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Proximology in a Cancer Care Setting in Burkina Faso: A Study of Cancer Patient Caregivers
Augustin Tozoula Bambara,
Nina-Astrid Ouedraogo,
Arlette Jocelyne Katiana Nebie,
Roger Sombie
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2022
Pages:
53-59
Received:
6 June 2022
Accepted:
29 June 2022
Published:
13 July 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220703.11
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Abstract: We carried out this study in order to promote holistic management of cancer patients in our context by taking account of the burden of caregiving on the patient’s family and friends. It was a cross-sectional, observational study of 72 patient/caregiver dyads that included patients followed at Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, for at least one month as outpatients for confirmed cancer and their primary caregiver from May-October 2021. A survey questionnaire was used as a guide for a standardized interview of the primary caregivers. The variables collected from the caregivers related to sociodemographic characteristics, the relationship of the caregiver to the patient and the caregiver’s level of information concerning their patient’s disease. The roles taken on by the caregivers were collected. Caregiver burden was assessed using the Caregiver Reaction Assessment questionnaire (CRA). Mean scores of the CRA dimensions were compared according to selected patient/caregiver characteristics. Mean age in the patient group was 52.6 years and in the caregiver group 41.4 years (p = 0.00001). The majority of patients were women (72.5%) whereas the majority of caregivers were men (69.3%). Salaried employees were more numerous in the caregiver group (45.2%) than in the patient group (17.7%) (p = 0.001). In 53% of dyads, the relationship was parent/child. Administrative formalities and emotional support were the main tasks undertaken by the primary caregivers. Strength of the parental bond, living in the same home, and knowledge of the seriousness of the patient’s illness had a significant impact on CRA scores. In our setting, we need to reflect on measures to lighten the burden of the cancer patient’s caregiver.
Abstract: We carried out this study in order to promote holistic management of cancer patients in our context by taking account of the burden of caregiving on the patient’s family and friends. It was a cross-sectional, observational study of 72 patient/caregiver dyads that included patients followed at Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital, Ouagadougou, Burk...
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Uterine Didelphys, an Uncommon Mullerian Duct Anomaly in a Multiparous Woman with Endometrial Carcinoma
Olutosin Alaba Awolude,
Olayinka Raphael Kuboye,
Sunday Oladimeji Oyerinde
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2022
Pages:
60-63
Received:
11 June 2022
Accepted:
24 June 2022
Published:
20 July 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220703.12
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Abstract: Uterine didelphys is a rare deformity with most cases associated with favourable pregnancy outcomes. Uterine carcinoma in such uterine malformation is equally rare with many cases diagnosed late due to failed pre-surgery evaluation associated with routine endometrial biopsy. We report a case of incidental uterine didelphys found during surgery in a 62-year-old para 2 +3, woman with endometriod variant of endometrial carcinoma of the right uterus (grade II, and at least stage III). She, successful, had surgery and currently undergoing adjuvant chemoradiation with no complaint. This case demonstrates the possibility of uterine didelphys in a patient with endometrial cancer even when there has been successful pregnancies and deliveries. Clinicians should be aware of this rare possibility especially in a background of preceding repeated miscarriages. Diligently performed endometrial biopsy can still yield adequate specimen for pre-surgery histological diagnosis despite the documented high failure rate associated with the procedure. Where available, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is a useful pre-surgery evaluation test with option of exploratory laparotomy performed to avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment of cancers where this is not available but with high index of suspicion.
Abstract: Uterine didelphys is a rare deformity with most cases associated with favourable pregnancy outcomes. Uterine carcinoma in such uterine malformation is equally rare with many cases diagnosed late due to failed pre-surgery evaluation associated with routine endometrial biopsy. We report a case of incidental uterine didelphys found during surgery in a...
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Knowledge and Attitude of Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic to Cervical Cancer Screening in Pregnancy in Ibadan, Nigeria
Ifebude Joshua Ebuka,
Idowu Oluwasegun Caleb,
Awolude Olutosin Alaba
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2022
Pages:
64-69
Received:
8 June 2022
Accepted:
6 July 2022
Published:
29 July 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220703.13
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Abstract: Intensive global efforts are currently on-going to ensure the elimination of cervical cancer by 2030. To achieve this, identification of populations and settings to optimize implementation is important. Pregnant women in antenatal setting provide one of such opportunities. This cross-sectional study conducted among pregnant women in a tertiary health facility evaluates the knowledge and attitude of cervical cancer screening in pregnancy. A total of 372 of the 380 (97.9%) women responded to the survey. The knowledge about cervical cancer among the respondents was 16.0%, 27.0% with good knowledge about cervical cancer screening and 21.0% had been previously screened for cervical cancer. If offered in the index pregnancy, about 74.2% were willing to undergo the screening. The age of respondents (p < 0.001) and the knowledge about cervical cancer screening (p = 0.034) were statistically significant factors associated with the respondents’ attitude to screening in pregnancy. Fear of the screening affecting their pregnancies was the reason in about half of the 26.8% of the respondents unwilling to undertake cervical cancer screening in pregnancy. The knowledge about risk factors for cervical cancer among our participants was poor. However, the attitude of participants towards cervical cancer screening in pregnancy was good. While policy makers might find this encouraging to incorporate routine cervical cancer screening into maternity services, there is urgent need for more awareness creation among our pregnant women, adequate counselling to correct misconceptions and education on the benefits of cervical cancer screening among our parturient.
Abstract: Intensive global efforts are currently on-going to ensure the elimination of cervical cancer by 2030. To achieve this, identification of populations and settings to optimize implementation is important. Pregnant women in antenatal setting provide one of such opportunities. This cross-sectional study conducted among pregnant women in a tertiary heal...
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Introduction of a Hybrid Tele-oncology Program in a Low-Resource Setting in Sub-Saharan Africa
Paul Mobit,
Waleed Mourad,
Edmund Folefac,
Weisi Yan,
Nicholas Ade,
Paulin Harmoniel Imandi,
Mouelle Sone,
Rachael Tayou,
Isabella Fri Tayong
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2022
Pages:
70-75
Received:
10 May 2022
Accepted:
6 June 2022
Published:
10 August 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220703.14
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Abstract: Cameroon Oncology Center (COC) is a modern oncology center that was commissioned for clinical use in 2019. COC is located just outside the city of Douala in the Republic of Cameroon in the central African sub-region in Sub-Saharan Africa. With the scarcity of qualified cancer treatment health professionals, COC has had to develop and deplore a hybrid telemedicine program for her oncology services. This paper describes the tele-oncology workflow with particular emphasis on radiotherapy. The oncology telemedicine model consists of a team of US-based experts supported by an onsite team in Cameroon. The team in Cameroon provides face-to-face consultations and clinical evaluation of patients, review of pertinent medical history and pathology, provides initial dose prescription based on accepted protocols, performs computed tomography simulation, radiation treatment delivery, quality control of radiation equipment and patient treatment, evaluations and monitoring during and post treatment consultations. The US-based team oversees treatment planning including contouring of the cancer and delineation of critical structures, computation and review of patient treatment plan, and transfer of approved plan to Cameroon for treatment delivery. With the presented telemedicine model, COC is able to provide high-quality radiation treatments to cancer patients in central Africa that is comparable to any international standard at a fraction of the cost for patients. With increased access to well-trained and experienced professionals, telemedicine is an effective tool to offer quality assured and safe radiotherapy to cancer patients in a resource-limited oncology setting.
Abstract: Cameroon Oncology Center (COC) is a modern oncology center that was commissioned for clinical use in 2019. COC is located just outside the city of Douala in the Republic of Cameroon in the central African sub-region in Sub-Saharan Africa. With the scarcity of qualified cancer treatment health professionals, COC has had to develop and deplore a hybr...
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Newly-Diagnosed Multicentric Pilocytic Astrocytoma: Complete Response and > 22 Years Survival in a Six Year and Nine-Month-Old Female Treated with Antineoplastons
Stanislaw Rajmund Burzynski,
Gregory Burzynski,
Tomasz Janicki,
Samuel Beenken
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2022
Pages:
76-82
Received:
7 July 2022
Accepted:
27 July 2022
Published:
10 August 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220703.15
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Abstract: Rationale: Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is generally a circumscribed, well-differentiated, slowly-growing tumor, classified as World Health Organization (WHO) grade I. The case of a female child with a newly diagnosed multicentric PA is presented here to detail and discuss the efficacy of Antineoplastons A10 (Atengenal) and AS2-1 (Astugenal) in treatment of this disease. Objectives: The child was treated at the Burzynski Clinic (BC) according to the Phase II protocol, BT-23, which utilized Antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 (ANP therapy) in the treatment of patients with optic pathway gliomas. ANP therapy was delivered via subclavian catheter and infusion pump. Tumor response was measured by sequential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Findings: At presentation to the BC, the child complained of blurred vision and right-sided hemianopsia. On physical exam, she was alert and orientated. There was blurring of her right optic disc. Deep tendon reflexes were equal bilaterally with down-going toes. The child’s initial brain MRI and subsequent biopsy indicated a multi-centric PA involving the optic chiasm, hypothalamus and left hemisphere. Her parents elected for treatment at the BC. Baseline brain MRI, performed on November 15, 1999, showed three enhancing target lesions with a combined volume of 16.49 cm2. Sequential brain MRIs demonstrated that a partial response (PR) and then a complete response (CR) were achieved on April 12, 2000 and June 25, 2003, respectively. Twenty-two years after initiation of ANP therapy, the patient is doing well and showing no evidence of recurrent disease. Conclusions: The utilization of ANP therapy to obtain a cure of newly diagnosed multicentric PA in a female child is presented. We conclude that ANP therapy is an attractive therapeutic option for children with a multicentric PA or other PAs who are ineligible for or refuse standard therapy or demonstrate persistent, progressive, or recurrent disease following standard therapy.
Abstract: Rationale: Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is generally a circumscribed, well-differentiated, slowly-growing tumor, classified as World Health Organization (WHO) grade I. The case of a female child with a newly diagnosed multicentric PA is presented here to detail and discuss the efficacy of Antineoplastons A10 (Atengenal) and AS2-1 (Astugenal) in treat...
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