Challenges and opportunities in the implementation of advanced brachytherapy programs for cervical cancer in the Philippines.
Warren R BacorroBianca Nikkola OlonanHenri Cartier CoAnna Maria Fineza-Dela CruzPublished in: Asia-Pacific journal of clinical oncology (2023)
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer cause of morbidity and mortality in Filipino women; the age-standardized annual incidence is 15.2 as of March 2023. The majority are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage and in the reproductive and working age group. This results in important treatment and productivity costs. The importance of image-guided and interstitial brachytherapy (BRT) in local control and toxicity outcomes has been shown in recent meta-analyses. We review the status of advanced BRT program training and implementation in the Philippines and important challenges and opportunities to move forward.
Keyphrases
- locally advanced
- meta analyses
- quality improvement
- high dose
- rectal cancer
- radiation therapy
- neoadjuvant chemotherapy
- squamous cell carcinoma
- primary care
- healthcare
- phase ii study
- systematic review
- papillary thyroid
- public health
- randomized controlled trial
- climate change
- squamous cell
- type diabetes
- clinical trial
- low dose
- metabolic syndrome
- insulin resistance
- combination therapy
- young adults
- glycemic control
- pregnant women
- skeletal muscle
- lymph node
- cervical cancer screening
- childhood cancer