Health care system factors associated with receipt of treatment and treatment intent in stage III non-small cell lung cancer: A population-based study in Ontario.

Purpose: Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a heterogeneous disease, with a spectrum of anatomic extent, health status, and treatment approaches. Receipt of treatment and its intent should be independent of health system factors where care quality is optimal. We investigated the degree that modifiable health system factors are associated with receipt of treatment and treatment intent in stage III NSCLC in a large, universal health system.

Patient Factors Associated with 10-Year Survival After Arthroplasty for Hip Fracture: A Population-Based Study in Ontario, Canada.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe long-term (10-year) patient survival after arthroplasty for hip fracture and to determine what patient factors are associated with that outcome.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients ≥60 years old who underwent either hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fracture between 2002 and 2009. We used routinely collected, validated health-care databases linked through ICES (formerly known as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences).

Total hip arthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fracture: Survey of orthopaedic surgeons in Ontario, Canada.

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) for displaced femoral neck fractures in older patients remains a controversial topic. This study describes patient and surgeon factors that are associated with surgeons' recommendation of THA for this patient population. Furthermore, this study explores surgeon perceptions on why most patients are treated with hemiarthroplasty over THA.

Radiation Therapy and Indigenous Peoples in Canada and Australia: Building Paths Toward Reconciliation in Cancer Care Delivery.

Indigenous peoples represent approximately 5% of the world's population and reside in over 90 countries worldwide. They embody a rich diversity of cultures, traditions, languages and relationships with the land that are shared through many generations and that are distinct from those of the settler societies within which they now live. Many Indigenous peoples have a shared experience of discrimination, trauma, and violation of rights, rooted in complex sociopolitical relationships with settler societies that are still ongoing.

Comparative Effectiveness of Total Hip Arthroplasty and Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fracture: A Propensity-Score-Matched Cohort Study.

Background: The optimal treatment of older patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture remains a controversial topic. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes across a matched group of patients with a femoral neck fracture treated with either hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: Routinely collected health-care databases were linked to create a population-based cohort of 49,597 patients ≥60 years old from Ontario, Canada, who underwent hemiarthroplasty or THA for a femoral neck fracture between 2002 and 2017.

Total hip arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty for treatment of femoral neck fractures : a population-based analysis of practice variation in Ontario, Canada.

Aims: This study aimed to describe practice variation in the use of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for older patients with femoral neck fracture and to determine the association between patient, surgeon, and institution factors and treatment with THA.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 49,597 patients aged 60 years and older from Ontario, Canada, who underwent hemiarthroplasty or THA for femoral neck fracture between 2002 and 2017. This population-based study used routinely collected healthcare databases linked through ICES (formerly known as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences).

System-Level Capacity of High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy for Management of Cervical Cancer in an Upper-Middle Income Country: A Case Study From Brazil.

Purpose: Ensuring optimal access to radiation therapy (RT) facilities is challenging for many countries. External beam RT and brachytherapy (BCT) are required to treat advanced cervical cancer. In this analysis, we evaluated the system-level capacity of BCT in Brazil and its relationship with access to complete cervix cancer radiation treatment with both external beam RT and BCT.

Factors associated with cancer treatment delay: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Treatment delays are significantly associated with increased mortality risk among adult cancer patients; however, factors associated with these delays have not been robustly evaluated. This review and meta-analysis will evaluate factors associated with treatment delays among patients with five common cancers.

Methods And Analysis: Scientific databases including Ovid MEDLINE, Elsevier Embase, EBSCOhost CINAHL Plus Full Text, Elsevier Scopus and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global will be searched to identify relevant articles published between January 2000 and October 2021.

Are patients with cancer at higher risk of COVID-19-related death? A systematic review and critical appraisal of the early evidence.

Background: Early reports suggested that COVID-19 patients with cancer were at higher risk of COVID-19-related death. We conducted a systematic review with risk of bias assessment and synthesis of the early evidence on the risk of COVID-19-related death for COVID-19 patients with and without cancer.

Methods And Findings: We searched Medline/Embase/BioRxiv/MedRxiv/SSRN databases to 1 July 2020.

The risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 or developing COVID-19 for people with cancer: A systematic review of the early evidence.

Background: The early COVID-19 literature suggested that people with cancer may be more likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 or develop COVID-19 than people without cancer, due to increased health services contact and/or immunocompromise. While some studies were criticised due to small patient numbers and methodological limitations, they created or reinforced concerns of clinicians and people with cancer. These risks are also important in COVID-19 vaccine prioritisation decisions.

A population-based study of administrative data linkage to measure melanoma surgical and pathology quality.

Background: Continuous quality improvement is important for cancer systems. However, collecting and compiling quality indicator data can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Here we explore the utility and feasibility of linked routinely collected health data to capture key elements of quality of care for melanoma in a single-payer, universal health care setting.

Provincial variations in radiotherapy utilization as a measure of access: A pan-Canadian study.

Background And Purpose: Access to radiotherapy (RT) is a key component of a cancer control strategy. However, radiotherapy utilization (RTU) rates fall short of desired benchmarks in certain Canadian provinces. We aimed to describe provincial variations in RTU across Canada.

Restructuring Skin Cancer Care in Ontario: A Provincial Plan.

There is a global rise in skin cancer incidence, resulting in an increase in patient care needs and healthcare costs. To optimize health care planning, costs, and patient care, Ontario Health developed a provincial skin cancer plan to streamline the quality of care. We conducted a systematic review and a grey literature search to evaluate the definitions and management of skin cancer within other jurisdictions, as well as a provincial survey of skin cancer care practices, to identify care gaps.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on skin cancer diagnosis: A population-based study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and has led to drastic reductions in non-urgent medical visits. Deferral of these visits may have critical health impact, including delayed diagnosis for melanoma and other skin cancers. We examined the influence of the pandemic on skin biopsy rates in a large population-based cohort.

Mortality due to cancer treatment delay: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To quantify the association of cancer treatment delay and mortality for each four week increase in delay to inform cancer treatment pathways.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Published studies in Medline from 1 January 2000 to 10 April 2020.

Feasibility Study of a Smartphone Application for Detecting Skin Cancers in People With Albinism.

Purpose: Albinism affects some facets of the eye's function and coloration, as well as hair and skin color. The prevalence of albinism is estimated to be one in 2,000-5,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa and one in 270 in Tanzania. People in Tanzania with albinism experience sociocultural and economic disparities.

Impact of a global radiation oncology scholarship for trainees: An evaluation of early outcomes.

Global Oncology capacity in Radiation Oncology (RO) needs development. We report on early outcomes of a Canadian Global Oncology elective scholarship program for trainees (2014-2019). The number of global oncology electives increased.

Systematic Review of Modern Case Series of Squamous Cell Cancer Arising in a Chronic Ulcer (Marjolin's Ulcer) of the Skin.

Purpose: Marjolin's ulcer is an aggressive cutaneous malignancy that arises in chronic nonhealing wounds. A review of modern series describing Marjolin's ulcer would be helpful in defining optimal management strategies and expected outcomes.

Methods: A systematic review was performed on October 18, 2018, by querying Medline and EMBASE.

Examining geographic accessibility to radiotherapy in Canada and Greenland for indigenous populations: Measuring inequities to inform solutions.

Background: A high cancer burden exists among indigenous populations worldwide. Canada and Greenland have similar geographic features that make health service delivery challenging. We sought to describe geographic access to radiotherapy for indigenous populations in both regions.

A geostatistical study of socioeconomic status (SES), rurality, seasonality and index test results as drivers of free private groundwater testing in southern Ontario, 2012-2016.

Approximately 12% of the Canadian population uses private wells for daily water consumption; however, well water testing rates are on the decline, resulting in an increased risk of waterborne acute gastrointestinal illness. To date, limited research has explored the determinants influencing well testing practices. Accordingly, the current study sought to investigate the drivers of "one-off" and repeat well water testing in southern Ontario during the 5-year period 2012-2016, using the worlds largest private groundwater testing data-frame.

Access to radiotherapy among circumpolar Inuit populations.

Cancer is a substantial health burden for Inuit populations, an Indigenous peoples who primarily inhabit the circumpolar regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Russia. Access to radiotherapy is lacking or absent in many of these regions, despite it being an essential component of cancer treatment. This Review presents an overview of factors influencing radiotherapy delivery in each of the four circumpolar Inuit regions, which include population and geography, health-systems infrastructure, and cancer epidemiology.

Access to radiotherapy and its association with cancer outcomes in a high-income country: Addressing the inequity in Canada.

Background And Purpose: Canada is a high-income country with universal healthcare. In international comparisons, its overall level of access to radiotherapy appears sufficient. However, challenges exist due to Canada's large geographic area and small population density.