Recent Challenges and Achievements in Cancer Care in Latin American Societies

1537 Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-cov-2) virus causing COVID-19 has brought great challenges to global health services affecting cancer care delivery, outcomes, and increasing the burden in oncology providers (OP). Our study aimed to describe the challenges that OP faced while delivering cancer care in Latin America. Methods: We conducted an international cross-sectional study using an anonymous online survey in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. The questionnaire included 43 multiple choice questions. The sample was stratified by OP who have treated patients with COVID-19 versus those who have not treated patients with COVID-19. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. Results: A total of 704 OP from 20 Latin American countries completed the survey (77% of 913 who started the survey). Oncologists represented 46% of respondents, followed by 25% surgical-oncologists. Of the respondents, 56% treated patients with COVID-19. A significant proportion of OP reported newly adopting telemedicine during COVID-19 (14% vs 72%, p=0.001). More than half (58%) of OP reported making changes to the treatments they offered to patients with cancer. As shown in the table, caring for patients with COVID-19 significantly influenced practice patterns of OP. Access to specialty services and procedures was significantly reduced: 40% noted significantly decreased or no access to imaging, 20% significantly decreased or no access to biopsies, 65% reported delays in surgical oncology referrals, and 49% in radiation oncology referrals. A vast majority (82%) reported oncologic surgeries were delayed or cancelled, which was heightened among those treating patients with COVID-19 (87% vs 77%, p=0.001). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the way cancer care is delivered in globally. Although changes to healthcare delivery are necessary as a response to this global crisis, our study highlights the significant disruption and possible undertreatment of patients with cancer in Latin America that results from COVID-19.[Table: see text]

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Smoking Prevalence and Smoking Cessation Knowledge and Perceptions`Of Cancer Care Providers at Six Latin American Cancer Institutions

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3943150 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Irene Tami-Maury ◽

Hector Garcia ◽

Modupe Onigbogi ◽

Julia Ismael ◽

Javier Manrique ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Latin American ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Smoking Prevalence ◽

Care Providers

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Health Care Providers' Assessments of the Quality of Advanced-Cancer Care in Latin American Medical Institutions: A Comparison of Predictors in Five Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, and Peru

Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1080/15360280801989195 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 7-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Isabel Torres-Vigil ◽

Lu Ann Aday ◽

Cielito Reyes-Gibby ◽

Liliana De Lima ◽

Angelica P. Herrera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

American Medical ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Latin American ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Care Providers ◽

Medical Institutions

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Alternative management for gynecological cancer care during the COVID‐2019 pandemic: A Latin American survey

International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics ◽

10.1002/ijgo.13272 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 150 (3) ◽

pp. 368-378 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Juliana Rodriguez ◽

Angélica Fletcher ◽

Fernando Heredia ◽

Robinson Fernandez ◽

Heidy Ramírez Salazar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Latin American ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Gynecological Cancer ◽

Alternative Management

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Cross-sectional survey for assessing cancer care providers’ characteristics and attitudes on smoking cessation in Colombia and Mexico

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041447 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e041447

Author(s):

Irene Tami-Maury ◽

Laura Suchil ◽

Luz Myriam Reynales-Shigematsu ◽

Leonor Garcia-Gomez ◽

Mixing Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Latin American ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Cancer Prognosis ◽

Initial Visit ◽

Care Providers ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cessation Treatment

ObjectiveCancer care providers’ (CCPs) attitudes towards smoking cessation are influenced by many factors, including their smoking status and knowledge. Our objective was to assess CCPs’ characteristics, tobacco use and smoking cessation practices in two Latin American cancer centres.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingsTwo urban cancer centres located in Colombia and Mexico.ParticipantsA total of 238 CCPs.MeasuresOnline survey consisted of 28 close-ended questions adapted from the 2012 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer survey and the Global Adult Tobacco Survey developed by the WHO. Means, frequencies and proportions were reported for each country. Factors associated to providing of smoking cessation treatment or referral at initial visit were evaluated using logistic regression.ResultsCurrent smoking prevalence was 10.5% and 12.3% among Colombian and Mexican CCPs, respectively. Around three quarters of the Colombian (86.4%) and Mexican CCPs (66.1%) considered to have inadequate training in smoking cessation. Approximately two-thirds of Colombian (67.5%) and Mexican CCPs (63.9%) reported always or most of the time asking patients about tobacco use during the initial visit. In Colombia and Mexico, the most relevant barriers for providing cessation services were (1) difficulties for motivating patients with cancer, (2) patient resistance in quitting smoking, (3) lack of local resources or referral centres for smoking cessation and (4) lack of training in smoking cessation. CCPs appointed at Instituto Nacional de Cancerología were less likely to provide cessation treatment or referral to their patients if they had less than 50% of their time devoted to patient care and were former or current smokers. The regression model for Instituto de Cancerología did not retain statistically significant variables.ConclusionOur findings highlight an urgent need for assisting Latin American CCPs in their quitting efforts as well as expanding formal smoking cessation training specifically tailored to these professionals for improving patients’ cancer prognosis and quality of life.

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