Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Lifestyle Patterns (lifestyle + pattern)
Selected AbstractsCancer incidence rates among Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) employees: 1974,1997,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2004M. Donald Whorton MD Abstract Background In the mid-1970's an excess of malignant melanoma of the skin was noted among employees at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). A 1984 cancer incidence study showed a non-significant excess of total cancers among female employees with significant excesses for melanoma, rectum and anus, and salivary gland cancers. For male employees, there was a non-significant deficit of total cancer with significant excesses in melanoma and non-brain nervous system cancers. This paper reports the results of a surveillance effort to update our understanding of the patterns of cancer incidence in this population. Methods We used California Cancer Registry (CCR) data to ascertain employees who had worked for six or more consecutive months at LLNL during the 24-year period of 1974 through 1997 who were diagnosed weith cancer during that time frame. We used the Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR) in our analyses. Results There were 17,785 employees who provided 186,558 person-years of observation: 145,203 were from males and 41,355 were from females. The CCR, through its linkage techniques, identified 541 individuals with invasive cancer and 96 with in situ cancer. A total of 404 males had invasive cancer and 33 had in situ cancer whereas there were 137 females with invasive cancer and 63 with in situ cancer. The SIR for invasive cancer in males was 69 (95% CI 62,76). The overall cancer SIR for males was unaffected by calendar time. There were only two invasive cancer sites with significant excess: melanoma and cancer of the testes. For eight categories or cancer sites, we found a statistical deficit in cancer incidence. The most striking deficit occurred in cancer of the lungs and bronchus with a SIR of 36 (95% CI 26,50). The SIR for invasive cancer in females was 80 (95% CI 67,94). The overall cancer SIR for females decreased over calendar time. There was a statistically significant deficit for cancers of the female genital organs. There were 84 cases of invasive and in situ melanoma in both genders. Time-trend analyses for melanoma showed a significant excess during the years 1974,1985 but a reduction to community rates from 1986 through 1997. There were 21 individuals with testicular cancer with a SIR of 207 (95% CI 129,317). There were no differences in age at diagnosis or cell type with the comparison population. We analyzed the data using the same radiosensitive cancer categories used in the 1984 study. There were no increases in SIRs in any of these categories. Conclusions We found that the LLNL employees had less cancer than expected with males having relatively fewer cancers than females. The lung cancer rate for males was remarkably low. Since 1986 the melanoma rates resemble the community rates. Testicular cancer rates are modestly elevated and appear to have been so for the past 20 years. Lifestyle patterns, including smoking, and cancer screening activities are probably important contributors to the observed low cancer rates. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:24,33, 2004. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Behavioral Medicine Strategies for Heart Disease Prevention: The Example of Smoking CessationPREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY, Issue 1 2000Barrie J Guise PhD Health related behavior change is one of the most important challenges in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle patterns, such as high fat diet, lack of exercise, persistent smoking, and poor compliance with prescribed medications present the core of this challenge. Conventional wisdom and considerable scientific evidence establish that the barriers to health related behavior change are many and varied. However, much is also known about methods of improving behavioral outcomes. Behavioral medicine strategies incorporate fundamental principles of behavior change together with biomedical and interpersonal approaches to facilitate successful cardiac risk factor modification. Physicians have the most potent opportunity to assist patients with health behavior change. Unfortunately, physicians are least familiar with behavior change technology and the contemporary physician-patient relationship lacks the partnership needed to succeed in these difficult areas. The good news is that medical education has begun to incorporate training in behavior change and interpersonal effectiveness. A description of the behavioral medicine approach to smoking cessation provides an excellent model for a thoughtful and practical approach to heart disease prevention in every day practice. [source] Lifestyle pattern change in males following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/intracoronary stentingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 2 2001CritCareCert, Glenn M Eastwood BN(Hons) Utilizing a naturalistic inquiry approach, a semi-structured interview schedule and non-probability purposive sampling, this study provided detail on the rationale and influences behind the decisions of four males participants to change or not change their lifestyle patterns 3 months after a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/intracoronary stent procedure. One of the participants made a noticeable lifestyle pattern change in this period. The remaining participants failed to exhibit any discernible lifestyle pattern change or had continued with their previous behaviours. Results suggest a new ,positive' psychological health perspective, family considerations, return-to-work issues and a reluctance to participate in cardiac rehabilitation as the major factors influencing lifestyle pattern change. Because nurses spend the greatest amount of time with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/intracoronary stent patients during hospitalization, they have the best opportunity to provide up-to-date and relevant information to patients that will enable them to then make decisions concerning cardiac healthy lifestyle changes. [source] Clinical use of physical activity measuresJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 2 2009CRNP (Associate Professor), Lorraine M Reiser PhD Abstract Purpose:, To provide a review of physical activity measures and subjective and objective methods of its measurement. Considerations for the use of these measurements in research and practice will be discussed. Data sources:, The PubMed, CINAHL, and Health and Psychosocial Instruments databases, and the Centers for Disease Control Web site were searched using the search term "Physical Activity Measurement." Conclusions:, Physical activity is a lifestyle factor that is a key focus in chronic disease,related research, prevention, and interventions. Healthy People 2010 set goals of decreasing the prevalence of preventable diseases by encouraging healthier lifestyle patterns. Shifts toward more sedentary lifestyles have resulted in increases in life-limiting disease states, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. Physical activity measurements have been used widely in research studies but are less commonly used in primary care. Measuring individuals' physical activity levels as part of the health assessment will enhance the provider's ability to engage in health promotion and suggest health protection interventions. The strengths, weaknesses, and potential applications to practice of physical activity measures are summarized in an effort to familiarize nurse practitioners (NPs) with commonly used tools and encourage integration of physical activity assessment into their current practice. Implications for practice:, NPs are in an ideal position to promote health by encouraging appropriate amounts of physical activity. Screening, health promotion, and disease prevention are part of the core competencies of NP practice established by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. Increased knowledge of physical activity measures will enhance the NP's ability to evaluate relevant physical activity research for use in evidence-based practice. Incorporation of simple yet appropriate physical activity measurements into practice will expand the NP's ability to identify and thus address sedentary lifestyles in their clientele. [source] | ||||||||||