Journal of global oncology最新文献

{"title":"To Tell or Not to Tell: Exploring the Preferences and Attitudes of Patients and Family Caregivers on Disclosure of a Cancer-Related Diagnosis and Prognosis","authors":"A. Ghoshal, N. Salins, A. Damani, Jayeeta Chowdhury, Arundhati Chitre, M. Muckaden, J. Deodhar, R. Badwe","doi":"10.1200/JGO.19.00132","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.19.00132","url":null,"abstract":"PURPOSE To understand the preferences and attitudes of patients and family caregivers on disclosure of cancer diagnosis and prognosis in an Indian setting. METHODS Overall, 250 adult patients with cancer and 250 family caregivers attending the outpatients of a tertiary cancer hospital for the first time were recruited purposively. The mean ages of patients and caregivers were 49.9 years (range, 23-80 years) and 37.9 years (range, 19-67 years), respectively. Separately, they completed prevalidated, close-ended preference questions and were interviewed for open-ended attitude questions. RESULTS A total of 250 adult patients (response rate, 47.17% overall, 73.2% in men, and 26.8% in women) and 250 family caregivers (response rate, 40.65% overall, 84.0% in men, and 16.0% in women) participated. Significant differences were observed in the preference to full disclosure of the name of illness between patients (81.2%) and caregivers (34.0%) and with the expected length of survival between patients (72.8%) and caregivers (8.8%; P < .001). The patients felt that knowing a diagnosis and prognosis may help them be prepared, plan additional treatment, anticipate complications, and plan for future and family. The caregivers felt that patients knowing a diagnosis and prognosis may negatively affect the future course of illness and cause patients to experience stress, depression, loss of hope, and confidence. CONCLUSION Patients with cancer preferred full disclosure of their diagnoses and prognoses, whereas the family caregivers preferred nondisclosure of the same to their patients. This novel information obtained through a large study with varied participants from different parts of the country will help formulate communication strategies for cancer care.","PeriodicalId":15862,"journal":{"name":"Journal of global oncology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1200/JGO.19.00132","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41720201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Landscape of Global Oncology Research and Training at National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers: Results of the 2018 to 2019 Global Oncology Survey.","authors":"Rachel M Abudu, Mishka K Cira, Doug H M Pyle, Kalina Duncan","doi":"10.1200/JGO.19.00308","DOIUrl":"10.1200/JGO.19.00308","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers (NDCCs) are active in global oncology research and training, leading collaborations to support global cancer control. To better understand global oncology activities led by NDCCs, the NCI Center for Global Health collaborated with ASCO to conduct the 2018/2019 NCI/ASCO Global Oncology Survey of NDCCs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Seventy NDCCs received a two-part survey that focused on global oncology programs at NDCCs and non-National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded global oncology projects with an international collaborator led by the NDCCs. Sixty-seven NDCCs responded to the survey. Data were coded and analyzed by NCI-Center for Global Health staff.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-three NDCCs (47%) reported having a global oncology program, and 61 (87%) reported a collective total of 613 non-NIH-funded global oncology projects. Of the NDCCs with global oncology programs, 17 reported that trainees completed rotations outside the United States and the same number enrolled trainees from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Primary focus areas of non-NIH-funded projects were research (469 [76.5%]) and capacity building or training (197 [32.1%]). Projects included collaborators from 110 countries; 68 of these were LMIC.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This survey shows that there is a substantial amount of global oncology research and training conducted by NDCCs and that much of this is happening in LMIC. Trends in these data reflect those in recent literature: The field of global oncology is growing, advancing scientific knowledge, contributing to building research and training capacity in LMIC, and becoming a recognized career path. Results of the 2018 Global Oncology Survey can be used to foster opportunities for NDCCs to work collaboratively on activities and to share their findings with relevant stakeholders in their LMIC collaborator countries.</p>","PeriodicalId":15862,"journal":{"name":"Journal of global oncology","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6882505/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42384901","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":"Advanced Stage at Diagnosis and Worse Clinicopathologic Features in Young Women with Breast Cancer in Brazil: A Subanalysis of the AMAZONA III Study (GBECAM 0115)","authors":"M. Franzoi, D. D. Rosa, F. Zaffaroni, G. Werutsky, S. Simon, J. Bines, C. Barrios, E. Cronemberger, G. Queiroz, V. C. Cordeiro de Lima, R. F. Júnior, J. Couto, K. Emerenciano, H. Resende, S. Crocamo, Tomás Reinert, Brigitte Van Eyli, Y. Nerón, V. Dybal, N. Lazaretti, Rita de Cassia Costamillan, Diocésio Alves Pinto de Andrade, C. Mathias, G. Vacaro, G. Borges, A. Morelle, Carlos Alberto Sampaio Filho, M. Mano, P. Liedke","doi":"10.1200/JGO.19.00263","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.19.00263","url":null,"abstract":"PURPOSE Breast cancer (BC) in young women is uncommon and tends to present with more aggressive characteristics. To better understand and characterize this scenario in Brazil through real-world data, we performed a subanalysis of AMAZONA III study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02663973). METHODS The AMAZONA III study (GBECAM 0115) is a prospective registry that included 2,950 women newly diagnosed with invasive BC in Brazil from January 2016 until March 2018 at 22 sites. Valid data were obtained from 2,888 patients regarding age at diagnosis and complete baseline information. To compare epidemiologic and clinicopathological features at the time of diagnosis, patients with BC were divided into two groups according to age: ≤ 40 years and > 40 years. Quantitative variables were described as means, and categorical variables were described as frequencies and percentages and compared using the Pearson’s χ2 test. RESULTS Of 2,888 women diagnosed with BC, 486 (17%) were ≤ 40 years old. Young women had higher educational level, most were employed and a significant number were married (P < .001 for all associations). Younger patients were more symptomatic at BC diagnosis (P < .001), and they also presented more frequently with stage III, T3/T4, grade 3 tumors, HER-2–positive, luminal B, and triple-negative subtypes. CONCLUSION Brazilian women younger than age 40 years have unfavorable clinicopathological features of BC at diagnosis, with more aggressive subtypes and advanced stage when compared with older women. These differences are not explained by socioeconomic or ethnic imbalances. The causes of a higher prevalence of BC among young women in Brazil deserve additional investigation.","PeriodicalId":15862,"journal":{"name":"Journal of global oncology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1200/JGO.19.00263","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44542118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advanced Burkitt Lymphoma in Sub-Saharan Africa Pediatric Units: Results of the Third Prospective Multicenter Study of the Groupe Franco-Africain d’Oncologie Pédiatrique","authors":"Gabrielle C Bouda, F. Traoré, L. Couitchere, M. Raquin, K. Guedenon, A. Pondy, C. Moreira, M. Rakotomahefa, M. Harif, C. Patte","doi":"10.1200/JGO.19.00172","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.19.00172","url":null,"abstract":"PURPOSE To evaluate the results of an intensive polychemotherapy regimen for Burkitt lymphoma (BL) in sub-Saharan African pediatric centers. PATIENTS AND METHODS Children with advanced-stage BL (stages II bulky, III, and IV) treated with the GFAOP–Lymphomes Malins B (GFALMB) 2009 protocol in 7 centers between April 2009 and September 2015 were prospectively registered. Treatment regimen contained a prephase with cyclophosphamide followed by 2 induction courses (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, high-dose methotrexate [HDMTX]), 2 consolidation courses (cytarabine, HDMTX), and a maintenance phase only for stage IV. HDMTX was given at the dose of 3 g/m2. RESULTS Four hundred patients were analyzed: 7% had stage II bulky, 76% stage III, and 17% stage IV disease. Median age was 7.3 years, and sex ratio was 1.9:1 (male:female). A total of 221 patients received the whole protocol treatment and 195 achieved complete remission (CR), 11 of them after a second-line treatment. Treatment abandonment rate was 22%. One hundred twenty-five patients died, of whom 49 deaths were related to treatment toxicity. A total of 275 patients are alive, including 25 despite treatment abandonment, but only 110 are known to be in CR with a follow-up > 1 year, indicating a high rate of loss to follow-up. Twelve-month overall survival (OS) was 60% (95% CI, 54% to 66%) and 63%, 60%, and 31%, respectively, for stage II bulky, III, and IV. Patients with stage III disease who started second induction course within 34 days had OS of 76%, versus 57% (P = .0062) beyond 34 days. CONCLUSION The GFA-LMB2009 protocol improved patients’ survival. Early dose intensity of treatment is a strong prognostic factor. Improving supportive care and decreasing loss to follow-up are crucial.","PeriodicalId":15862,"journal":{"name":"Journal of global oncology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1200/JGO.19.00172","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44633613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pattern of Presentation of Patients With Breast Cancer in Iraq in 2018: A Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"M. Mutar, Mohammed Saleh Goyani, A. Had, A. Mahmood","doi":"10.1200/JGO.19.00041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.19.00041","url":null,"abstract":"PURPOSE This study aims to describe the pattern of presentation of Iraqi female patients with breast cancer by assessing the grades and stages of their cancers at the time of presentation, to identify patients’ main complaints, and to discover whether there is any difference in presentation between patients in Iraq and those in other countries. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a retrospective cross-sectional study that was performed in the National Center of Cancer in 2018. The target population was female patients with breast cancer who came to the Center for treatment and follow-up. A sample of 171 patients was drawn from this population. Self-evaluation forms were used in interviews with the patients to collect personal and sociodemographic data; clinical and histologic characteristics of the patients’ tumors were obtained from their medical records. Ethical approval was obtained. RESULTS Forty-five percent of the patients were younger than age 50 years, and 25% were younger than age 45 years. In all, 42.9% of the patients were diagnosed with stage III and 25% with stage IV cancer, and metastasis was diagnosed in 24.1%. In our study population, 53.4% of the tumors were found in the right breast, and 3.9% of patients had bilateral breast tumors. The most common histopathologic type was invasive ductal carcinoma (81.4%) followed by invasive lobular carcinoma (6.9%) and tubular carcinoma (5.9%). The patients’ most common complaints were breast lump (71.3%) and pain (18.9%). No correlation was found between tumor stage and breast self-examination, family history, education, occupation, histopathology, or grade. CONCLUSION Most of the patients are diagnosed at a late stage when treatment is less effective.","PeriodicalId":15862,"journal":{"name":"Journal of global oncology","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1200/JGO.19.00041","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41474583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Eliminating Deaths From Cervical Cancer—Report of a Panel at the 7th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research, a Satellite Meeting at the Consortium of Universities for Global Health 10th Annual Meeting","authors":"A. Binagwaho, Patricia J. García, Patricia J. García, B. Guèye, J. A. Dykens, Nothemba Simelela, J. Torode, G. Goba, M. Bosland","doi":"10.1200/JGO.19.00287","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.19.00287","url":null,"abstract":"This is a summary of the presentations addressing approaches and achievements to reach the goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a global public health problem that were delivered at the 7th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research at the 10th Annual Consortium of Universities for Global Health Meeting in March 2019. Dr Princess Nothemba Simelela, Assistant Director-General for Family, Women, Children and Adolescents, World Health Organization, gave an introduction to the World Health Organization–led Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative and the emerging conceptual framework and targets that will shape the global 2020 to 2030 strategy. Subsequent presentations shared experiences from national programs in Rwanda (Agnes Binagwaho), Latin America (Patricia J. Garcia), and Senegal (Babacar Gueye and J. Andrew Dykens. Successes in intensified human papillomavirus vaccination and screening with follow-up treatment of early and advanced lesions detected are highlighted as well as the challenges and obstacles in achieving and maintaining high coverage in Africa and Latin America. With strong political leadership, commitment of national stakeholders, and the use of proven and cost-effective approaches to human papillomavirus vaccination, screening, and treatment, the vision of a world free of cervical cancer and saving women’s lives every year by preventing deaths from cervical cancer will be achievable in the next generation in all countries.","PeriodicalId":15862,"journal":{"name":"Journal of global oncology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1200/JGO.19.00287","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47857023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mutational Profile of Driver Genes in Brazilian Melanomas","authors":"A. L. Vicente, C. Crovador, G. Macedo, C. Scapulatempo-Neto, R. Reis, V. L. Vazquez","doi":"10.1200/JGO.19.00169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.19.00169","url":null,"abstract":"PURPOSE Mutation testing of the key genes involved in melanoma oncogenesis is now mandatory for the application of targeted therapeutics. However, knowledge of the mutational profile of melanoma remains largely unknown in Brazil. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this study, we assessed the mutation status of melanoma driver genes BRAF, NRAS, TERT, KIT, and PDGFRA in a cohort of 459 patients attended at Barretos Cancer Hospital between 2001 and 2012. We used polymerase chain reaction followed by Sanger sequencing to analyze the hot spot mutations of BRAF exon 15 (V600E), NRAS (codons 12/13 and 61), TERT (promoter region), KIT (exons 9, 11, 13, and 17), and PDGFRA (exons 12, 14, and 18) in tumors. The mutational profile was investigated for associations with demographic, histopathologic, and clinical features of the disease. RESULTS The nodular subtype was most frequent (38.9%) followed by the superficial spreading subtype (34.4%). The most frequent tumor location was in the limbs (50.0%). The mutation rates were 34.3% for TERT and 34.1% for BRAF followed by NRAS (7.9%), KIT (6.2%), and PDGFRA (2.9%). The BRAF (P = .014) and TERT (P = .006) mutations were associated with younger patients and with different anatomic locations, particularly in the trunk, for the superficial spreading and nodular subtypes, respectively (P = .0001 for both). PDGFRA mutations were associated with black skin color (P = .023) and TERT promoter mutations with an absence of ulceration (P = .037) and lower levels of lactate dehydrogenase. There was no association between patient survival rates and mutational status. CONCLUSION The similar mutational profile we observe in melanomas in Brazil compared with other populations will help to guide precision medicine in this country.","PeriodicalId":15862,"journal":{"name":"Journal of global oncology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1200/JGO.19.00169","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49108512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patterns of Care of Cancers and Radiotherapy in Ethiopia.","authors":"Tara Rick,&nbsp;Biruk Habtamu,&nbsp;Wondemagegnhu Tigeneh,&nbsp;Aynalem Abreha,&nbsp;Yvette van Norden,&nbsp;Surbhi Grover,&nbsp;Mathewos Assefa,&nbsp;Luca Incrocci","doi":"10.1200/JGO.19.00129","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.19.00129","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Radiotherapy (RT) is an essential component of cancer treatment. There is a lack of RT services in sub-Saharan Africa as well as limited knowledge regarding clinical practices. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the patterns for RT treatment in Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods and materials: </strong>We performed a retrospective analysis of 1,823 patients treated with cobalt RT at a large referral hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 2015 through January 2018. Paper charts were reviewed for patient and treatment characteristics. Descriptive statistics were computed using SPSS (IBM, Armonk, NY).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among patients treated for cancer, 98% (n = 1,784) were adults, 78% (n = 1,426) were female, 5% (n = 85) were HIV positive, 30% (n = 555) were from Addis Ababa, and the median age was 48 years (interquartile range [IQR], 38-58 years). Cervical cancer was the most frequent cancer treated (47%, n = 851), followed by breast cancer (15%, n = 274) and head and neck cancer (10%, n = 184). Seventy-three percent of patients (n = 1,339) presented at a late stage, and 62% (n = 1,138) received palliative RT. The wait times were the shortest for patients receiving palliative treatment (median, 0 days; IQR, 0-15 days; n = 1,138), whereas wait times were longer for patients receiving curative treatment (median, 150 days; IQR, 60-210 days; n = 685). Three percent of patients (n = 56) had documented grade 3 or 4 acute toxicity; of these, 59% (n = 33) were patients with head and neck cancer.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Cervical cancer accounted for half of patients treated; thus, a majority of patients were adult females. Most patients had advanced-stage cancer, and goals of care were palliative. Wait times were long for patients with curative-intent cancer as a result of low capacity for RT services.</p>","PeriodicalId":15862,"journal":{"name":"Journal of global oncology","volume":"5 ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1200/JGO.19.00129","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37455223","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":"Application of the New Process for Unapproved Drug Use: Dilemma of Universal Health Care Coverage in Japan","authors":"S. Nishiwaki, Y. Ando","doi":"10.1200/JGO.19.00313","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.19.00313","url":null,"abstract":"Patient-proposed health services (PPHS; kanjya mouside ryouyou in Japanese), a new Japanese government program that allows patients to use publicly insured and uninsured therapies—a so-called mixed medical care service that is prohibited in principal— was introduced in April 2016. Under PPHS, a patient can petition the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) to assess an unapproved treatment by submitting documents from a Medical Service Act– certificated core clinical research hospital, where a study protocol is prepared after a review of the proposed treatment from the following points of view: (1) no possible participation in the existing system, such as ongoing clinical trials or Advanced Medical Care B; (2) the safety and efficacy of the treatment; and (3) the possibility of future approval of the treatment. The distinctive feature of this system is that the required care is performed as clinical research to accelerate the approval of the treatment. PPHS is a unique system designed to support patient wishes regarding the earliest possible advanced medical care without disrupting Japan’s universal health care coverage.","PeriodicalId":15862,"journal":{"name":"Journal of global oncology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1200/JGO.19.00313","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47440323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Public Awareness and Perceptions of Radiotherapy and Their Influence on the Use of Radiotherapy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania","authors":"Geofrey F Soko, A. Burambo, Mpanda M. Mngoya, Burhani A Abdul","doi":"10.1200/JGO.19.00175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.19.00175","url":null,"abstract":"PURPOSE Misconceptions associated with radiotherapy (RT) may affect the patient’s choice to undergo or not undergo RT. In this study, the level of awareness and perceptions about radiation and RT, as well as their impact on the use of RT, were assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, between November 2018 and March 2019. Stratified sampling was used to obtain a sample of 629 participants from 4 strata, including 53 patients with cancer, 129 health professionals, 127 medical and nursing students, and 320 respondents from the general public. A questionnaire with 13 items measuring awareness and 8 items measuring perceptions was used for data collection. The Kruskal-Wallis test and χ2 test were used to test association between predictor and outcome variables. Statistical analyses were performed using statistical software. RESULTS The percentage of right responses was < 50% in all 13 awareness items. Only 16.9% of respondents were aware that RT would not reduce their lifespan. Only 34.5% of respondents had positive perceptions of RT. Awareness was higher among medical/nursing students, younger respondents, single or cohabiting respondents, and those who had attained a college or higher education. Overall, 52% would accept receiving RT if recommended as part of their treatment. Those who would accept undergoing RT were more likely to have higher awareness and a positive perception of RT. CONCLUSION Public awareness of RT in Dar es Salaam is low, and negative perceptions prevail. Low levels of awareness and negative perceptions have a negative effect on the use of RT.","PeriodicalId":15862,"journal":{"name":"Journal of global oncology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1200/JGO.19.00175","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44753580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}