ecancermedicalscience最新文献

{"title":"Acute promyelocytic leukaemia in a Nigerian patient-a case report depicting challenges in the management of haematological malignancies in Nigeria.","authors":"Lemchukwu C Amaeshi, Yusuf Adelabu, Olufunto Kalejaiye","doi":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1896","DOIUrl":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1896","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Haematological malignancies (HMs) account for approximately 10% of all malignancies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and their incidence is rapidly increasing. Successful management of these malignancies depends on early presentation, diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment. However, in SSA and many low and middle-income countries, several barriers hinder the effective management of these malignancies. This case report of a patient with acute promyelocytic anaemia highlights the challenges in managing HM.</p><p><strong>Case summary: </strong>A 31-year-old woman presented to a primary health care centre with recurrent rectal bleeding and was diagnosed with haemorrhoids. She was given iron and was reassured of her symptoms. However, when her symptoms persisted, she was referred to an academic medical centre for definitive management of her haemorrhoids. On further evaluation, she was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic anaemia based on morphologic findings, as further morphological and molecular analysis could not be done due to the non-availability of advanced diagnostic infrastructure locally. Treatment initiation with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) was delayed due to the unavailability of the medication locally and, therefore, had to be ordered from a different country. During this time, she developed febrile neutropenia and sepsis, and her care was limited by the unavailability of blood products and the unaffordability for necessary supportive medications. Eventually, she could only start ATRA as she could not afford ATO. As a result, she could not complete the entire course of treatment. Despite this, she showed clinical improvement and some haematological recovery and was discharged but, unfortunately, was lost to follow-up in the outpatient setting.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Several barriers exist in managing HM and other cancers in general in SSA. Overcoming these barriers and improving outcomes in HM requires capacity building, international collaboration and political engagement.</p>","PeriodicalId":11460,"journal":{"name":"ecancermedicalscience","volume":"19 ","pages":"1896"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12149241/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144265675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intubated patient of malignant central airway obstruction due to advanced esophageal cancer on ventilator support treated with radiotherapy: a case report.","authors":"Shubham Dokania, Ajay K Choubey, Shashank Tiwari, Prasenjit Nath, Jhansi Pattanaik, Sambit S Nanda, Ashutosh Mukherji, Satyajit Pradhan","doi":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1895","DOIUrl":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1895","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malignancies, associated directly or indirectly with airways, can cause a fatal condition, called malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO). Both endoluminal and extraluminal MCAO are conventionally treated using bronchoscopy-mediated therapies, but in patients unsuitable for bronchoscopic interventions, there are very limited options, especially if the patient needs ventilator support due to the obstruction. Few patients of carcinoma lung with MCAO needing ventilator support have been treated using radiotherapy (RT), with appreciable results. Though multiple risks are associated with shifting such patients out of the intensive care unit, these steps had to be carried out when RT was deemed the only possible solution. In this rare case of carcinoma esophagus with MCAO needing ventilator support and treated with RT, we have shown how RT can be used to increase the possibility of extubation of the patient. Hence, respiratory relief and extubation were aimed and achieved with RT in this case.</p>","PeriodicalId":11460,"journal":{"name":"ecancermedicalscience","volume":"19 ","pages":"1895"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12149233/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144265704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Real-world outcomes of women with metastatic breast cancer in visceral crisis treated with chemotherapy: a 15-year cohort from Brazil.","authors":"Matheus de Oliveira Andrade, Vitor Hugo Felix, Laura Testa, Renata Colombo Bonadioa","doi":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1894","DOIUrl":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1894","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Visceral crisis (VC) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is defined as a severe organ dysfunction related to metastatic disease. The cornerstone of treatment for VC relies on polychemotherapy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where it often represents the only available therapeutic option. This study aims to assess survival outcomes of palliative chemotherapy (CT) for VC in a real-world scenario.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were retrospectively collected from patients with MBC diagnosed with VC between 2008 and 2022 in a large cancer center in Brazil. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors were evaluated through univariate and multivariable analyses using the Cox regression model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 146 patients with VC were included. The predominant type of VC was pulmonary (36.3%), hepatic (32.2%) and bone marrow infiltration (19.2%). VC management was based on combination CT (51.4%), while 27.4% were treated with monochemotherapy and 20.6% received best supportive care (BSC). The median overall survival (mOS) for the entire population was 2.17 months. Treatment for VC in the first-line setting was associated with a mOS of 5 months. In the multivariate analysis, hepatic VC and the absence of active oncological therapy (BSC) were significantly associated with mortality.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients with MBC in VC have a poor prognosis even when treated with polychemotherapy. Proper prognostication is crucial for identifying patients who may benefit from active systemic therapy while carefully avoiding potentially futile strategies. Prospective trials including patients with VC criteria are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT and other emerging therapies in this scenario.</p>","PeriodicalId":11460,"journal":{"name":"ecancermedicalscience","volume":"19 ","pages":"1894"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12149229/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144265710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression and genotype prevalence in cervical cytology and biopsy samples from Yunnan Province, China.","authors":"Yuanyue Li, Xiaomei Wu","doi":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1893","DOIUrl":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1893","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is a major contributor to the development of high-grade cervical lesions and invasive cervical cancer. The expression of HR-HPV E6/E7 oncoproteins is a key factor in the progression from preinvasive lesions to cervical cancer, making the detection of E6/E7 mRNA a valuable marker of disease progression. This prospective study evaluated human papillomavirus (HPV) E6/E7 mRNA expression levels and genotype distribution in women referred for colposcopy and biopsy in Yunnan Province, China. Out of 106,245 women undergoing routine checkups, 676 met the inclusion criteria for further analysis. Histological examinations revealed a total of 266 cases of cervicitis, 59 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1), 151 cases of CIN2, 84 cases of CIN3, 87 cases of invasive cervical cancer and 29 cases of other conditions, including vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia and warts. The HPV mRNA test demonstrated positivity rates of 47.7% for cervicitis, 52.5% for CIN1, 84.1% for CIN2, 85.7% for CIN3 and 93.1% for invasive cervical cancer. The sensitivity and specificity values for the HPV mRNA test were as follows: for CIN2+, sensitivity was 87.0% and specificity 50.3%; for CIN3+, sensitivity was 89.5% and specificity 40.0%; and for invasive cervical cancer, sensitivity was 93.1% with a specificity of 36.3%. The corresponding positive predictive values were 61.4% for CIN2+, 33.6% for CIN3+ and 17.8% for invasive cervical cancer, while the negative predictive values were 80.9%, 91.8% and 97.3%, respectively. The most common HR-HPV genotypes identified were HPV16 (143 cases), HPV18 (116 cases), HPV52 (78 cases) and HPV58 (69 cases). Age-specific analysis revealed HR-HPV prevalence rates of 56.4% in women aged 18-25, 69.3% in those aged 26-35, 65.4% in the 36-45 age group, 54.2% in women aged 46-59 and 67.9% in those over 60. Remarkably, HPV16, HPV18 and HPV52 were consistently the most prevalent high-risk genotypes across all age groups. These findings highlight the significant burden of HR-HPV infection in Yunnan Province and emphasise the importance of incorporating HPV E6/E7 mRNA testing into cervical cancer screening programs. Given the predominance of HPV 16, 18 and 52, future HPV vaccine formulations should prioritise these genotypes to enhance cervical cancer prevention among Chinese women.</p>","PeriodicalId":11460,"journal":{"name":"ecancermedicalscience","volume":"19 ","pages":"1893"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12149232/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144265692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors associated with human papilloma virus vaccine uptake before the health awareness, learning and education intervention in Korogocho Informal Settlements in Nairobi County, Kenya.","authors":"Jared Otieno Ogolla, David Rocaztle Masinde, Alexander Munyao Mbeke","doi":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1892","DOIUrl":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1892","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a critical public health measure designed to reduce the incidence of HPV-related cancers, particularly cervical cancer. Despite its proven efficacy, vaccine uptake remains suboptimal in many areas, including Korogocho ward, a densely populated informal settlement in Nairobi County, Kenya. This study explored factors influencing HPV vaccine uptake among girls aged 9-14 in Korogocho. A total of 812 caretakers participated, identified through snowball sampling during the baseline survey of the Health Awareness, Learning and Education (HEALEDUC) intervention. The HEALEDUC initiative, a quasi-experimental study, employed intervention and control groups with pre- and post-intervention assessments to evaluate strategies for improving HPV vaccination rates in the region. Key findings revealed that caretaker age significantly impacted vaccination decisions (<i>p</i> = 0.022). Caretakers aged 35-44 were more likely to vaccinate their children (OR = 1.930, 95% CI = 0.790-4.716), although no consistent patterns emerged among other age groups. Interestingly, uncertainty about HPV transmission was associated with higher vaccine uptake (OR = 2.024, 95% CI = 1.107-3.701, <i>p</i> = 0.022). Negative perceptions of healthcare workers' attitudes strongly correlated with increased vaccination likelihood (OR = 4.883, 95% CI = 1.834-12.999, <i>p</i> = 0.002). Satisfaction with healthcare services demonstrated borderline significance (<i>p</i> = 0.059). Conversely, distance to healthcare facilities (<i>p</i> = 0.348) and transport costs (<i>p</i> = 0.873) were not statistically significant determinants of vaccine uptake. However, caretakers residing more than 10 km from healthcare facilities exhibited slightly higher odds of vaccinating their children (OR = 3.136, 95% CI = 0.521-18.881). These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to bridge knowledge gaps, foster trust in healthcare systems and improve interactions between caretakers and healthcare providers. Addressing these factors can enhance HPV vaccine uptake in resource-limited settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":11460,"journal":{"name":"ecancermedicalscience","volume":"19 ","pages":"1892"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12149236/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144265693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding of cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine among women from Pakistan and Afghanistan.","authors":"Gao Luwen, Hira Hameed, Bilal Aslam, Zhou Liyan, Abdul Jabbar, Anum Syyam","doi":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1891","DOIUrl":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1891","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cervical cancer, primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is a major health concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan. A total of 212 women participated in the study, with 68.4% from Pakistan and 31.6% from Afghanistan. The majority of participants (80.7%) were from urban areas, and the most common age group was 31 to 50 years (46.2%), 60.8% being illiterate, 77.3% were non-working and 92% were married. The study found that both Pakistani and Afghan participants had similar, non-significant knowledge regarding cervical cancer and HPV, with Pakistani participants showing slightly higher awareness. Education played a crucial role in knowledge levels; Pakistani women, particularly those with higher education, were more informed about the prevention and early treatment of cervical cancer. However, knowledge about HPV vaccines was low across both groups, with Pakistani women being more aware than Afghan women. In terms of willingness to vaccinate children and pay for vaccines, Pakistani participants showed greater enthusiasm compared to Afghan participants, although the differences were non-significant. Logistic regression analysis showed that education, urban background and employment status were significantly linked to knowledge about cervical cancer, HPV and its vaccine. Women with higher education and urban backgrounds had better knowledge and were more willing to pay for the vaccine. In conclusion, this study highlights the influence of socio-demographic factors, such as education, urban background and employment status, on women's knowledge about cervical cancer, HPV and its vaccine. Although both Pakistani and Afghan participants demonstrated similar levels of awareness, Pakistani women, especially those with higher education, were more knowledgeable about prevention and early treatment options. Despite limited awareness about HPV vaccines, Pakistani participants exhibited more willingness to vaccinate their children and pay for the vaccine compared to Afghan participants. These findings underscore the importance of education and urbanisation in improving health knowledge and vaccine uptake.</p>","PeriodicalId":11460,"journal":{"name":"ecancermedicalscience","volume":"19 ","pages":"1891"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12149242/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144265712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Outcomes of ambulatory breast surgery among Filipino patients with stage I-III invasive breast cancer: a single institution experience in Cebu, Philippines.","authors":"Aireen Grace O Castillon, Frances Marion B De La Serna","doi":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1890","DOIUrl":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1890","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer among females in the Philippines. The changing surgical landscape and COVID-19 pandemic have led to a greater push toward outpatient surgeries. Ambulatory breast cancer surgery has the potential to let surgeons treat patients promptly, minimise healthcare resource utilisation and reduce COVID-19 exposure.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods and results: &lt;/strong&gt;This is a prospective descriptive study involving a total of 102 women who had ambulatory breast surgery from March 2022 to August 2023. Their clinicodemographic and treatment profile were determined and post-operative complications, readmission rate and levels of satisfaction were obtained on post-operative days 7 and 30. Results showed that the most common complication is seroma which occurred in 57 (56.8%) of patients. Only two patients had hematoma and one patient had a wound infection. The majority of the patients did not complain of pain. There were no readmissions. All patients were largely satisfied with the overall healthcare experience.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Discussion: &lt;/strong&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic has driven healthcare systems to deliver efficient, effective and safe care to breast cancer patients thus the development of ambulatory breast surgery. Early discharge following surgery necessitates a significant shift in the patient's perspective and preoperative education is critical to improve its chances of success. This study also complemented previously published data that patient safety was not compromised by outpatient surgery.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;Our study has shown that ambulatory breast surgery is feasible, safe and can be successfully implemented as breast surgery has been transitioned to a predominantly outpatient procedure. These findings hope to establish ambulatory breast surgery as the norm in our healthcare system and to also pave the way for other procedures to be performed in an ambulatory setting.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Description: &lt;/strong&gt;This study examines the feasibility and safety of ambulatory breast surgery for patients with stage I-III invasive breast cancer at Cebu Doctors' University Hospital between March 2022 and August 2023. With the increasing shift toward outpatient procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, this approach was implemented to reduce healthcare costs, limit hospital-acquired infections and optimise resource use. The study revealed that early discharge after surgery led to high patient satisfaction, as it allowed individuals to regain control, adjust psychologically and recover more quickly. Effective preoperative counselling and clear postoperative instructions were essential in managing patient expectations and ensuring positive outcomes. The study demonstrated that ambulatory breast surgeries, such as mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery, are associated with low complication rates, including seroma, hematoma and wound infection, consistent with previous research","PeriodicalId":11460,"journal":{"name":"ecancermedicalscience","volume":"19 ","pages":"1890"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12149244/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144265707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cancer advocacy, barriers and associated factors among adolescents and young adults with cancer in Africa.","authors":"Chinomso Ugochukwu Nwozichi, Omolabake Salako, Anita Frimpomaa Oppong, Margaret Olutosin Ojewale","doi":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1888","DOIUrl":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1888","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are at a critical juncture in their lives, often pursuing education, starting careers, forming relationships and gaining independence. Cancer disrupts these pivotal life transitions, causing significant emotional and psychological stress. Advocacy plays a crucial role in promoting awareness, access to care and support for AYAs with cancer. This paper aims to identify and examine the potential barriers to access to cancer treatment and advocacy among AYAs with cancer in Africa. A selective literature review was conducted to provide a foundation for the discussion. The search involved databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, using keywords such as 'AYAs,' 'cancer,' 'advocacy,' 'Africa,' 'barriers' and 'factors.' Relevant articles were selected based on their relevance, recency and quality, focusing on empirical studies and seminal and theoretical papers. Drawing from existing literature, expert opinions and case studies, several key barriers are explored, including social and cultural stigma surrounding cancer, limited access to health education and support services, economic constraints and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Sociocultural norms and taboos can lead to a lack of open dialogue about cancer, hindering advocacy efforts. Furthermore, poverty and financial constraints often impede access to treatment and support resources, limiting opportunities for AYAs to engage in advocacy initiatives. Inadequate healthcare systems, lack of specialised care facilities and limited training for healthcare professionals also pose significant challenges. This paper highlights the urgent need to address these multifaceted barriers through collaborative efforts involving healthcare providers, policymakers and community organisations. Recommendations are provided for developing culturally sensitive advocacy programs, improving health literacy and strengthening healthcare infrastructure to empower AYAs with cancer and amplify their voices in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":11460,"journal":{"name":"ecancermedicalscience","volume":"19 ","pages":"1888"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12149237/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144265689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using cancer survivorship experiences to inform cancer advocacy in Nigeria.","authors":"Chinelo C Nduka, Chizobam A Nweke, Runcie C W Chidebe, Candidus Nwakasi","doi":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1887","DOIUrl":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1887","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nigeria has a significant cancer burden, especially breast cancer (BC), which has the highest incidence and mortality in the country. However, like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the focus continues to be on infectious diseases to the detriment of addressing non-communicable diseases like cancer with a resultant paucity in available funding, health infrastructure and even health workforce geared towards cancer care. All these invariably lead to very low access to cancer care, with poor patient outcomes being recorded. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of BC survivors who are part of a non-profit cancer advocacy group to highlight important areas of cancer survivorship that can be targeted by cancer advocacy programs and interventions in Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We used a qualitative descriptive approach and recruited 19 BC survivors through a purposive sampling method. The participants were engaged in four focus group discussions. Analysis of the data resulted in four main themes with direction implications for cancer advocacy among BC survivors in Nigeria. They include 'Strengthening care interaction quality'; 'Addressing delayed presentation'; 'Expanding access to informal support' and 'Alleviating the cost burden of cancer care.' Various recommendations were made, such as better management of the Nigerian Cancer Health Fund, comprehensive cancer coverage by the National Health Insurance Authority and the need for Nigeria's National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment to consider retention and training policies for the oncology workforce in Nigeria. This paper highlights the importance of cancer advocacy, arguing that a better understanding of cancer survivorship can strengthen cancer advocacy in Nigeria. In turn, strong cancer advocacy will help to prioritise cancer issues and mitigate a looming cancer crisis in Nigeria.</p>","PeriodicalId":11460,"journal":{"name":"ecancermedicalscience","volume":"19 ","pages":"1887"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12149231/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144265713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Breast cancer in women in Gaza: qualitative study of women's expectations and experiences of diagnosis and management.","authors":"Shaymaa AlWaheidi, Richard Sullivan, Elizabeth A Davies","doi":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1889","DOIUrl":"10.3332/ecancer.2025.1889","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to explore women's awareness of breast cancer and its symptoms, their experiences of accessing healthcare, diagnosis and treatment, and their fears about the stigma associated with the disease in Gaza.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 20 women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and 2018. Interviews were conducted between 2018 and 2021, before the current conflict of 2023-25. They were transcribed verbatim, translated from Arabic to English, uploaded into NVivo™ 12 computer software package and analysed using the Framework approach to identify key themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most women presented early with their breast symptoms, but around one half identified delayed diagnosis as a major contributor to subsequent delays in treatment. Despite having relatively good experiences with their surgeons, most were frustrated by a lack of communication between them and their oncologists. Nearly all women expressed feelings of embarrassment about being seen and examined by male clinicians. Many women reported a lack of prompt and effective treatment such as Herceptin and Tamoxifen as the main barrier to cancer care, and this was also true for those who received or should have received Goserelin or radiotherapy. Women agreed that obtaining exit permits from the Israeli authorities to receive necessary treatments outside Gaza was problematic. In addition, the relationship of many married women with their husbands was negatively affected by their diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Women's accounts demonstrate the need during 2017-21 for clear early detection guidelines for breast cancer to shorten the pre-diagnostic journey, improve referral pathways, build up diagnosis and histopathology capacity to reduce diagnostic delays in Gaza. However, the 2023-25 conflict has led to repeated internal displacements, the destruction of hospitals and clinical networks, and border closures has done little to help improve services and outcomes for these women. Much more work needs to be done to restore these fundamental services for women with breast cancer caught in this conflict.</p>","PeriodicalId":11460,"journal":{"name":"ecancermedicalscience","volume":"19 ","pages":"1889"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12149223/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144265688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}