Cervical cancer in the Bamenda Regional Hospital, North West Region of Cameroon: a retrospective study

Mapping Evidence on the Burden of Breast, Cervical, and Prostate Cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review

Background

Cancer remains a major public health problem, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where the provision of health care is poor. This scoping review mapped evidence in the literature regarding the burden of cervical, breast and prostate cancers in SSA.

Methods

We conducted this scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley framework, with five steps: identifying the research question; searching for relevant studies; selecting studies; charting the data; and collating, summarizing, and reporting the data. We performed all the steps independently and resolved disagreements through discussion. We used Endnote software to manage references and the Rayyan software to screen studies.

Results

We found 138 studies that met our inclusion criteria from 2,751 studies identified through the electronic databases. The majority were retrospective studies of mostly registries and patient files (n = 77, 55.8%), followed by cross-sectional studies (n = 51, 36.9%). We included studies published from 1990 to 2021, with a sharp increase from 2010 to 2021. The quality of studies was overall satisfactory. Most studies were done in South Africa (n = 20) and Nigeria (n = 17). The majority were on cervical cancer (n = 93, 67.4%), followed by breast cancer (67, 48.6%) and the least were on prostate cancer (48, 34.8%). Concerning the burden of cancer, most reported prevalence and incidence. We also found a few studies investigating mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and years of life lost (YLL).

Conclusions

We found many retrospective record review cross-sectional studies, mainly in South Africa and Nigeria, reporting the prevalence and incidence of cervical, breast and prostate cancer in SSA. There were a few systematic and scoping reviews. There is a scarcity of cervical, breast and prostate cancer burden studies in several SSA countries. The findings in this study can inform policy on improving the public health systems and therefore reduce cancer incidence and mortality in SSA.

[Epidemiological and clinical features of cervical cancer in Cameroon: experience in the Douala General Hospital]

Introduction

cervical cancer is a public health problem in Cameroon, ranking as the 2^nd most frequent cancer. The purpose of our study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with cervical cancer at the Douala General Hospital in Cameroon.

Method

we conducted a retrospective study over the period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017.

Results

the study enrolled 357 women. Patients´ age ranged from 25 to 88 years, with an average age of 52.82 ± 12.36 years. Patients from the Western Region were more heavily represented, with a percentage of 42.2% (n= 124/294). The majority of them were unemployed housekeepers (57.3%; n=200/341). The age of first sexual intercourse was recorded for only 37% (n=133/357) of the study population, with an average age of 16.73 ± 2.16 years; while the average age on giving birth to the first child was 18.92 ± 3.44 years. On the other hand, 6.5% (n=11/169) of patients were smokers, while 44% (n=73/166) were alcohol abusers. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histologic type (85.6%; n=255/298). The most frequent stage at diagnosis was stage IIB (22.3%, n=71/319) followed by stage IIIB (21.6%; n=69/319).

Conclusion

in Cameroon, cervical cancer commonly occurs in unemployed adult women and it is associated with an advanced-stage diagnosis. Hence the need to improve awareness of prevention and early diagnosis.

lncRNA SNHG15 Induced by SOX12 Promotes the Tumorigenic Properties and Chemoresistance in Cervical Cancer via the miR-4735-3p/HIF1a Pathway

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common malignancies in females, with high prevalence and mortality globally. Despite advances in diagnosis and therapeutic strategies developed in recent years, CC is still a major health burden worldwide. The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of CC need to be understood. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the role of lncRNA SNHG15 in CC progression. Using qRT-PCR, we determined that lncRNA SNHG15 is highly expressed in CC tumor tissues and cells. lncRNA SNHG15 knockdown also reduces the tumorigenic properties of CC in vitro, as determined using the MTT, EdU, flow cytometry, and transwell assays. Using bioinformatics analysis, RNA pull-down, ChIP, and luciferase reporter assays, we verified the molecular mechanisms of lncRNA SNHG15 in CC progression and found that lncRNA SNHG15 expression in CC cells is transcriptionally regulated by SOX12; moreover, lncRNA SNHG15 promotes CC progression via the miR-4735-3p/HIF1a axis. This study can provide a potential target for CC diagnosis or therapeutic strategies in the future.

Effects of bundled nursing combined with peer support on psychological state and self-efficacy of patients with cervical cancer undergoing chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

This study analyzed the effects of bundled nursing combined with peer support on psychological state and self-efficacy of cervical cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS

A total of 86 patients with cervical cancer undergoing chemotherapy who were hospitalized from July 2019 to July 2020 were enrolled as study subjects. According to the method of a random number table, the selected patients were divided into a control group and an observation group and each group contained 43 patients. The control group was treated with bundled nursing care, while the observation group underwent combining treatment of both bundled nursing as well as education supported by peers. The changes of psychological state, self-efficacy and health-related quality of life of patients before and after nursing intervention were compared.

RESULTS

The scores of depression and anxiety in two groups were remarkably decreased after intervention compared with prior-treatment, and the range of decrease in the observation group was critically greater than that in control group (P<0.05). The self-efficacy scores of the two groups were substantially increased after nursing care, and the increase of the score in the observation group was critically higher than that in control group (P<0.05). In addition, the health-related quality of life scores of the two groups increased remarkably after nursing, and the extent of increase in the observation group was notably greater than that in control group (P<0.05). The degree of serum tumor markers CA125, CEA, CA199 and SCC-A in the observation group after intervention were notably lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combinative practice of bundled nursing care and the supported education of peers can effectively improve the psychological status of cervical cancer patients with chemotherapy, and improve their self-efficacy and quality of life, which are all worthy of clinical promotion.

Effect of the intensive psychological nursing on adverse mood and quality of life in patients with cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of intensive psychological nursing on the adverse mood and quality of life in patients with cervical cancer (CC).

METHODS

100 CC patients admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups, namely the control group (n=50) and the experimental group (n=50). Patients in the control group and experimental group were given general nursing and intensive psychological nursing, respectively. The two groups were compared with respect to self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depressive scale (SDS) scores, quality of life index (QLI) scores and mental status scale in non-psychiatric settings (MSSNS) scores, effective rate of nursing and the incidence of adverse reactions.

RESULTS

The experimental group displayed a statistically significant increase in the QLI scores as compared with the control group (P < 0.05); The SAS, SDS scores, and MSSNS scores were found to be markedly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05); The effective rate of nursing was notably higher in the experimental group (P < 0.05); Regarding adverse reactions, the experimental group was markedly lower compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Intensive psychological nursing significantly improves the psychological state and quality of life for CC patients.

Long non-coding RNA TUG1 sponges microRNA-381-3p to facilitate cell viability and attenuate apoptosis in cervical cancer by elevating MDM2 expression

OBJECTIVE

Based on the theory that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) sponge microRNAs (miRNAs) to engage in cervical cancer development, this work was set out to investigate the possible role of lncRNA taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) and miR-381-3p in the development of cervical cancer.

METHODS

TUG1, miR-381-3p and murine double minute 2 (MDM2) expression were measured in cervical cancer tissues and cells. The nexus between TUG1 and clinicopathological features of cervical cancer was discussed. The biological functions of TUG1, miR-381-3p and MDM2 on cervical cancer cell process were interpreted via gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Also, tumor xenograft in nude mice was conducted in vivo. The interactions between TUG1, miR-381-3p and MDM2 were identified.

RESULTS

TUG1 and MDM2 raised while miR-381-3p reduced in cervical cancer. TUG1 expression was related to tumor size, differentiation, international federation of gynecology and obstetrics stage and lymph node metastasis of cervical cancer. Restored miR-381-3p, depleted TUG1 or reduced MDM2 decreased viability, colony-forming, migration and invasion abilities, and facilitated apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. Xenografted tumors grew slowly upon injection with restored miR-381-3p and depleted TUG1. TUG1 bound to miR-381-3p and miR-381-3p targeted MDM2.

CONCLUSION

On all accounts, this present study provides evidence that silencing TUG1 depressed cervical cancer cell progression through miR-381-3p/MDM2 axis, highlighting a theoretical basis for cervical cancer treatment.

Prevalence of Cervical Cancer among Cervical Biopsies in a Tertiary Care Center

Introduction:

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancer among the female population in Nepal. The incidence and mortality rate due to cervical cancer is higher in developing countries like Nepal due to a lack of proper screening and early diagnosis. This study aims to find out the prevalence of cervical cancer among cervical biopsies in a tertiary care center.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the hospital records of cervical biopsies from the department of pathology of Shree Birendra Hospital from 1st May 2018 to 30th April 2019. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee in February 2020. This study was conducted among 146 cervical biopsies by using convenience sampling method. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Data were analyzed using excel 2016 software.

Results:

The prevalence of cervical cancer among 146 cases included in our study is found to be 6 (4.11%) at 95% Confidence Interval (0.90-7.32). Among those cases of cervical cancer, 4 (66.67%) were squamous cell carcinoma, 1 (16.67%) was adenocarcinoma, and 1 (16.67%) was of other type. Maximum cases of cervical cancer were prevalent among higher age groups.

Conclusions:

Cervical cancer-related morbidity and mortality are different in different parts of the world. It's burden is primarily seen in developing countries where there is a lack of effective screening programs.

National Policies to Prevent and Manage Cervical Cancer in East African Countries: A Policy Mapping Analysis

Policy mapping is used to provide evidence on effective interventions and highlight the necessary refinements of health policies. The goal of this work is to carry out legal mapping to identify and assess health policies for the prevention and management of cervical cancer in East African countries. Cervical cancer, as a largely preventable disease, is the cause of most cancer deaths among women in East African countries. Legal documents were searched uniformly from government websites, national cancer institute sites, and international and national legal databases, then the data were analyzed using the Nvivo12 software package. The sample of 24 documents includes policies, plans, guidelines, acts, and strategies from 12 East African countries. The emerging themes were screening, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, challenges, and mitigation efforts. A few binding policies, a significant discrepancy to international standards in at least four countries, patchy screening registries, and a lack of prophylactic vaccination against human papillomavirus incorporation into national immunization schedules are the main findings. This paper underlies the role of law in health and the need for transparent legal and regulatory tools to achieve a further reduction in cervical cancer mortality in East African countries.