An evaluation of a national mass media campaign to raise public awareness of possible lung cancer symptoms in England in 2016 and 2017

Assessing the perception of Parkinson's disease in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia among the visitors of a public campaign: before and after survey

Introduction

Insufficient knowledge and beliefs hinder the early diagnosis and provision of adequate treatment and care for PD patients, causing socio-economic burdens. Raising public awareness and understanding the knowledge gap is crucial for effective educational programs and early detection. This study aims to assess the perception of Parkinson's disease (PD) among visitors of a public campaign conducted to raise PD awareness and knowledge to facilitate early detection and management.

Methods

A before-and-after study was conducted from May to June 2023, to assess the perception of PD among a public PD campaign visitors in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The campaign included educational booths discussing PD symptoms, causes, diagnosis, management, and support. Participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire before and after the campaign. The data were analyzed using SPSS.

Results

The study included 48 eligible individuals. The mean knowledge score was significantly enhanced following the campaign, rising from 12 to 17.77 points (p < 0.05). The symptoms of PD that showed a significant difference were slow movement, tremors, depression, memory problems, and sleep problems. The campaign had a beneficial effect on participants' general understanding of PD.

Discussion

The study showed that public awareness campaigns successfully raised community awareness of PD. Participants' knowledge improved after the campaign, highlighting its positive effect. Further research could explore measuring the continuity of awareness over a longer period and its impact on improving patients' lives and could expand the sample size.

Unlocking Early Cancer Detection: Exploring Biomarkers, Circulating DNA, and Innovative Technological Approaches

Research and development improvements in early cancer diagnosis have had a significant positive impact on health. In the treatment and prevention of cancer, early detection is essential. In this context, biomarkers are essential because they offer important information on the state of cells at any particular time. Cells go through unique changes when they shift from a healthy condition to a malignant state, changes that appropriate biomarkers may pick up. Recent advancements have been made to identify and characterize circulating cancer-specific mutations in cell-free circulating DNA derived from tumors and tumor cells. A patient's delay between the time they first detect symptoms and the time they contact a doctor has been noted for many cancer forms. The tumor's location and features significantly impact the presentation of symptoms judged appropriate for early diagnosis. Lack of knowledge of the severity of the symptoms may be one cause for this delay. Our review is largely focused on the ongoing developments of early diagnosis in the study of biomarkers, circulating DNA for diagnosis, the biology of early challenges, early symptoms, liquid biopsies, detectable by imaging, established tumor markers, plasma DNA technologies, gender differences, and artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnosis. This review aims to determine and evaluate Indicators for detecting early cancer, assessing medical conditions, and evaluating potential risks. For Individuals with a heightened likelihood of developing cancer or who have already been diagnosed, early identification is crucial for enhancing prognosis and raising the likelihood of effective treatment.

Strategies to improve the care of older adults 50 years and above living with HIV in Uganda

INTRODUCTION

With effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), many persons living with HIV (PLHIV) live to old age. Caring for aged PLHIV necessitates the engagement of caregivers and patients to establish agreed-upon goals of treatment. However, there is limited literature on friendly and centered models of care for elderly PLHIV. We explored strategies to improve care in HIV clinics among PLHIV aged 50 years and above in Uganda.

METHODS

We conducted 40 in-depth interviews in two hospitals with elderly PLHIV aged 50 years and above who had lived with HIV for more than ten years. We explored strategies for improving care of elderly PLHIV at both health facility and community levels. The in-depth interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The thematic approach guided data analysis.

RESULTS

The elderly PLHIV suggested the following strategies to improve their care: creating geriatric clinics; increasing screening tests for non-communicable diseases in the ART clinics; community and home-based ART delivery; workshops at health facilities to provide health education on aging effectively; creating community support groups; financial assistance for the elderly PLHIV and advances in science.

CONCLUSIONS

There is need to improve community HIV care especially for the elderly and social and economic support in the community. Involving the elderly PLHIV in developing strategies to improve their health goes a long way to improve the patients' quality of care. There is a need to incorporate the raised strategies in HIV care or older adults.

Defining the road map to a UK national lung cancer screening programme

Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT was recommended by the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) in September, 2022, on the basis of data from trials showing a reduction in lung cancer mortality. These trials provide sufficient evidence to show clinical efficacy, but further work is needed to prove deliverability in preparation for a national roll-out of the first major targeted screening programme. The UK has been world leading in addressing logistical issues with lung cancer screening through clinical trials, implementation pilots, and the National Health Service (NHS) England Targeted Lung Health Check Programme. In this Policy Review, we describe the consensus reached by a multiprofessional group of experts in lung cancer screening on the key requirements and priorities for effective implementation of a programme. We summarise the output from a round-table meeting of clinicians, behavioural scientists, stakeholder organisations, and representatives from NHS England, the UKNSC, and the four UK nations. This Policy Review will be an important tool in the ongoing expansion and evolution of an already successful programme, and provides a summary of UK expert opinion for consideration by those organising and delivering lung cancer screenings in other countries.

Urban–Rural Disparities in the Lung Cancer Surgical Treatment Pathway: The Paradox of a Rich, Small Region

Introduction

Rural populations in large countries often receive delayed or less effective diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer. Differences are related to population-based factors such as lower pro capita income or increased risk factors or to differences in access to facilities. Switzerland is a small, rich country with peculiar geographic and urban characteristics.

We explored the relationship between lung cancer diagnostic–surgical pathway and urban–rural residency in our region.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 280 consecutive patients treated for primary non-small cell lung cancer at our institution (2017–2021). This is a regional tertiary center for diagnosis and treatment, and data were extracted from a prospectively collected clinical database. We included anatomical lung resection. Collected variables included patients and surgical characteristics, risk factors, comorbidities, histology and staging, symptoms (vs. incidental diagnosis), general practitioner (GP) involvement, health insurance, and suspected test-treatment interval. The exposure was rurality, defined by the 2009 rural–urban residency classification from the Department of Land.

Results

A total of 150 patients (54%) lived in rural areas. Rural patients had a higher rate of smoking history (93% vs. 82%; p = 0.007). Symptomatic vs. incidental diagnosis did not differ as well as previous cancer rate, insurance, and pathological staging. In rural patients, there was a greater burden of comorbidities (mean Charlson Comorbidity Index Age-Adjusted 5.3 in rural population vs. 4.8 in urban population, p = 0.05), and GP was more involved in the diagnostic pathway (51% vs. 39%, p = 0.04). The interval between the first suspected test and treatment was significantly shorter (56 vs. 66.5 days, p = 0.03). Multiple linear regression with backward elimination was run. These variables statistically predicted the time from the first suspected test and surgical treatment [F(3, 270), p < .05, R² = 0.24]: rurality (p = 0.04), GP involvement (p = 0.04), and presence of lung cancer-related symptoms (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

In our territory with inhomogeneous population distribution and geographic barriers, residency has an impact on the lung cancer pathway. It seems paradoxical that rural patients had a shorter route. The more constant involvement of GP might explain this finding, having suggested more tests for high-risk patients in the absence of symptoms or follow-ups. This did not change the staging of surgical patients, but it might be essential for the organization of an effective lung cancer screening program.