Background The relationship between bone metabolism-related gene polymorphisms and low bone mineral density (BMD) risk factors in female athletes is unclear. This study aimed at investigating whether the sensitivity of low BMD risk factors to BMD depends on estrogen receptor α (ERα) gene polymorphisms in Japanese female athletes. Materials and Methods This study included 280 collegiate female athletes from 12 competitive sports (age, 19.2 ± 1.3 years). Data on sports participation, age at menarche, menstrual cycles, prior stress fractures, and prior eating disorders were obtained through a questionnaire-type survey. Sports types were classified into endurance, esthetic, aquatic, ball, and high load in consideration of exercise load characteristics. ERα gene PvuII (rs2234693) and XbaI (rs9340799) polymorphisms were analyzed by TaqMan® assay. The total body BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results On multiple regression analysis, sports types, body mass index (BMI), menarche, and XbaI polymorphism remained robust independent predictors of BMD. However, prior stress fractures and menstrual cycles were excluded. In athletes carrying the XX+Xx genotype of XbaI polymorphism, sports types and BMI were associated with BMD. However, in athletes carrying the xx genotype of XbaI polymorphism, sports types, BMI, and menarche were associated with BMD. These results indicated that athletes carrying the xx genotype with delayed menarche had low BMD. Conclusions In collegiate female athletes, participation in endurance, esthetic, and aquatic sports types and a low BMI are associated with low BMD. In addition, delayed menarche may negatively affect BMD in athletes carrying the xx type of ERα gene XbaI polymorphism.Background Travel distance to care facilities may shape urban-rural cancer survival disparities by creating barriers to specific treatments. Guideline-supported treatment options for women with early stage breast cancer involves considerations of breast conservation and travel burden Mastectomy requires travel for surgery, whereas breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) requires travel for both surgery and RT. selleck chemical This provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact of travel distance on surgical decisions and receipt of guideline-concordant treatment. Materials and Methods We included 61,169 women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer between 2004 and 2013 from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. Driving distances to the nearest radiation facility were calculated by using Google Maps. We used multivariable regression to model treatment choice as a function of distance to radiation and Cox regression to model survival. Results Women living farthest from radiation facilities (>50 miles vs. less then 10 miles) were more likely to undergo mastectomy versus BCS (odds ratio [OR] 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-1.79). Among only those who underwent BCS, women living farther from radiation facilities were less likely to receive guideline-concordant RT (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.32-2.23). These guideline-discordant women had worse overall (hazards ratio [HR] 1.50, 95% CI 1.42-1.57) and breast-cancer specific survival (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.29-1.60). Conclusions We report two breast cancer treatments with different clinical and travel implications to show the association between travel distance, treatment decisions, and receipt of guideline-concordant treatment. Differential access to guideline-concordant treatment resulting from excess travel burden among rural patients may contribute to rural-urban survival disparities among cancer patients.Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common yet underdiagnosed endocrinopathy with potentially serious sequelae. A screening questionnaire for PCOS can improve early identification and diagnosis. Objective The purpose of this study was to test the utility of a self-administered questionnaire to help identify women at risk for PCOS. Study Design We recruited women ages 18-50 with and without PCOS as defined by modified Rotterdam criteria to complete a self-administered survey of common PCOS signs and symptoms. The survey included questions regarding menstrual cycle characteristics and hyperandrogenism as measured by images from the Ferriman-Gallwey (FG) scoring system, and by report of depilatory practices. Results Fifty-one women with PCOS and 50 women without PCOS participated in this study. Many study participants were current users of hormonal contraceptives making it difficult to discern menstrual cycle characteristics. Hirsutism, defined by a modification of the FG score of ≥3 from the upper g general medical care to reproductive-age women to determine if further testing and screening for PCOS are indicated. This tool may also be helpful in populations where complete diagnostic evaluation may not be feasible.Purpose Pregnant women with elevated body mass index (BMI) are difficult to recruit into lifestyle studies. This article (1) summarized strategies to recruit pregnant women into a randomized trial, and (2) reported recruitment statistics and their correlates. Materials and Methods African American and white women with BMI ≥25 and gestational age less then 16 weeks were recruited primarily through obstetric clinics into the Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum study. Women completed a brief screening form, and if initially eligible, a phone screening. We compared characteristics of those randomized versus not randomized. Results Initially eligible pregnant women (N = 1578) were identified through direct recruitment by research staff, indirect recruitment by clinic staff at obstetric clinics, and self-referrals through advertisements. Of these women, 54.0% (850) were reached for further screening, and 43.5% (685) were fully eligible. Among eligible women, 58.8% (403) were scheduled for a baseline visit, and 33.3% (228) were randomized. The overall recruitment yield was 14.4%. Recruited participants were diverse (44% African Americans) and averaged 12.6 weeks gestation at baseline. Randomized (vs. nonrandomized) women were more likely to own a cell phone, have access to a computer with internet at home or work, and have downloaded a podcast. Conclusions Although this study did not reach the recruitment goal, a relatively large and diverse sample of pregnant women were recruited early in pregnancy. Recruiting women with elevated BMI for a behavioral lifestyle intervention is challenging, particularly among women with characteristics, including less phone and internet access and limited experience in using podcasts. This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02260518.