Osteoprotegerin and breast cancer risk by hormone receptor subtype: a nested case-control study in the EPIC cohort

Circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG), a member of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK) axis, may influence breast cancer risk via its role as the decoy receptor for both the RANK ligand (RANKL) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Circulating OPG and breast cancer risk has been examined in only one prior study. Methods…

Optimising the European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition, to increase awareness of avoidable cancer risks in all socioeconomic groups

Although cancer is a leading cause of death in the European Union, around 40% of cases are preventable. The European Code Against Cancer (ECAC) was developed to inform citizens about key cancer-risk-reducing actions. This study aimed to identify effective ways to present the 5th edition of the code (ECAC5) to optimise awareness of cancer risks…

Optimal start in dialysis shows increased survival in patients with chronic kidney disease

Objective To compare the survival among patients with chronic kidney disease who had optimal starts of renal replacement therapy, dialysis or hemodialysis, with patients who had suboptimal starts. Methods A retrospective cohort consisting of >18 year-old patients who started renal replacement therapy, using peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, in any public hospital or associated center of…

One‐carbon metabolism biomarkers and risk of urothelial cell carcinoma in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition

Published associations between dietary folate and bladder cancer risk are inconsistent. Biomarkers may provide more accurate measures of nutrient status. This nested case‐control analysis within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) investigated associations between pre‐diagnostic serum folate, homocysteine, vitamins B6 and B12 and the risk of urothelial cell carcinomas of the bladder…

One-carbon metabolism nutrients and polygenic risk scores in relation to breast cancer risk: a nested case-control study within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort

Background One-carbon metabolism (1CM) regulates critical processes in carcinogenesis. However, the influence of 1CM-related nutritional and genetic factors on breast cancer (BC) risk remains unclear. Objectives This study aimed to assess the impact of 1CM-related nutrients and genetic variants with BC risk. Methods Case-control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition…

On the use of the healthy lifestyle index to investigate specific disease outcomes

The healthy lifestyle index (HLI), defined as the unweighted sum of individual lifestyle components, was used to investigate the combined role of lifestyle factors on health-related outcomes. We introduced weighted outcome-specific versions of the HLI, where individual lifestyle components were weighted according to their associations with disease outcomes. Within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer…

On the importance of primary and community healthcare in relation to global health and environmental threats: lessons from the COVID-19 crisis

In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that primary healthcare systems play a critical role in clinical care, such as patient screening, triage, physical and psychological support and also in promoting good community advice and awareness in coordination with secondary healthcare and preventive care. Because of the role of social and…

Omnivorous and plant-based dietary patterns: a comparative analysis using data-driven and index-based approaches

Background and objective Plant-based diet (PBD) followers are growing worldwide. The aim was to explore the dietary profile of PBDs, taking the omnivorous (OMN) diet as a reference. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 760 participants were included, of whom 161 self-identified as vegan, ovo-lacto-vegetarian, or pesco-vegetarian. Intakes of 175 foods,…