Individuals can use both linguistic and non-linguistic features of the speech signal to identify talkers. For instance, listeners have more difficulty identifying talkers in unfamiliar languages compared to a native language (language familiarity effect), implying that language-specific knowledge aids talker identification. In the present study, the source of the language familiarity benefit on talker identification was investigated as listeners identified talkers in their native language as well as non-native languages. Experiment 1 was designed to explore the influence of L2 proficiency on talker identification across languages. Experiment 2 further investigated individual differences in L1 phonetic perception and their contribution to talker identification by comparing English listeners’ performance across different language conditions that varied in the availability of linguistic cues. Results imply that familiarity with a specific language (L1 or L2) did not explain individual variation in language familiarity effect. Rather, in addition to the native language benefit, talker identification may be supported by general sensitivity to sound structures in language, modulated by the availability of higher-level linguistic information

Background

Increasing physical activity can improve cognition in healthy and cognitively impaired adults; however, the benefits for cancer survivors are unknown. The current study examined a 12-week physical activity intervention, compared with a control condition, on objective and self-reported cognition among breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Sedentary breast cancer survivors were randomized to an exercise arm (n = 43) or a control arm (n = 44). At baseline and at 12 weeks, objective cognition was measured with the National Institutes of Health Cognitive Toolbox, and self-reported cognition using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scales. Linear mixed-effects regression models tested intervention effects for changes in cognition scores.

Results

On average, participants (n = 87) were aged 57 years (standard deviation, 10.4 years) and were 2.5 years (standard deviation, 1.3 years) post surgery. Scores on the Oral Symbol Digit subscale (a measure of processing speed) evidenced differential improvement in the exercise arm versus the control arm (b = 2.01; P < .05). The between-group differences in improvement on self-reported cognition were not statistically significant but were suggestive of potential group differences. Time since surgery moderated the correlation, and participants who were ≤2 years post surgery had a significantly greater improvement in Oral Symbol Digit score (exercise vs control (b = 4.00; P < .01), but no significant improvement was observed in patients who were >2 years postsurgery (b = -1.19; P = .40). A significant dose response was observed with greater increased physical activity associated with objective and self-reported cognition in the exercise arm.

Conclusions

The exercise intervention significantly improved processing speed, but only among those who had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the past 2 years. Slowed processing speed can have substantial implications for independent functioning, supporting the potential importance of early implementation of an exercise intervention among patients with breast cancer. Cancer 2018;124:192-202. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Background

Fertility counseling before cancer treatment has been advocated by clinical guidelines, though little is known about its long-term impact on the unique reproductive concerns of female adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. The goal of this study was to measure the association between fertility counseling by fertility specialists before cancer treatment and subsequent reproductive concerns.

Method

A cross-sectional analysis was performed among 747 AYA survivors aged 18-40 years who had been recruited from cancer registries and physician and advocacy group referrals between 2015 and 2017. Participants self-reported information on past fertility counseling at cancer diagnosis, cancer type and treatment, and current reproductive concerns, as measured using the multidimensional Reproductive Concerns After Cancer scale. Multivariable log-binomial regression models tested associations between fertility counseling and reproductive concerns.

Results

The mean age of the cohort was 33.0 years (standard deviation, 5.1 years), and the mean period since diagnosis was 7.7 years (standard deviation, 5.0 years). Seventy-three percent of participants were white, and 24% were Hispanic. Fertility counseling was reported by 19% of survivors; moderate to high overall reproductive concerns were reported by 44% of participants. In adjusted analysis, fertility counseling was significantly associated with moderate to high reproductive concerns (risk ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.45) and not modified by exposure to fertility-threatening treatments (P_interaction = .23).

Conclusion

A large proportion of AYA cancer survivors across cancer types and treatment exposures reported moderate to high reproductive concerns, suggesting that there is a need to address these cancer-specific reproductive health concerns after treatment. Higher concerns, even with counseling, suggests the need to improve the quality of fertility counseling throughout the cancer continuum.

BACKGROUND:Young breast cancer survivors (YBCS) have unmet needs for managing hot flashes, fertility-related concerns, sexual health, and contraception. PURPOSE:Describe the design and participant characteristics of a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of the survivorship care plan on reproductive health (SCP-R) intervention on improving hot flashes, fertility-related concerns, sexual health, and contraception in YBCS. METHODS:SCP-R is a web-based intervention with text message support encompassing evidence- based practices on four reproductive health issues. YBCS with ≥1 reproductive health issue are randomized to intervention (full SCP-R access) or attention control (access to list of online resources) arms with 24-week follow-up. The primary outcome will be improvement of at least one reproductive health issue measured by validated self-report instruments. Each YBCS nominated one healthcare provider (HCP), who can access the same materials as their patient. HCP outcomes are preparedness and confidence in discussing each issue. RESULTS:Among 318 YBCS screened, 57.2% underwent randomization. Mean age was 40.0 (SD 5.9), and mean age at cancer diagnosis was 35.6 (SD 5.4). Significant hot flashes, fertility-related concerns, vaginal symptoms, and inadequate contraception were reported by 50.5%, 50%, 46.7%, 62.1% of YBCS, respectively; 70.9% had multiple issues. Among 165 nominated HCPs, 32.7% enrolled. The majority of HCPs reported preparedness (68.5-90.7%) and confidence (50.0-74.1%) in discussing reproductive health issues with YBCS. HCPs were least likely to report preparedness or confidence in discussing fertility-related concerns. CONCLUSION:Conducting a trial for improving YBCS reproductive health online is feasible, providing a mechanism to disseminate evidence-based management.

Background

Young breast cancer survivors (YBCS) have unmet needs for managing hot flashes, fertility-related concerns, sexual health, and contraception.

Purpose

Describe the design and participant characteristics of a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of the survivorship care plan on reproductive health (SCP-R) intervention on improving hot flashes, fertility-related concerns, sexual health, and contraception in YBCS.

Methods

SCP-R is a web-based intervention with text message support encompassing evidence- based practices on four reproductive health issues. YBCS with ≥1 reproductive health issue are randomized to intervention (full SCP-R access) or attention control (access to list of online resources) arms with 24-week follow-up. The primary outcome will be improvement of at least one reproductive health issue measured by validated self-report instruments. Each YBCS nominated one healthcare provider (HCP), who can access the same materials as their patient. HCP outcomes are preparedness and confidence in discussing each issue.

Results

Among 318 YBCS screened, 57.2% underwent randomization. Mean age was 40.0 (SD 5.9), and mean age at cancer diagnosis was 35.6 (SD 5.4). Significant hot flashes, fertility-related concerns, vaginal symptoms, and inadequate contraception were reported by 50.5%, 50%, 46.7%, 62.1% of YBCS, respectively; 70.9% had multiple issues. Among 165 nominated HCPs, 32.7% enrolled. The majority of HCPs reported preparedness (68.5-90.7%) and confidence (50.0-74.1%) in discussing reproductive health issues with YBCS. HCPs were least likely to report preparedness or confidence in discussing fertility-related concerns.

Conclusion

Conducting a trial for improving YBCS reproductive health online is feasible, providing a mechanism to disseminate evidence-based management.

Objective

Ovarian cancer is a hormone-related disease with a strong genetic basis. However, none of its high-penetrance susceptibility genes and GWAS-identified variants to date are known to be involved in hormonal pathways. Given the hypothesized etiologic role of gonadotropins, an assessment of how variability in genes involved in the gonadotropin signaling pathway impacts disease risk is warranted.

Methods

Genetic data from 41 ovarian cancer study sites were pooled and unconditional logistic regression was used to evaluate whether any of the 2185 SNPs from 11 gonadotropin signaling pathway genes was associated with ovarian cancer risk. A burden test using the admixture likelihood (AML) method was also used to evaluate gene-level associations.

Results

We did not find any genome-wide significant associations between individual SNPs and ovarian cancer risk. However, there was some suggestion of gene-level associations for four gonadotropin signaling pathway genes: INHBB (p=0.045, mucinous), LHCGR (p=0.046, high-grade serous), GNRH (p=0.041, high-grade serous), and FSHB (p=0.036, overall invasive). There was also suggestive evidence for INHA (p=0.060, overall invasive).

Conclusions

Ovarian cancer studies have limited sample numbers, thus fewer genome-wide susceptibility alleles, with only modest associations, have been identified relative to breast and prostate cancers. We have evaluated the majority of ovarian cancer studies with biological samples, to our knowledge, leaving no opportunity for replication. Using both our understanding of biology and powerful gene-level tests, we have identified four putative ovarian cancer loci near INHBB, LHCGR, GNRH, and FSHB that warrant a second look if larger sample sizes and denser genotype chips become available.