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1 – 10 of 472Swetha Parvatha Reddy Chandrasekhara, Mohan G. Kabadi and Srivinay
This study has mainly aimed to compare and contrast two completely different image processing algorithms that are very adaptive for detecting prostate cancer using wearable…
Abstract
Purpose
This study has mainly aimed to compare and contrast two completely different image processing algorithms that are very adaptive for detecting prostate cancer using wearable Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Cancer in these modern times is still considered as one of the most dreaded disease, which is continuously pestering the mankind over a past few decades. According to Indian Council of Medical Research, India alone registers about 11.5 lakh cancer related cases every year and closely up to 8 lakh people die with cancer related issues each year. Earlier the incidence of prostate cancer was commonly seen in men aged above 60 years, but a recent study has revealed that this type of cancer has been on rise even in men between the age groups of 35 and 60 years as well. These findings make it even more necessary to prioritize the research on diagnosing the prostate cancer at an early stage, so that the patients can be cured and can lead a normal life.
Design/methodology/approach
The research focuses on two types of feature extraction algorithms, namely, scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) and gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) that are commonly used in medical image processing, in an attempt to discover and improve the gap present in the potential detection of prostate cancer in medical IoT. Later the results obtained by these two strategies are classified separately using a machine learning based classification model called multi-class support vector machine (SVM). Owing to the advantage of better tissue discrimination and contrast resolution, magnetic resonance imaging images have been considered for this study. The classification results obtained for both the SIFT as well as GLCM methods are then compared to check, which feature extraction strategy provides the most accurate results for diagnosing the prostate cancer.
Findings
The potential of both the models has been evaluated in terms of three aspects, namely, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. Each model’s result was checked against diversified ranges of training and test data set. It was found that the SIFT-multiclass SVM model achieved a highest performance rate of 99.9451% accuracy, 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity at 40:60 ratio of the training and testing data set.
Originality/value
The SIFT-multi SVM versus GLCM-multi SVM based comparison has been introduced for the first time to perceive the best model to be used for the accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer. The performance of the classification for each of the feature extraction strategies is enumerated in terms of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity.
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Amir Bagheri, Seyed Mostafa Nachvak, Hadi Abdollahzad, Peshawa Arzhang, Mansour Rezaei, Yahya Pasdar, Mahmoud Reza Moradi and Farzad Mohammadi
It has been suggested that there is a link between the dietary intake of certain nutrients and the risk of prostate cancer. The aim of this study is to examine the associations…
Abstract
Purpose
It has been suggested that there is a link between the dietary intake of certain nutrients and the risk of prostate cancer. The aim of this study is to examine the associations between dietary intakes of all nutrients and the risk of prostate cancer in Kermanshah.
Design/methodology/approach
This case-control study was conducted in Kermanshah, a province in the west of Iran in November of 2016. The sample consisted of 50 patients with confirmed prostate cancer, and 150 healthy men who matched in age with these cases and did not have any symptoms of prostate disorder were chosen as controls. Dietary intakes were collected by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire that contained 147 food items and were then analyzed by Nutritionist 4 software.
Findings
After adjustment for potential confounding factor, highest tertile compared to lowest tertile of dietary vitamin E intake [odds ratio (OR) = 0.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.05-0.89], lycopene intake (OR = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.01-0.86) and magnesium intake (OR = 0.02; 95% CI = 0.01-0.55) had a protective effect on the incidence of prostate cancer. However, there were no associations between dietary intakes of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate and calcium with prostate cancer.
Originality/value
The finding suggests that the dietary intakes of vitamin E, lycopene and magnesium could decrease the risk of prostate cancer. Nevertheless, dietary intake of other nutrients such as fiber, calcium, vitamins D, A, B12 and folate was not associated with prostate cancer.
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Georgina Cosma, David Brown, Nicholas Shopland, Steven Battersby, Sarah Seymour-Smith, Matthew Archer, Masood Khan and A. Graham Pockley
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Black men are in a higher prostate cancer risk group possibly due to inherent genetic factors. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Black men are in a higher prostate cancer risk group possibly due to inherent genetic factors. The purpose of this paper is to introduce PROstate Cancer Evaluation and Education (PROCEE), an innovative serious game aimed at providing prostate cancer information and risk evaluation to black African-Caribbean men.
Design/methodology/approach
PROCEE has been carefully co-designed with prostate cancer experts, prostate cancer patients and members of the black African-Caribbean community in order to ensure that it meets the real needs and expectations of the target audience.
Findings
During the co-design process, the users defined an easy to use and entertaining game which can effectively raise awareness, inform users about prostate cancer and their risk, and encourage symptomatic men to seek medical attention in a timely manner.
Originality/value
During focus group evaluations, users embraced the game and emphasised that it can potentially have a positive impact on changing user behaviour among high risk men who are experiencing symptoms and who are reluctant to visit their doctor.
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Tre Wentling, Carrie Elliott, Andrew S. London, Natalee Simpson and Rebecca Wang
Purpose: We respond to a call for studies of “embodied experiences of stigma in context” by investigating how transgender embodiment shapes perceived needs for access to and…
Abstract
Purpose: We respond to a call for studies of “embodied experiences of stigma in context” by investigating how transgender embodiment shapes perceived needs for access to and experiences of “sex-specific” cancer screenings (SSCS) (e.g., breast and prostate exams, Pap smears) in the North American healthcare system.
Design/Methodology/Approach: We analyze data from semistructured interviews with a diverse sample of 35 transgender-identified adults. Based on thematic narrative analysis, we explore four themes in relation to embodiment: discrimination; discomfort and hyperawareness of genitalia; strategic reframing and active management; and SSCS health care encounters as positive and gender affirming.
Findings: In relation to SSCS, transgender individuals experience discrimination, do emotion work, and actively manage situations to obtain needed health care, and sometimes forego care because barriers are insurmountable. Health care providers' responses to transgender embodiment can disrupt health care encounters, but they can also facilitate access and create opportunities for affirmation, agency, advocacy, and new forms of interaction. Embodiment- and gender-affirming interactions with health care providers, which varied by gender, emerged as key influences on participants' experiences of SSCS.
Research Limitations/Implications: Our sample primarily includes binary gender-identified individuals, and while our interview guide covered many topics, the SSCS question did not explicitly reference testicular exams.
Practical Implications: Cancer prevention and detection Cancer prevention and detection require health care professionals who are prepared for differently embodied persons. Preventive cancer screenings are not “sex-specific”; they are relevant to individuals with medically necessary needs regardless of gender identity or embodiment.
Social Implications
Originality/Value: Few medical sociologists have focused on transgender embodiment. Findings enhance our understanding of how transgender embodiment and minority stress processes influence access to needed SSCS.
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M.N. Doja, Ishleen Kaur and Tanvir Ahmad
The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing from the past few decades. Various studies have tried to determine the survival of patients, but metastatic prostate cancer is still…
Abstract
Purpose
The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing from the past few decades. Various studies have tried to determine the survival of patients, but metastatic prostate cancer is still not extensively explored. The survival rate of metastatic prostate cancer is very less compared to the earlier stages. The study aims to investigate the survivability of metastatic prostate cancer based on the age group to which a patient belongs, and the difference between the significance of the attributes for different age groups.
Design/methodology/approach
Data of metastatic prostate cancer patients was collected from a cancer hospital in India. Two predictive models were built for the analysis-one for the complete dataset, and the other for separate age groups. Machine learning was applied to both the models and their accuracies were compared for the analysis. Also, information gain for each model has been evaluated to determine the significant predictors for each age group.
Findings
The ensemble approach gave the best results of 81.4% for the complete dataset, and thus was used for the age-specific models. The results concluded that the age-specific model had the direct average accuracy of 83.74% and weighted average accuracy of 79.9%, with the highest accuracy levels for age less than 60.
Originality/value
The study developed a model that predicts the survival of metastatic prostate cancer based on age. The study will be able to assist the clinicians in determining the best course of treatment for each patient based on ECOG, age and comorbidities.
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Amir Bagheri, Seyed Mostafa Nachvak, Hadi Abdollahzad and Farzad Mohammadi
Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI)-2010, an index that determines the quality of a diet, was created to predict the risk of chronic diseases. Nevertheless, it is unclear…
Abstract
Purpose
Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI)-2010, an index that determines the quality of a diet, was created to predict the risk of chronic diseases. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether this index can predict the risk of prostate cancer, one of the most prevalent cancers among men around the world. The study aims to investigate the association between adherence to the AHEI-2010 and the risk of prostate cancer in Iranian men.
Design/methodology/approach
The case–control study was conducted in Kermanshah, Iran in the year 2016. The study included 50 cases of Iranian men with prostate cancer and 150 healthy controls. Anthropometric indices were measured by bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). The AHEI-2010 included 11 food components that were assessed by using a 147-item food frequency questionnaire. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the association of the AHEI-2010 (expressed as a dichotomous variable) with prostate cancer.
Findings
As per the analysis, there were no significant differences in age, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) between case and control groups, statistically. After adjustment for potential confounders, the higher AHEI-2010 scores were associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer (OR AHEI > 55 vs ≤ 55 = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.11-0.63). Moreover, the Mean of AHEI scores was higher in controls than in the cases (p < 0.001).
Originality/value
The authors’ findings suggest that adherence to the dietary patterns with high scores of AHEI-2010 is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer, so this index may be used as an effective measure to predict prostate cancer.
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Lesley Wilkes, Jane Cioffi and Sarah Ho
This study aimed to describe men's knowledge of prostate cancer and the factors associated with these knowledge levels at selected regions in Western Sydney. The study was a…
Abstract
This study aimed to describe men's knowledge of prostate cancer and the factors associated with these knowledge levels at selected regions in Western Sydney. The study was a descriptive, quantitative design using a postal survey of men over 40 years of age. A questionnaire consisting of 19 items that addressed areas of knowledge related to prostate cancer was used. The men in this study needed more information about risk factors for prostate cancer, screening techniques and treatment regimens and their side effects. This study has shown that if men are to make informed decisions about prostate cancer screening, it is important to have some form of decision aid on prostate cancer screening available to them.
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There are thousands of web sites about cancer and cancer‐related topics on the internet today; this webography offers an annotated list of selected sites.
Abstract
Purpose
There are thousands of web sites about cancer and cancer‐related topics on the internet today; this webography offers an annotated list of selected sites.
Design/methodology/approach
The article begins with a brief explanation of how the web sites were evaluated and chosen. The generally accepted rules of authority, currency, purpose, objectivity, accuracy and audience were used in each case.
Findings
The sites included cover cancer in general, specific cancers, patient information, clinical trials and medical centers that treat cancer. Information on each site includes the name of the site, the URL and a brief abstract explaining what the site is about.
Originality/value
The information may be used by librarians as a quick reference, by physicians and other health‐care workers and by the patients and their families.
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Sabina Cerimagic, Nariman Ahmadi, Howard Gurney and Manish I. Patel
– The purpose of this paper is to examine doctor-patient communication, focusing on ethnic Australian urological cancer patients.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine doctor-patient communication, focusing on ethnic Australian urological cancer patients.
Design/methodology/approach
Samples of 50 Australian urological cancer patients of ethnic origin were chosen to participate in this study. The patients completed a 31-question survey, followed by a one-on-one semi-structured 30-40-minute interview with the patient.
Findings
Most (90 per cent, n=45) of the patients indicated that they can communicate with their doctor without feeling stereotyped or judged. However, despite these responses 48 per cent (n=24) of the patients reported they did not ask for the doctor to explain the medical terms or meanings they did not understand. This resulted in 46 per cent (n=23) of the patients not knowing the stage of their cancer.
Research limitations/implications
This is only a pilot study and the sample was limited to 50 patients. The limitations of this study make the results of the findings more suggestive rather than definitive. Further research would benefit by repeating this study with a larger sample size, to address the shortcomings of the study and to venture further into the realm of doctor and overseas patients communication in Australia.
Practical implications
This research found that patients from lower socioeconomic backgrounds for whom English is not their first language have low levels of medical literacy and therefore require additional written information about their illness and treatment such as informative brochures, educational booklets and educational videos on their illness.
Originality/value
To the knowledge, this is the first study that focuses on ethnic Australian urological cancer patients and their doctor-patient communication.
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Damian Tago, Henrik Andersson and Nicolas Treich
This study contributes to the understanding of the health effects of pesticides exposure and of how pesticides have been and should be regulated.
Abstract
Purpose
This study contributes to the understanding of the health effects of pesticides exposure and of how pesticides have been and should be regulated.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents literature reviews for the period 2000–2013 on (i) the health effects of pesticides and on (ii) preference valuation of health risks related to pesticides, as well as a discussion of the role of benefit-cost analysis applied to pesticide regulatory measures.
Findings
This study indicates that the health literature has focused on individuals with direct exposure to pesticides, i.e. farmers, while the literature on preference valuation has focused on those with indirect exposure, i.e. consumers. The discussion highlights the need to clarify the rationale for regulating pesticides, the role of risk perceptions in benefit-cost analysis, and the importance of inter-disciplinary research in this area.
Originality/value
This study relates findings of different disciplines (health, economics, public policy) regarding pesticides, and identifies gaps for future research.
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