scholarly journals Moving from Offline to Online: Addressing the Cancer Spectrum Through the National Strategic Plan on Cancer Prevention and Control, Sri Lank - 2020-2024

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janaki Vidanapathirana ◽  
Malawige Amila Suranga ◽  
Sashiprabha Nawaratne ◽  
Suraj Perera

Introduction: Sri Lanka is committed to achieving the global targets at the end of 2025 by a 25% reduction in premature mortality from cancer by intervening from prevention, early detection, treatment palliative care, and surveillance. Current Sri Lankan evidence shows a gradual increase of cancers where many are preventable by risk factor reduction. According to the data of the National Cancer Registry, Sri Lanka in 2019, there were 14,845 (47%) males and 16,989 (53%) females diagnosed with cancer with a total of 31844. One of the recommendations of the imPACT review 2019 was to develop the NSP to achieve quality of life by preventing and control of cancer in Sri Lanka. National Cancer Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka gave the leadership to develop the National Strategic Plan (2020-2024) that provided a direction for the country for cancer prevention and control. Methods: Based on the local and international evidence initial draft was prepared by the NCCP. Feedback was obtained via emails and virtual meetings from all the stakeholders (medical professional colleges, UN organizations, non-government organizations, community-based organizations) due to COVID 19 physical meeting restrictions. This was followed by a series of virtual meetings with the same stakeholders and finalizing the document. Results: The NSP was developed for the year 2020-2024 as a guiding document for Sri Lanka’s response to cancer control and prevention with a vision and a goal to be achieved in cancer prevention and control in the country. This document has laid down seven strategic objectives and seven strategic directions to serve as pillars for the cancer spectrum with a detailed activity plan under each strategic direction. Conclusion and recommendations: The NSP was developed to reduce cancer incidence and mortality via evidence-based strategic objectives of prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and palliation, surveillance, and research with an activity plan. It was recommended to have close monitoring, mid-term and end of five-year reviews to assess its progress.

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 93s-93s
Author(s):  
A. Karagu ◽  
M. Cira ◽  
M. Akhavan ◽  
K. Duncan

Background: Coordination of stakeholders in cancer prevention and control ensures prudent use of available resources toward a common goal while limiting overlaps and redundancies. The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) is a statutory body with an overall mandate to coordinate and centralize all activities related to cancer prevention and control in Kenya. To identify baseline status of cancer control stakeholder activity to guide implementation of the National Cancer Control Strategy, NCI-K collaborated with US National Cancer Institute (NCI-US) to map stakeholders involved in cancer control in Kenya. Aim: The survey set out to determine the geographical distribution, scope of cancer prevention and control activities, and sources of financing for identified stakeholders involved in cancer prevention and control in Kenya. Methods: Between October 2017 and March 2018, we conducted an online survey among stakeholders involved in cancer prevention, research and control in Kenya adapted from similar stakeholder mapping activities coordinated by NCI-US in other settings. Using attendance lists to past multisectoral forums organized by NCI-K, Kenyan Ministry of Health, and NCI-US, a Google link to a standard pretested questionnaire was circulated. Descriptive analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel. Results: A total of 52 responses were received with 38 respondents reporting Kenya as their institution country. Twenty (38%) had ongoing activities in all the counties in Kenya. Nairobi County had the highest reported number of active institutions (19) followed by Kisumu (16) and Uasin Gishu (10). The three program focus areas most reported were training 28 (54%), clinic-based screening 27 (52%) and advocacy/information and educational 26 (50%), while the least reported was financing 12 (23%). For organizations involved in cancer screening, 22 (81%) focused on breast cancer while 18 (67%) prioritized cervical cancer. Among the programs that identified cancer prevention as one of their focus areas, a large majority (91%) were involved in health education, while only 1 organization focused on environmental control activities. The most reported source of funding for the cancer programs was grant funding 17 (33%). Conclusion: This stakeholder mapping activity has identified a strong stakeholder presence in most parts of the country while also highlighting gaps in the focus of cancer prevention and control programs. This baseline information on stakeholder activity will help shape future collaborations in cancer prevention and control and will guide NCI-K in developing appropriate policies and ensuring effective coordination.


With current situation of increasing burden of cancer in Pakistan, this report reviews studies related to cancer burden and cancer prevention and control in Pakistan. Electronic databases used were PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, the University of Adelaide library & AKU library database, to search for relevant articles on the topic of cancer prevalence in Pakistan published in English. We conducted a literature search of published epidemiological and clinical studies relating to this topic up to March 1st, 2020. There is a dearth of epidemiological studies in cancer risk factors, prevention and control. Most studies are hospital based with small sample sizes and underpowered. Epidemiological integrated transdisciplinary research in collaboration with hospitals is needed to find the actual burden, etiology and feasible prevention strategies of cancer unique to our population with focus on low cost screening methods for early detection of cancers and premalignant lesions in our population. There is an urgent need for a centralized national cancer registry to have combined results of cancer registry from Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Karachi Caner Registry, Punjab Cancer Registry and cancer registries from the rest of Pakistan. There is a need to make cancer incidence as notifiable disease mandatory to have the data of cancer incidence in Pakistan. Collaboration is also needed to work with diverse groups like the National Cancer Society of Pakistan (NCSP), National Cancer Control Plan, and Society of Medical Oncology Pakistan to draft and implement plans and strategies for national cancer control programs. It will help mobilize Ministry of Health and policy makers to address the alarming high incidence of different types of cancers in Pakistan.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly D. Blake ◽  
Chan Thai ◽  
Angela Falisi ◽  
Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou ◽  
April Oh ◽  
...  

Background. The use of videos for patient and public health education has been widely adopted and well documented in the literature. Aims. To conduct a systematic review of empirical studies that used video-based interventions for cancer prevention and control to document study designs, settings, approaches, targeted cancer sites and behaviors, and outcomes and to identify gaps in research and practice. Method. PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science were searched for studies published in the 30-year period from 1984 to 2014. Of 1,521 articles identified, duplicates were removed, and titles and abstracts of 779 were examined for eligibility. In all, 315 articles met the inclusion criteria and were coded by three independent coders. Interrater reliability was assessed. Descriptive frequencies and proportions were calculated. Results. Studies evaluating video interventions for cancer prevention and control have increased over time. The majority used randomized controlled trial designs (54%), followed by single-group pre–posttest designs (18%). Most were delivered in health care settings (39%). Detection (30%) and treatment (16%) were the cancer control continuum stages most frequently addressed, with breast cancer (29%) being the most frequently targeted cancer site. The behavior most commonly targeted was screening/early detection (39%). Topics such as caregiving, coping, palliative care, and end of life were rarely addressed. The majority (69%) reported being successful at achieving their stated objectives, though outcomes varied across studies. Conclusions. Video interventions have been widely utilized for cancer prevention and control, with demonstrated successes. Future research should test innovative designs and new delivery platforms and should include underrepresented topics and cancer sites.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mishka Kohli Cira ◽  
Jo Anne Zujewski ◽  
Allison Dvaladze ◽  
Nathan R. Brand ◽  
Amanda L. Vogel

PURPOSE Comprehensive breast cancer control programs are needed to decrease breast cancer mortality, but few tools exist to assist stakeholders in limited-resource settings. The Knowledge Summaries for Comprehensive Breast Cancer Control (KSBCs) are a series of evidence-based publications intended to support cancer control planning at various resource levels. The goals of this evaluation research study were to learn about the extent to which the KSBCs could be useful to policymakers, health care providers, and breast cancer advocates in Kenya, and whether introducing the KSBCs led to their uptake, and if so, how they were used. METHODS This study used one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and self-administered online surveys. Policymakers were recruited from the Ministry of Health. Providers were recruited from four hospitals in two cities, Nairobi and Eldoret, and one rural municipality, Kijabe. Advocates were recruited from cancer advocacy organizations. RESULTS Twenty individuals participated in the research. They found the KSBCs to be educational reference tools that create a shared planning-related knowledge base among diverse stakeholders. The KSBCs were seen to be applicable to a variety of contexts and stakeholders. CONCLUSION This study found that the KSBCs can be useful as both an educational tool and a convening tool for multistakeholder engagement in breast cancer prevention and control in a variety of settings. Additional engagement with users of the KSBCs can provide more knowledge about how the KSBCs are used and how they contribute to building collaborations across stakeholder groups to strengthen breast cancer prevention and control in low-resource settings.


1992 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
R T Chlebowski ◽  
J Sayre ◽  
M Frank-Stromborg ◽  
L B Lillington

PURPOSE AND METHODS A nationwide needs assessment survey including a validated Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Attitude Inventory of 1,500 randomly selected American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)-member clinical oncologists was conducted via a 67-item, mailed questionnaire to assess practice and attitudes regarding cancer prevention and control. RESULTS Responses of 729 physicians from 48 states representing medical (57%), radiation (17%), surgical (16%), and pediatric oncology (6%), and hematology/other (4%) fields were obtained. Except for ambivalence regarding an important role for diet in cancer causation, cancer prevention and control recommendations were widely endorsed despite skepticism about their impact on reducing deaths from cancer. Surprisingly, a significantly (P less than .001) more favorable attitude for cancer prevention and control issues was found in physicians with greater than 20 years practice compared with younger oncology colleagues, as measured by a 22-item Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Attitude Inventory. Among all physicians, participation in cancer therapy trials exceeded that in cancer prevention and control trials (91% v 27%, P less than .01). Formal instruction during postgraduate training in cancer screening (34%) or prevention (23%) was received by few oncologists; nonetheless, 69% considered themselves a resource for cancer prevention and control issues in their practice communities. Of potential barriers to cancer prevention and control activity, only lack of patients without cancer (53%) and difficulty in including such activity economically into clinical practice (65%) were majority selections. Importantly, 64% agreed they could "motivate their patients to change lifestyle to reduce cancer risk." CONCLUSION Clinical oncologists may represent a potential resource for implementation of cancer prevention and control objectives if economically feasible models for their use in practice settings can be identified.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Virginia Senkomago ◽  
Rachael Joseph ◽  
Monica Sierra ◽  
Elizabeth Van Dyne ◽  
Meheret Endeshaw ◽  
...  

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In 2012, there were > 14 million new cancer cases and > 8 million cancer deaths, with 70% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Part of the success of cancer prevention and control efforts requires the development and strengthening of the public health workforce, particularly in LMICs where the cancer burden is the greatest. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports workforce capacity development globally through Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) established in ministries of health in > 70 countries. To enhance training in cancer prevention and control in FETPs, the CDC has developed an open-access curriculum in applied cancer epidemiology and supports FETP trainees who conduct cancer-related planned projects. The curriculum contains modules on cancer registration, screening, and comprehensive cancer control that are particularly relevant to current cancer control efforts in many LMICs. Pilot testing of the curriculum showed an increase in trainees’ cancer knowledge and covered content trainees found to be relevant to their field epidemiology training and projects and future work in cancer prevention and control. Since 2013, the CDC has supported 13 trainees with cancer-related projects; two have published articles, two have presented their results at international conferences, and others are writing manuscripts on their project outcomes. Through the development of an open-access applied cancer epidemiology curriculum and by supporting cancer-related projects for FETP trainees, the CDC provided technical assistance for LMICs to build capacity for cancer prevention and control efforts.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Fowler ◽  
Elizabeth A. Platz ◽  
Marie Diener-West ◽  
Sarah Hokenmaier ◽  
Meredith Truss ◽  
...  

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