Abstract 1863
Background
The waiting time for cancer diagnosis and treatment could influence patients’ survival. However, in Poland the waiting time is still long. In Poland, medical care is financed by the government and free for patients, but in a situation of long waiting times for diagnostic tests or in cases where it is impossible to obtain some other health services, patients use the private sector. The rationale for this study was to figure out if there are any difficulties in the oncological system and assessment of whether patients have to use the private sector.
Methods
The study was carried out on a group of 384 patients who were being treated for malignant neoplasm in five oncological centers in Poland. A questionnaire was prepared specifically for this study and each patient was interviewed individually. The questionnaire was validated on a group of 20 patients. The measure of compliance was calculated using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee. All of the participants had submitted a signed consent form.
Results
202 women and 180 men (2 no data) were analyzed, median age 65 years. 67% of patients declared problems with getting social service and significant differences in getting social service were observed between various regions of Poland (p < 0.001). One third of patients (32%) used private services during the diagnostic process. Patients with higher education showed significantly more frequent problems (p = 0.03). 91% of patients declared difficulties during treatment. Those who showed significantly more frequent problems were: women (p = 0.04), younger patients (p = 0.0015), professionally active (p = 0.025) with higher education (p < 0.001), living in cities (p = 0.016). More than half of patients with higher education (54%) paid for healthcare services in comparison with patients with lower education levels (average 25%) (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Cancer patients have some difficulties in the oncological system in Poland. The younger people, those with higher education, the professionally active, and those living in cities seem to be more aware of their rights. The proper solution could be to introduce corrections in oncological organization to avoid the need of using private services.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
4634 - Comparative molecular analyses between microsatellite stable BRAFV600E mutant colorectal cancers and BRAFV600E mutant melanomas.
Presenter: Mohamed Salem
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3264 - A novel preclinical model of RAF-independent MEK1 mutant tumors and its treatment with novel ATP competitive MEK inhibitor
Presenter: Luca Hegedus
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4918 - HER2 inhibition in Aggressive Squamous Cell Carcinomas driven by a common MET Sema Domain Polymorphism
Presenter: Nur Afiqah Mohamed Salleh
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2426 - ADAM9 as a target for lung cancer treatment
Presenter: Yuh-pyng Sher
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5537 - Novel polyurea/polyurethane nanocapsules loaded with a tambjamine analog to improve cancer chemotherapy delivery and safety in lung cancer
Presenter: Marta Perez Hernandez
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1597 - Discovery of Clinical Candidate DBPR112, a Furanopyrimidine-based Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Presenter: Hsing-pang Hsieh
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3543 - Molecular characteristics in lung squamous cell carcinomas dependent on TP53 status – putative targets
Presenter: Vilde Haakensen
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4111 - Comparison of molecular profiles between primary tumour and matched metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer
Presenter: Asuka Kawachi
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4559 - Treatment with BLU-667, a potent and selective RET inhibitor, provides rapid clearance of ctDNA in Patients with RET-altered Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Thyroid Cancer
Presenter: Giuseppe Curigliano
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2501 - Triple MET/SRC/PIM inhibition in MET addicted tumors
Presenter: Ilaria Attili
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract