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CANCER DEVELOPMENT
Researchers from the Chaim Sheba Medical Center in Israel studied more than 152,000 Holocaust survivors over 45 years. The study, published in Cancer journal, investigated whether starvation, overcrowding, infectious diseases and psychological stress that survivors endured might have contributed to the development of cancer in some individuals. Researchers looked at entitlement to compensation as well as country of origin, using a classification of countries during the war, separating those that were directly governed by Nazi Germany and non-occupied countries. Those born in occupied countries had an 8% increased risk of developing any cancer than those born in non-occupied countries, as well as an 8% and 12% increased risk of colorectal cancer and lung cancer, respectively.
Female survivors
Investigators observed no elevated risks for breast cancer and gynaecological cancers among female survivors. Cancer was diagnosed in 22% of those who were granted compensation for suffering persecution during the war, compared with 16% of those who were denied compensation. Survivors who were granted compensation had a 6% higher risk of developing any type of cancer than those who were denied compensation. ++Sadetzki S et al (2017) Cancer risk among holocaust survivors in Israel – a nationwide study. Cancer. doi: 10.1002/cncr.30783
16 / 2 August 2017 / volume 31 number 49
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Holocaust survivors found to have greater cancer risk
Dying homeless receiving little palliative care, study finds
H
omeless people are dying in unsupported and unacceptable situations with inadequate access to palliative care services, a study has found. Researchers from Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department at University College London, Pathway, St Mungo’s and Coordinate My Care found many homeless people approaching the end of their lives are living in hostels. Those with advanced ill health rarely receive adequate care and support in the community, and there is a lack of appropriate services, the study found. This results in repeated unplanned and emergency hospital admissions. Almost 130 people including homeless people, health, social care and hostel staff were recruited for the qualitative analysis, which the authors say is the largest of its kind. It showed hostel staff often end up caring for some of
the most unwell homeless people, despite not having the palliative care training or support to do so. Conflict between the recoveryfocused nature of many services and the realities of health and illness for often young homeless people result in a lack of personcentred care, the study found. Many homeless people die at a young age from conditions such as advanced liver disease, often complicated by mental health problems and drug and alcohol issues. The research calls for improved collaboration between services and recommends a specialist health hostel with staff who can offer 24-hour support for people with serious illnesses, including those who are dying. ++Shulman C et al (2017) End-of-life care for homeless people: a qualitative analysis exploring the challenges to access and provision of palliative care. Palliative Medicine. doi: 10.1177/0269216317717101
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