Publications by authors named "Anthonia Sowunmi"

Objectives: High levels of caregiver burden (CB) are experienced by informal caregivers of pediatric patients with cancer. There is increasing evidence highlighting the extent of CB across sub-Saharan African countries, although there remains lack of interventions that target improvements in their experience. This study aimed to determine the impact of a structured psychoeducation program on caregivers' outcomes relating to preparedness to provide care, burden of caregiving, and quality of life (QoL).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Although many patients who receive definitive radiotherapy (RT) for localised prostate cancer (CaP) experience long-term disease-free survival and better quality of life, some also have biochemical progression during follow-up. Oftentimes this implies additional treatment for patients with the accompanying challenges of cumulative treatment side effects, inconvenience and financial toxicity. This study retrospectively assessed the clinicopathological characteristics and biochemical outcomes of patients treated for localised CaP with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) between 2015 and 2020 at a major cancer treatment centre in Accra, Ghana.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: The aim of this study was to review the management of orbito-ocular malignancies in the Departments of Radiotherapy and Ophthalmology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, between January 1997 and December 2011 in comparison to previous and recent studies globally.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective study of orbito-ocular malignancies seen at the Departments of Radiotherapy and Ophthalmology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital from 1997 to 2011. Case files and treatment cards were retrieved through the Medical Records department and the information required was extracted with the aid of a data extraction form.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Cancer genetic testing (CGT), a pathway to personalized medicine, is also being embraced in Nigeria. However, little is known about the influence of demographics and perceptions on individuals' willingness to access and pay for CGT. This study assessed patients' willingness to undergo CGT in southwest Nigeria as a catalyst for sustainable Cancer Risk Management Program.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Breast cancer management is evolving by the day and new discoveries is shifting the scale to more positive result mostly in developed countries and this is being reported and updated in the treatment guidelines to bridge the knowledge gaps and allow for global standardised management protocol. This study assessed the adherence to the breast cancer guideline use among oncologists in Nigeria, reviewing the commonly used guidelines, factors for the choice, effects on treatment and barriers to usage.

Methodology: A proforma was sent by mail to the oncologist in Nigeria assessing their socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of guidelines, use of guidelines, barriers to use of guidelines and benefits of guideline use and all the those that completed the survey within 1-month period were included in the study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Globally, cancer is a major leading health problem with an estimated 10 million incidences and 6 million cancer deaths annually. In Nigeria, an estimated 72,000 cancer deaths occur annually, and 102,000 new cases are diagnosed from its population of 200 million people. These are, however, estimates, it is necessary to document the yearly trends and patterns of cancer mortality with regards to the different regions in the country.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: There are strategies to bring quality cancer care to underserved patients, but poor use of the principles of teamwork is a major barrier to achieving quality services. The intent of this study was to assess teamwork as perceived by health care workers caring for patients with cancer.

Methods: We conducted a survey among health care professionals in cancer care at 3 tertiary centers in southwestern Nigeria from July to November 2016.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Diagnosis and treatment of cancer are associated with significant psychological distress, and patients face a broad range of challenges that create a vacuum of unmet needs felt by patients, such as a loss of personal control and frustration. The aim of the current study was to determine the magnitude, distribution, and correlates of unmet needs in Nigerian patients with cancer.

Patients And Methods: Using a descriptive cross-sectional approach, we assessed 205 patients with cancer who attended oncology outpatient clinics at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Patient satisfaction is an important and commonly used indicator for measuring the quality in health care. Patient satisfaction affects clinical outcomes, patient retention, and medical malpractice claims. It affects the timely, efficient, and patient-centered delivery of quality health care.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Prostate cancer has become a global health challenge because of its rising morbidity and mortality in males. It is the second cause of cancer death following lung cancer in men. It is rare under the age of 40 and its incidence has been shown to increase exponentially with age.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: To provide data on the pattern of practice of palliative radiotherapy (RT) on the African continent.

Methods And Materials: A questionnaire was distributed to participants in a regional training course of the International Atomic Energy Agency in palliative cancer care and sent by e-mail to other institutions in Africa. Requested information included both infrastructure and human resources available and the pattern of RT practice for metastatic and locally advanced cancers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF