The use of smartphones has rapidly increased over the past few years. With the increasing use of smartphones, concern has been raised about the potential harmful effects on human health. In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (group 2B) based on an increased risk for glioma associated with wireless phone use (i.e. mobile phones). In addition, several meta-analyses of case-control studies reported an increased risk of tumors associated with the use of mobile phones. Moreover, it has been reported that the overuse of mobile phones is associated with reproductive risks, addiction, and phantom vibration and ringing syndrome. Further large prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these associations. Until clear evidence is available that the use of smartphones is safe, their overuse should be avoided.
Case-Control Studies ; Cellular Phone ; Cohort Studies ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Glioma ; Humans ; International Agencies ; Vibration ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVES: The extent of the occupational cancer burden has rarely been estimated in Korea. The aim of this study is to provide an estimation of the population attributable fraction (PAF) of occupational cancer in Korea. METHODS: Nine kinds of Group 1 carcinogens addressed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and 7 kinds of cancer were selected for the target carcinogens and diseases, respectively. The prevalence of carcinogen-exposed workers was estimated and correction factors were applied so that the value would be representative of the total population. Data on relative risk (RR) were taken from IARC reports and were compared with the RRs from the studies on Korean workers. The PAF was estimated according to Levin's formula. RESULTS: The proportion of the general Korean population exposed to carcinogens was 9.7%. The PAF of total cancer was 1.1% for incident cancer cases and 1.7% for cancer deaths. The PAFs of lung cancer and leukemia were 7.0% and 4.%, respectively. With the RRs reported from Korean studies, the PAF for lung cancer and leukemia were 3.7% and 3.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The PAF in this study (1.1%) was lower than that reported in previous studies (2-4%) from developed countries. Considering that only 9 of the 29 kinds of Group 1 carcinogens were included in this study, the PAF might be underestimated. However, because the process of industrialization in Korea differs from that which occurred in other developed countries, 1.1% of the PAF might be appropriate for Korea.
Carcinogens ; Developed Countries ; International Agencies ; Korea ; Leukemia ; Lung Neoplasms ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVES: The extent of the occupational cancer burden has rarely been estimated in Korea. The aim of this study is to provide an estimation of the population attributable fraction (PAF) of occupational cancer in Korea. METHODS: Nine kinds of Group 1 carcinogens addressed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and 7 kinds of cancer were selected for the target carcinogens and diseases, respectively. The prevalence of carcinogen-exposed workers was estimated and correction factors were applied so that the value would be representative of the total population. Data on relative risk (RR) were taken from IARC reports and were compared with the RRs from the studies on Korean workers. The PAF was estimated according to Levin's formula. RESULTS: The proportion of the general Korean population exposed to carcinogens was 9.7%. The PAF of total cancer was 1.1% for incident cancer cases and 1.7% for cancer deaths. The PAFs of lung cancer and leukemia were 7.0% and 4.%, respectively. With the RRs reported from Korean studies, the PAF for lung cancer and leukemia were 3.7% and 3.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The PAF in this study (1.1%) was lower than that reported in previous studies (2-4%) from developed countries. Considering that only 9 of the 29 kinds of Group 1 carcinogens were included in this study, the PAF might be underestimated. However, because the process of industrialization in Korea differs from that which occurred in other developed countries, 1.1% of the PAF might be appropriate for Korea.
Carcinogens ; Developed Countries ; International Agencies ; Korea ; Leukemia ; Lung Neoplasms ; Prevalence

In 2013, at the congress of the European CanCer Organization and the European Society for Medical Oncology, colorectal cancer was the subject of various oral presentations and posters. In this article, we have selected the most innovative studies that are likely to change our daily practice.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Congresses as Topic ; Europe ; Humans ; International Agencies ; Medical Oncology

Biotechnology ; China ; International Agencies ; organization & administration ; Safety ; Societies ; organization & administration

Disease Outbreaks ; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola ; Humans ; International Agencies ; International Cooperation ; Sierra Leone

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to suggest revised recognition standards for occupational disease due to chromium (VI) by reflecting recent domestic and international research works and considering domestic exposure status with respect to target organs, exposure period, and cumulative exposure dose in relation to the chromium (VI)-induced occupational disease compensation. METHODS: In this study, the reports published by major international institutions such as World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (2012), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (2006), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (2013), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) (2004), National Toxicology Program (NTP) (2014), and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) (2012) were reviewed and the recent research works searched by PubMed were summarized. RESULTS: Considering the recent research works and the domestic situation, only lung cancer is conserved in the legislative bill in relation to chromium (VI), and the exposure period is not included in the bill. Nasal and paranasal sinus cancer was excluded from the list of cancers that are compensated as the chromium (VI)- induced occupational disease, while lung cancer remains in the list. In the view of legislative unity, considering the fact that only the cancers having sufficient evidence are included in the conventional list of cancers compensated as occupational disease, nasal and paranasal sinus cancer having limited evidence were excluded from the list. The exposure period was also removed from the legislative bill due to the insufficient evidence. Recent advices in connection with cumulative exposure dose were proposed, and other considerable points were provided with respect to individual occupational relevance. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the current recognition standard which is “Lung cancer or nasal and paranasal sinus cancer caused by exposure to chromium (VI) or compounds thereof (exposure for two years or longer), or nickel compounds” should be changed to “Lung cancer caused by exposure to chromium (VI) or compounds thereof, and lung cancer or nasal and paranasal sinus cancer caused by exposure to nickel compounds”.
Chromium ; Compensation and Redress ; International Agencies ; Korea ; Lung Neoplasms ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Nickel ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Exposure ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; Toxicology ; United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration ; World Health Organization

Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is a substantial public health burden, and it is increasingly affecting populations in Asian countries. The overall prevalence of CRC is reported to be low in Asia when compared with that in Western nations, yet it had the highest number of prevalent cases. This review described the prevalence of CRC in Asia according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer from World Health Organization (WHO) database and summarized its major risk factors. Non-modifiable factors include genetic factors, ethnicity, age, gender, family history and body height; smoking, alcohol drinking, weight, Westernized diet, physical inactivity, chronic diseases and microbiota were involved in environmental factors. These risk factors were separately discussed in this review according to published literature from Asian countries. CRC screening has been playing an important role in reducing its disease burden. Some recommendations on its screening practices have been formulated in guidelines for Asia Pacific countries.
Alcohol Drinking ; Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Height ; Chronic Disease ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Diet ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; International Agencies ; Mass Screening ; Microbiota ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; World Health Organization

The incidence and mortality rates for gastric cancer have decreased in the developed countries for the last several decades. On the other hand, they remain high in far Eastern countries such as Japan, China, and Korea and also in many developing countries. The risk of gastric cancer is greater among lower socioeconomic classes. The causes of this disease are still unclear. Long-term ingestion of highly concentrated nitrates in dried, smoked, and salted foods might be related with higher risk. Helicobacter pylori infection was classified as a group I definite human gastric carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization (IARC/WHO) in1994. However, there are some debates on the association between H. pylori infection and gastric cancer. Complete surgical removal of the tumor with resection of adjacent lymph nodes offers the only chance for cure. As yet, this kind of treatment is possible in less than a half of patients. The prognosis after complete surgical resection depends on the degree of tumor penetration to the gastric wall. Cases with regional lymph node involvement, vascular invasion,and abnormal DNA content show poor prognosis. Gastric carcinoma is a relatively radio-re-sistant tumor, and the major role of radiation therapy has been the palliation of pain. Combinations of cytotoxic drugs for patients with advanced gastric cancer have shown a partial response in 20~60% of the patients, however, and complete remission was rare. In some recent studies, chemotherapy plus irradiation after surgical resection showed a better disease-free survival and overall survival. In conclusion, early detection and curative resection are very important to improve the survival of patients with gastric cancer. Newer therapeutic strategies such as preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy have the potential to benefit the high-risk patients.
Chemoradiotherapy ; China ; Developed Countries ; Developing Countries ; Disease-Free Survival ; DNA ; Drug Therapy ; Eating ; Epidemiology* ; Hand ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Incidence ; International Agencies ; Japan ; Korea ; Lymph Nodes ; Mortality ; Nitrates ; Prognosis ; Smoke ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; World Health Organization

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of propofol abuse based on the results of a survey analysis of abusers among non-healthcare professionals in Korea. METHODS: Thirty-eight propofol abusers were questioned between October and December 2010, and were enrolled and voluntarily participated in a structured survey consisting of an interview and completing a previously prepared questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into three distinct parts: part 1 dealt with the history of propofol abuse; part 2 highlighted the problems caused by propofol abuse; and part 3 enquired regarding demographics of abusers. RESULTS: Thirty-one (81.6%) of the 38 interviewees abused propofol for more than one year. During the last 12 months, 34 (89.0%) received propofol at two or three times a week. The minimum and maximum amounts of propofol (median, range) administered each time were 500 (100, 1000) and 2000 (500, 4000) mg, respectively. Stress relief and the maintenance of a sense of well-being were quoted the most important reasons for the first-time administration of propofol and its subsequent abuse, respectively. The majority of abusers (36.0, 97.3%) reported a sense of pleasure or euphoria at the time of their propofol injection. Withdrawal symptoms occurred in five abusers (13.2%). Thirteen (36.1%) reported disruptions in their work life. None of the respondents had previously admitted to and or reported abuse of any other controlled substances. CONCLUSIONS: These results provided reference data for the regulation of propofol in Korea as a controlled substance and may also be of interest to international agencies in other countries.
Controlled Substances ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Demography ; Euphoria ; International Agencies ; Korea* ; Pleasure ; Propofol* ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome