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Elshami M, Qawasmi MA, Ghithan RJ, Al-Slaibi I, Alser M, Shurrab NR, Ismail IO, Mahfouz II, AbdulQader Fannon A, Hawa MR, Giacaman N, Ahmaro M, Okshiya HM, Zaatreh RK, AbuKhalil WA, Usrof FD, Melhim NK, Madbouh RJ, Abu Hziema HJ, Abed-Allateef Lahlooh R, Ubaiat SN, Jaffal NA, Alawna RK, Abed SN, Abuzahra BN, Abu Kwaik AJ, Dodin MH, Taha RO, Alashqar DM, Mobarak RAA, Smerat T, Albarqi SI, Abu-El-Noor N, Bottcher B. Barriers to Timely Seeking of Breast Cancer Care Among Palestinian Women: A Cross-Sectional Study. JCO Glob Oncol 2024; 10:e2300373. [PMID: 38386955 PMCID: PMC10898679 DOI: 10.1200/go.23.00373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Examining the association of breast cancer (BC) symptom awareness with time to help seeking and exploring barriers to timely presentation may enhance the effectiveness of BC awareness campaigns and early detection efforts. This study aimed to assess the anticipated time for seeking medical advice when experiencing a potential BC symptom among women in Palestine and to identify their barriers to early presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS A convenience sampling method was used to recruit adult women from hospitals, primary health care facilities, and public areas across 11 governorates in Palestine. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated BC Awareness Measure was used. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: sociodemographic information, recognition of 13 BC symptoms and reporting time for seeking medical advice, and barriers to early presentation. RESULTS A total of 5,257 questionnaires were included. The proportion of participants who would seek medical advice immediately varied on the basis of the nature of BC symptoms. For symptoms related to the breast, the proportion ranged from 25.7% for redness of the breast skin to 53.5% for a lump or thickening in the breast. For symptoms related to the nipple, the proportion ranged from 30.7% for nipple rash to 48.0% for discharge or bleeding from the nipple. Exhibiting good BC symptom awareness was associated with a higher likelihood of seeking medical advice within a week for all BC symptoms. Emotional barriers were the most frequently reported barriers. There was no association between increasing levels of BC awareness and reporting fewer or more barriers. CONCLUSION The nature of BC symptoms had an impact on help-seeking behaviors. Participants with good BC symptom awareness were more likely to seek medical advice earlier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamedraed Elshami
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
- Ministry of Health, Gaza, Palestine
| | - Malak Ayman Qawasmi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Hebron University, Hebron, Palestine
| | | | | | - Mohammed Alser
- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Gaza, Palestine
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Manar Ahmaro
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
| | | | | | | | - Faten Darwish Usrof
- Faculty of Health Sciences Master of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nour Ali Jaffal
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tasneem Smerat
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Palestine Polytechnic University, Hebron, Palestine
| | | | | | - Bettina Bottcher
- Faculty of Medicine, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine
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Ammar-Shehada W, Abusaman K, Bracke P. Perceived support, social and marital challenges in the lives of breast cancer survivors after illness: a self-administered cross-sectional survey. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2023; 8:1227529. [PMID: 37744401 PMCID: PMC10513897 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2023.1227529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Background Breast cancer (BC) is a traumatic illness. BC is the leading female cancer in Palestine. Complex socio-political dynamics impact patients' lives, resulting in an increasing need for social support to develop resilience after illness. Methods Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey targeting women living in the Gaza Strip who had been diagnosed with BC. The survey was self-administered and distributed to 350 women between 1 March and 30 May 2021. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression analysis (SPSS, version 28.0) were used to explore perceived support, post-illness social and marital changes and the association between these changes and socio-demographic, illness-related and support-related variables. Findings About four-fifth of the women with BC felt supported after illness, either fully or partially, mainly by family members, non-governmental organisations, spouses, and peers. Nevertheless, nearly half of the women perceived negative social changes after illness, and about 40% of married or formerly married women perceived negative changes in their marital life. Survivors' lived experiences varied by age, marital status, motherhood, prescribed treatment (specifically mastectomy), and the absence of informal support in social life and lack of partner support amongst married or formerly married women. Conclusion This study shows how BC undermines the social status of women and further exacerbates existing social vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, it is possible to manage and potentially overturn this circumstance by enveloping patients with social support. Guiding partners, families, and friends on providing emotional and instrumental support will help survivors to cope better during recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Piet Bracke
- Health and Demographic Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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AlWaheidi S. Promoting cancer prevention and early diagnosis in the occupied Palestinian territory. J Cancer Policy 2023; 35:100373. [PMID: 36493987 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2022.100373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), and a more than 65 % rise in all cancer mortality is expected by 2030, with potentially devastating consequences which could overwhelm an already strained Palestinian health system. Advanced stage at diagnosis and the pervasive shortages in basic treatment options are to blame These factors are accompanied by a lack of infrastructure and trained human resources, the absence of reliable and timely data, and poorly coordinated healthcare systems. At present, resources for cancer control in the country are not only inadequate, but some of them are misallocated because of decisions that have been made that have not been based on evidence. This could lead to a waste of badly needed resources in a system that is already gravely short of funding. This paper highlights the challenges facing national primary cancer prevention measures in the oPt that will be needed to reduce exposure to cancer-related risk factors. The paper aims to provide evidence-based recommendations on how the oPt can detect in good time and thus treat the three most common cancers in the country - lung, breast, and colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa AlWaheidi
- Centre for Cancer, Society, and Public Health, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, 3rd Floor, Bermondsey Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, Guys Campus, London SE1 9RT, UK.
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Ammar-Shehada W, Bracke P. The influence of socio-demographic factors on the stage at which women's breast cancer is diagnosed and treatment prescribed in the Gaza Strip, occupied Palestinian territory. Ecancermedicalscience 2023; 17:1522. [PMID: 37113708 PMCID: PMC10129395 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2023.1522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background One of every three women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) in Gaza does not live for more than 5 years. They are faced by unreliable treatment plans. Radiotherapy is not available locally and there are chronic shortages in the chemotherapy medications. This paper aims to provide understanding of how socio-demographic factors affect the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed and what treatment is prescribed. Methods Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey targeting women living in Gaza who had been diagnosed with BC at least once. The survey was self-administered and distributed to 350 women between 1 March 2021 and 30 May 2021. Multinomial logistic regression (SPSS, version 28.0) was used to explore the association between stage of the cancer at diagnosis and socio-demographic characteristics. The relationship between the stage at diagnosis and prescribed treatment was explored using a cluster analysis and crosstabulations. Findings Socio-demographic inequalities were reflected in stage at diagnosis and varied by age, education, employment, marital status, and refugee status. Breast cancer was less likely to be detected at an advanced stage among educated respondents (women with primary education OR = 0.093, p = 0.008 and women with preparatory education OR = 0.172, p = 0.005), employed women (OR = 0.056, p = 0.022). It was more likely to be detected at an early stage (OR = 3.954, p = 0.011) in women aged 41-50. In widowed and separated/divorced women, it was less likely to be detected at an early stage (OR = 0.217, p = 0.029) and (OR = 0.294, p = 0.028) respectively, than among married women. Among refugee women, it was less likely to be detected at early stage than among non-refugee women (OR = 0.251, p = 0.007). Among the total respondents, only 30% of the full prescribed treatment was available locally. Conclusion Our research showed various levels of inequalities at the stage of diagnosis by age, marital status, education, employment and refugee status. Most of the survivors needed treatment that was unavailable locally.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Piet Bracke
- Health and Demographic Research, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Eid MK, Abu-Odah H, Wehedi DT, Su JJ, Abed Y. Policymakers' and patients’ perspectives on breast cancer management in the Gaza Strip-Palestine: A qualitative study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2022; 61:102223. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Abo Al-Shiekh SS, Alajerami YS, Abushab KM, Najim AA, AlWaheidi S, Davies EA. Factors affecting delay in the presentation of breast cancer symptoms among women in Gaza, occupied Palestinian territory: a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e061847. [PMID: 36270752 PMCID: PMC9594579 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify factors related to women's delay in presenting with breast cancer symptoms to improve diagnosis in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Two government cancer hospitals. PARTICIPANTS A consecutive sample of 130 Palestinian women living in Gaza with newly diagnosed breast cancer were approached in the waiting rooms of cancer hospitals in Gaza between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017. 120 women took part and returned the completed questionnaire. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Clinical information about breast cancer was collected from hospital cancer records. An interval of 3 months or more between women's self-discovery of symptoms and their first presentation to a medical provider was considered as a delay. RESULTS 94% (122/130) of women attending cancer hospitals in Gaza agreed to take part in the study. Their mean age was 51 years (range: 23-72), 33.6% (31/122) had a family history of breast cancer and 74.5% (41/55) of those whose cancer stage was known had been diagnosed at stage III or IV. Around one-half (62/122) said they had not recognised the seriousness of their breast changes but only 20% (24/122) of women delayed seeking healthcare by 3 months and more. The two only factors associated to late presentation were that the woman considered their symptoms not serious (p<0.001) and lack of pain (p=0.012). Lower socioeconomic status, older age, lower education and negative family history of breast cancer were not statistically associated with women's delay. CONCLUSIONS Women's awareness about the seriousness of breast changes and the critical importance of seeking prompt diagnosis needs to be improved using context-relevant and evidence-based awareness campaigns. This should be accompanied with training of female nurses on promoting early detection and improvement in diagnostic facilities to ensure timely diagnosis of cancer in the oPt.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Khaled M Abushab
- Department of Medical Imaging, Al-Azhar University, Gaza, Palestine
| | - Ahmed A Najim
- Nursing Department, Al-Azhar University, Gaza, Palestine
| | | | - Elizabeth A Davies
- Health and Social Care Research, King's College London, London, UK
- Knowledge and Intelligence, Public Health England, London, UK
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Mansour R, Amarin JZ, Al-Ani A, Al-Hussaini M, Mansour A. Palestinian Patients with Cancer at King Hussein Cancer Center. Front Oncol 2022; 12:997492. [PMID: 36249061 PMCID: PMC9561845 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.997492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) routinely refers Palestinian patients with cancer to King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), the largest cancer center in the Middle East. Aims We aimed to describe the characteristics of Palestinian patients with cancer. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all Palestinian patients with cancer who were treated at KHCC during 2018 and 2019, of which demographic and clinical characteristics were presented. Results We initially started with 521 cases, out of which 41 (7.9%) cases were excluded due to misdiagnosis as malignant on pathology review. We included 480 patients with a confirmed diagnosed of cancer. Most patients were adults (88.8%) with a mean age of 50.0 ± 15.0 years ranging from 19 to 87 years. The most common cancer sites in adult men, who comprised 46.9% of the cohort were the hematolymphoid system (23.5%), followed by the digestive system (17.5%), and lung and pleura (11.5%). In women (53.1%), the most common cancer sites were the breast (46.0%), followed by the digestive system (15.0%), and the hematolymphoid system (10.2%). Children and adolescents accounted for 11.3% of the total cases, among which the hematolymphoid system was the most common cancer site (50%), followed by the brain (14.8%). About 36.0% of all patients presented with advanced-stage disease (i.e., distant metastasis). Conclusion The most common cancer sites in our cohort are generally similar to data from the Palestinian territories. Many patients presented with advanced-stage disease, which signals the need for awareness campaigns and screening programs. Benign tumors are misdiagnosed in many patients as cancer. The limited resources and facilities including human resources remain important challenges to the proper and timely diagnosis and management of cancer among Palestinians living in the Palestinian Territories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razan Mansour
- Office of Scientific Affairs and Research, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Justin Z. Amarin
- Office of Scientific Affairs and Research, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Abdallah Al-Ani
- Office of Scientific Affairs and Research, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Maysa Al-Hussaini
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Asem Mansour
- Department of Radiology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
- *Correspondence: Asem Mansour,
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Olfatbakhsh A, Heidari L, Omidi Z, Hashemi EOS, Ansari M, Mozaffarian S, Haghighat S. Long-term Survival and Prognostic Factors of Breast Cancer. ARCHIVES OF IRANIAN MEDICINE 2022; 25:609-616. [PMID: 37543886 PMCID: PMC10685763 DOI: 10.34172/aim.2022.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer survival rate is an important index for assessment of treatment effect in reducing the mortality. Weaimed to determine the fifteen-year survival rate for breast cancer at a referral center in Iran and its correlated factors. METHODS This survival study enrolled patients with breast cancer who referred to Motamed Cancer Institute (MCI) from 1998 to2016. The survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The relationship of demographic, clinical and therapeuticfactors with overall survival (OS) was studied using Cox's proportional hazard model. RESULTS Totally, 3443 patients were studied. Their mean age and follow-up period were 47.7 (±11.43) years and 61.66 (±52.1)months, respectively. The median follow-up time was 48.4 months (range: 1-413 months), 49.7% of the patients had high schoolor higher education, and 71.3% presented in the early stage of the disease. Death occurred in 505 (14.7%) of the patients. Theoverall 2-, 5-, 7-, 10- and 15-year survival rates were 93%, 82%, 78%, 74%, and 66%, respectively. Lymph node involvement(HR=2.07; 95% CI: 1.38-3.09), tumor size≥5 cm (HR=2.83; 95% CI: 1.59-2.04), being single/divorced/widowed (HR=1.65;95% CI: 1.13-2.4), and education level CONCLUSION The five-year breast cancer survival rate in this study was higher than reported by some other studies in Iran, whichcould be due to the multidisciplinary treatment approach in MCI. Tumor size and lymph node involvement as indicators ofdelayed diagnosis may affect breast cancer survival, even though their true effect due to lead-time bias should be considered. Thecorrelation of education level with survival confirms the importance of awareness and the need to establish strategies for earlydiagnosis in Iranian women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asiie Olfatbakhsh
- Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Heidari
- Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Omidi
- Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Ansari
- Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Mozaffarian
- Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahpar Haghighat
- Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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Breast Cancer in Asia: Incidence, Mortality, Early Detection, Mammography Programs, and Risk-Based Screening Initiatives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174218. [PMID: 36077752 PMCID: PMC9454998 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Nearly all breast cancer patients survive for more than five years when the tumor is found early and in the localized stage. Regular clinical breast examinations, mammograms, and monthly self-exams of the breasts all contribute to early detection. However, late-stage breast cancers are common in many Asian countries. Low-income countries suffer from a lack of resources for breast cancer screening. High-income countries, on the other hand, are not benefiting fully from national breast screening programs due to an underutilization of the preventive healthcare services available. Existing reviews on Asian breast cancers are heavily focused on risk factors. The question of whether we should adopt or adapt the knowledge generated from non-Asian breast cancers would benefit from an extension into screening guidelines. In addition, several Asian countries are piloting studies that move away from the age-based screening paradigm. Abstract Close to half (45.4%) of the 2.3 million breast cancers (BC) diagnosed in 2020 were from Asia. While the burden of breast cancer has been examined at the level of broad geographic regions, literature on more in-depth coverage of the individual countries and subregions of the Asian continent is lacking. This narrative review examines the breast cancer burden in 47 Asian countries. Breast cancer screening guidelines and risk-based screening initiatives are discussed.
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Elshami M, Al-Slaibi I, Ghithan RJ, Alser M, Shurrab NR, Ismail IO, Mahfouz II, Fannon AA, Qawasmi MA, Hawa MR, Giacaman N, Ahmaro M, Okshiya HM, Zaatreh RK, AbuKhalil WA, Usrof FD, Melhim NK, Madbouh RJ, Hziema HJA, Lahlooh RAA, Ubaiat SN, Jaffal NA, Alawna RK, Abed SN, Abuzahra BN, Kwaik AJA, Dodin MH, Taha RO, Alashqar DM, Mobarak RAA, Smerat T, Abu-El-Noor N, Bottcher B. Women's awareness of breast cancer symptoms: a national cross-sectional study from Palestine. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:801. [PMID: 35449048 PMCID: PMC9027340 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13224-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early diagnosis is crucial to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer (BC). Awareness of BC symptoms plays a key role in this. This study aimed to evaluate the Palestinian women’s awareness of BC symptoms and determine factors associated with good awareness. Methods This was a national cross-sectional study conducted from July 2019 to March 2020 in Palestine. Convenience sampling was used to recruit adult women from hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces located in 11 governorates. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated BC awareness measure was utilized for data collection. The awareness level was categorized based on the number of symptoms recognized into: poor (0 to 4), fair (5 to 9), and good (10 to 13). Results Of 6269 approached, 5434 participants completed the questionnaire (response rate = 86.7%). A total of 5257 questionnaires were included in the analysis: 2551 from the Gaza Strip and 2706 from the West Bank and Jerusalem (WBJ). Participants living in the WBJ were more likely to be older, have higher monthly income, and suffer from more chronic diseases than participants living in the Gaza Strip. The most frequently identified BC symptom was ‘lump or thickening in the breast’ (n = 4887, 92.9%) followed by ‘lump or thickening under the armpit’ (n = 4394, 83.6%). The least frequently identified symptoms were ‘pulling in of the nipple’ (n = 2665, 50.7%) and ‘change in the position of the nipple’ (n = 2710, 51.6%). A total of 2191 participants (41.7%) demonstrated good awareness of BC symptoms. Participants from the Gaza Strip were more likely than participants from the WBJ to have good awareness (47.0.0% vs. 36.7%). On the multivariable analysis, being ≥ 40 years, completing a post-secondary education, knowing someone with cancer, and visiting hospitals and primary healthcare centers were all associated with an increase in the likelihood of having good awareness. However, living in the WBJ was associated with a decrease in the likelihood of having good awareness. Conclusion Less than half of women included in this study showed good awareness of BC symptoms. More targeted educational interventions are needed to promote Palestinian women’s awareness of BC symptoms to facilitate early diagnosis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13224-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamedraed Elshami
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA. .,Ministry of Health, Gaza, Palestine.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Malak Ayman Qawasmi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Hebron University, Hebron, Palestine
| | | | | | - Manar Ahmaro
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
| | | | | | | | - Faten Darwish Usrof
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nour Ali Jaffal
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tasneem Smerat
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Palestine Polytechnic University, Hebron, Palestine
| | | | - Bettina Bottcher
- Faculty of Medicine, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine
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AlWaheidi S, McPherson K, Chalmers I, Sullivan R, Davies EA. Mammographic Screening in the Occupied Palestinian Territory: A Critical Analysis of Its Promotion, Claimed Benefits, and Safety in Palestinian Health Research. JCO Glob Oncol 2021; 6:1772-1790. [PMID: 33206549 PMCID: PMC7713523 DOI: 10.1200/jgo.19.00383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To critically review the evidence and opinions expressed about mammographic screening (MS) in research reports on breast cancer in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and to assess whether benefits and harms in MS are presented in a balanced way. METHODS Searches of PubMed, Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and gray literature identified 14 eligible research reports relating to the oPt. We reviewed these documents and then used a thematic analysis to describe and analyze the evidence and the opinions about MS expressed in them. RESULTS All 14 research reports mentioned that MS would improve survival rates in the oPt. Only three gave information on major harmful effects, and only two emphasized that MS must be accompanied by effective treatment to have any beneficial effects on population mortality. There was no consistency in the recommended frequency of MS. CONCLUSION Most information presented by Palestinian health researchers was selective and failed to address the important established harms of MS. Thus, calls to support MS in the oPt are not based on a measured discussion of the risks and benefits for women or grounded in the systemic readiness of health care necessary for its effectiveness. As long as diagnostic and treatment facilities remain deficient, screening cannot lead to reduced mortality from breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa AlWaheidi
- Cancer Epidemiology, Population and Global Health, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Klim McPherson
- Public Health Epidemiology, Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Research and New College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Iain Chalmers
- Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Sullivan
- Institute of Cancer Policy, Kings Health Partners Comprehensive Cancer Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth A Davies
- Cancer Epidemiology, Population and Global Health, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Comparative survival of cancer patients requiring Israeli permits to exit the Gaza Strip for health care: A retrospective cohort study from 2008 to 2017. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251058. [PMID: 34077436 PMCID: PMC8172025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gaza has been under land, sea, and aerial closure for 13 years, during which time Palestinian patients from Gaza have been required to obtain Israeli-issued permits to access health facilities in the West Bank (including east Jerusalem), as well as in Israel and Jordan. Specific groups, like cancer patients, have a high need for permits due to lack of services in Gaza. The approval rate for patient permits to exit Gaza dropped from 94% in 2012 to 54% in 2017. We aimed to assess the impact of access restrictions due to permit denials/delays on all-cause mortality for cancer patients from Gaza referred for chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. METHODS This study matched 17,072 permit applications for 3,816 cancer patients referred for chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017 with referrals data for the same period and mortality data from 1 January 2008 to 30 June 2018. We carried out separate analyses by period of first application (2008-14; 2015-17), in light of varying access to Egypt during these times. Primary analysis compared survival of patients according to their first referral decision (approved versus denied/delayed) using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. FINDINGS Mortality in patients unsuccessful in permit applications from 2015-17 was significantly higher than mortality among successful patients, with a hazard ratio of 1·45 (95% CI: 1·19-1·78, p<0.001), after adjusting for age, sex, type of procedure, and type of cancer. There was no significant difference in mortality risk for the two groups in the 2008-2014 period. INTERPRETATION Limitations to patient access due to unsuccessful applications for permits to exit the Gaza Strip had a significant impact on mortality for cancer patients applying for chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in the period 2015-17. The substantially higher number of annual unsuccessful permit applications from 2015, combined with severely limited alternatives to access chemotherapy and radiotherapy during these years, may be important factors to explain the difference in the impact of permits delays/denials between the two study periods.
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System Delay in Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Gaza Strip, Palestine. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:5690938. [PMID: 31885578 PMCID: PMC6927013 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5690938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Breast cancer is a major public health problem and the first leading cause of cancer deaths among females in Palestine. Early diagnosis of breast cancer contributes to reduction of morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to explore system-related factors affecting the timely diagnosis of breast cancer in the Gaza Strip. Method and Materials A mixed method, sequential explanatory design was employed. A quantitative study was conducted first, and it was cross-sectional in nature, followed by a qualitative study. An interviewed questionnaire and an abstraction sheet were used to collect necessary quantitative data among 122 females diagnosed with breast cancer. A purposive sample of five medical specialists were selected for in-depth interview. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to find differences between variables. Odds ratio and confidence interval at 95% were presented, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Around 12.3% of women experienced diagnostic delay for 3 months and more, and 6.6% reported a delay in referral for more than 2 weeks. Regarding imaging delay, around 8.2% and 2.7% of women had reported a delay in performing mammography and ultrasound, respectively. Moreover, one-fourth reported delay in performing biopsy for more than 14 days, and 46.3% reported delay more than 14 days in getting histopathology report. In addition, 9% missed the follow-up after benign findings of the previous breast imaging and no national protocols are available for the diagnosis of breast cancer in the Gaza strip. Conclusion There is a long appointment time for diagnostic tools especially in biopsy. The nonmalignant findings from mammography or ultrasound could affect diagnosis time. It is an urgent need to have a national protocol for diagnosis and management of breast cancer and to adopt screening, diagnostic, and follow-up programs under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.
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AlWaheidi S. Breast cancer in Gaza-a public health priority in search of reliable data. Ecancermedicalscience 2019; 13:964. [PMID: 31921335 PMCID: PMC6834385 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2019.964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Gaza has experienced 12 years of isolation which has crippled the health system infrastructure, reduced the quality of living conditions, damaged the health of the population and reduced health service capacity and capability. This paper presents a context-setting review of what is already known about breast cancer in Gaza to identify which interventions are applicable to help prevent women there from dying unnecessarily from breast cancer. A search of the published and unpublished literature was conducted to identify potentially relevant studies on breast cancer which were either done in Gaza or elsewhere in the occupied Palestinian territory. This paper highlights the pervasive lack of basic modalities of cancer care (surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapies and pathology/imaging) in Gaza. Poor access to breast cancer services in Gaza leaves women with only one alternative—to seek treatment outside of Gaza. However, women are sometimes forced to wait months before receiving permits to leave Gaza for treatment. Furthermore, a lack of complete and reliable data remains a major challenge for improving breast cancer services in Gaza. There is a need to develop and evaluate interventions to promote infrastructure for pathology and drug delivery, medical training and cancer registration and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa AlWaheidi
- Cancer Epidemiology, Population and Global Health, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
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