Can Social Media Be Used as a Community-Building and Support Tool among Jewish Women Impacted by Breast and Ovarian Cancer? An Evidence-Based Observational Report

About 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jewish women carry a deleterious mutation in BRCA1/2 genes, predisposing them to hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC). Thus, efforts to prevent and control HBOC in the US must include sufficient outreach and education campaigns within and across the Jewish community. Social media (SM) is utilized in public health campaigns focused on cancer, but very little is known about the efficacy of those efforts when directed toward Jewish women at risk for (“previvors”) and affected by (“survivors”) HBOC. Here, we report on outcomes of a targeted SM campaign for this population, as led by a national not-for-profit HBOC advocacy organization. Mixed-methods data were obtained from n = 393 members of the community, including n = 20 key informants, and analyzed for engagement and satisfaction with its SM campaign and HBOC resources. Message recipients identified the SM campaign as helpful/meaningful (82%), of ‘newsworthy’ value (78%), and actionable/navigable (71%): interviews revealed that women were more likely to engage with SM if/when it featured stories relevant to their personal cancer experiences. SM is a valuable public health education tool to address the comprehensive cancer control and prevention needs of those previving and surviving with HBOC, including high-risk Jewish women.

Results of the «Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2018-2022» realization in 2019

Relevance: Cancer control is among the key social policy priorities in the Republic of Kazakhstan. 14,000 people die from cancer every year. As a result, our country faces an epidemiologic crisis caused by the increasing malignancy-related incidence and mortality, plus the increasing number of people living with cancer. In 2019, 186 326 patients with malignant neoplasms were under dynamic supervision in Kazakhstan; 52.5% lived for five years or more [1]. WHO prognosis a 1.5-2 times growth of annual malignancy-related incidence and mortality worldwide by 2022. The Republic of Kazakhstan follows the same trend, taking into account the growing welfare and life expectancy of the population and an increase in the detection of malignant neoplasms due to the introduction of early detection programs [2]. This study aimed to assess the implementation in 2019 of the Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2018-2022. Results: Intermediate Comprehensive Plan implementation results showed the efficacy of the conducted measures as reflected by major cancer service indicators. Thus, the early detection has improved: stage 0-I detection amounted to 27.1% of all new cases (2019 target – 25.2%). This had a positive impact on cancer survival: in 2019, the proportion of 5-year or more survival was 54.7% for breast cancer (2019 target – 54.5%), 56.8% for cervical cancer (2019 target – 55.8%), 46.6% for colorectal cancer (2019 target – 45.8%) [1]. Conclusion: The Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan implementation results evidence cancer service improvement in the Republic of Kazakhstan as of 2019 (increased 5-year survival and decreased mortality). However, a high share of detection of visually accessible malignant neoplasms at generalized and advanced stages should be addressed in the coming years.

Advancing engagement and capacity for rural cancer control: a mixed-methods case study of a Community-Academic Advisory Board in the Appalachia region of Southwest Virginia

Background The objectives are to: 1) describe engagement processes used to prioritize and address regional comprehensive cancer control needs among a Community-Academic Advisory Board (CAB) in the medically-underserved, rural Appalachian region, and 2) detail longitudinal CAB evaluation findings. Methods This three-year case study (2017–2020) used a convergent parallel, mixed-methods design. The approach was guided by community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles, the Comprehensive Participatory Planning and Evaluation process, and Nine Habits of Successful Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalitions. Meeting artifacts were tracked and evaluated. CAB members completed quantitative surveys at three time points and semi-structured interviews at two time points. Quantitative data were analyzed using analysis of variance tests. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via an inductive-deductive process. Results Through 13 meetings, Prevention and Early Detection Action Teams created causal models and prioritized four cancer control needs: human papillomavirus vaccination, tobacco control, colorectal cancer screening, and lung cancer screening. These sub-groups also began advancing into planning and intervention proposal development phases. As rated by 49 involved CAB members, all habits significantly improved from Time 1 to Time 2 (i.e., communication, priority work plans, roles/accountability, shared decision making, value-added collaboration, empowered leadership, diversified funding, trust, satisfaction; all p < .05), and most remained significantly higher at Time 3. CAB members also identified specific challenges (e.g., fully utilizing member expertise), strengths (e.g., diverse membership), and recommendations across habits. Conclusion This project’s equity-based CBPR approach used a CPPE process in conjunction with internal evaluation of cancer coalition best practices to advance CAB efforts to address cancer disparities in rural Appalachia. This approach encouraged CAB buy-in and identified key strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities that will lay the foundation for continued involvement in cancer control projects. These engagement processes may serve as a template for similar coalitions in rural, underserved areas.

Molecular genetic testing for BRAF V600 gene mutations in melanoma in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Along with other diagnostic methods, all current recommendations and protocols for malignant tumors’ diagnostics and treatment require mandatory molecular genetic testing at the initial diagnosis and in case of disease progression. The discovery of the BRAF gene mutation in skin melanoma allows the treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, so-called BRAF inhibitors. This increases the probability of tumor response by half and opens up new therapeutic options. The study aimed to identify the BRAF V600E gene mutation frequency in patients with stage III-IV melanoma in the Republic of Kazakhstan to determine the need for targeted therapy. Results: 2251 persons are currently registered with melanoma in the Republic of Kazakhstan, with 355 new primary melanoma cases in 2019. Of them, 54% were diagnosed at stages III-IV and were subject to molecular genetic testing. 278 of 2251 patients were sent for BRAF mutations testing. The mutations were detected in 105 (37.7%) patients. Conclusion: The introduction of molecular genetic testing for malignant neoplasms under the Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan framework for 2018-2022 will increase the use of molecular genetic methods in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Molecular genetic testing is an important step in diagnosing melanoma and choosing the appropriate therapy to personalize cancer treatment.

Implementation of Cancer Plans in the United States: A Review

State cancer plans facilitate prioritization and stakeholder engagement in preventing and controlling cancer. Implementation plans further help stakeholders prioritize efforts, reduce redundancy, and find opportunities for work synergies. A review of cancer plan implementations plans was performed in the development of an implementation plan for the Florida Cancer Plan. This review sought to identify, characterize, and summarize the use of implementation plans that support comprehensive cancer control activities. Although 100% of states and territories published a cancer plan and 78% of states provided funding for implementing their state cancer plans, only 32% published an implementation plan. Commonalities and unique features of state cancer plan implementations are presented and discussed. An example implementation plan is provided for states without a plan to model.

The role, impact, and support of informal caregivers in the delivery of palliative care for patients with advanced cancer: A multi-country qualitative study

Background: Cancer is increasing in its prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. Informal caregivers are key to supporting engagement and interaction with palliative care services, but limited literature on their role impedes development of supportive interventions. Aim: We aimed to understand the role, impact, and support of informal caregivers of patients with advanced cancer when interacting with palliative care services in Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Design: Secondary analysis of qualitative interview transcripts. The dataset was assessed for fit and relevance and framework approach was used. Setting/participants: Interview transcripts of informal caregivers included participants aged over 18 years of age recruited from palliative care services across participating countries. Results: A total of 48 transcripts were analyzed. Mean age was 37 (range 19–75) with equal numbers of men and women. Five themes emerged from the data: (1) caregivers are coordinators of emotional, practical, and health service matters; (2) caregiving comes at a personal social and financial cost; (3) practical and emotional support received and required; (4) experience of interacting and liaising with palliative care services; and (5) barriers and recommendations relating to the involvement of palliative care. Conclusions: The role of informal caregivers is multi-faceted, with participants reporting taking care of the majority of medical, physical, financial, and emotional needs of the care recipient, often in the face of sacrifices relating to employment, finances, and their own health and social life. Efforts to develop comprehensive cancer control plans in sub-Saharan Africa must take account of the increasing evidence of informal caregiver needs.