Byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms and acute and chronic changes in FVC and FEVy.o were investigated in 77 workers in sisal spinning and 83 workers in sisal brushing departments in six Tanzanian sisal factories. Although the prevalence of byssinosis in spinning departments was found to be low (5.2 %), it was very high in brushing departments (48.2 %). Workers in brushing were exposed to sisal dust for a significantly longer period (I177 + 7.3 years) compared to workers exposed to sisal in spinning (2-85 + 2 56 years). Although the number of smokers in brushing (42 %) was similar to that in spinning (37 %), smokers were more prone to byssinosis than were non-or ex-smokers after standardisation for duration of exposure. We were unable to measure dust levels in this study, but dust levels in spinning and brushing are cited from previous studies. These confirm our impression that the dust level in spinning is higher than that in an average cotton carding department and far higher in brushing than in spinning. Acute falls in FVC and FEV1. o were found during the work shift. The extent of the fall in FEy1 0 correlated well with the severity of byssinosis; 75 % of the workers with grade II byssinosis and 33 % of those with grade i + I were found to have acute falls in FEVY o greater than 0-2 litres. However some workers, 10 % in spinning and 33 % in brushing, who denied symptoms of byssinosis, were also found to have acute falls in FE1.o. Some workers had slight or severe chronic ventilatory impairment from dust (FEV1.o less than 80 %, or less than 60 % of the respective predicted values), and these workers were mostly from the brushing department. The prevalence of chronic cough and chronic bronchitis was found to be negligible in workers in the spinning and in the brushing departments: 9-6% had a chronic cough and 12% had chronic bronchitis. It is concluded that a high prevalence of byssinosis associated with chronic and acute changes in FVC and FEy1.o occurs in the brushing departments of sisal factories, and that this is related to lengthy exposure, high dust level and smoking.

Background. Latinos have lower colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates compared to other racial/ethnic groups in the United States, despite an overall increase in CRC screening over the past 10 years. To address this disparity, we implemented a promotor-led intervention to increase CRC screening test adherence in community-based settings, connecting community members with a partnering federally qualified health center. Purpose. To evaluate the Juntos Contra el Cáncer/Together Against Cancer (JUNTOS) intervention, by assessing pre–post changes in (1) CRC screening test adherence and (2) CRC knowledge and perceived barriers to CRC screening. We also assessed the feasibility and acceptability of program activities. Method. JUNTOS was a group-based intervention, delivered by promotores (community health workers), to promote CRC screening test adherence among Latino adults. The intervention consisted of a culturally tailored 2½-hour interactive workshop followed by an appointment scheduling assistance from a promotor. Workshop participants were Latino adults (males and females) aged 50 to 75 years who were not up-to-date with CRC screening guidelines. We conducted interviews before and 6 to 9 months after the workshop to assess program outcomes. Results. Of the 177 participants included, 118 reported completing the CRC screening test (66.7%) by 6 to 9 months postintervention. We observed baseline to 6- to 9-month increase in CRC knowledge and lower perceived barriers to obtaining CRC screening. Furthermore, the intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable. Conclusion. Results suggest that JUNTOS can be feasibly implemented in partnership with a federally qualified health center. The current study supports group-based CRC interventions in community and clinic settings.

Carboplatin is an alkylating agent that is FDA approved for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel is a plant taxane mitotic inhibitor approved for primary or salvage treatment of ovarian and breast cancer. This is a case report of a 40-year-old woman who was exclusively breastfeeding prior to being treated for papillary thyroid cancer with intravenous carboplatin (233 mg) and intravenous paclitaxel (30 mg/m(2)) for 6 consecutive weeks. Breast milk samples were collected during the sixth chemotherapy session. Carboplatin had a relative infant dose of 2.0% and remained measurable after 316 hours. Paclitaxel had a relative infant dose of 16.7% but was eliminated before 316 hours. The potential side effects of infant exposure of these medications include myelosuppression, hypersensitivity reactions, nephrotoxicity, and neurotoxicity. It would be inadvisable for a mother to breastfeed while undergoing therapy with these 2 medications.

Background: Though colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates have increased significantly over the past two decades, screening disparities persist among Latinos. To increase CRC screening rates among Latinos, a promotor-led intervention was implemented to provide educational workshops and link community members to screenings through a partnered Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Aims: To assess screening completion at 6-months follow-up. To identify barriers influencing adherence to CRC screening among participants who participated in a promotor-led intervention. Methods: The Juntos Contra el Cáncer/Together Against Cancer (JUNTOS) program was a promotor-led cancer prevention study that provided CRC prevention workshops to adults ages 50 to 75 in a primarily Latino community in San Diego, CA. Based on the Social Ecological Framework, the intervention targeted knowledge of CRC, screening attitudes, social support, screening barriers, and linked participants to community resources. Promotors assisted participants in scheduling appointments, which is the first step in CRC screening at the partnering FQHC. From December 2016 to July 2018, a total of 66 participants who were not up to date with CRC screening attended a 2.5-hour workshop, received follow-up calls from promotors, and completed a 6-month assessment. Demographics, health conditions, CRC knowledge, and attitudes changes towards screening were compared between participants who completed a CRC screening (adherent) and those who did not at 6 months (nonadherent). Chi-squared and t-tests were conducted to assess significant differences among adherent and nonadherent participants. For nonadherent participants, barriers to scheduling an appointment were evaluated. Results: The sample included 66 Latinos ages 50 to 75 (women=70%). Results from the 6-month follow-up show that 59% participants reported completing CRC screening. Findings show a statistically significant decrease in negative attitudes towards CRC screening from baseline to follow-up (M1=2.88 [SD=.81], M2=2.53 [SD=.85], p<.001). Differences in demographics, health conditions, attitudes towards screening, CRC knowledge, and health behaviors were not statistically significant at baseline between adherent and nonadherent participants at follow-up. The most frequently reported barriers for nonadherent participants to schedule an appointment with their medical provider were being too busy (48%) and not having health insurance (41%). Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that the delivery of the promotor-led intervention improved attitudes of CRC screening and led to increases in self-reported screening rates among nonadherent adults. For uninsured participants, waiving the appointment or providing additional support to navigate the health system may help them complete CRC screening. Overall, these findings build the evidence on the preliminary efficacy of group-based CRC education and linkages to care for nonadherent adults. Citation Format: Carolina López de la Torre, Jill N. JoaDumbauld, Jessica Haughton, Anthony Barrios, Dalia Rojas, Mirna Díaz, José López, Maria Milla, Samir Gupta, Jesse Nodora, Christian Ramers, Felipe Garcia-Bigley, Jessica Marquez, Balambal Baharti, Elva M. Arredondo. Colorectal cancer screening completion rates and barriers to colorectal cancer screening 6 months following participation in CRC screening intervention [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2018 Nov 2-5; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl):Abstract nr B113.