Background. The initial approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marked a milestone in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased public debate about the vaccine development process and vaccine side effects has activated the anti-vaccine community, which has begun to spread conspiracy theories about vaccine safety. Objectives.Our study is the first to investigate the awareness of Polish patients suffering from various chronic diseases, mainly cancer, about vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Materials and methods.An anonymous survey was made available from November 2020 to February 2021 to representatives of patient organizations through social media (Facebook) and to patients in the Chemotherapy Department of the Clinical Hospital in Poznań. The survey was completed by 836 patients. The majority of the survey respondents had cancer (77%, n = 644), and almost 1 / 5 of the respondents indicated hypertension (15.7%, n = 131) as well as depression and/or anxiety disorders (11. 1%, n = 93).Results. Less than half of the respondents (43.5%, n = 364) believed that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were safe (40.4%, n = 260, among cancer patients; 53.9%, n = 104, among patients with other medical conditions). More than half of the respondents (60.5%, n = 506) intended to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (58.8%, n = 378, among cancer patients; 66.3%, n = 128, among patients with other medical conditions). Fear of vaccine complications and lack of belief in vaccine effectiveness were prevalent among both cancer patients and patients with other medical conditions.Conclusions. The vast majority of cancer and medical patients wanted to be vaccinated against COVID-19. More than half of the respondents did not believe that the COVID-19 vaccine would be safe for them. Education of cancer and medical patients on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, as well as the use of additional protective measures against infection, is an extremely important element of prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESEARCH LETTER The use of CAM among cancer patients 83 Statistical analysis The analysis was carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics 26 program (IBM Co., Armonk, New York, United States). The significance level was set at a P value of 0.05. The statistic values for the χ 2 test for data independence were calculated. The Cramer V coefficient was calculated to assess the strength of association. In order to detail the occurring relationships, the z test was used to compare the structure indices (percentage value). Bonferroni correction was applied. Results Characteristics of the surveyed group A total of 280 women (97.9%) and 6 men (2.1%) participated in the survey. The survey group mainly included young people, up to 50 years old (194 [67.9%]), followed by persons aged 51 to 65 years (81 [28.3%]). There were significantly fewer elderly people aged 66 to 75 years (9 [3.1%]) and older than 75 years (2 [0.7%]). The survey was mostly completed by patients with breast cancer (274 [95.8%]). Almost half of the patients received cancer therapy for less than a year (136 [47.6%]), and one -third for 2 to 3 years (95 [33.2%]). In the remaining participants, the treatment lasted at least 4 years (55 [19.2%]). The survey was mostly completed by patients with cancer in early stages, that is, without distant metastases: 76 (26.6%) in stage I, 116 (40.6%) in stage II, and 74 (25.9%) in stage III. Only 20 people (7%) had cancer in the stage of dissemination (stage IV). The vast majority of respondents underwent surgical treatment (234 [81.8%]). A total of 212 underwent chemotherapy (74.1%), 192 hormone therapy (67.1%), 173 radiotherapy (60.5%), and 20 immunotherapy (7%). Main analysis More than two -thirds of respondents (196 [68.5%]) were able to define an
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and the fifth leading cause of cancer death. In 2020, there were 2.3 million new cases, and 685,000 women died from it. Breast cancer among young women under 40 years of age accounts for 5% to 10% of all cases of this cancer. The greater availability of multi-gene sequence analysis by next-generation sequencing has improved diagnosis and, consequently, the possibility of using appropriate therapeutic approaches in BRCA1/2 gene mutation carriers. Treatment of young breast cancer patients affects their reproductive potential by reducing ovarian reserve. It can lead to reversible or permanent premature menopause, decreased libido, and other symptoms of sex hormone deficiency. This requires that, in addition to oncological treatment, patients are offered genetic counseling, oncofertility, psychological assistance, and sexological counseling. Given the number of BRCA1/2 gene mutation carriers among young breast cancer patients, but also thanks to growing public awareness, among their healthy family members planning offspring, the possibility of benefiting from preimplantation testing and performing cancer-risk-reduction procedures: RRM (risk-reducing mastectomy) and RRSO (risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy) significantly increase the chance of a genetically burdened person living a healthy life and giving birth to a child not burdened by the parent’s germline mutation. The goal of this paper is to show methods and examples of fertility counselling for BRCA1/2 gene mutation carriers, including both patients already affected by cancer and healthy individuals.
Introduction. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in Poland and in the world, with a mortality rate second only to that of lung cancer. Breasts are one of the most important symbols of femininity and sexuality. Cancer surgery, but also systemic therapy (chemotherapy and hormone therapy) cause a change in the perception of one's body. The aim of the survey proposed by us was to assess interest in sex by breast cancer patients during and after oncological treatment, as well as to identify ways to improve the quality of patients' sex lives. Materials and methods. The proposed survey consisted of 3 parts: the first part included questions about the demographic, in the second part there were the author's questions about sexual dysfunction (12 questions), in the third part there was the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) form assessing the sexual functioning of women. The questionnaires were made available online from October 13, 2020 to December 20, 2020 through the social networks of patient organizations involved in breast cancer care. 287 women diagnosed with breast cancer were included in the survey. Results. Before the disease almost all patients were sexually active and had a partner (95.5%; n = 274); at the time of filling the questionnaire only slightly more than half of the patients remained sexually active ( 57.1%; n = 164). About 30.7% (n = 88) stated that the disease was the main reason for not being sexually active. More than 60% of patients (60.9%; n = 137) used products to improve the comfort of sexual intercourse, mainly lubricants (39.7%; n = 114). Only about 1 / 3 of the patients (32.1%; n = 92) were satisfied with their sex life, 48.1% (n = 138) stated they were not satisfied with their sex life, 19.9% (n = 57) did not answer this question. The main reasons for lack of satisfaction with sex life included: decreased libido (65.9%; n = 189), vaginal dryness (55.1%; n = 158). The mean score of forms filled out by the respondents was 24.50 in FSFI form. Conclusions. Assessment of sexual dysfunction in patients with breast cancer should be performed on a routine basis before treatment and regularly during treatment.
Introduction. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women -both in Poland and around the world. In terms of the mortality rate, it subsides brest cancer with lung cancer. In 2018, almost 2 million new cases were reported worldwide, and almost 44 million women have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 5 years. Material. The aim of this paper is to present ways to improve the sexual well being of breast cancer patients. Methods. Analysis of the literature by oncologists, gynecologists, and psychologists was used for theoretical discussion. Results. Sexuality is an extremely important part of every woman's life, including those suffering from breast cancer. Surgery of the breast, a symbol of a woman's sexuality, and the negative effects of cancer therapy can alter a woman's perception of her own body and lower her libido. Sexual therapy which should be based on multi-faceted activities, is an extremely important part of breast cancer treatment. Conclusions. Therapeutic possibilities may be based on psychological and sexual therapies as well as pharmacological support (moisturizers, silicone lubricants, tampons inserted for several minutes with 4% vaginal lidocaine before intercourse, topical gels with estrogens, ospemifen, DHEA, testosterone).
Patients and methods Between March 26 and August 30, 2020, telephone interviews were conducted. A survey created by an anonymous author with 11 questions about the impact of the SARS -CoV -2 pandemic on willingness to participate in a clinical trial was used in telephone interviews. This approach was selected as it was considered more secure for both the researchers and prospective participants, in the context of the pandemic.We recruited former cancer patients who had participated in clinical trials, who were available by phone, and who expressed their consent to participate in the survey. Inclusion in the study was based on prior or ongoing participation in a clinical trial that took place in the chemotherapy ward, regardless of the study's methodology. Due to small numbers of patients participating in clinical trials in Europe, the sample group of participants included only 66 respondents: 49 women (74%) and 17 men (26%).Most patients were up to 1 year after the end of their participation in a clinical trial (49 [74%]). Also, most patients took part in phase 3 clinical trials (59 [89%]). In 51 participants (77%), the clinical trial concerned breast cancer. A total of 53 respondents (80%) participated in an open study model-the research team and the patient knew whether they were receiving the study drug, placebo, or standard therapy.
Introduction. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common female neoplasm in Poland and worldwide, yet up to 7% of all cases is diagnosed < 40 years of age. The increased BC morbidity rate in this age group as well as hope for late maternity need special attention. Material and methods. The data concerning the number of children and further procreation needs in women (n = 68), aged 18-40, diagnosed and treated for early breast cancer at the Greater Poland Cancer Center in 2018-2019, were taken from patients' histories by an oncologist before (neo-)adjuvant systemic therapy. Results. Out of the 68 females surveyed, aged 18-40 (median age 36), 14 (21%) were childless at the moment of diagnosis. After being informed about the therapy, prognosis, side effects and oncofertility, 12 patients (18%) decided to have a consultation with a specialist in reproductive medicine; 5 of them (7%) already had children. In 2 women (3%), hormonal stimulation in combination with tamoxifen was used; then, oocytes were collected and cryopreserved. In 19 (28%), gonadotropine analogues were added to (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy. In 17 patients (25%) pathogenic mutations in BRCA1/2 genes were found. Conclusions. Oncofertility counseling in young BC patients should be one of the fundamental elements of complex patient care.
Introduction: The clinical research market of the European Union (EU) countries of Central and Eastern Europe has been experiencing a dynamic growth of clinical trials in the last 10 years. Oncology and cardiology are the areas where the most clinical trials are conducted. Aim: This study aims to analyze the clinical research market including countries, medical fields and trial phases in the EU countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The comparative analysis of countries is divided into 5-year periods. Material and methods: Clinical research market analysis was carried out in 11 EU countries of Central and Eastern Europe: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. In searching for the number of clinical trials, the ClinicalTrials.gov database was used. Results and discussion: From 2000 to 2019, 6497 clinical trials were conducted in the EU countries of Central and Eastern Europe. There were 1840 clinical trials registered in Poland, 1188 in Czechia, and 1005 in Hungary. The most clinical trials were registered in the field of oncology (22%), followed by cardiology (16%) and neurology (12%). Phase III trials representing as much as 60% (n = 2854) of all conducted medical experiments. The highest increase in the number of clinical trials in the last two 5-year periods (2010–2014 and 2015–2019) was recorded in Estonia, at 471%. Conclusions: There has been a significant increase in the number of clinical phase III trials in the EU countries of Central and Eastern Europe, mainly in Poland, Czechia, and Hungary.
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