Carol Benn

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Pathologic Diagnosis and Current Chemotherapy Treatment Options

© Touch MEdical MEdia 2014 iii In order to comply with the latest recommendations outlined by ICMJE the publisher would like to make the following amendments to the Disclosure section: Bernardo L Rapoport, Simon Nayler, Georgia S Demetriou, Shun D Moodley and Carol A Benn have no conflicts of interest to declare. No funding was received in the publication of this article. Citation: Oncology & Hematology Review, 2014;10(2):iii [online only] Erratum to: Oncology & Hematology Review, 2014;10(1):25–32 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Pathologic Diagnosis and Current Chemotherapy Treatment Options

Male Breast Cancer Has Limited Effect on Survivor's Perceptions of Their Own Masculinity: A Record Review and Telephone Survey of Patients in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The purpose of the current study was to describe male breast cancer in Johannesburg, South Africa, and assess whether male breast cancer patients’ perception of their own masculinity was affected by having a cancer commonly seen in women. A retrospective file review was carried out at two hospitals, one private and one government, of male breast cancer patients from 2007 to 2012 followed by a telephone survey of patients identified during review. Of approximately 3,000 breast cancer patients seen in the 5 years reviewed, 23 cases of male breast cancer were identified. Most were diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (n = 19, 83%). Stage at presentation was from stages 0 to 3 (Stage 0 [n = 2, 9%], Stage 1 [n = 3, 13%], Stage 2 [n = 12, 52%], Stage 3 [n = 6, 26%]) and no patients were metastatic at presentation. The telephonic survey was completed by 18 patients (78%). Nearly all (n = 17/18) shared their diagnosis with family and close friends. Two thirds of patients delayed presentation and government hospital patients were more likely to present later than private sector hospital patients. Although most male breast cancer patients sampled did not perceive the breast cancer diagnosis as affecting their masculinity, Black men and those treated in government hospitals were less likely to be aware of male breast cancer, and were more likely to have their perception of their own masculinity affected.

The Effect of Access to Information on Beliefs Surrounding Breast Cancer in South Africa

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in South Africa. There is little knowledge of beliefs to help identify key areas to improve support and education in this demographically and culturally diverse population. Women with a variety of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics accessing care for breast cancer were asked their agreement to statements of knowledge and beliefs about breast cancer. Of the 259 participants, positive statements of medical cure (87.9%) and family support (90.5%) were most commonly believed. Beliefs in faith-based cure and alternative treatments were also present (79.5 and 24.9%, respectively). Negative beliefs were initially more likely in black patients (RR: 11.57, 95%CI: 1.37–97.69) as was belief of cancer as a punishment (RR: 6.85, 95%CI: 1.41–33.21). However, in multivariate analysis adjusting for age, education and access to information (by newspaper, Internet and confidence in reading and writing), there was no difference between racial groups or hospital attended. Reading a newspaper or accessing the Internet was the most protective against belief that cancer was a punishment or curse (Internet use: aRR: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.02–0.99), belief in alternative methods of cure (newspaper use: aRR: 0.51, 95%CI: 0.27–0.96) and the negative beliefs of death and disfigurement (Internet use: aRR: 0.00, 95%CI: 0.00–0.00). Positive expressions of cure and beating cancer were found equally in all women. Attitudes and beliefs about cancer showed little independent demographic or socioeconomic variance. Negative beliefs were mitigated by access to information and confidence in literacy.

Costs of Diagnosing Breast-Related Conditions at a Large, Public Hospital in a Middle-Income Country Without Population-Level Screening

Abstract 42Background:Literature regarding the costs and cost-effectiveness of diagnosing breast disease globally, including cancer, has focused on mammographic screening in high-income settings. South Africa, a middle-income country, is currently crafting its first national breast cancer policy, and information on costs and best practices for national imaging services in low- and middle-income settings is required. We undertook this work to estimate the average cost per procedure and per patient for diagnosis of breast conditions by using a large, public outpatient clinic in Johannesburg as well as to explore potential cost savings through rationing mammography for diagnosis.Methods:Results of a retrospective clinical cohort study conducted at an outpatient clinic in 2013 and 2014 were used to establish a 12-month population of clinic patients and diagnostic service statistics. We used microcosting to estimate the average cost for each diagnostic procedure from the health service perspective. An Excel-ba...