Aged ; Feasibility Studies ; Health Status ; Humans ; Mobile Applications ; Treatment Outcome

Background: Attitudes towards smoking, lung cancer screening, and perceived risk of lung cancer have not been widely studied in Malaysia. The primary objective of this study was to describe the factors affecting the willingness of high-risk current smokers and ex-smokers to undergo low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in current smokers or ex-smokers aged between 55 and 80 years at three hospitals in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The questionnaire recorded the following parameters: perceived lung cancer risk; Prostate Lung Colon Ovarian Cancer 2012 risk prediction model excluding race and ethnicity predictor (PLCOm2012norace); demographic characteristics; psychosocial characteristics; and attitudes towards lung cancer and lung cancer screening. Results: A vast majority of the 95 respondents (94.7%) indicated their willingness to undergo screening. Stigma of lung cancer, low levels of knowledge about lung cancer symptoms, concerns about financial constraints, and a preference for traditional medication were still prevalent among the respondents, and they may represent potential barriers to lung cancer screening uptake. A desire to have an early diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 11.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53 to 84.05; p=0.02), perceived time constraints (OR, 3.94; 95% CI, 1.32 to 11.73; p=0.01), and proximity of LDCT screening facilities (OR, 14.33; 95% CI, 1.84 to 111.4; p=0.01) had significantly higher odds of willingness to undergo screening. Conclusion Although high-risk current smokers and ex-smokers are likely to undergo screening for lung cancer, several psychosocial barriers persist. The results of this study may guide the policymakers and clinicians regarding the need to improve lung cancer awareness in our population.

Introduction: Time away from training and competition from sport injuries may lead to detrimental effects on muscle strength and endurance. The cross-education effect plays an important role in preserving strength during recovery and rehabilitation; however, the effects have been found to be inconclusive. In addition, the distinct impacts of eccentric and concentric strengthening exercises need to be explored. The objective of this study was to compare the cross-education effects of eccentric and concentric wrist flexor strengthening exercises on hand grip strength among recreational athletes. Methods: A total of 39 recreational athletes aged between 18-25 years old were randomly assigned into two groups of wrist flexor strengthening exercise: eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) training groups. The training period for the study was 4 weeks with 3 sessions of strengthening exercises per week. Handgrip strength was measured bilaterally, before and after the intervention using the JAMAR handgrip dynamometer. Results: Significant increases in hand grip strength were observed for the ECC and CON groups in both the trained and untrained hands following 4 weeks of training. However, the handgrip strength between the two groups in the untrained hand was not significantly different (p=0.64). The strength gain in the untrained hand was 9.8% and 10.8%, for ECC and CON groups, respectively. Conclusion: The cross-education effect was significant in improving strength in the untrained hand. There was no difference in strength gains between concentric and eccentric strength training.