Patterns of Practice of Palliative Radiotherapy in Africa, Part 1: Bone and Brain Metastases

Sharma, Vinay; Gaye, Papa Macoumba; Wahab, S. A.; Ndlovu, Ntokozo; Ngoma, Twalib; Vanderpuye, Verna; Sowunmi, Anthonia; Kigula-Mugambe, Joseph; Jeremić, Branislav

doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.07.2381

Cited by 30 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Additional possible explanations include a lack of histologic-specific data (60), contradictory definitions of uncomplicated BMs, and the availability of alternative treatment modalities such as vertebroplasty.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

International Patterns of Practice in Palliative Radiotherapy for Painful Bone Metastases: Evidence-Based Practice?

Fairchild¹,

Barnes

Ghosh³

et al. 2009

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics

168

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

International Patterns of Practice in Palliative Radiotherapy for Painful Bone Metastases: Evidence-Based Practice?

Fairchild¹,

Barnes

Ghosh³

et al. 2009

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics

168

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“…While over 55% of people with cancer would benefit from radiotherapy, Africa has less than 2% of all radiotherapy cancer centres globally 20. Cancer deaths are expected to rise sixfold by 2050 due to an ageing population, little screening or early detection, minimal access to treatment and HIV related cancers.…”

Section: Challenges Now Facing Palliative Care In Africa and Potentiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Palliative care in Africa since 2005: good progress, but much further to go

Grant

Downing

Namukwaya

et al. 2011

BMJ Support Palliat Care

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There has been rapid progress in palliative care in Africa since the World Health Assembly in 2005 which identified palliative care as an urgent humanitarian need. Palliative care is now recognised as a basic human right, and momentum has gathered to translate this into action. From being significantly present in only five countries in 2004, palliative care is now delivered in nearly 50% of African countries. Even so, still less than 5% of people in need currently receive it, and with an estimated 300% increase in the need for palliative care for people with non-communicable diseases over the next 20 years, and with those living with HIV needing more prolonged support, the demand for palliative care will continue to outpace supply. African countries adopting a public health approach and networking together through palliative care associations are beginning to embed and integrate palliative care into health systems and communities. Current challenges are to increase coverage while maintaining quality, to develop dynamic and flexible responses to the changing illness patterns in Africa, and to counter false beliefs. Resourcefulness and harnessing new technologies such as mobile phones while respecting cultural traditions, may be the way forward. The authors review recent progress in policy, service provision and training initiatives in Africa, illustrate the current situation at grass roots level from a recent evaluation of programmes in Kenya, Malawi and Uganda, analyse the current urgent challenges and suggest some ways ahead.

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“…For example, there is only one report in the indexed literature examining palliative radiation use in Africa. While there is extensive clinical trial evidence supporting shorter and less costly palliative treatments for bone metastases, this report suggests that 77% of surveyed centers use longer treatments, despite limited resources [36]. Information on the equity of the treatment process in this or other settings is not available in the literature to our knowledge.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer control in developing countries: using health data and health services research to measure and improve access, quality and efficiency

Hanna¹,

Kangolle

2010

BMC Int Health Hum Rights

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BackgroundCancer is a rapidly increasing problem in developing countries. Access, quality and efficiency of cancer services in developing countries must be understood to advance effective cancer control programs. Health services research can provide insights into these areas.DiscussionThis article provides an overview of oncology health services in developing countries. We use selected examples from peer-reviewed literature in health services research and relevant publicly available documents. In spite of significant limitations in the available data, it is clear there are substantial barriers to access to cancer control in developing countries. This includes prevention, early detection, diagnosis/treatment and palliation. There are also substantial limitations in the quality of cancer control and a great need to improve economic efficiency. We describe how the application of health data may assist in optimizing (1) Structure: strengthening planning, collaboration, transparency, research development, education and capacity building. (2) Process: enabling follow-up, knowledge translation, patient safety and quality assurance. (3) Outcome: facilitating evaluation, monitoring and improvement of national cancer control efforts. There is currently limited data and capacity to use this data in developing countries for these purposes.SummaryThere is an urgent need to improve health services for cancer control in developing countries. Current resources and much-needed investments must be optimally managed. To achieve this, we would recommend investment in four key priorities: (1) Capacity building in oncology health services research, policy and planning relevant to developing countries. (2) Development of high-quality health data sources. (3) More oncology-related economic evaluations in developing countries. (4) Exploration of high-quality models of cancer control in developing countries. Meeting these needs will require national, regional and international collaboration as well as political leadership. Horizontal integration with programs for other diseases will be important.

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Patterns of Practice of Palliative Radiotherapy in Africa, Part 1: Bone and Brain Metastases

Cited by 30 publications

References 25 publications

International Patterns of Practice in Palliative Radiotherapy for Painful Bone Metastases: Evidence-Based Practice?

International Patterns of Practice in Palliative Radiotherapy for Painful Bone Metastases: Evidence-Based Practice?

Palliative care in Africa since 2005: good progress, but much further to go

Cancer control in developing countries: using health data and health services research to measure and improve access, quality and efficiency

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