Timely Cancer Diagnosis Research Articles

Experiences Of Children With Cancer & Their Parents During The Cancer Trajectory & Preparing A Clinical Guideline, In Different Phases In A Selected Oncology Hospital

This study describes the multifaceted experiences of children with cancer and their parents throughout the cancer trajectory. Being a mixed method study it explores both the quantitative and qualitative aspects from children and parents point of view in a selected oncology hospital. For this research, the researcher did purposive sampling of 50 children with cancer and 50 parents of children with cancer from January 2024-June 2024. Children with first time diagnosis of Cancer (0-3 months of diagnosis) and (4-7 months of diagnosis) in two cohorts aged 12-18 years, admitted in the ward or coming to day care were selected as sample. Similarly parents of children with first time diagnosis having children in the same age group were selected. Two standardized tool were selected-Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) to assess the experience of children with cancer and WHO QOL BREF (AUSTRALIAN VERSION) to assess the experience of parents of a children with cancer .-In the first cohort-For the qualitative part detailed interview was taken from children and parents. The results of the study are as follows-Using MSAS “How often did you have”—In the first cohort-Feeling sad had the highest mean of 1.9. In the second cohort nausea had the highest mean of 2.2. “How severe was it usually”-in the first cohort-Feeling sad had the highest mean of 1. In the second cohort lack of energy had the highest mean of 1.5. “How severe did it DISTRES or BOTHER you?” In the first cohort feeling sad had the highest mean of 1.6, in the second cohort lack of appetite had the highest mean of 1.7. In section II of MSAS scale “How severe was it usually “-In the first cohort -Hair loss had the highest mean of 1.6, in the second cohort also –hair loss had the highest mean of 1.6. For “How severe did it DISTRESS or BOTHER you?”-In the first cohort-hair loss had the highest mean of 1.4, in the second cohort also hair loss had the highest mean of 1.4.For WHO QOL (BREF) Australian Version researcher found that in the first cohort (0-3) months of diagnosis,among the four domains-Domain 4-Environment had the highest mean of 13.9. In the second cohort (4-7) months of diagnosis- Domain 3-Social relationship had the highest mean of 14.4. In the Qualitative part of the study two themes emerged after interviewing children and their parents. Progress in the initial stage of the disease, development in the treatment process. In the last part a Clinical Guideline for Psychological support in Pediatric Oncology was prepared. The results of this study suggest that it is very much important for the nursing staff working in Pediatric wards to know the experiences of children with cancer and their parents during the cancer trajectory to help them cross the difficult journey.

Myasthenia and risk of cancer: a population‐based case–control study

To evaluate the association between having non-thymoma myasthenia and the risk of extra-thymic cancer in a population-based setting. A nationwide case-control study was conducted in Denmark based on medical registries. The study included all cases with a first time diagnosis of cancer during 2000-2009. Each case was matched by birth year and gender with eight population controls using risk set sampling. Subjects with myasthenia were identified through a validated register-based algorithm. Conditional logistic regression was used to compute crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), for cancer associated with a prior diagnosis of myasthenia. In all, 233 437 cases and 1 867 009 controls were identified. A total of 80 cases and 518 controls had a prior diagnosis of myasthenia. Myasthenia was not associated with an increased risk of overall cancer (OR 1.1; 95% CI 0.9-1.4). Adjusted ORs for major cancer sites were also close to unity, whereas an elevated risk of lymphomas was observed (OR 2.0; 95% CI 0.8-5.5). Early-onset myasthenia was associated with a slightly increased OR for overall cancer (1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.3); however, this estimate was based on small numbers. Non-thymoma myasthenia was not associated with an increased risk of overall cancer. Larger studies are necessary to evaluate the association between myasthenia and risk of lymphoma and the potential effect modification by age of myasthenia onset in relation to cancer risk.

Use of azathioprine for non‐thymoma myasthenia and risk of cancer: a nationwide case–control study in Denmark

To evaluate the association between the use of azathioprine and risk of cancer in patients with non-thymoma myasthenia gravis (MG) in a nationwide setting. Case-control study based on population-based registries. Cases were patients with MG with a first time diagnosis of cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer) registered during 2000-2009, and controls were patients with MG with no history of cancer. Prior use of azathioprine in cases and controls was assessed through prescription records (1995-2009). We used unconditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer associated with a high cumulative dose [≥ 1000 defined daily doses (DDD)] or long-term use (≥ 5 years) of azathioprine, compared with never use of the drug and adjusted for potential confounders. We identified 89 cases and 873 controls. The prevalence of ever use of azathioprine was similar among cases (39.3%) and controls (39.4%). We observed a slightly elevated OR for cancer overall associated with long-term use of azathioprine (1.22; 95% CI: 0.62-2.40, P = 0.56). The highest ORs were observed for use of 2000 DDD or more of azathioprine; however, these risk estimates were based on small numbers. Use of azathioprine in patients with non-thymoma MG may be associated with a slightly increased risk of cancer overall. Larger studies are necessary to address the risk of site-specific cancers.

Socioeconomic Impact of Cancer in Member Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): the ACTION Study Protocol

Cancer can be a major cause of poverty. This may be due either to the costs of treating and managing the illness as well as its impact upon people's ability to work. This is a concern that particularly affects countries that lack comprehensive social health insurance systems and other types of social safety nets. The ACTION study is a longitudinal cohort study of 10,000 hospital patients with a first time diagnosis of cancer. It aims to assess the impact of cancer on the economic circumstances of patients and their households, patients' quality of life, costs of treatment and survival. Patients will be followed throughout the first year after their cancer diagnosis, with interviews conducted at baseline (after diagnosis), three and 12 months. A cross-section of public and private hospitals as well as cancer centers across eight member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will invite patients to participate. The primary outcome is incidence of financial catastrophe following treatment for cancer, defined as out-of-pocket health care expenditure at 12 months exceeding 30% of household income. Secondary outcomes include illness induced poverty, quality of life, psychological distress, economic hardship, survival and disease status. The findings can raise awareness of the extent of the cancer problem in South East Asia and its breadth in terms of its implications for households and the communities in which cancer patients live, identify priorities for further research and catalyze political action to put in place effective cancer control policies.