scholarly journals COVID-19 Cancer Recommendation Consequences on One Radiation Therapy Department Economics and Employee Working Conditions’ Satisfaction in France

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christos Melidis ◽  
Alicia Merciadri ◽  
Paul Orabona
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Treatment Recommendations ◽  
Scientific Societies ◽  
Medical Consultations ◽  
One Year ◽  
Therapy Department

National and international authorities and scientific societies have recently published important cancer treatment recommendations in order to propose extra measures that should be taken during the COVID-19 epidemic. These measures in Radiation Therapy (RT) include, among others, the reduction of the number of cancer patients treated, their respective sessions and the personnel present. For a small private RT department in France and for the period between mid-March and mid-May 2020 these measures resulted in one third less treated patients per week, no new prostate cases and fewer breast and palliative ones, less medical consultations, almost half patient sessions and a quarter less new patients in total. This translates in an income reduction of more than 50%, if compared with the same period one year ago. However, the personnel, although more tired mentally, is happier working less hours and days, with 62.5% of them working less than 40% than predicted in their contracts and without any impact on their salary. The pandemic continuing and the Management reducing the salary respectively was not part of most of the employees’ thoughts before filling in a questionnaire for this article, but even after only two of them had some relevant concerns.

Chemotherapy use at the end of life in Brazil.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24003-e24003
Author(s):  
Munir Murad Junior ◽  
Thiago Henrique Mascarenhas Nébias ◽  
Marcos Antonio da Cunha Santos ◽  
Mariangela Cherchiglia
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Early Palliative Care ◽  
Study Population ◽  
One Year

e24003 Background: Chemotherapy in the last days of life is not associated with a survival benefit, and recent data suggest it may cause harm by decreasing quality of life and increasing costs. Both ESMO and ASCO have published position statements encouraging discussions about the appropriate cessation of chemotherapy. End-of-life chemotherapy rates vary worldwide but in summary, up to a fifth of cancer patients are treated with chemotherapy in the last month of life with no clear benefits. The aim of this study is to describe the rate of chemotherapy use in the last month of life in patients who are candidates for palliative care in Brazil. Methods: It is a prospective non-concurrent cohort carried out from a database developed through probabilistic and deterministic linkage of data from information systems of the Brazilian Public Health System. The study population is composed of all patients who started cancer treatment between 2009 and 2014 and who was hospitalized at least 1 time after starting treatment. To address the indication for palliative care, patients whose death occurred within one year after the first hospitalization were selected. Results: A total of 299,202 patients started cancer treatment in that period and 62,249 died 1year after hospitalization. Among the deceased patients, the median age was 62 years, 50.9% of them were in stage IV and 34.1% in stage III and 46% lived in the southeastern region of the country. The most common cancers were lung (n = 17805; 28.6%) colorectal (n = 12273; 19.7%) and gastric (n = 10248; 16.5%). The average number of hospitalizations was 2.7 and 89% of these patients required emergency hospitalization. About half (45,4%; n=28,250) of the patients underwent chemotherapy at the last 30 days of life. The rates of use of chemotherapy in the last month was 44% for lung cancer, 74,4% for colon, 50.2% for gastric and 51.8% breast cancers. Conclusions: Despite international recommendations on the use of chemotherapy at the end of life, this seems to be a common practice unfortunately. Measures to implement early palliative care should be a priority for the care of cancer patients in Brazil.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in breast cancer patients: a cohort at the Institut Curie hospitals in the Paris area

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perrine Vuagnat ◽  
Maxime Frelaut ◽  
Toulsie Ramtohul ◽  
Clémence Basse ◽  
Sarah Diakite ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Metastatic Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Paris Area

AbstractBackgroundCancer patients have been reported to be at higher risk of COVID-19 complications and deaths. We report the characteristics and outcome of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during breast cancer treatment at Institut Curie hospitals (ICH, Paris area, France).MethodsAn IRB-approved prospective registry was set up at ICH for all breast cancer patients with COVID-19 symptoms or radiologic signs.ResultsAmong 15,600 patients actively treated for early or metastatic breast cancer during the last 4 months at ICH, 76 patients with suspected COVID-19 infection were included in the registry and followed. Fifty-nine of these patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 based on viral RNA testing or typical radiologic signs: 37/59 (63%) COVID-19 patients were treated for metastatic breast cancer, and 13/59 (22%) of them were taking corticosteroids daily. Common clinical features mostly consisted of fever and/or cough, while ground-glass opacities were the most common radiologic sign at diagnosis. We found no association between prior radiation therapy fields or extent of radiation therapy sequelae and extent of COVID-19 lung lesions. Twenty-eight of these 59 patients (47%) were hospitalized and 6 (10%) were transferred to an intensive care unit. At the time of analysis, 45/59 (76%) patients were recovering or had been cured, 10/59 (17%) were still followed and 4/59 (7%) had died from COVID-19. All 4 patients who died had significant non-cancer comorbidities. In univariate analysis, hypertension and age (>70) were the two factors associated with a higher risk of intensive care unit admission and/or death.ConclusionsThis prospective registry analysis suggests that the COVID-19 mortality rate in breast cancer patients depends more on comorbidities than prior radiation therapy or current anti-cancer treatment. Special attention must be paid to comorbidities when estimating the risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in breast cancer patients.

scholarly journals Approaching Health in Landscapes

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33
Author(s):  
Magdalena Skowronski ◽  
Mette Bech Risør ◽  
Nina Foss
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Northern Norway ◽  
The Core ◽  
Bodily Sensations ◽  
Anthropological Fieldwork ◽  
One Year ◽  
After Cancer ◽  
The Village

AbstractChronic cancer patients (CCPs) pay attention and act in response to diverse bodily sensations they experience in everyday life after a cancer episode. Here, we analyse how North Norwegian CCPs use their familiar surroundings in an effort to counter bad mood, anxiety and symptoms of relapse and to strengthen their health. The core participants of the anthropological fieldwork over the course of one year were 10 CCPs from a small coastal village in northern Norway. By drawing on Tim Ingold’s understanding of taskscape, it is suggested that the participants after cancer treatment dwell in and engage with the surroundings of the village, including the core task of staying healthy. The participants are part of and embody the landscape through the temporality of taskscape, related to their ways of dealing with pain, worries and bodily sensations in everyday life.

scholarly journals Radiotherapy Interruption in Cancer Patients: Rates and Causes at Ahvaz Golestan Hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-36
Author(s):  
Sasan Razmjoo ◽  
Negar Haghi ◽  
Mohammad Javad Tahmasebi Birgani ◽  
Shole Arvandi ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Hosseini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Treatment Interruption ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Common Cancer

Introduction: Radiotherapy is one of the most common cancer treatment modalities. The goal of this study was to establish the rates and causes of radiotherapy interruptions in cancer patients at Ahvaz Golestan Hospital.Methods: In this retrospective study, the data were collected during period from 2012 to 2013, from cancer patients who received radiation therapy at Golestan Hospital. Demographic characteristics and radiotherapy interruption frequency and reasons were reviewed and analyzed. Results: Among 1476 cases, 70.7% of patients had no radiotherapy interruption. The most common cause of treatment interruption was equipment damages and/or maintenance in 29.5% of patients. There were statistically significant relations between radiotherapy interruption with site of cancer (P=0.014) and living place of patients (P=0.006), respectively.Conclusion: Generally, treatment interruption at our center was not much higher than other centers; however, the most common cause of treatment interruption was equipment damages and/or maintenance, which was higher than most centers.

scholarly journals Treating Cancer With X-ray Radiation Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristopher A. Lyons ◽  
Theodore H. Arsenault ◽  
Zi Ouyang
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
The United States ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Receive Radiation Therapy ◽  
X Ray

Radiation therapy is an important cancer treatment. At least half of the cancer patients in the United States receive radiation therapy every year. X-rays are often used in radiation therapy. How are X-rays produced? How do we use X-rays to treat cancer? This article answers these questions and explains the physics behind radiation therapy.

scholarly journals The perceptions and beliefs of cannabis use among Canadian genitourinary cancer patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shipra Taneja ◽  
Yanbo Guo ◽  
Marissa Slaven ◽  
Aly-Khan Lalani ◽  
Erynn Shaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Genitourinary Cancer ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
One Year

Introduction: The legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada in 2018 has led to many patients being curious about the benefits of taking cannabis in conjunction with their cancer treatment. We investigated the perceptions among genitourinary cancer (GUC) patients regarding cannabis use as part of their care plans. Methods: A survey was created to explore current cannabis use behaviors, reasons for cannabis use, and the beliefs of cannabis usefulness towards cancer-related care, including cancer treatment, among GUC patients. The survey was distributed across Canada online via RedCAP through social media platforms, email, and patient advocacy groups. The survey was active from August to December 2020. Results: Of eighty-five responses, fifty-two met inclusion for analysis. Participants included 11 bladder, 26 kidney, and 15 prostate cancer patients. Many (48.1%) participants used cannabis daily and 75% had been using it for more than one year. Cannabis was consumed through oil-based products, edibles, and smoking. The most common reasons for using cannabis were cancer-related anxiety, to prevent cancer progression, cancer-related pain, recreational use, and other non-cancer-related illness or symptoms. Participants believed cannabis improved their sleep (70.2%), anxiety (65.9%), and overall mood (72.3%). Most participants were either unsure (38.3%) or neutral (31.9%) in the belief that cannabis might decrease their cancer progression. Conclusions: GUC patients use cannabis for a variety of cancer- and non-cancer-related symptoms. Many patients believe cannabis has benefited their cancer-related symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of healthcare providers remaining familiar with current evidence on cannabis to support patient conversations about cannabis use.

scholarly journals Geographic access to radiation therapy facilities and disparities of early-stage breast cancer treatment

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Lin ◽  
Michael C. Wimberly ◽  
Patricia Da Rosa ◽  
Joseph Hoover ◽  
William F. Athas
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
South Dakota ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Early Stage Breast Cancer ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
To Receive

Few studies of breast cancer treatment have focused on the Northern Plains of the United States, an area with a high mastectomy rate. This study examined the association between geographic access to radiation therapy facilities and receipt of breast cancer treatments among early-stage breast cancer patients in South Dakota. Based on 4,209 early-stage breast cancer patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2012 in South Dakota, the study measured geographic proximity to radiation therapy facilities using the shortest travel time for patients to the closest radiation therapy facility. Two-level logistic regression models were used to estimate for early stage cases i) the odds of mastectomy versus breast conserving surgery (BCS); ii) the odds of not receiving radiation therapy after BCS versus receiving follow-up radiation therapy. Covariates included race/ethnicity, age at diagnosis, tumour grade, tumour sequence, year of diagnosis, census tract-level poverty rate and urban/rural residence. The spatial scan statistic method was used to identify geographic areas with significantly higher likelihood of experiencing mastectomy. The study found that geographic accessibility to radiation therapy facilities was negatively associated with the likelihood of receiving mastectomy after adjustment for other covariates, but not associated with radiation therapy use among patients receiving BCS. Compared with patients travelling less than 30 minutes to a radiation therapy facility, patients travelling more than 90 minutes were about 1.5 times more likely to receive mastectomy (odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-2.11) and patients travelling more than 120 minutes were 1.7 times more likely to receive mastectomy (odds ratio, 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-2.42). The study also identified a statistically significant cluster of patients receiving mastectomy who were located in south-eastern South Dakota, after adjustment for other factors. Because geographic proximity to treatment facilities plays an important role on the treatment for early-stage breast cancer patients, this study has important implications for developing targeted intervention to reduce disparities in breast cancer treatment in South Dakota.

Cancer treatment side effects in breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (16_suppl) ◽  
pp. 705-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hofman ◽  
J. T. Hickok ◽  
G. R. Morrow ◽  
J. A. Roscoe ◽  
L. J. Gillies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Treatment Side Effects

Early Detection of Cardiotoxicity from Systemic and Radiation Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients (CardioTox Breast): Protocol Design of a Multi-Institutional Prospective Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Borgonovo ◽  
Elen Vettus ◽  
Alessandra Greco ◽  
Laura Anna Leo ◽  
Francesco Faletra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Systemic Therapy ◽  
Study Endpoint ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Circulating Biomarkers

BACKGROUND Incidence of breast cancer is rising worldwide. Recent advances in systemic and local treatments have significantly improved survival rates of early breast cancer patients. In the last decade, great attention has been paid to prevention and early detection of cardiotoxicity induced by breast cancer treatments. Systemic therapy-related cardiac toxicities have been extensively studied. Radiotherapy, an essential component of breast cancer treatment, can also increase the risk of heart diseases. Consequently, it is important to balance the expected benefits of cancer treatment with cardiovascular risk and to identify strategies to prevent cardiotoxicity and improve long-term outcomes and quality of life for these patients. OBJECTIVE The Cardiotox study aims to investigate the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and identify associated circulating biomarkers to assess early tissue changes in chemo- and radiation-induced cardiotoxicity in the time window of 12 months after the end of radiotherapy in breast cancer patients. METHODS The Cardiotox Breast trial is a multicenter, observational prospective longitudinal study. The aim is to identify any change in circulating biomarkers and cardiac imaging (based on cardiovascular magnetic resonance and echocardiography), to predict the incidence of cardiotoxicity and to detect it when is still subclinical and reversible. We plan to enrol 150 women with stage I-III, unilateral, breast cancer treated with breast conserving surgery and planned to receive radiotherapy with or without systemic therapy. RESULTS This study details the protocol of the CardioTox Breast trial. As of September 2020, thirteen patients have been enrolled by the Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland and 4 patients by Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Italy. Results of the present study will not be published until data are mature for the final analysis of the primary study endpoint. CONCLUSIONS The CardioTox Breast study is designed to investigate the effects of systemic and radiation therapy on myocardial function and structure, thus providing additional evidence on whether CMR is the optimal screening imaging for cardiotoxicity. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04790266

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