Open AccessIntroduction of Radiotherapy in Suriname: Impact on the Treatment of Cervical Cancer
Author(s) -
E.T.M. Dams,
W. B. Hawkins,
Maureen Y. Lichtveld
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of global oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.002
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 2378-9506
DOI - 10.1200/jgo.2016.003889
Subject(s) - medicine , cervical cancer , radiation therapy , incidence (geometry) , cancer , retrospective cohort study , population , stage (stratigraphy) , obstetrics , surgery , physics , optics , paleontology , environmental health , biology
7 Background: Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Surinamese women. Radiotherapy is an essential part of treatment, but until recently was not available in Suriname. Previously, affected women were treated abroad. This study evaluated the effect of the introduction of radiotherapy in 2012 on treatment coverage and quality of care.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, comparing treatment of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in the period 2008-2011, prior to introduction of radiotherapy, to treatment of women diagnosed in the period 2012-2013, who received radiotherapy locally.Results: During the study period January 2008–December 2013, 339 women received a first diagnosis of cervical cancer, corresponding to an average annual incidence rate of 21.3 ± 1.7 per 100,000 female population, with no significant changes during the study period. More than 80% of the women presented with late-stage disease. Creoles and indigenous women showed much higher incidence rates than the other ethnic groups. The proportion of women receiving appropriate radiotherapy increased from 71.6% in the period 2008-2011 to 82.4% in 2012-2013. The waiting time between diagnosis and treatment diminished with 38 days on average. In addition, the percentage women with a delay of >150 days decreased from 29% to 7%.Conclusion: Cervical cancer continues to pose an important health problem for women in Suriname. The introduction of radiotherapy has demonstrated improved treatment of invasive cervical cancer. However, additional prevention and early detection strategies are needed to lower incidence and mortality rates.AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: No COIs from the authors.