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Breast cancers related to BRCA mutations are associated with particular biological features. Here we report the clinical and pathological characteristics of breast cancer in Chinese women with and without BRCA mutations and of carriers of BRCA1 mutations compared to BRCA2 mutations. Two hundred and 26 high-risk Hong Kong Chinese women were tested for BRCA mutations, medical information was obtained from medical records, and risk and demographic information was obtained from personal interviews. In this cohort, 28 (12.4%) women were BRCA mutation carriers and among these carriers, 39.3% were BRCA1 and 60.7% were BRCA2 mutations. Mutation carriers were more likely to have a familial history of breast and ovarian cancer, high-grade cancers, and triple negative (TN) cancers. Prevalence of TN was 48.3% in BRCA carriers and 25.6% in non-carriers and was 67.7% in BRCA1 and 35.3% in BRCA2 carriers. Estrogen receptor (ER) negative cancer was significantly associated with BRCA1 mutations, especially in those under 40 years of age. BRCA-related breast cancer in this Chinese population is associated with family history and adverse pathological/prognostic features, with BRCA2 mutations being more prevalent but BRCA1 carriers having more aggressive and TN cancers. Compared to Caucasian populations, prevalence of BRCA2 mutations and TN cancer in BRCA2 mutation carriers in Chinese population are elevated.

A total of 173 boys aged 10 to 179 months with previous unilateral inguinal herniotomy were called back for follow-up. Clinical and ultrasound examinations of the scrotum were performed. The interval between operation and follow-up was 6 to 123 months (mean 31.68 months). One boy (0.58%) had a more than 50% and 10 (5.8%) had a more than 25% decrease in testicular volume on the operated side when compared with the non-operated side.

Aims: The study compared the effects of a patient and carer empowerment programme and conventional hip fracture protocol on hip fractures related knowledge, activity of daily living (ADL) independence, fall efficacy on ADL; and application frequency of adapted ADL skills in individuals with hip fracture. Methodology: 134 participants were recruited with 63 and 71 participants allocated to Patient and Carer Empowerment Programme (PCEP) and conventional hip fracture protocol respectively. Paired t-test was used to compare the pre-post scores of hip fracture knowledge test, Functional Independence Measures-motor scores, Lawton Instrumental ADL scales and Chinese version of Fall Efficacy Scales within groups. Independent t-test was used to compare the outcome measures and application frequency of adapted ADL skills between groups. Results: It showed that both groups have improvement on hip fracture related knowledge, ADL, instrumental ADL independence and fall efficacy on ADL (P<0.05). However, the participants who underwent the PCEP were found to apply adapted ADL skills more frequently. Conclusion: It appears that participants who underwent the PCEP were more ready to build up habit on adapted ADL skills use. Further studies to investigate carers’ stress and hands-on caregiving skills after the programme were recommended.

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