilization, this study examined the impact of a structured educational intervention to improve uptake of cervical cancer preventive services (CCPS) among female students at Kenyatta University, Kenya. The study implemented a cluster randomized controlled trial allocating two Kenyatta University campuses (Kitui - intervention; Mombasa - control) to study arms. A total of 243 female students aged ≥ 18 years were recruited (Intervention = 121; Control = 122). The intervention comprised six bi-weekly, face-to-face health education sessions delivered over 12 weeks, combining didactic content, demonstrations and facilitated peer discussions. Data were collected from 1st January 2025 to 31st March 2025; at baseline and at 12 weeks post-intervention using structured researcher-administered questionnaires and self-reports triangulated with university clinic records. Analyses included descriptive statistics, χ2 tests for differences in proportions, difference-in-differences (DiD) estimation of the intervention effect, and multivariable logistic regression. All analyses were adjusted for clustering effect. At endline, uptake in the intervention arm was 44.2% while the control arm remained essentially unchanged (8.0%); the DiD estimate was + 39.4% (p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression including an interaction term for time × treatment produced an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for the intervention effect of 8.02 (95% CI: 2.01-12.65; p = 0.005). Awareness of service availability (aOR = 3.52) and community/peer support (aOR = 2.13) were independent predictors of CCPS uptake. A structured, repeated educational intervention programme delivered within the university context significantly increased uptake of CCPS. For sustained impact, such interventions should be linked to visible, accessible campus services and embedded in university health promotion structures.

Clinician-educator (CE) faculty are essential to the education of trainees in cancer care, yet at research-intensive institutions advancement pathways for education-focused faculty are often unclear. Describe CE perceptions of advancement and recognition of educational work and identify priorities for a CE promotion pathway at a large cancer center. Anonymous faculty survey (January 2023) with analyses restricted to clinical faculty who self-identified as CEs or were unsure of their CE status. Descriptive statistics were reported; exploratory Kruskal-Wallis tests compared responses by rank and years in rank. One open-ended item on barriers underwent inductive content analysis by two coders. IRB approved (2022 - 1006). Of 208 respondents, 142 were clinical faculty; 103 (72.5%) identified as CEs or were unsure of their CE status. Nearly half perceived no clear advancement path (49/103, 47.6%), while 27/103 (26.2%) perceived a clear path. Most reported educational effort was undervalued relative to research for academic recognition (72/103, 69.9%) and promotion impact (67/103, 64.7%). A majority agreed that establishing a CE pathway would aid advancement (60/103, 57.9%). Highest-priority elements were transparent promotion criteria (64/103, 62.1%), protected time for education (64/103, 62.1%), and tools to document and quantify educational effort (60/103, 58.3%). CE faculty at a research-intensive center perceived unclear advancement and lower recognition of educational work. Institutions seeking to strengthen cancer education should implement transparent CE-specific criteria, allocate protected education time, and adopt systems that document educational contributions.

Despite the proven safety and effectiveness of HPV vaccines, fewer than 50% of adolescents in the U.S. complete the full vaccine series. Initiating HPV vaccination at age nine improves completion rates, prompting exploration of vaccination in children younger than nine. However, perceptions among parents, children, and providers regarding early childhood HPV vaccination remain poorly understood. We conducted semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants in an open-label clinical trial evaluating the 2-dose 9-valent HPV vaccine in children aged 4-8 years old. Interviews included five parents, three parent-child dyads, and two healthcare providers. Parent and provider interviews lasted approximately 30 min; child interviews, 15 min. A cross-sectional survey was also administered to parents at trial enrollment. Data from 100 parent-child dyads were analyzed. The mean child age was 6 years; parents averaged 36 years. Most parents were female (83%); racially, 57% identified as African American, 15% Hispanic, 4% White, 2% Asian, and 22% Other. Parents perceived their children as vulnerable to serious illnesses, including HPV-related cancers, and viewed vaccination as beneficial. Trust in providers, providers' commitment to their children's well-being, positive research staff interactions played a key role in successful trial enrollment. Parents emphasized community protection and endorsed early vaccination. Providers highlighted cancer prevention in counseling and supported bundling HPV vaccination at four-year-old schedule to improve uptake and completion. HPV vaccination in children aged 4-8 was well accepted by parents, feasible for providers, and manageable for children. Trust, education, and strategic integration into routine care may facilitate broader acceptance of early HPV vaccination.

This cross-sectional study evaluated the quality of information on radiotherapy-related oral mucositis (OM) available on the YouTube platform in Brazil. The first 200 videos retrieved using the keywords "boca ferida radioterapia" were analyzed, excluding those shorter than 1 min, longer than 15 min, or unrelated to the topic. Technical data was collected, and six variables were assessed: definitions of head and neck cancer, radiotherapy, and OM; along with OM frequency, symptoms, and prevention/treatment options. Videos were categorized as 'poor' (score 1-2 on ≥ 1 variable), 'average' (score 3 on all variables), or 'good' (score 4-5 on ≥ 1 variable with no scores 1 or 2). Of the 104 videos analyzed, 51.0% were produced by doctors and 85.6% were aimed at the lay public. Most videos lasted 1-9 min (87.5%), with 10,001-100,000 views (32.0%), ≤ 1,000 likes (54.4%), and ≤ 100 comments (66.3%). Overall, 10.6% (n = 11) were classified as 'poor' due to the presence of misinformation. An additional 32.7% (n = 34) were rated 'average' for failing to address any of the assessed variables. The majority, 56.7% (n = 59), were rated 'good' as they provided at least one accurate and comprehensive information and contained no misinformation. While few videos on radiotherapy-related OM in Brazil presented incorrect information, a significant number were incomplete. This highlights an opportunity to improve the content to provide the public with more comprehensive information.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women globally, including Ghana, where the disease is diagnosed at advanced stages. This study investigated the possible patient factors related to BC late-stage diagnosis at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana. The study included 180 breast cancer patients receiving treatment at KATH, the main cancer hospital in central Ghana. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect information on patient socio-demographic characteristics, clinical history, and access to care. Clinical staging was retrieved from the patients' medical records. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the predictors of stage at presentation. Out of the 180 patients interviewed, 145 patients had advanced breast cancer (Stages III and IV). Using traditional medicine was the only significant patient factor associated with late-stage breast cancer after adjusting for confounders (age at diagnosis, marital status, health insurance, and education) in the regression and sensitivity analyses, with OR 4.14 (1.30, 13.15) and OR 3.94 (2.02, 7.69), respectively. Breast cancer patients in Kumasi, Ghana, had higher odds of late-stage presentation if they used traditional medicine before seeking care at the cancer hospital. While Ghana has taken steps in educating traditional healers to refer patients early in the course of the disease, efforts are still needed for educating traditional healing providers and patients. The findings of our study may also apply to other low- and middle-income countries with traditional healing practices for cancer management.

The Translational Behavioral Oncology Postdoctoral Training Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, funded by the National Cancer Institute (T32CA090314), prepares postdoctoral fellows to excel in highly interdisciplinary and collaborative cancer research environments. This program leverages Moffitt's robust faculty expertise and institutional resources, and draws from various disciplines engaged in cancer research, including behavioral science, population science, health communication, nursing, and medicine. Over the past 20 years, this program has recruited a talented and diverse pool of postdoctoral trainees (n = 47) who have acquired the requisite knowledge, skills, and experience to become successful independent investigators in behavioral oncology. In this paper, the training components and outcomes over the past two decades are reported with a particular focus on trainee and mentor evaluations of core components from the 2019-2024 cycle. These findings provide insights for developing and optimizing postdoctoral training in cancer prevention and control, serving as a model for advancing the careers of the next generation of cancer researchers.

Firefighters face significant occupational exposure to carcinogenic substances, including those found in wildfire and structural fire smoke. Despite growing evidence linking firefighting to increased lung cancer risk, no occupationally tailored lung cancer screening guidelines exist. This study aims to assess firefighters' perspectives on lung health and screening to inform the development of targeted screening programs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 60 firefighters in the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants provided demographic and occupational exposure data, and attitudes toward lung cancer screening were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with favorable screening attitudes. The majority (95%) expressed willingness to undergo lung cancer screening, and 98% believed screening saves lives. Younger firefighters and those actively serving were more likely to favor screening (p = .031 and < 0.001, respectively). Greater exposure to wildland fires in the past year was associated with a 3.4 times increased likelihood of screening favorability (p = .036). In contrast, prior smokers were less favorable toward screening (p < .001). Firefighters demonstrate a high level of receptivity toward lung cancer screening, with younger and more recently exposed individuals showing greater engagement. These findings highlight the need for tailored lung health initiatives and targeted education, particularly for older and former smokers. Developing firefighter-specific screening protocols could enhance early detection and improve long-term health outcomes in this high-risk population.

Cervical cancer mortality rates in Latin America are three times higher than in North America, partly due to deficiencies in colposcopy training and a shortage of specialists. The innovative Intelligent Digital Education Tool for Colposcopy (iDECO), which integrates personalized analytics and advanced intelligent features such as identifying areas of weakness, generating tailored recommendations, and assigning learning objectives, has previously demonstrated effectiveness in Asian countries. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the viability, initial results, and participant perceptions of using the iDECO platform for colposcopy training among Mexican doctors as a model of international collaboration for improving colposcopy training in Latin America. An Intelligent Colposcopy Training was delivered via a blended approach, pairing synchronous expert-led virtual sessions with the iDECO platform's capacity for data-driven customization and automated learning adjustments. It was implemented as an international collaboration involving experts from China, Chile, and Mexico. Thirteen Mexican physicians completed a one-month course, that combined self-paced learning on the platform with interactive synchronous Q&A sessions led by Spanish-speaking specialists. Knowledge and diagnostic accuracy were assessed using pre- and post-tests, and feedback was collected via a satisfaction survey and voluntary interviews. The training resulted in a statistically significant improvement in participants' knowledge and diagnostic accuracy in a simulated environment. The proportion of correct diagnoses significantly increased from pre-test to post-test (47% vs. 80%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, participants reported high satisfaction and positive educational value, with 90% willing to recommend the training. The implementation of the iDECO-based colposcopy training demonstrates a promising model for addressing healthcare disparities in Latin America. This experience underscores the potential of advanced digital learning platforms and international collaborations to improve skills and facilitate knowledge transfer in global health, and it has led to the development of a Spanish version of the platform for broader use in the region.