Psychometric properties of the modified Drug Abuse Screening Test Sinhala version (DAST-SL): evaluation of reliability and validity in Sri Lanka.

Background: Psychoactive drug use is an important public health issue in Sri Lanka as it causes substantial health, social and economic burden to the country. Screening for substance use disorders in people who use drugs is vital in preventive health care, as it can help to identify problematic use early. Screening can aid in referring those in need, for the most appropriate treatment and care.

Knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies on palliative care among medical officers at National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Though palliative care is an essential component in the continuum of cancer care, it is still at an evolving phase in Sri Lanka.

Objective: To identify knowledge, attitude, self-perceived competencies in practicing palliative care and factors associated among medical officers in National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among doctors in National Cancer Institute in 2020/21 using self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies on palliative care.

Tobacco Control Strategies Enrich the National Strategic Plan on Prevention and Control of Cancer in Sri Lanka.

The National Cancer Control Programme Sri Lanka is the main government organization and focal point for coordinating the national response to prevention and control of cancer activities. Present National strategic plan on Cancer Prevention and Control (2020-2024) was developed by multi-sectoral expert groups. The present strategy derives its mandate from the overarching National policy documents including the NATA Act.

A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of paclitaxel and epirubicin in advanced cancer.

The objectives of this phase I trial were to determine the maximally tolerated doses of the combination of epirubicin and paclitaxel with and without G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) support and to investigate whether epirubicin pharmacokinetics are altered by paclitaxel. Patients with advanced cancer, performance status 0-2, and a normal left ventricular ejection fraction who had received up to 1 prior chemotherapy regimen were treated with epirubicin followed by a 3-hour infusion of paclitaxel repeated every 3 weeks. Dose levels studied were (paclitaxel/epirubicin) 155/75, 175/75, 175/90, 200/90 mg/m2 without G-CSF and 175/90 mg/m2 with G-CSF.