[Lost to follow-up in radiotherapy: experience of the National Institute of Oncology in Morocco]

La prise en charge psychologique des patients cancéreux au Maroc : cas du centre d’oncologie-hématologie de Marrakech

Le cancer représente un problème de santé majeur dans le monde, nécessitant une prise en charge globale (médicale, sociale et psychologique). Afin de déterminer la place de la prise en charge psychosociale des cancéreux au Maroc, nous avons mené des enquêtes auprès de 370 patients et l’ensemble du personnel exerçant au niveau du centre d’oncologie-hématologie de Marrakech. Les résultats montrent que seulement 10 % des patients ont bénéficié d’un soutien psychologique, alors que 58 % ont bénéficié du soutien social. En conclusion, la priorité dans la prise en charge du cancer au Maroc est dans le soin médical et le soutien social. Toutefois, l’amélioration du soutien psychologique est nécessaire pour éviter l’abandon du traitement.

Patients Lost to Follow-Up for Cervical Cancer in the Limbe Regional Hospital

PURPOSE

Cervical cancer constitutes a public health problem in Cameroon where it represents 13.8% of cancers in women. We wanted to evaluate compliance with cervical cancer care with a focus on patients who are lost to follow-up from the time that symptoms suggestive of cervical cancer are clinically recognized to treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sociodemographic data, attitude toward diagnosis and treatment, and reason for discontinuing care were recorded and analyzed for a period of 5 years from January 2010 to December 2015.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-six patients had symptoms suggestive of cervical cancer, but only 110 (87.30%) could pay for biopsy, 29 (26.36%) of those did not collect their results, 17 (18.7%) denied their results, and 20 (19%) did not benefit from treatment. Only 44 of 110 patients were able to finish their cancer care treatment program. Reasons for discontinuing the cancer care included lack of financial means to pay for it, distance from the care center, and belief in alternative treatments.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the magnitude of the difficulties of accessing and receiving cancer care in semiurban areas in Cameroon. Poverty, belief in alternative treatment options, and unequal distribution of care services determined which patients would be lost to follow-up. Redistribution of resources and cancer care providers is mandatory to improve this situation.