Background: The majority of non-metastatic breast cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa are recommended to have mastectomy. The impact of mastectomy on a predominantly young African patient population requires evaluation. The BREAST-Q is a validated patient-reported outcome measure of quality-of-life following breast surgery that has been translated into 30 languages-none in Africa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In Nigeria, breast cancer incidence is rising, late presentation is common, and outcomes are poor. Patient-related factors such as lack of awareness and misperceptions in addition to health system deficiencies such as lack of a clearly defined framework for breast cancer screening and referral are some of the major drivers of this poor outlook. Guidelines for breast cancer screening in high-income countries have limited applicability in low-middle-income countries, hence the need for innovative, resource-compatible strategies to combat the negative trend.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: in Nigeria, the incidence of breast cancer has increased by over 80% in the last four decades. This study quantifies the out-of-pocket (OOP) cost of breast cancer management and the associated rate of catastrophic healthcare expenditure (CHE) at a public tertiary care facility in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Methods: patients treated between December 2017 - August 2018 were identified from a prospective breast cancer database.
Background: Racial disparities in breast cancer care have been linked to treatment delays. We explored whether receiving care at a comprehensive breast center could mitigate disparities in time to treatment.
Methods: Retrospective chart review identified breast cancer patients who underwent surgery from 2012 to 2018 at a comprehensive breast center.
In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), urgent action is needed to curb a growing crisis in cancer incidence and mortality. Without rapid interventions, data estimates show a major increase in cancer mortality from 520 348 in 2020 to about 1 million deaths per year by 2030. Here, we detail the state of cancer in SSA, recommend key actions on the basis of analysis, and highlight case studies and successful models that can be emulated, adapted, or improved across the region to reduce the growing cancer crises.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The iBreastExam electronically palpates the breast to identify possible abnormalities. We assessed the iBreastExam performance compared with clinical breast examination for breast lesion detection in high risk and symptomatic Nigerian women.
Methods: This prospective study was done at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) in Nigeria.
Introduction: Based on the ACOSOG Z0011 trial, women who undergo breast conservation therapy (BCT) and have limited disease in the axilla on sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy do not require axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). In this study we investigate the incidence of ALND in patients undergoing elective mastectomy with limited disease in the axilla to identify how many women may have been spared additional axillary surgery if they chose BCT.
Methods: All women with invasive breast cancer treated at a single tertiary care breast center from 2010-2018 who were candidates for BCT but elected mastectomy and underwent SLN biopsy were identified through retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database.
Objectives: To examine the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine receipt among healthcare workers and the role of vaccine confidence in decisions to vaccinate, and to better understand concerns related to COVID-19 vaccination.
Design: Cross-sectional anonymous survey among front-line, support service and administrative healthcare workers.
Setting: Two large integrated healthcare systems (one private and one public) in New York City during the initial roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Objective: Estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among New York City Health and Hospitals (NYC H+H) healthcare workers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and describe demographic and occupational factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers.
Design: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of data from SARS-CoV-2 serological tests accompanied by a demographic and occupational survey administered to healthcare workers.
Setting: A large, urban public healthcare system in NYC.
Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is an integral component of T4 breast cancer (BCa) treatment. We compared response to NAC for T4 BCa in the U.S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHigh-quality data are needed to guide interventions aimed at improving breast cancer outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. We present data from an institutional breast cancer database to create a framework for cancer policy and development in Nigeria. An institutional database was queried for consecutive patients diagnosed with breast cancer between January 2010 and December 2018.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The majority of women in Nigeria present with advanced-stage breast cancer. To address the role of geospatial access, we constructed a geographic information-system-based model to evaluate the relationship between modeled travel time, stage at presentation, and overall survival among patients with breast cancer in Nigeria.
Methods: Consecutive patients were identified from a single-institution, prospective breast cancer database (May 2009-January 2019).
Background: Historically, more than one-third of patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) underwent additional surgery. The SSO-ASTRO guidelines advise 2 mm margins for patients with DCIS having BCS and whole-breast radiation (WBRT). Here we examine guideline impact on additional surgery and factors associated with re-excision.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: The prevalence of themes linked to delay in presentation of breast cancer (BC) and their underlying factors vary considerably throughout Africa. Regional differences and trends are largely unreported. The purpose of this research was to provide summary estimates of the prevalence and distribution of the themes and underlying factors linked to delay in the presentation of BC, regional variation, and trends in an effort to identify targets for intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhen breast cancer is detected and treated early, the chances of survival are very high. However, women in many settings face complex barriers to early detection, including social, economic, geographic, and other interrelated factors, which can limit their access to timely, affordable, and effective breast health care services. Previously, the Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI) developed resource-stratified guidelines for the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Many factors influence decisions regarding choice of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) versus mastectomy with reconstruction for early invasive breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare patient satisfaction following BCS and mastectomy with implant reconstruction (M-iR) utilizing the BREAST-Q patient-reported outcome measure.
Methods: Women with stage I or II breast cancer undergoing BCS or M-iR who completed a BREAST-Q from 2010 to 2016 were identified by retrospective review of a prospective database.
Background: Both patients with inflammatory breast cancer (IFLBC) and patients with noninflammatory T4 breast cancer (non-IFLBC) have a heavy disease burden in the breast; whether the unique biology of IFLBC conveys a higher locoregional recurrence (LRR) risk and worse outcomes in comparison with other T4 lesions is uncertain. Here the outcomes of patients with IFLBC and patients with non-IFLBC treated with modern multimodality therapy are compared.
Methods: Patients with nonmetastatic T4 breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, mastectomy, and radiation therapy between 2006 and 2016 were identified.
Background: Low incidence of breast cancer in men (BCM) (< 1% of all breast cancers) has led to a paucity of outcome data. This study evaluated the impact of age on BCM outcomes.
Methods: For this study, BCM patients treated between 2000 and 2011 were stratified by age (≤ 65 or > 65 years).
Introduction: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is increasingly used for breast cancer risk reduction and treatment. Prior small studies with variable control for baseline characteristics suggest superior satisfaction with NSM. The purpose of this study was to compare patient satisfaction following NSM and total mastectomy (TM) utilizing the BREAST-Q patient-reported outcome measure in a well-characterized patient population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe role of MRI in the workup of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients remains controversial. Breast MRI detects additional disease, but this has not translated into improved outcomes. In light of a dramatic rise in MRI use, we investigated patterns of MRI ordering for newly diagnosed breast cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPatients presenting with pathologic nipple discharge (PND) often pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We used ultrasound to identify focal ductal dilatation-hypothesized to be a radiographic manifestation of the causative lesion-in patients with PND and no relevant clinical or radiographic findings. Twenty-two excisions guided by ultrasound wire localization of focal duct dilation were performed.
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