Background/Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a public health problem. In Mexico, there have been no recent studies conducted on survival in terms of this pathology or on the influence of prognostic factors. The study aims to determine the probability of survival in patients with CRC presence of low levels of schooling and a rural population, adjusted for clinical stage and type of treatment.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in a cohort of 305 patients with CRC treated at State Cancer Center, located in Veracruz-Mexico; the follow-up period of 60 months (2012–2016). The survival probability was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and the log-rank test with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Prognostic factors were determined using hazard ratio (HR) multivariate Cox regression analysis.Results: Overall survival was 40% at 60 months. Subjects in the age group ≥ 65 years had a low survival rate of 28% (P= 0.026) and an advanced clinical stage of 22% (P< 0.001). Of the patients with bone metastasis, none survived longer than 5 years (P= 0.008). With respect to the unfavorable prognostic factors identified in the multivariate analysis, a decreased level of schooling was associated with an HR of 7.6 (95% CI, 1.1–54.7), advanced clinical stage was associated with an HR of 2.1 (95% CI, 1.2–4.0), and the presence of metastasis had an HR of 1.8 (95% CI, 1.1–2.9).Conclusions: Poor prognostic factors include an advanced clinical stage, the presence of metastasis and a low level of schooling. These findings confirm the importance of screening for early diagnosis, diminishing the barriers to accessing treatment and prospectively monitoring the population.

To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the Zika virus in both students and workers at the University of Veracruz, an online survey was conducted. The participants were divided into two groups: one according to sex, the other according to whether they were workers or students. Their answers were classified into knowledge, attitudes, and practices and they were rated as low, medium, and high. The results showed that knowledge about Zika prevailing among the university population is considered as medium in 79.4% of the study population. Most respondents know that the mosquito spreads the Zika virus (98.8%) and the clinical characteristics, while sexual transmission by the virus is little known (36.85%). Both the univariate analysis (OR (CI5) 0.227 (0.070–0.735), p = 0.013] and multivariate analysis (OR (CI95) 0.234 (0.071–778), p = 0.018] showed that belonging to the health sciences area is related to having a greater knowledge about Zika. Despite the existing knowledge, a low level of prevention practices prevails in the whole community (55%). A medium level of knowledge about Zika prevailed, while proper implementation of preventive measures for Zika is low, despite the fact that the state of Veracruz—the place where the University is located—is an endemic area.

Young women under 30 years with breast cancer (BC) are an emerging challenge. The purpose is to identify prognostic factors for survival in young women under 30 years of age with BC. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among women younger than or equal to 40 years with BC and who were treated at the State Cancer Center during the period 2012–2017. Overall survival was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analysis assessed survival predictors using Cox proportional hazards regression model. 282 young women were included. The >30-year-old subgroup showed a significant association with excess weight (P = .002) compared to the <30-year-old group. The <30-year-old subgroup showed a poor overall survival (56.7%), as well as highly significant values in advanced clinical stages, metastatic nodules, metastasis, and neoadjuvant therapy (P < .001). In Model 3 of the multivariate analysis, age 5 cm HR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.03 to 5.1), and advanced clinical stages (HR = 6.6 95% CI 1.3 to 35.5) persisted as predictors. Being very young (<30 years) is a predictor for limited survival compared to the age of 30–40 years, as well as the tumor covariates for a worse prognosis: triple negative subtype, advanced stages, positive lymph nodes, and distant metastases in liver.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and, as such, is important for public health. The increased incidence of this neoplasm is attributed to non-modifiable controls such as family history and modifiable variable behavioral risk factors involved in lifestyle like diets in Mexico. The presence of these factors is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate family history and lifestyle factors associated with developing colorectal cancer in a Mexican population. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (OR), as well as the 95% confidence intervals (CI). In this paper, significant differences were demonstrated between cases and controls. A family history of cancer (FHC) increased the probability of CRC [OR = 3.19 (95% CI: 1.81–5.60)]. The area of urban residence was found to be a protective factor compared to the rural area. This was also the case for frequent consumption of fruits [OR = 0.49 (95% CI: 0.28–0.88)], the frequent consumption of beef [OR = 2.95 (95% CI: 1.05–8.26)], pork [OR = 3.26 (95% CI: 1.34–7.90)], and region-typical fried food [OR = 2.79 (95% CI (1.32–5.89)]. These results provide additional evidence supporting the association of some CRC risk factors with family history of cancer, low fruit consumption, high consumption of red meat, and fried foods typical of the region of México. It is important to establish intervention methods, as well as genetic counseling to relatives of patients with CRC.

Objetivos: Determinar si el lugar de residencia y el grado de marginación se encuentran asociados a la supervivencia al cáncer de próstata. Materiales y métodos: Se incluyeron a todos los pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer de próstata (CP) en el periodo 2013-2017 en un hospital de tercer nivel de atención de Veracruz, México. Los casos expuestos fueron los pacientes que habitualmente residían en zonas rurales, los no expuestos fueron los de zonas urbanas. Se recolectaron variables según características clínico epidemiológicas e histopatológicas. Para medir la supervivencia se utilizó el método de Kaplan Meier y la prueba de Log Rank. Los factores pronósticos fueron determinados calculando hazard ratio ajustado (HRa) en un análisis multivariado mediante el método de riesgos proporcionales de Cox. Resultados: Se analizaron 186 casos de CP. La supervivencia global a 5 años fue de 48,3%. Los hombres que residían en zonas urbanas tuvieron una probabilidad de supervivencia mayor que quienes residían en zonas rurales (HRa 1,67, IC 95%: 1,16-2,41). Asimismo, las personas que vivían en lugares catalogados como zonas de baja marginación tuvieron una mayor probabilidad de supervivencia que quienes vivían en zonas de alta marginación (HRa 2,32, IC 95%: 1,47-3,66). Conclusiones: El lugar de residencia rural se identificó como un factor de mal pronóstico para la supervivencia de pacientes con CP independientemente de otras variables sociodemográficas y clínicas; los pacientes que vivían en lugares con grados de marginación más elevados tuvieron un pronóstico desfavorable de supervivencia.