Publications by authors named "Meghan Mali"

Purpose: Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Ghana. Mammography and ultrasound have proven benefits in the early detection of breast cancer. This study evaluates mammography, breast ultrasound, and radiology work force availability throughout Ghana.

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Introduction: Breast cancer poses a significant health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ghana, where late-stage diagnoses and limited healthcare access contribute to elevated mortality rates. This study focuses on the crucial role of pathology and laboratory medical (PALM) services in the timely diagnosis of breast cancer within Ghana.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of hospitals was completed from November 2020 to October 2021, with 94.

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Purpose: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer and second most common cause of cancer-related death in Ghana. Early detection and access to diagnostic services are vital for early treatment initiation and improved survival. This study characterizes the geographic access to hospital-based breast cancer diagnostic services in Ghana as a framework for expansion.

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Background: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in Gambian women. The Gambian Ministry of Health is striving to improve access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for cervical cancer, but comprehensive data on currently available services is limited making it challenging to appropriately prioritize the ideal next steps for expanding care. This study aims to describe the current services available for the prevention, screening, and treatment of cervical cancer in The Gambia and provide suggestions for expanding geographic access to care.

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Breast cancer in Ghana is a growing public health problem with increasing incidence and poor outcomes. Lack of access to comprehensive treatment in Ghana may be a contributing factor to its high mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the availability of treatments nationwide and systematically identify high yield areas for targeted expansion.

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Objectives: Define the services available for the care of breast cancer at hospitals in the Eastern Region of Ghana, identify areas of the region with limited access to care through geospatial mapping, and test a novel survey instrument in anticipation of a nationwide scale up of the study.

Design: A cross-sectional, facility-based survey study.

Setting: This study was conducted at 33 of the 34 hospitals in the Eastern Region of Ghana from March 2020 to May 2020.

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Background: The Gambia has one of the lowest survival rates for breast cancer in Africa. Contributing factors are late presentation, delays within the healthcare system, and decreased availability of resources. We aimed to characterize the capacity and geographic location of healthcare facilities in the country and calculate the proportion of the population with access to breast cancer care.

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Article Synopsis
  • Recent advancements in treatment for metastatic melanoma suggest the need to reassess current surveillance practices due to insufficient evidence for existing guidelines, especially in Stage II melanoma.
  • A study of Stage II melanoma patients revealed that 27.2% experienced recurrence, primarily detected by patients themselves (60.7%) or through imaging (27.3%).
  • Findings indicate that routine imaging is particularly beneficial for detecting distant recurrences in certain patient groups, suggesting its reconsideration in surveillance strategies for high-risk individuals.
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