Asia-Pacific journal of clinical oncology
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Health literacy refers to one's ability to obtain, process and understand health information and services to enable sound health decision-making. This is an area of increasing importance due to the complexity of the health system, especially in the cancer setting. A certain level of health literacy is required for patients to fully understand health information and services to make sound decisions about their health care, including decisions about screening and treatment. ⋯ In addition, cancer patients who have a poor understanding of their disease may experience greater anxiety and be more dissatisfied with their care. Various strategies have been suggested to assist cancer patients with low health literacy. However, more work needs to be done to support all cancer patients with varying levels of health literacy, thus enhancing health experiences and health outcomes.
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Asia Pac J Clin Oncol · Mar 2012
Pilot study evaluating the role of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in monitoring adjuvant trastuzumab therapy for breast cancer.
To explore the incidence of subclinical cardiotoxicity in women treated with adjuvant trastuzumab in the early breast cancer setting using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI). ⋯ Tissue characterization using cMRI may provide a useful tool in defining trastuzumab induced cardiotoxicity.
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Asia Pac J Clin Oncol · Mar 2012
Quantification of trends in radiation oncology infrastructure in Pakistan, 2004-2009.
To provide objective estimates of radiation oncology infrastructure in Pakistan for the years 2004 and 2009 in order to quantify trends in radiotherapy facilities, patient load and to identify the future needs. ⋯ While there was an increase in number of radiotherapy centers, equipment and human resources available, this was insufficient to comply with international guidelines. An adequate enhancement in radiation oncology infrastructure is needed to cope with the predicted rise in cancer incidence.