Sera from 4,652 children whose blood was submitted to the New York City Department of Health for lead analysis were tested for antibodies to Toxocara canis using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Standardized to the age distribution of the study population, T. canis seropositivity (inverse titers greater than or equal to 16) was 5.7 per cent in males and 5.1 per cent in females. T. canis antibody titers and lead exposures as measured by Centers for Disease Control lead classes were positively correlated. Children who were seropositive to T. canis (cases) were compared to seronegatives (controls) matched on age (+/- 6 months), sex, time-of-screening (+/- 3 months) and CDC lead class. Logistic regression analysis of 155 case-control pairs demonstrated elevated relative risks (RRs) for geophagia (RR = 3.14; 95% CI = 1.75, 5.64) and having had a litter of puppies in the home (RR = 5.22; 95% CI = 1.63, 16.71). Compared to controls, cases had increased eosinophil counts, serum immunoglobulin E concentrations, and anti-hemagglutinin-A titers. Small deficits in cases compared to controls were found in performance on several neuropsychological tests after adjustment for potential confounders including case-control differences in race, socioeconomic status, and current blood lead concentrations. The study thus confirmed that T. canis infection is common in urban children and suggested that infection may be associated with adverse neuropsychological effects.

Rationale: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women ages 20 to 39. Approximately 7% of women with breast cancer are diagnosed before age 40. Women age 45 or younger with breast cancer or who are at high risk for breast cancer have distinct health risks and different needs from their older counterparts. Breast cancer risk, etiology, treatment, outcomes, and related survivorship and quality of life concerns often vary between younger and older women. Diagnosis at a young age is associated with higher risk of recurrence, second malignancy, mortality, morbidity, and quality of life issues. Young women with or at high risk for breast cancer need clearly presented information based on sound evidence to help them make informed decisions about their specific health needs. To help women better understand media coverage about new research, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) developed XRAYS (eXamining Relevance of Articles to Young Survivors). XRAYS is an online resource that provides brief articles summarizing recent research relevant to young women with or at risk for breast cancer. XRAYS articles rate the quality and relevance of scientific research and the quality of media reporting on that research. Objectives: The objectives of the current project were to: 1) conduct an initial test of XRAYS's effectiveness in improving users' knowledge about information covered in media reports 2) assess the degree to which XRAYS facilitates awareness of recent research findings 3) Obtain feedback regarding XRAYS' utility and appeal 4) Use results to inform XRAYS development Methods and Results: An independent evaluator randomly assigned 21 participants to a treatment (read media article plus XRAYS review) or control (read media article only) condition. Each respondent completed multiple choice pre- and post-intervention tests about information contained in one of three media reports (Two respondents took their written surveys with them. Statistical analyses were conducted on data from the remaining respondents). Results demonstrate that both groups improved between pre- and post-test. The treatment group increased knowledge significantly more than the control group. Table 1.Results of within group comparisonsGroupNPre-test Mean, Percentage Correct Responses (s.d.)Post-test Mean, Percentage Correct Responses (s.d.)t-score (d.f.)PComparison Group857.5 (12.82)72.5 (23.75)-2.05 (7)n.s.XRAYS1152.73 (20.54)87.27 (16.18)-7.29 (10)<.001 Table 2.Results of between group comparisonGroupNMean Change Score (s.d.)t-score (d.f.)PComparison Group815.00 (20.70)-2.34 (18)<.05XRAYS1134.55 (15.72)   Participants also contributed to one of three focus groups. Focus group results indicate that XRAYS is a valuable resource for identifying relevant recent research findings and for explaining limitations in research methods, relevance, and reporting quality. Results also indicate that it is critical for XRAYS to be brief, use non-technical language, and address the most recent trends in media coverage. FORCE is using focus group feedback to guide decisions about XRAYS content, format, and dissemination. FORCE will collect additional data to confirm test findings and to assess effects of XRAYS on understanding of evidence quality. Citation Format: Pugh Yi RH, Rezende L, Dearfield CT, Welcsh PL, Friedman SJ. Effects of online resource to support laypersons' understanding of media reports on breast cancer research [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-14-08.

People affected by hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers (HBOC) due to a mutation in BRCA, or another gene that increases cancer risk, have unique support and information needs and face medical decisions that differ from survivors of sporadic breast cancer and from people at average risk for these cancers. Finding peers to talk to can be challenging, especially for people living outside of metropolitan areas. FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) developed our Peer Navigation Program to provide personalized, expert-reviewed resources and 1:1 support for people affected by HBOC, including breast cancer survivors and people at high risk for breast cancer due to a mutation in BRCA or another gene that increases cancer risk. The program utilizes a custom database that matches individuals seeking support with trained Peer Navigators who have faced similar medical challenges and decisions. Users complete an intake form, providing basic demographic, medical, and geographic information in order to match them as closely as possible to a peer volunteer. The user selects from 21 specific topics of interest to them. This generates a personalized, expert-reviewed resource guide on each selected topics, which individuals can use to make informed, shared decisions with their healthcare providers. Trained Peer Navigators conduct one-hour phone calls with program users to discuss the personalized resources and provide non-judgmental emotional support. Our goal is to match users and complete the navigation process within one week from the time they submitted their intake form. After a navigation session, both the Peer Navigator and the program participant are asked to fill out an evaluation. All Peer Navigator volunteers undergo a written and telephone interview to assure their readiness to help others. Once they pass this screening process, they complete a series of online VolunteerFORCE Academy training webinars and complete a profile form providing information about their demographics, personal and medical situation, and medical decisions. Volunteers receive training on the following: FORCE 101, HBOC 101, Active Listening Skills and Peer Navigation instructions. All webinars have been reviewed and approved by a member of FORCE's Scientific Advisory Board and our Vice President of Education. The webinars stress several important themes, including: encouraging users to discuss information with medical experts, avoiding dispensing of personal or medical advice, and maintaining a non-judgmental perspective. We have 104 trained peer navigators, both male and female, ranging in age from 21 – 73. Both cancer survivors, as well as high-risk individuals are represented. Peer volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations, and have made a variety of medical decisions about genetic testing, cancer screening, chemoprevention, and risk-reducing surgeries. The program launched in April 2016. We will present results from post-call evaluation surveys completed from April 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016. Data on most commonly requested topics, user satisfaction, ease of use, and intention to use the information in shared decision-making with their health care provider will be presented. Citation Format: Rezende LF, Cohen S, Rose D, Friedman SJ. Peer navigation for people affected by hereditary breast, ovarian and related cancers: Results from the first six months [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-18-02.