The burden of breast and cervical cancer is increasing exponentially, especially among women in low- and mid-income countries. Early detection, hinged on screening uptake is a key to higher survival rate and managing cancer outcome. The present study assessed Nigerians and Egyptians’ knowledge of breast self-examination (BSE) and breast and cervical cancer screening. A cross-sectional questionnaire was utilized to obtain 1,006 respondents via a convenient sampling method. The mean age of respondents was 30.43 ± 6.69. About one-third of participants had good knowledge (> 66%) of breast cancer screening (42%), cervical cancer screening (44%) and BSE practice (36%). Age range (26–40 years), educational level (tertiary), and marital status were demographic data that influenced knowledge level. The screening uptake among the studied population is very poor as only (11%) had ever been screened and only (2.2%) ever vaccinated. The major reasons for poor screening uptake were “no awareness of where to be screened” and “no symptoms”. Assessing the knowledge and uptake level of African women through studies like this is crucial in identifying the loopholes in the fight against cancer. More efforts are required for promoting the utilization of cancer screening services, HPV vaccination, and BSE practice among African women. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0303-3 Full Text: PDF

Background: The burden of breast and cervical cancer is increasing exponentially, especially among women in low- and mid-income countries due to late diagnosis, unhealthy lifestyle choices and adoption of western lifestyles. Early detection, hinged on screening uptake is a key to higher survival rate and managing cancer outcome. Despite some improvement noticed in developed countries, the control of these preventable diseases in African countries including Nigeria and Egypt seems insurmountable. Therefore, this study focused on assessing the knowledge and uptake of Nigerians and Egyptians towards breast self-examination (BSE) and breast and cervical cancer screening. Results: A community-based cross-sectional questionnaire was utilized in both countries to obtain 1,006 respondents via a convenient sampling method. The mean age of study participants was 30.43 6.69. About one-third of participants had a good knowledge (> 66 %) of breast cancer screening (423, 42 %), cervical cancer screening (446, 44 %) and BSE practice (363, 36 %). Age range (26 40 years), educational level (tertiary) and marital status were demographic data that influenced knowledge level. Though with a fairly satisfactory knowledge level, the screening uptake among studied population is very poor as only (111, 11 %) had ever been screened and only (22, 2.2 %) ever vaccinated. The major reasons for poor screening uptake were no awareness of where to be screened and no symptoms. Conclusions: Assessing the knowledge and uptake level of African women through studies like this is crucial in identifying the loopholes in the fight against cancer in Africa. More efforts are required in promoting utilization of cancer screening services, HPV vaccination and BSE practice among African women. The media and internet should be leveraged on as they are the major sources of information about cancer among the respondents.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a known risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. Several epidemiological studies have pointed out to an association of HCV infection with other extrahepatic malignancies. The role of chronic HCV in breast cancer causation is less clear. Egypt is an endemic area of HCV infection with resulting significant morbidity. The association between HCV status and breast cancer risk in Egyptian women is hitherto unknown. Methods: A retrospective study was performed. The prevalence of anti-HCV seropositivity was estimated in a sample of women with a breast cancer diagnosis, retrieved from the hospital records, and was compared to the raw data of a population study in Egypt. Anti-HCV negative and positive patients were compared regarding the disease course and outcome. Results: Retrospective analysis revealed a markedly high prevalence of anti-HCV seropositivity in young breast cancer patients. In patients younger than 45 years, 13.4% were anti-HCV positive. Seropositivity was 6-fold higher in these patients than in adult females of the same age without cancer diagnosis ( P = .003). The biological type, tumor size, nodal status, and disease-free survival were not affected by the patients’ HCV status. Conclusion: Young Egyptian breast cancer patients have a dramatically high prevalence of HCV seropositivity. Further population studies are strongly required to investigate the epidemiological association of these two significant health problems.

Tamoxifen, a non-steroidal selective estrogen receptor modulator is a widely used drug for the prevention and breast cancer treatment. It binds to the hormone-receptors to prevent the binding of the cancer cells in the breast to the hormones they need for growth. It undergoes metabolic activation which converts it to an active metabolite (endoxifen and afimoxifene) by the action of cytochromeP450 isoforms CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP3A4. Notable among its side effects include hot flashes, weight loss, endometrial and uterine cancer, irregular periods, stroke, abnormal fetal development in pregnant women and others discussed in our review. Other than breast cancer, medicinal potential of tamoxifen has been probed in several therapeutic targets. The outcome has shown great promise in managing osteoporosis, infertility, advanced gliomas, lung and liver cancer, among many others. The major drawbacks on the use of tamoxifen have been centered on its resistance and associated side effects. Some of the notable future direction of tamoxifen is centered on overcoming its resistance as well as repurposing of tamoxifen in wider cancer settings.  Targeting LEM4 as a biomarker for predicting tamoxifen resistance in ER-positive breast cancer could be a viable research area in the future to overcome tamoxifen resistance.

The burden of breast and cervical cancer in terms of incidence and mortality in low- and mid-income countries is increasing daily due to late diagnosis, unhealthy lifestyle choices, late presentation, and poor attitude to screening. Early detection increases the chances of survival. This present study assessed Assam women’s breast and cervical cancer screening (CCS) awareness, the practice of breast self-examination (BSE), and uptake of human papillomavirus vaccines. An internet-based cross-sectional questionnaire was utilized to obtain 251 consenting respondents. The mean age of respondents was 27.8 ± 6.91. Only 205 (81.7%) and 110 (43.8%) respondents have satisfactory levels of BCS, and CCS knowledge, respectively. While only 76 (30.3%) respondents had satisfactory BSE practice. Age range (26 – 32 years), tertiary education, and being single were demographic characteristics that influenced knowledge and practice. Though the respondents had a satisfactory knowledge level, screening uptake among respondents is very poor as only 32 (12.7 %) had ever been screened and only 19 (7.6 %) ever been vaccinated. The major reasons for poor screening uptake were “no symptoms” and “not aware of screening location”. Most respondents (227, 90.4 %) are willing to go for screening if well oriented. This presents an opportunity to enhance awareness about screening and vaccination among Assam women. The media/internet and health practitioners can be leveraged to promote the uptake and utilization of screening services and BSE practice. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-5 Full Text: PDF