Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Retrospective Analysis Of Primary Breast Cancer Surgical Procedures (Mastectomy Versus Breast Conserving Surgery) Performed On Women Living In Rural And Urban Counties In South Carolina, Talitha Massaquoi

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Women dealing with a diagnosis of breast cancer may be challenged when attempting to seek and obtain medical care while living in a rural community. It is not known whether geography impacts the decision-making process for women considering elective breast cancer surgery (mastectomy versus breast conserving surgery (BCS)) in South Carolina. We performed a retrospective analysis of breast cancer surgical options offered to women to examine if a difference exists in both rural and urban settings. Although there was a higher proportion of women in South Carolina who elected to undergo a mastectomy instead of BCS (4,416 [79.5%] vs. 1,139 …

Addressing Caregiver Burden Among Oncology Caregivers: An Educational Intervention., Alexandria Salois

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

The incidence of cancer is on the rise, the number of cancer diagnoses are increasing at an alarming rate with advanced technologies and available evidence. Cancer care has also shifted from the inpatient setting to mostly outpatient. With this, a large portion of the responsibility has been transferred to the caregiver of that patient (Kent et al., 2019). Historically, caregivers have not been at the forefront of research, however, the concept of caregiver burden is beginning to emerge. A gap exists in addressing the needs of caregivers in both evidence-based data and with the local community cancer support group, Gilda’s …

Repurposing Clinically Relevant Metabolic Inhibitor Drugs, Difluoromethylornithine (Dfmo) And Orlistat, For Gammaherpesvirus Replication, Lay Paw

Honors Projects

Viruses, including herpesviruses, contribute up to 15% of all human cancers. Murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (MHV-68), a pathogen commonly found in mice, is studied due to its shared homology with several human herpesviruses. Studies done in the Delgado lab via metabolomics analysis show MHV-68 infected cells increase host cell metabolism. Clinically relevant metabolic inhibitor drugs, ɑ-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and Orlistat, respectively block polyamine and lipid production demonstrated a reduction in MHV-68 viral production. Repurposing clinically relevant drugs through the exploration of a different target shows great promise in reducing oncogenic viral titer.

A Visual Journey Of Diseases, Joanna Ni

Honors Theses

Patient journey maps serve as invaluable tools in healthcare to comprehend and enhance the patient experience. This research explores the significance of patient journey maps in understanding the diverse interactions between patients and healthcare systems. By visualizing each stage of the patient’s experience, from initial symptoms to post-treatment care, the journey maps offer insights into patient needs, preferences, and pain points.

Of the eight patient journey maps identified, most examined a patient’s journey through cancer, and concerned a Canadian patient. Evaluation of these maps revealed that there are many factors that can challenge and facilitate a patient’s journey through the …

Education For Healthcare Professionals On Protocol For Prostate Cancer Screenings On Inmates, Heather Ackerman, Randi Janae Ballard

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Cancer is the leading cause of death for incarcerated individuals, prostate cancer awareness and screening guidelines are essential areas of focus for healthcare professionals (Puglisi et al., 2021). Prostate cancer screenings recommend that males between the age of 55-69 be informed of evidence-based guidelines and offered these screenings as a part of routine health maintenance (USPSTF, 2018). In 2019, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) was ordered to follow these guidelines for incarcerated individuals (Raba, 2021). As of 2021, the IDOC had yet to implement these screenings for incarcerated individuals within the state facilities. Two separate one-hour educational sessions regarding …

Bcl2 Mediated Targeted Drug Delivery For The Treatment Of Kidney Fibrosis And Stomach Cancer, Humayra Afrin

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Apoptosis, the programmed death of cells, is primarily regulated by a delicate balance between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic signals. The Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) family of proteins acts as anti-apoptotic agents, promoting cell survival. Dysregulation of these proteins is a common occurrence in conditions such as cancer and fibrosis, where overexpression of anti-apoptotic members can foster tumor cell survival and fibroblast activation. In this study, our aim was to explore the therapeutic potential of Bcl-2 inhibitors, both as a small molecule (specifically Navitoclax (Navi)), inhibitor and as Bcl-2 siRNA, for targeted treatment. Intravenous administration of Navi often leads to thrombocytopenia, necessitating …

Nutritional Deuterium Depletion And Health: A Scoping Review, Nicole Korchinsky

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Background: Deuterium depletion is an untapped area of energy metabolism and health.

Objectives: The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the health effects through deuterium depletion via deuterium-depleted water and a deuterium-depleted diet (ketogenic).

Methods: A protocol process approach was used to retrieve current research in deuterium depletion.

Results: 15 research articles were used. Deuterium depletion was found to have beneficial health effects in the following conditions: cancer prevention, cancer treatment, depression, diabetes, long-term memory, anti-aging, and sports performance.

Conclusion: Even with limited data, consistent deuterium depletion was seen across all conditions reviewed. …

Detailing The Effects Of Cannabidiol On Exosome Release In Ewing’S Sarcoma, Bennett Hasley

Theses

Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer found within bone that carries a low five-year survival rate within its patients. This is due, in part, to the cancer’s high malignancy properties as well as the development of resistance to the chemotherapies used to combat this cancer. This project aims to determine if cannabidiol (CBD) has an effect on either exosome release or the protein, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) within ES cells. Exosomes are vesicles that can carry proteins and other signaling molecules which are released by the cell and allow for cell-to-cell communication. Within …

"Fueling For A Healthy Life:" A Cooking Class For Adolescent And Young Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors, Hope Dominique

Senior Theses

Following cancer treatment, childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at an increased risk of developing chronic diseases and face an increased risk of health-related death during adulthood. Recent literature demonstrates that modifying lifestyle factors such as nutrition can reduce the risk of late mortality in survivors, suggesting that interventions promoting a healthy lifestyle may improve quality and quantity of life for CCS. However, many adolescent and young adult (AYA) CCS do not adhere to national dietary guidelines and face both real and perceived barriers to adopting healthier eating habits while in a critical period for establishing behaviors that contribute to lifelong …

Targeting Strategies To Optimize The Therapeutic Potential Of Gold Compounds Against Her2-Positive Breast Cancers, Afruja Ahad

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The overexpression of HER2 accounts for 20-30% of breast cancer tumors and not only serves as a marker for poor predictive clinical outcomes but also as a target for treatment. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) combine the selectivity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs to provide targeted treatment without toxicity to normal tissue. Most of the ADCs currently in the clinic for cancer chemotherapy are based on complex organic molecules. In contrast, the conjugation of metallodrugs to mAbs has been overlooked when there is enormous potential in this area with the resurgence of metal-based drugs as prospective cancer …

Cameroonian Women's Experiences In Seeking Breast Cancer Screening And Preventive Services, Cynthia N. Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

A Multidisciplinary Approach To Managing Financial Toxicity In Oncology Patients, Katelin Muse

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patients with a cancer diagnosis are counseled at length about the standard of care treatment options, which may include surgery, radiation, anticancer medications, and chemo/immunotherapy through an informed consent process. Unfortunately, the potential economic burden and the accompanying psychological burden is seldom discussed up front. There is a significant need for routine screening and a multidisciplinary approach to the prevention of financial toxicity for the oncology patient. The purpose of this doctoral project was to lead an interprofessional team in the development of a clinical practice guideline for routine financial screening using the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) tool …

A Multidisciplinary Approach To Managing Financial Toxicity In Oncology Patients, Katelin Muse

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patients with a cancer diagnosis are counseled at length about the standard of care treatment options, which may include surgery, radiation, anticancer medications, and chemo/immunotherapy through an informed consent process. Unfortunately, the potential economic burden and the accompanying psychological burden is seldom discussed up front. There is a significant need for routine screening and a multidisciplinary approach to the prevention of financial toxicity for the oncology patient. The purpose of this doctoral project was to lead an interprofessional team in the development of a clinical practice guideline for routine financial screening using the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) tool …

Fertility Preservation: A Critical Review Of Information Available To Testicular Cancer Patients, Markram Groenewald

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Fertility preservation remains a crucial component of Testicular Cancer patients’ health-related quality of life. Significant inconsistency is present in the availability and accessibility of information related to fertility preservation for patients with Testicular Cancer. The purpose of this critical review was to determine the quantity and quality of fertility preservation provided through the websites of top cancer care centers. A total of 15 centers were chosen based on the top cancer centers from US News and World Report and expanded upon using Definitive Healthcare’s top 10 centers treating Testicular Cancer by volume. Webpages were collected and graded for accessibility of …

Sprtn Metalloprotease As A Target To Sensitize Cancer Cells To Crosslinking Chemotherapy, Cole J. Turner

Honors Theses

Bifunctional alkylating agents have demonstrated high clinical utility as a chemotherapeutic strategy against cancer. These compounds have been well-characterized for their capacity to exert cytotoxicity via interstrand DNA crosslinking. However, the same electrophilic chemistry can also form DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) whose contributions to these drugs’ antitumor effects have been less well-defined. Recently, the metalloprotease SPRTN has been implicated as a predominant mediator of DPC repair in mammalian cells. Previous work has demonstrated that SPRTN deficiency increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to DPC-inducing agents such as formaldehyde and cisplatin, but these findings have yet to be translated more broadly across …

Evaluating The Symptoms And Treatment-Related Knowledge Of Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy In A Tertiary Care Hospital, Kiran Nawaz Ali

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Cancer has become the leading source of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Its prevalence is rising and high-risk behaviours are being adopted by the people in society. Knowledge about cancer and its management helps in adjusting the resource allocations and in terms of public health policy. Moreover, patient education about symptoms, treatment, and side effects is crucial and must be addressed.
Knowledge about cancer, its side effects, and the possible treatment outcomes is essential, as it helps in deciding about adherence to the treatment. It is observed that many oncology patients have information gaps related to cancer and chemotherapy. However, …

Dna Methylation-Based Epigenetic Biomarkers In Cell-Type Deconvolution And Tumor Tissue Of Origin Identification, Ze Zhang

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression and is essential to establishing and preserving cellular identity. Genome-wide DNA methylation arrays provide a standardized and cost-effective approach to measuring DNA methylation. When combined with a cell-type reference library, DNA methylation measures allow the assessment of underlying cell-type proportions in heterogeneous mixtures. This approach, known as DNA methylation deconvolution or methylation cytometry, offers a standardized and cost-effective method for evaluating cell-type proportions. While this approach has succeeded in discerning cell types in various human tissues like blood, brain, tumors, skin, breast, and buccal swabs, the existing methods have major …

A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Adverse Childhood Experience Exposure On Cancer Diagnosis Utilizing The 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey Data, Emma Zipperer

Capstone Experience

Objective: To determine the association between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and cancer diagnosis based on ACE exposure levels.

Methods: We utilized data collected in the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. The study population (n=54,148) was restricted to states that reported on the optional model of experiencing ACEs and those who responded about cancer diagnosis. A univariate analysis, bivariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression were performed. Odds of cancer diagnosis among those with differing ACE exposure levels were calculated.

Results: High ACE exposure had 20% higher odds of cancer diagnosis when compared to low ACE exposure. White, …

Discovery Of Novel Hit Molecules Targeting Parp1 Using Structure-Based Design, Shahrazad Polk

Dissertations (2016-Present)

In the United States of America alone, cancer is the second highest cause of death. While there have been many remarkable breakthroughs in cancer research, there is still a need for the development of new therapies that target the different mechanisms of cancer cells. Therefore, the focus of our research is identifying novel hit molecules targeting Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is an enzyme that has many distinct functions in the body. PARP1 has four domains: zinc fingers also known as the DNA binding domain, BRCT domain, WGR domain, and the ART catalytic domain. Its most …

Examining Health Literacy And Patient-Centered Communication: A Secondary Analysis Of U.S. Adults With A History Of Cancer, Kimberly Ann Dy Tomas

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Racial/ethnic communities bear a disproportionate burden when examining cancer mortality and infection-related cancer incidence rates. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), health literacy and clear communication between professionals and patients are crucial to improving health and the quality of healthcare. This study examined the relationship between personal health literacy and perceived patient-centered communication quality (PPCQ). A secondary data analysis was conducted using the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5, Cycle 4 (2020), and STATA/BE 17.0 for Windows. The sample included respondents who have a history of cancer and have seen a healthcare provider within …

Distinct Nrf2 Signaling Thresholds Mediate Lung Tumor Initiation And Progression, Janine M. Deblasi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

NRF2 is a redox-responsive transcription factor the directs the antioxidant program and several critical metabolic processes. Mutations in NRF2 or its negative regulator KEAP1 occur in up to one third of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and are often associated with resistance to therapy and poor outcomes. In the present studies, murine alleles of the Keap1 and Nrf2 mutations found in human NSCLC were developed and I comprehensively investigated their impact on tumor initiation and progression. I observed that chronic Nrf2 stabilization by Keap1 loss-of-function or Nrf2 activating mutation was not sufficient to cause lung tumor initiation, even when p53 …

Early Palliative Care Screening Among Solid Tumor Oncology Patients, Kaitlin Lothe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

While there are extensive benefits of integration of early palliative care, referral to this specialty tends to occur late in the disease course after some form of suffering has already occurred (Hausner et al., 2021). The purpose of this DNP student’s quality improvement project was to improve care coordination and increase rate of palliative care referrals of solid tumor oncology patients through implementation of an evidence-based trigger tool for palliative care screening. Participants were recruited from a 36-bed inpatient adult medical oncology unit where identified patients meeting criteria were included in the study. Data for this study included participant demographics, …

The Genetic Associations Of Circadian Rhythm And Sleep Disorder Traits With Risk Of Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Undetermined Significance And Multiple Myeloma, Brittany Crawford

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Circadian rhythm disruption and sleep have been widely studied for their roles in immunity and cancer development. Evidence for an association of circadian rhythm and sleep traits with multiple myeloma (MM) risk is inconclusive. No studies have investigated these traits in relation to monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Given that MGUS precedes almost all MM cases, investigating sleep and circadian rhythm in relation to both MM and MGUS is necessary. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the genetic influences of circadian rhythm and sleep traits on the risk of MGUS and MM. Methods: Data were leveraged …

A Phenomenological Study Of Faith In Catholic Persons Living With The Diagnosis Of Cancer, Macrina Reyes

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Background: There were an estimated 1.9 million new cases of cancer diagnosed the United States and over 600,000 deaths from cancer in 2022. Cancer is also known as the 2nd most common cause of death behind heart disease in the US. In 2019, there were an estimated 16.9 million cancer survivors in the US. Furthermore, the number of cancer survivors is expected to increase to 22.2 million by 2030. Unfortunately, the persons' spiritual needs are not being addressed or considered by healthcare practitioners as part of the plan of care, especially Catholics. In order to truly provide person-centered care, healthcare …

Machine Learning Approaches To Understanding And Predicting Cancer Screening Follow Through With Population And Health System Data, Matthew Davis

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Introduction

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and cancer screening is a primary tool to reduce mortality. However, not all who are recommended to be screened actually follow through. This study investigates whether electronic medical record and geographic data is suitable to predict which patients are at risk of missing recommended screenings. The goal of this investigation is to design a data informed system that can automate the prediction of those at risk for missing screenings and provide insights into underlying reasons. This will enable resources to be focused to increase cancer screening adherence, …

Addressing Psychosocial Client Factors In People With Cancer: An Occupational Therapy Guidebook, Hannah Marlette

Student Capstone Papers

People with cancer experience a variety of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial impacts that affect their quality of life, occupational performance, and occupational engagement. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are well-equipped to address these impacts, however, OT is an underused service in the cancer population, resulting in a limited amount of literature addressing OT interventions in cancer care. OT interventions in the literature are focused on addressing an individual’s physical client factors. The focus on physical client factors is causing people with cancer to report that their psychosocial client factors are not being addressed. The literature demonstrates that OT practitioners do not …

Isolation And Total Synthesis Of Sigma-2 Ligands From Marine Cyanobacteria, Andrea Hough

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cyanobacteria have been studied for over 50 years as a source of new antibiotics, antiviral, and anticancer drugs. The research described in this dissertation investigates marine cyanobacteria as a source of natural products with activity within the central nervous system and with cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells. Barbamide (1) is a known cyanobacterial metabolite that has been re-isolated from a variety of species and collection sites suggesting broad utility as a signaling molecule. Utilizing the psychoactive drug screening program, we screened barbamide for CNS activity and found that barbamide exhibited affinity for the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and …

Expanding The Occupational Therapy Oncology Rehabilitation Program At James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Annalisa M. Rodriguez

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Occupational Exposures Associated With Thyroid Cancer In The Thyroid Tumor And Cancer Collaborative Registry In The Integrated Cancer Center Repository For Cancer Research, James Buckley

Capstone Experience

Thyroid cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States, with the rate of new cases increasing from 5.2 per 100,000 in 1985 to 13.8 per 100,000 in 2019, with a peak of 14.5 per 100,000 in 2015. Increased thyroid cancer incidence is associated with certain occupations, including healthcare and agriculture. Most existing literature on occupational exposures and thyroid cancer evaluate their association in terms of occupation type and thyroid cancer, rather than specific occupational exposures and thyroid cancer. This study sought to utilize the wide range of occupational exposure data in the Integrated Cancer Center Repository …

Early Stage Or Curable Cancer Diagnoses In Minorities: A Journey Of Survivors, Lora Asberry

Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses

Patients diagnosed with early-staged or curable forms of cancer experience physical, as well as, mental challenges associated with disease progression and treatment. Previous studies have demonstrated that minorities and underrepresented communities did not receive the same level of care in comparison to their non-minority counterparts. Previous studies have also demonstrated that health disparities among minorities affected their cancer journey. This study addressed: how medical disparities varied between minorities and non-minorities, the overall effects of the cancer diagnoses in minorities compared to non-minorities, whether these perspectives differed in male vs. female participants, and whether there were any possible communication barriers between …