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Jackman JM, Yibrehu B, Doyle A, Alatise OI, Wuraola FO, Olasehinde O, Peter Kingham T. Updates in global oncology: Advancements and future directions. J Surg Oncol 2024; 129:1374-1383. [PMID: 38624014 DOI: 10.1002/jso.27633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Globally, cancer is the second leading cause of death, and low- and middle-income countries bear most of the disease burden. While cancer is increasingly recognized as a major global health issue, more work remains. Understanding the status of global cancer care will shape the next steps in ensuring equitable global access to cancer care. This article highlights ongoing initiatives in global oncology and the next steps in advancing the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Jackman
- Global Cancer Disparities Initiative, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Betel Yibrehu
- Global Cancer Disparities Initiative, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Alex Doyle
- Global Cancer Disparities Initiative, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Caribbean Colon Cancer Initiative, Bridgetown, Barbados
| | - Olusegun Isaac Alatise
- Surgery Department, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | | | - Olalekan Olasehinde
- Surgery Department, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - T Peter Kingham
- Global Cancer Disparities Initiative, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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Yorke AA, Williams VM, Elmore S, Alleyne-Mike K, Addison E, Kyeremeh PO, Tagoe SNA, Trauernicht CJ, Lazarus GL, Ford EC. Radiation Therapy Physics Quality Assurance and Management Practices in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Initial Pilot Survey in Six Countries and Validation Through a Site Visit. Adv Radiat Oncol 2024; 9:101335. [PMID: 38405318 PMCID: PMC10885564 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2023.101335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Our purpose was to assess physics quality assurance (QA) practices in less resourced radiation therapy (RT) centers to improve quality of care. Methods and Materials A preliminary study was conducted in 2020 of 13 select RT centers in 6 countries, and in 2021, our team conducted onsite visits to all the RT centers in Ghana, one of the countries from the initial survey. The RT centers included 1 private and 2 public institutions (denoted as Public-1 and Public-2). Follow-up surveys were sent to 17 medical physicists from the site visit. Questions centered on the topics of equipment, institutional practice, physics quality assurance, management, and safety practices. Qualitative and descriptive methods were used for data analysis. Questions regarding operational challenges (machine downtime, patient-related issues, power outages, and staffing) were asked on a 5-point Likert scale. Results The preliminary survey from 2020 had a 92% response rate. One key result showed that for RT centers in lower gross national income per capita countries there was a direct correlation between QA needs and the gross national income per capita of the country. The needs identified included film/array detectors, independent dose calculation software, calibration of ion chambers, diodes, thermoluminiscence diodes (TLDs), phantoms for verification, Treatment Planning System (TPS) test phantoms, imaging test phantoms and film dosimeters, education, and training. For the post survey after the site visit in 2021, we received a 100% response rate. The private and the Public-1 institutions each have computed tomography simulators located in their RT center. The average daily patient external beam workload for each clinic on a linear accelerator was: private = 25, Public-1 = 55, Public-2 = 40. The Co-60 workload was: Public-1 = 45, Public-2 = 25 (there was no Co-60 at the private hospital). Public-1 and -2 lacked the equipment necessary to conform to best practices in Task Group reports (TG) 142 and 198. Public-2 reported significant operational challenges. Notably, Public-1 and -2 have peer review chart rounds, which are attended by clinical oncologists, medical physicists, physicians, and physics trainees. All 17 physicists who responded to the post site visit survey indicated they had a system of documenting, tracking, and trending patient-related safety incidents, but only 1 physicist reported using International Atomic Energy Agency Safety in Radiation Oncology. Conclusions The preliminary study showed a direct correlation between QA needs and the development index of a country, and the follow-up survey examines operational and physics QA practices in the RT clinics in Ghana, one of the initial countries surveyed. This will form the basis of a planned continent-wide survey in Africa intended to spotlight QA practices in low- and middle-income countries, the challenges faced, and lessons learned to help understand the gaps and needs to support local physics QA and management programs. Audits during the site visit show education and training remain the most important needs in operating successful QA programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afua A. Yorke
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UW Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Shekinah Elmore
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Kellie Alleyne-Mike
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center of Trinidad and Tobago, St. James Medical Complex, St. James, Trinidad, and Tobago
| | - Eric Addison
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Oncology Directorate, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Samuel Nii Adu Tagoe
- University of Ghana and National Center for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | - Eric C. Ford
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UW Medicine, Seattle, Washington
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Alleyne-Mike K. Gauging radiotherapy resources in South America and the Caribbean. Lancet Oncol 2023; 24:951-952. [PMID: 37657468 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00343-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kellie Alleyne-Mike
- Cancer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago, St James Medical Complex, Trinidad and Tobago.
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Sarria GR, Martinez DA, Li B, Castillo RD, Salgado A, Pinillos L, Felix A, Bobadilla I, Ferraris G, Castilho M, Carmona J, Leon B, Aviles L, Ricagni L, Isa N, Flores C, Giordano FA, Zubizarreta EH, Polo A, Sarria GJ. Leveling Up the Access to Radiation Therapy in Latin America: Economic Analysis of Investment, Equity, and Inclusion Opportunities Up to 2030. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2022; 116:448-458. [PMID: 36549348 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Latin America faces a shortage in radiation therapy (RT) units and qualified personnel for timely and high-quality treatment of patients with cancer. Investing in equitable and inclusive access to RT over the next decade would prevent thousands of deaths. Measuring the investment gap and payoff is necessary for stakeholder discussions and capacity planning efforts. METHODS AND MATERIALS Data were collected from the International Atomic Energy Agency's Directory of Radiotherapy Centers, industry stakeholders, and individual surveys sent to national scientific societies. Nationwide data on available devices and personnel were compiled. The 10 most common cancers in 2020 with RT indication and their respective incidence rates were considered for gap calculations. The gross 2-year financial return on investment was calculated based on an average monthly salary across Latin America. A 10-year cost projection was calculated according to the estimated population dynamics for the period until 2030. RESULTS Eleven countries were included in the study, accounting for 557,213,447 people in 2020 and 561 RT facilities. Approximately 1,065,684 new cancer cases were diagnosed, and a mean density of 768,469 (standard deviation ±392,778) people per available unit was found. By projecting the currently available treatment fractions to determine those required in 2030, it was found that 62.3% and 130.8% increases in external beam RT and brachytherapy units are needed from the baseline, respectively. An overall regional investment of approximately United States (US) $349,650,480 in 2020 would have covered the existing demand. An investment of US $872,889,949 will be necessary by 2030, with the expectation of a 2-year posttreatment gross return on investment of more than US $2.1 billion from patients treated in 2030 only. CONCLUSIONS Investment in RT services is lagging in Latin America in terms of the population's needs. An accelerated outlay could save additional lives during the next decade, create a self-sustaining system, and reduce region-wide inequities in cancer care access. Cash flow analyses are warranted to tailor precise national-level intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo R Sarria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Rayos Contra Cancer, Inc, Nashville, Tennessee.
| | - David A Martinez
- Rayos Contra Cancer, Inc, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Radiation Oncology, Oncosalud-Auna, Lima, Peru
| | - Benjamin Li
- Rayos Contra Cancer, Inc, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Apolo Salgado
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Instituto Nacional del Cancer, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Luis Pinillos
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Oncosalud-Auna, Lima, Peru
| | - Armando Felix
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital de Oncologia Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI - IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ivan Bobadilla
- Radiotherapy Unit, Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo Cancer Treatment and Research Center - CTIC, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Gustavo Ferraris
- Radiotherapy Unit, Centro de Radioterapia Dean Funes, Cordoba, Argentina
| | - Marcus Castilho
- Radiotherapy Center, Hospital Felicio Rocho, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jorge Carmona
- Radiotherapy Unit, Oncoserv, Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
| | - Barbara Leon
- Radiotherapy Technical Unit, Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Leandro Ricagni
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital de Clinicas, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nicolas Isa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinica IRAM, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Claudio Flores
- Department of Epidemiology and Applied Research, Auna Ideas, Lima, Peru
| | - Frank A Giordano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Alfredo Polo
- Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gustavo J Sarria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Oncosalud-Auna, Lima, Peru; Department of Radiotherapy, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas, Lima, Peru
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Khandwala YS, Ohanian A, Huang FW. Prostate Cancer in the Caribbean: A Baseline Assessment of Current Practices and Potential Needs. Cancer Control 2022. [PMCID: PMC8961354 DOI: 10.1177/10732748221082372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Afro-Caribbean men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than any other population of men
in the world. However, the Caribbean is composed of a heterogenous group of healthcare
systems located on small islands which makes population-based studies difficult to conduct
and interpret. The aim of this review is to compile previously published data on the state
of prostate cancer in Caribbean men and to highlight potential healthcare needs that can
be addressed by public health efforts. We reviewed three databases and identified relevant
papers that were subsequently searched by the authors. Peer-reviewed studies published in
the English language after 2010 with a focus on prostate cancer diagnosis, management, and
outcomes of Caribbean men were prioritized. Afro-Caribbean men were found to have a higher
incidence and mortality rate compared to their counterparts. Misperception about the
disease, lack of regional guidelines, and poor access to care are compounding factors that
result in worse outcomes for these men compared to high-income nations. Urologists and
oncologists in the region, while well-trained, are limited in number and in most cases do
not offer newer treatment modalities. Overall, only a few island nations have cancer
registries, and there remains a significant need for more population-based studies to
assess guideline adherence and outcomes. Until further research and investment in the
region is made, the disparity between the care received by Afro-Caribbean men and their
counterparts will likely remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yash S Khandwala
- Department of Urology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alec Ohanian
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Franklin W Huang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Chen G, Cui J, Qian J, Zhu J, Zhao L, Luo B, Cui T, Zhong L, Yang F, Yang G, Zhao X, Zhou Y, Geng M, Sun J. Rapid Progress in Intelligent Radiotherapy and Future Implementation. Cancer Invest 2022; 40:425-436. [PMID: 35225723 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2022.2044842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the major approaches to cancer treatment. Artificial intelligence in radiotherapy (shortly, Intelligent radiotherapy) mainly involves big data, deep learning, extended reality, digital twin, radiomics, Internet plus and Internet of Things (IoT), which establish an automatic and intelligent network platform consisting of radiotherapy preparation, target volume delineation, treatment planning, radiation delivery, quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC), prognosis judgment and post-treatment follow-up. Intelligent radiotherapy is an interdisciplinary frontier discipline in infancy. The review aims to summary the important implements of intelligent radiotherapy in various areas and put forward the future of unmanned radiotherapy center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangpeng Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Jianxiong Cui
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China.,Department of Oncology, Sichuan Provincial Crops Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Leshan 614000, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Jindong Qian
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Jianbo Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Lirong Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Bangyu Luo
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Tianxiang Cui
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Liangzhi Zhong
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Guangrong Yang
- Qijiang District People's Hospital, Chongqing 401420, P.R. China
| | - Xianlan Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Yibing Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Mingying Geng
- Department of Cancer Center, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
| | - Jianguo Sun
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
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Difficulties in Accessing Cancer Care in a Small Island State: A Community-Based Pilot Study of Cancer Survivors in Saint Lucia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094770. [PMID: 33947123 PMCID: PMC8124473 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Developing robust systems for cancer care delivery is essential to reduce the high cancer mortality in small island developing states (SIDS). Indigenous data are scarce, but community-based cancer research can inform care in SIDS where formal research capacity is lacking, and we describe the experiences of cancer survivors in Saint Lucia in accessing health services. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to constitute a sample of survivors for interviews. Subjects were interviewed with a questionnaire regarding socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, health services accessed (physicians, tests, treatment), and personal appraisal of experience. We recruited 50 survivors (13 men, 37 women). Only 52% of first presentations were with general practitioners. The mean turnaround for biopsy results in Saint Lucia was three times longer than overseas (p = 0.0013). Approximately half of survivors commenced treatment more than one month following diagnosis (median of 32 days, IQR 19-86 days), and 56% of survivors traveled out-of-country for treatment. Most survivors (60%) paid for care with family/friends support, followed by savings and medical insurance (38% each). In conclusion, cancer survivors in Saint Lucia are faced with complex circumstances, including access-to-care and health consequences. This study can guide future research, and possibly guide practice improvements in the near term.
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