Access of Low-Resource Areas to ASCO Quality Initiatives: Initial Experience and Lessons Learned.

With the aim of improving the quality of cancer care globally, ASCO began to offer its quality improvement programs to interested international oncology practices. In this manuscript, we describe the experiences with ASCO quality initiatives in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The experience acquired from different practices in Latin America and Africa was reviewed and various action steps were summarized.

Unification of Efforts to Improve Global Access to Cancer Therapeutics: Report From the 2022/2023 Access to Essential Cancer Medicines Stakeholder Summit.

Purpose: There is an urgent need to improve access to cancer therapy globally. Several independent initiatives have been undertaken to improve access to cancer medicines, and additional new initiatives are in development. Improved sharing of experiences and increased collaboration are needed to achieve substantial improvements in global access to essential oncology medicines.

Rapid Implementation of the Virtual Clinic Concept in an Oncology Department to Minimize the Exposure of Patients with Cancer to COVID-19.

Introduction: The global pandemic was an emerging challenge that significantly impacted healthcare systems and the delivery of care. Prompt actions and adaptive techniques, such as the virtual clinic, were implemented to ensure the quality and continuity of the care provided. The aim of this quality improvement project was to ensure the smooth implementation and effectiveness of the virtual clinic during the COVID-19 crisis.

Quality Measures for Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards and Their Role in Improving Cancer Care.

While multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) are widely used in managing patients with cancer, their impact on patient care and outcome is not routinely measured in different settings. The authors conducted a literature review in Medline, Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of Science using the following keywords: cancer, multidisciplinary, tumor board, quality performance indicator, lung cancer, and lymphoma. Standards from various accreditation and professional organizations were reviewed to compile relevant standards for MTB.

Social Distress among Cancer Patients: Differential Effects of Risk Factors and Attenuating Role of Culturally Specific Social Support.

: We investigated the association between social distress or toxicity and patients' clinical conditions, demographic characteristics, and social support and networks, and whether this association differs along the distribution of patients' distress levels. This study included 156 patients treated at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. : We used the previously validated Social Toxicity Assessment Tool in Cancer (STAT-C) to assess cancer patients' distress.

Real-world global data on targeting epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: the results of the KINDLE study.

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the standard of care for resectable and metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbouring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations (EGFRm). We describe the real-world practice of EGFRm testing, prevalence, treatment and outcomes in EGFRm stage III NSCLC from a multi-country, observational study.

Methods: The KINDLE study retrospectively captured diagnostic information, treatments and survival outcomes in patients with stage III NSCLC from January 2013 to December 2017.

The trends of cancer patients' perceptions on the causes and risk factors of cancer over time.

Objectives: To evaluate patients' perceptions on the causes and outcomes of cancer and the changes observed over a decade (2006-2016) at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with cancer and treated at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. The patients were enrolled in 2 cohorts: cohort 1 from 2006-2008 and cohort 2 from 2016-2018.

Management of Early-Stage Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Consensus Statement of the Lung cancer Consortium.

Background: Management of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (ES-NSCLC) has evolved over the last few years especially in terms of work-up and the use of systemic therapy. This consensus statement was developed to present updated guidelines for the management of this disease.

Methods: Multidisciplinary team (MDT) of lung cancer experts convened to discuss a set of pertinent questions with importance relevance to the management of ES-NSCLC.

Real-World Data on the Prevalence of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the Middle East and North Africa.

Purpose: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase () gene alterations are potent oncogenic drivers in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the ALK pathway are effective in treating -positive NSCLC. Around 5% of Asian and White patients with NSCLC have -positive tumors, but rearrangement prevalence data in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are limited.

Virtual educational meetings and activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: Egyptian oncologists' experience.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had ramifications for most healthcare activities, including medical education and communication aspects. Virtual educational meetings and activities (VEMAs) have been utilised tremendously in the pandemic era, reflecting a transition to new horizons of cyberspace. This creates the need to explore possible challenges for the implementation of such services in the rapidly evolving field of oncology.

Predictors of poor precautionary practices towards COVID-19 among cancer patients.

Our study goal was to evaluate the behavioral response and practices of cancer patients to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the Middle East and north Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated anonymous 45-question survey administered via SurveyMonkey to cancer patients in 13 centers in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. During the study period (from 21 April to 30 May 2020), 3642 patients participated in the study.

Colorectal cancer survival among Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs (MNG-HA) population 2009-2017: retrospective study.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most diagnosed cancer among males and third among females in Saudi Arabia, with up to two-third diagnosed at advanced stage. The objective of our study was to estimate CRC survival and determine prognostic factors.

Methods: Ministry of National Guard- Health Affairs (MNG-HA) registry data was utilized to identify patients diagnosed with CRC between 2009 and 2017.

A retrospective evaluation of the value of COVID-19 screening and testing in patients with cancer: Aiming at a moving target.

Background: Diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in cancer patients is critical to co-manage their underlying disease and infection appropriately. Our study aimed at evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of screening patients with cancer for COVID-19 infection.

Methods: All oncology patients receiving care at Department of Oncology at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh were screened using the acute respiratory infection (ARI) survey.

The trends of complementary alternative medicine use among cancer patients.

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among cancer patients and it may reflect the individual and societal beliefs on cancer therapy. Our study aimed to evaluate the trends of CAM use among patients with cancer between 2006 and 2018.

Methods: We included 2 Cohorts of patients with cancer who were recruited for Cohort 1 between 2006 and 2008 and for Cohort 2 between 2016 and 2018.

Real-World Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Stage III NSCLC: Results of KINDLE, a Multicountry Observational Study.

Introduction: Stage III NSCLC is a heterogeneous disease requiring a multimodal management approach. We conducted a real-world, global study to characterize patients, treatment patterns, and their associated clinical outcomes for stage III NSCLC.

Methods: KINDLE was a retrospective study in patients with stage III NSCLC (American Joint Committee on Cancer, seventh edition) diagnosed between January 2013 and December 2017, with at least 9 months of documented follow-up since index diagnosis.

Reducing Futile Acute Care Services for Terminally Ill Patients With Cancer: The Dignity Project.

Purpose: Patients with terminal diseases frequently undergo interventions that are futile and may be detrimental to their quality of life. We conducted a quality improvement project aimed to reduce the utilization of futile acute care services (ACSs) for patients with cancer treated with a palliative intent.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team reviewed the records of terminally ill patients with cancer who died between November 2017 and May 2018, during their admission at our institution.

The effect of marital status on stage at diagnosis and survival in Saudis diagnosed with colorectal cancer: cancer registry analysis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer in males and third in females in Saudi Arabia, with the majority (66%) diagnosed at a late stage. We evaluated the effect of marital status on stage at diagnosis and CRC survival. We hypothesized that married patients would be more likely to present at an early stage and have higher survival than unmarried patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oncologists: Results of an International Study.

Purpose: As frontline workers facing the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers should be well-prepared to fight the disease and prevent harm to their patients and themselves. Our study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of oncologists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on them.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire disseminated to oncologists by SurveyMonkey.

Burnout in oncology: Magnitude, risk factors and screening among professionals from Middle East and North Africa (BOMENA study).

Background: Burnout (BO) among oncology professionals (OP) is increasingly being recognized. Early recognition and intervention can positively affect the quality of care and patient safety. This study investigated the prevalence, work and lifestyle factors affecting BO among OPs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Do Multidisciplinary Tumor Board Discussions Correlate With Increase in 5-Year Survival? A Meta-Analysis Study.

Introduction: Due to the complex nature of cancer cases, it is imperative that the involved healthcare providers coordinate the patients care plan in union to reach the best possible outcome in the smoothest and fastest manner. This is what multidisciplinary tumor board (MTB) meetings strive to achieve. Conducting regular MTB meetings requires significant investment of time and finances.

The Outcome of Unscreened Population in Colorectal Cancer: The Impact of Sex and Other Determinants on Cancer Stage.

Background: In Saudi Arabia, there is no population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, and more than two-thirds of patients are diagnosed with a late stage. We assessed the association between sex and distant metastasis CRC and hypothesize that females, younger age, non-married, and patients with colon cancer would present with metastatic tumors.

Patients And Methods: The retrospective cohort study used data from the Ministry of National Guard Cancer Registry.