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Effect of a family-based multimedia program on the utilisation rate of colorectal cancer screening among South Asian older adults in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT: Background and study aims Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and the risk of its development increases with age. It is therefore of great importance to undertake preventive measures against colorectal cancer in order to reduce its increasing prevalence. Undergoing cancer screening is one of the most effective ways of preventing the development of colorectal cancer through early detection, leading to increased chances of successful treatment and survival. Despite the proven benefits of cancer screening, studies showed that South Asian ethnic minorities, both in Hong Kong and worldwide, do not tend to use the publicly available cancer screening services, resulting in a higher chance of these individuals developing colorectal cancer, particularly among older adults. It was shown that their reduced tendency to undergo cancer screening is partly contributed by their low level of health knowledge and barriers to accessing health and cancer preventive services. In view of this, educational programmes are required to educate older South Asians ethnic minorities on the importance of cancer screening. With studies showing that younger family members educated on the importance of cancer screening are more able to recommend their older family members to undergo cancer screening, such an education programme should be targeted for families rather than older adults alone. This study aims to develop a multimedia health promotion programme for families of South Asian ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, to increase their awareness of the importance of undergoing cancer screening in colorectal cancer prevention. Who can participate? Pairs of healthy South Asian (Indian, Pakistani and Nepali) adults living in Hong Kong, comprising a younger family member aged between 18 and 61 and an older family member aged between 62 and 71 What does the study involve? Each pair of participants is randomly allocated into either group A or group B. Participants in group A receive the educational programme. It is delivered in one session using multiple means including a health talk on colorectal cancer and cancer screening, presentation of a video clip depicting the benefits of family support in motivating an older family member to undergo cancer screening, and a health information booklet. Participants in group B receive this programme after those in group A have completed the programme. For participants in both groups, before and after group A participants have received the programme, the researchers assess the following: whether the younger family members of each participant pair are willing to encourage their older family members to consult a family doctor for undertaking colorectal cancer screening, and are prepared to assist older family members in collecting samples for colorectal cancer screening; whether the older family members of each participant pair have seen a family doctor for an appointment in colorectal cancer screening. The researchers also assess whether participants in both groups are satisfied with the programme after they have attended it.

DISEASE(S): Colorectal Cancer

PROVIDER: 2422724 | ecrin-mdr-crc |

REPOSITORIES: ECRIN MDR

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Project description:A common characteristic of aging is the loss of skeletal muscle (sarcopenia) which can lead to falls and fractures. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are novel post-transcriptional modulators of gene expression with a potential role as a regulator of skeletal muscle mass and function. The purpose of this study was to profile miRNA expression patterns in aging human skeletal muscle using a miRNA array followed by in-depth functional and network analysis. Muscle biopsy samples from 36 men (young: 31Â±2; n=19; older: 73Â±3; n=17) were: 1) analyzed for the expression of miRNAs using a microRNA array 2) validated with Taqman quantitative real-time PCR assays, and 3) identified (and later validated) for potential gene targets using the bioinformatics knowledge base software, Ingenuity Pathways Analysis. We found that 18 miRNAs were differentially expressed in older humans (P<0.05 and >500 expression level). The Let-7 family members, Let-7b and Let-7e, were significantly elevated and further validated in older subjects (P<0.05). Functional and network analysis from Ingenuity determined that gene targets of the Let-7âs were associated with molecular networks involved in cell cycle control such as cellular proliferation and differentiation. We confirmed with real-time PCR that the mRNA expression of the cell cycle regulators, CDK6, CDC25A and CDC34 were downregulated in older subjects compared to the young (P<0.05). These data suggest that aging is characterized by an increased expression of Let-7 family members which may downregulate genes related to cellular proliferation. We propose that the increased Let-7 expression in older human muscle may be an indicator of impaired cell cycle function. We analyzed skeletal muscle biopsy samples from 19 young and 17 older male subjects that have participated in our previous and current research experiments. The subjects were not engaged in any regular exercise training at the time of the enrollment; however they were physically independent and overall healthy. Screening of subjects were performed with clinical history, physical exam, and laboratory tests including complete blood count with differential, liver and kidney function tests, coagulation profile, fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance test, hepatitis B and C screening, HIV test, TSH, urinalysis, and drug screening. All subjects gave informed written consent before participating in the study, which was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Texas Medical Branch (which is in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki). Once recruited, a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan (Hologic QDR 4500W, Bedford, MA) was performed to measure body composition and lean mass. Study design. All subjects were admitted to the Clinical Research Center the day prior to the experiment, were provided a standardized dinner and were studied following an overnight fast under basal conditions. Subjects were studied during the same time of day to avoid potential circadian changes and refrained from exercise 48h prior to study participation. A muscle biopsy was obtained from the vastus lateralis of the leg. The biopsy was performed using a 5 mm BergstrÃ¶m biopsy needle, under sterile procedure and local anesthesia (1% lidocaine). Muscle biopsy sample was immediately blotted and frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80oC until analysis. The muscle biopsy sample was used for microRNA and gene analysis.

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Effect of a family-based multimedia program on the utilisation rate of colorectal cancer screening among South Asian older adults in Hong Kong

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