A recent scientific study has highlighted the importance of making primary healthcare services available to women with breast cancer, especially those facing social or economic hardships, as this plays a role in enhancing their chances of obtaining medical screenings and monitoring their health needs.
The scientific website "Medical Xpress" reported on Monday that the study was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. It was conducted by researchers from Western University and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, in collaboration with researchers from the London Health Sciences Centre.
The researchers analyzed data from 4,004 patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer from their initial diagnosis in Ontario province between 2010 and 2019. The results showed that patients who had a connection with a family doctor were more likely to undergo mammography in the two years preceding their diagnosis.
The study emphasized the importance of primary care in facilitating access to screenings and monitoring health status, alongside its role in coordinating services with specialist doctors. It also examined the association between social and economic circumstances, including income, housing stability, age, and chronic diseases, with health outcomes in this group.
Researchers noted that social marginalization may increase the difficulty of accessing appropriate medical services. They also stressed that residents of rural areas may face additional challenges in reaching cancer treatment centers due to distances and the need to travel to major cities.
They clarified the importance of developing healthcare services in rural areas and enhancing integration between primary and specialized care, including leveraging telehealth services. Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from the breast to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs, or brain, and is also known as stage four breast cancer.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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