Not Telling Patients Their Cancer Diagnosis in Egypt: Is It Associated With Less Anxiety and Depression and Better Quality of Life?

Purpose: In many countries, including Egypt, it is still believed that not telling patients their cancer diagnosis is associated with less psychological morbidity. This study was conducted to explore whether not telling Egyptian patients their cancer diagnosis is associated with less anxiety and depression and better quality-of-life (QoL) or not.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in two Egyptian cancer care facilities and included 292 adult patients with cancer of whom 197 (67%) were aware of their diagnosis and 95 (33%) were unaware.

Diagnosis Disclosure Preferences of Cancer Patients in Egypt: A Multi-Institutional Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Although diagnosis disclosure to cancer patients has important roles in cancer care, it is not a routine practice in countries like Egypt. Respecting patients' autonomy and responding to their preferences are among the factors that should guide the practice of cancer diagnosis disclosure.

Objectives: To assess the preferences of Egyptian cancer patients regarding the disclosure of cancer diagnosis and to determine factors that may affect their preferences.

Mirtazapine in Cancer-Associated Anorexia and Cachexia: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial.

Context: Few pharmacological interventions are available for cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia. Mirtazapine has been suggested for use in cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia.

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and tolerability of mirtazapine in cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia.

Availability of Informal Caregivers for Palliative Care Patients with Cancer: Is there a Difference between Higher- and Lower-Income Settings.

Objective: Family caregivers are the default caring personnel for terminal cancer patients. The characteristics, demographics, distribution, psychological burden, and socioeconomic standards differ between high- and low-income countries. We aimed to assess those factors and their direct reflection on both the patient and the caregiver.

Preferred Place of Death for Patients With Incurable Cancer and Their Family Caregivers in Egypt.

Background:: Little is known about the place of death of patients with cancer in Eastern Mediterranean countries including Egypt, where palliative care is underdeveloped. Identifying the preferred place of death (PPoD) is important for the development of appropriate palliative care models in these countries.

Objectives:: To know the PPoD of Egyptian patients with incurable cancer and their family caregivers (FCGs) and to determine the factors that may impact their preferences.

The Use of the Chuang's Prognostic Scale to Predict the Survival of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Systemic Anticancer Therapy.

Background: With the increasing number of agents active against cancer, advanced cancer patients including metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients may continue receiving palliative systemic anticancer therapy (PSAT) near the end-of-life. Validated palliative prognostic models, such as the Chuang's prognostic scale (CPS), may be helpful in identifying mCRC patients with limited survival who are unlikely to benefit from PSAT.

Aim: To test the ability of the CPS to predict the survival of mCRC under treatment with PSAT.

Cancer diagnosis disclosure preferences of family caregivers of cancer patients in Egypt.

Objective: Family caregivers (FCs) of cancer patients are frequently seen as a barrier to honest communication with patients in Egypt. This study was conducted to investigate the attitude of FCs of cancer patients toward cancer diagnosis disclosure (CDD) and its determinants.

Methods: A structured interview was used to assess the preferences of 288 FCs regarding CDD.

The fear of using tramadol for pain control (tramadolophobia) among Egyptian patients with cancer.

Objectives: The fear of using tramadol for pain control (tramadolophobia) by Egyptian patients with cancer is a frequent problem in our practice. This study was conducted to explore the prevalence of and the reasons behind tramadolophobia among Egyptian patients with cancer.

Methods: A structured interview including open-ended and closed questions.

The use of opioids at the end-of-life and the survival of Egyptian palliative care patients with advanced cancer.

Background And Aim: One of the barriers to cancer pain control and palliative care (PC) development is the misconception that the use of opioids may hasten death. This concern is exaggerated when higher doses of opioids are used at the end-of-life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between survival and the dose of opioids used at the end-of-life of patients with advanced cancer in an Egyptian PC setting.