학술논문
Characteristics of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer in Brazil: preliminary results of the prospective cohort EVITA study (EVA001/LACOG 0215)
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Rodrigues, Angélica Nogueira; de Melo, Andréia Cristina; de Carvalho Calabrich, Aknar Freire; Cronenberger, Eduardo; Torres, Kátia Luz; Damian, Fernanda; Cossetti, Rachel; de Azevedo, Carla Rameri Alexandre Silva; da Fonseca, Allex Jardim; Nerón, Yeni; Nunes, João; Lopes, André; Thomé, Felipe; Leal, Renato; Borges, Giuliano; da Silva, Arthur Ferreira; Rodrigues, Matheus Füehr; Filho, Paulo Ricardo Santos Nunes; Zaffaroni, Facundo; Dal Sasso Freitas, Raquel; Werutsky, Gustavo; Maluf, Fernando
Source
International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. Feb 01, 2022 32(2):141-146
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1048-891X
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Epidemiological and quality of life (QoL) data in patients with cervical cancer from low- and middle-income countries are scarce. We aimed to describe sociodemographic and clinicopathological characteristics and quality of life of patients with cervical cancer at diagnosis in Brazil. METHODS: EVITA is a prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed patients with cervical cancer from May 2016 to December 2017, stages I-IVB, from 16 Brazilian sites representing the five Brazilian regions. At baseline, medical evaluation was performed and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-CX24/C30 questionnaires were administered. RESULTS: A total of 631 patients were included. Mean±SD age was 49.3±13.9 years; skin color was non-white in 65.3%, and 68.0% had ≤8 years of formal education. In total, 85.1% of patients had a Pap smear. The main reasons reported by patients for not having a Pap smear were: lack of interest (46.9%), shame or embarrassment (19.7%), lack of knowledge (19.7%), and difficulty with access (9.1%). Most patients were diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease (FIGO clinical stage II-IV in 81.8%- stage II in 35.2%, stage III in 36.1%, and stage IV in 10.5%). Patients with clinical stage III-IV had worse physical functioning and role functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical cancer in Brazil is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Most patients have low formal education and are unemployed. Lack of interest was identified as a main reason for not having a screening test, and limited access was reported as a reason by <10% of the patients. Awareness campaigns must be a governmental priority, specially focused on the needy population, along with wide access to treatment.