BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Morocco. Screening for early detection has led to reduction in mortality from the disease. It is known that female healthcare professionals have greater influence on women's positive perception of breast cancer and motivation to practice screening methods for early detection of the disease. This study aims to investigate knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, beliefs about treatment and practice of screening methods among a cohort of female healthcare professionals in Morocco.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire to assess the knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, beliefs about treatment and practice of screening methods among 136 female doctors and nurses working in the university hospital of Rabat, Morocco. Stratified random sampling method was employed. Chi square test, analysis of variance and Mantel-Haenszel test were performed in data analysis using SPSS v19.0.ResultsFemale doctors were the only professional group that had satisfactory knowledge of risk factors while the nurses had an unsatisfactory knowledge with a mean score of 43%. A half of participants believed that that herbal therapy can cure breast cancer. 75% practice breast self-examination once a month and only 15% have ever had a mammogram. Age, profession and beliefs were not significantly associated with rate of BSE in this study; however this rate is influenced by knowledge of breast cancer risk factors.ConclusionResults from this study suggest the need for continuing medical education programs aimed at improving knowledge of breast cancer among the nurses.

Background: Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene are commonly observed in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly in adenocarcinoma histology (aNSCLC). The frequency of EGFR mutations is ethnicity-dependent, with a higher proportion in Asian populations than Caucasian populations. Yet there is a lack of data of these mutations among North African patients. The aim of this study was to report the frequency and types of EGFR mutations in a group of NSCLC Moroccan patients. Methods: Tumor specimens from Moroccan patients with NSCLC were collected, between November 2010 and December 2017 to determine frequency and types of EGFR mutations. Tumors were tested for EGFR by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of exons 18, 19, 20, and 21. Results: A total of 334 patients were consequently enrolled: 242 (72.5%) males and 92 females (27.5%), with a mean age of 61.9 years. 56.9% had a history of smoking, and only the adenocarcinoma histology are considered .EGFR testing of 334 (100%) demonstrated wild typein 261 (78.1%) and mutated EGFR in 73 (21.9%).Mutations were mainly detected in the exon 19 (65.8%), followed by exon 21 L858 (17.8%),exon 21codon (5.5%) and exon 18 (6.8%), whereas mutations in the exon 20 were less frequent(4.1%). In patients with aNSCLC, the detection of EGFR mutation was independently associated with gender (41,3% females Vs.14,5% males; p < 0.001) and smoking status (34.8% non-smokers Vs. 12.9%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings confirm the genetic heterogeneity of NSCLC worldwide, reporting frequency of EGFR mutations in NSCLC Moroccan patients intermediate between Asian (50%) and Caucasian (15%) populations. The substantial lack of data from several large geographic regions of the world, notably our region, highlights a potential lack of routine mutation testing and consequent access to EGFR targeted agents, suggesting the need for further research implementations in Morocco.Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.129P Anlotinib can overcome acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs via FGFR1 signaling in non-small cell lung cancer

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