OBJECTIVES: Alcohol consumption is a well-established risk factor for cancer. Despite extensive research into the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk, the effect of light alcohol consumption on cancer risk remains a topic of debate. To contribute to this discourse, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.METHODS: Our systematic review aimed to investigate the associations between different levels of alcohol consumption and the risk of several cancer types. We focused on analyzing prospective associations using data from 139 cohort studies. Among them, 106 studies were included in the meta-analysis after a quantitative synthesis.RESULTS: Our analysis did not find a significant association between light alcohol consumption and all-cause cancer risk (relative risk, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.99 to 1.04), but we observed a dose-response relationship. Light alcohol consumption was significantly associated with higher risks of esophageal, colorectal, and breast cancers. Light to moderate drinking was associated with elevated risks of esophageal, colorectal, laryngeal, and breast cancers. Heavy drinking was also found to contribute to the risk of stomach, liver, pancreas, and prostate cancers, thereby increasing the risk of almost all types of cancer. Additionally, females generally had lower cancer risks compared to males.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight that cancer risks extend beyond heavy alcohol consumption to include light alcohol consumption as well. These findings suggest that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption associated with cancer risk. Our results underscore the importance of public health interventions addressing alcohol consumption to mitigate cancer risks.

Immunization is considered one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions protecting communities from preventable infectious diseases. The Korean government set up a dedicated workforce for national immunization in 2003, and since then has made strides in improving vaccination coverage across the nation. However, some groups remain relatively vulnerable and require intervention, and it is necessary to address unmet needs to prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases. This study was conducted to characterize persistent challenges to vaccination. The study adopted a qualitative method in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Three focus group interviews were conducted with 15 professionals in charge of vaccination-related duties. The interviews were conducted according to a semi-structured guideline, and thematic analysis was carried out. Data saturation was confirmed when the researchers agreed that no more new codes could be found. A total of 4 main topics and 11 subtopics were introduced regarding barriers to vaccination. The main topics were vaccine hesitancy, personal circumstances, lack of information, and misclassification. Among them, vaccine hesitancy was confirmed to be the most significant factor impeding vaccination. It was also found that the factors hindering vaccination had changed over time and disproportionately affected certain groups. The study identified ongoing unmet needs and barriers to vaccination despite the accomplishments of the National Immunization Program. The results have implications for establishing tailored interventions that target context- and group-specific barriers to improve timely and complete vaccination coverage.

Allium vegetables include onions, garlic, and leeks that are used all over the world in different cuisines. We evaluate anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-inflammation of nine Allium vegetables. Most the extracts from nine Allium vegetables decreased breast cancer cell viability compared to the untreated cells. The order of the anti-cell growth effects of the extracts at a concentration of 100μg/mL for 72h was as follows: Allium tuberosume ≥ Allium macrostemon > Allium thumbergii . The Allium vegetables were able to inhibit MDA-MB-453 cancer cell proliferation. Some of the Allium vegetable extracts increased caspase-3 activity compared to the control. Caspase-3 activity levels in cell treated with 100μg/mL of Allium tuberosum , Allium macrostemon , and Allium thumbergii were 52.1, 46.2 and 41.3%, respectively. To test whether Allium vegetables have anti-obesity effects, we investigated the effects of vegetable extracts on differentiation of preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells. Most of the tested extracts exhibited anti-adipogenic effects at a concentration of 100μg/mL. Allium tuberosum , Allium macrostemon , and Allium thumbergii, which have anti-cancer effects, also inhibited lipid accumulation by 45.6, 57.0, and 64.9 %, respectively, at a concentration of 100g/mL. However, no effects of the vegetables on lipolysis in adipocytes were observed. For anti-inflammatory effects, no effects of all Allium vegetables on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage cells. These findings indicate that Allium vegetables do not affect NO-mediated inflammatory responses. Taken together, our study demonstrated that Allium vegetables may be useful as a functional food material for regulating caner and lipid accumulation.

Shin Y, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2022 Jan;37(3):e22. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e22

With the introduction of life-course epidemiology, researchers realized the importance of identifying risk factors in early life to prevent chronic diseases. This led to the establishment of the Ewha Birth and Growth Study in 2001; the study is a prospective birth cohort designed to provide evidence of early life risk factors for a child’s growth and health. Participants were recruited from those who visited Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital (a tertiary hospital in southwest Seoul, Korea) for prenatal care at 24-28 weeks of gestation. In total, 891 mothers enrolled in this study between 2001 and 2006 and their offspring (n=940) were followed-up. Regular check-up examinations of offspring were conducted at 3 years, 5 years, and 7 years of age and every year thereafter. To consider age-related health issues, extensive data were collected using questionnaires and measurements. In 2021, the study subjects will reach 19 years of age, and we are planning a check-up examination for early adulthood. About 20 years have passed since the cohort data were collected, and we have published results on childhood health outcomes associated with prenatal and birth characteristics, genetic and epigenetic characteristics related to childhood metabolism, the effects of exposure to endocrine disruptors, and dietary patterns in childhood. Recently, we started reporting on topics related to adolescent health. The findings will facilitate identification of early life risk factors for chronic diseases and the development of interventions for diseases later in life.