86 research outputs found
Renal sonography in the diagnosis of renal obstruction or hydronephrosis in patients with cervical cancer
No full textPrevalence of preferences for end of life place of care and death among cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textPURPOSEThere is limited information on preferences for place of care and death among patients with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim was to report the prevalence and determinants of preferences for end-of-life place of care and death among patients with cancer in LMICs and identify concordance between the preferred and actual place of death.METHODSSystematic review and meta-analysis guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was conducted. Four electronic databases were searched to identify studies of any design that reported on the preferred and actual place of care and death of patients with cancer in LMICs. A random-effects meta-analysis estimated pooled prevalences, with 95% CI, with subgroup analyses for region and risk of bias.RESULTSThirteen studies were included. Of 3,837 patients with cancer, 62% (95% CI, 49 to 75) preferred to die at home; however, the prevalence of actual home death was 37% (95% CI, 13 to 60). Subgroup analyses found that preferences for home as place of death varied from 55% (95% CI, 41 to 69) for Asia to 64% (95% CI, 57 to 71) for South America and 72% (95% CI, 48 to 97) for Africa. The concordance between the preferred and actual place of death was 48% (95% CI, 41 to 55) for South Africa and 92% (95% CI, 88 to 95) for Malaysia. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of preferred home death included performance status and patients with breast cancer.CONCLUSIONThere is very little literature from LMICs on the preferences for end-of-life place of care and death among patients with cancer. Rigorous research is needed to help understand how preferences of patients with cancer change during their journey through cancer.</p
Clinicopathologic features and determinants of Gleason score of prostate cancer in Ghanaian men
No full textPediatric cancer research trends and performance in Africa: A bibliometric analysis from 1991 to 2022
No full textBackground: Childhood cancer rates in Africa are lower than in high-income countries but increasing, making pediatric cancers a significant public health concern. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the publication of pediatric cancer research in Africa, including publication types and citation trends over time. Methods: The Science Citation Index Expanded database within the Web of Science Core Collection was searched for articles published from 1991 to 2022 in the topic domain, using title, abstract, author keywords, and KeyWords Plus. Indicators used to assess publications performance of the countries included: total number of publications, single-country publications, collaborative publications with African countries, collaborative publications with non-African countries, first-author publications, corresponding-author publications, and single-author publications. Results: A total of 4461 relevant documents were retrieved, with 2770 original research articles. Annual number of articles rose from 13 articles in 1991 to 287 in 2022. Most articles were produced by Egypt (28 %) in North Africa, followed by South Africa (20 %) in sub-Saharan Africa. Collaboration between African countries remains low; however, international collaborations have enhanced the average number of citations per article. Most of the first authors (65 %) and corresponding authors (67 %) of these international collaborative articles were affiliated with non-African institutions. Conclusions: The number of publications sharply increased over the study period and diversely represents African countries. Collaborations with international partners increased citations; however, few of these publications had African first authors. Conversely, inter-institutional partnerships between African countries were relatively low, highlighting the need for better collaboration within Africa
Pilot Survey of Breast Cancer Management in Sub-Saharan Africa
No full textPurpose To understand the current state of breast cancer management in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods We conducted an anonymous online survey of breast cancer management among African Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer (AORTIC) members by using a 42-question structured questionnaire in both English and French in 2013. Results Twenty members from 19 facilities in 14 countries responded to the survey. Twelve members (60%) belonged to a multidisciplinary breast cancer team. Radiotherapy equipment was available in seven facilities (36%), but equipment had down time at least once a week in four facilities. Available chemotherapy drugs included methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, fluorouracil, anthracyclines, and vincristine, whereas trastuzumab, taxanes, vinorelbine, and gemcitabine were available in few facilities. Core-needle biopsy was available in 16 facilities (84%); mammogram, in 17 facilities (89%); computed tomography scan, in 15 facilities (79%); magnetic resonance imaging, in 11 facilities (58%); and bone scans, in nine facilities (47%). It took an average of 1 to 3 weeks to report histopathology. Immunohistochemistry was available locally in eight facilities (42%), outside hospitals but within the country in seven facilities (37%), and outside the country in four facilities (21%). Thirteen facilities (68%) performed axillary node dissections as part of a breast protocol. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was the most common therapy for locally advanced breast cancer in 13 facilities (68%). In three facilities (16%), receptor status did not influence the prescription of hormone treatment. Conclusion This pilot survey suggests that AORTIC members in sub-Saharan Africa continue to make gains in the provision of access to multidisciplinary breast cancer care, but the lack of adequate pathology and radiotherapy services is a barrier. Focused attention on in-country and regional training needs and improvement of health systems deliverables is urgently needed. </jats:sec
Additional file 1 of Breast cancer screening in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and ethical appraisal
No full textAdditional file 1: Supplementary Table 1. Reasons for exclusion of titles and abstracts from initial screen
Lung Cancer in Patients of African Descent: A Transcontinental Review of Epidemiology, Disparities, Outcomes, and Opportunities for Equity in Africa, North America, South America, and the Caribbean
No full textLung cancer in people of African descent is characterized by transcontinental disparities driven by epidemiologic heterogeneity, systemic inequities, and unequal access to health care. Globally, lung cancer incidence and mortality rates vary; however, underdiagnosis and late-stage presentation in low- and middle-income countries obscure the true prevalence of lung cancer because of limited cancer registries and diagnostic infrastructure. In Africa, most patients with lung cancer present at an advanced stage, primarily because of health illiteracy, misdiagnosis, delayed referrals, and inadequate treatment infrastructure. Although tobacco smoking remains a dominant risk factor worldwide, African populations are disproportionately exposed to environmental and occupational hazards, which substantially elevate their lung cancer risk. In North America, Black people experience disproportionately poor outcomes, including lower rates of lung cancer screening, early diagnosis, surgical intervention, and higher mortality rates compared with their White counterparts. In the Caribbean and South America, Black people continue to face racial infrastructural constraints, racial inequities, and elevated exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogens. Systemic barriers perpetuate these disparities, including limited access to screening, genomic testing, and guideline-concordant therapies. Achieving equity in lung cancer outcomes requires strategic initiatives, including the expansion of lung cancer registries in Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, to inform evidence-based interventions. Urgent national and international measures focused on prevention and care for populations of African descent, implementing robust tobacco control policies, addressing systemic and racial inequities, and strengthening health care systems to report and manage lung cancer efficiently are essential steps toward reducing disparities. A transcontinental collaborative approach that includes establishing lung cancer research consortia is vital to share best practices in screening protocols, optimize early detection strategies and treatment, and advocate for policy reforms that address the global burden of lung cancer in populations of African descent
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