Background: The frequency of radiological investigations increases to many fold now-a-days, so it is necessary to know the knowledge of all physicians about radiation dose, safety measures and regulations which governs the use and practice of radiation examination and their therapeutic use. The objectives comprise to investigate amongst all Physicians: (1) level of knowledge and awareness of radiation dose of radiological investigations and radiobiology of radiation exposure, and (2) to assess physicians’ knowledge about the risks associated with the use of radiological examinations and their safety measures.Methods: A questionnaire targeting about knowledge, safety measures, and radiation biology about some commonly performed radiological procedures was addressed: (1) Relative radiation doses, (2) Associated risks of radiation exposure, (3) What safety measures should be considered before examination. (4) What risk and hazards all physicians considered when requesting radiological examinations.Results: A questionnaire answered by physicians demonstrates loops in knowledge. In all, 15% (14/92) incorrectly believed that magnetic resonance imaging involved radiation exposure and 3% (3/92) incorrectly believed that ultrasound involved radiation exposure; 38% (35/92) stated that they always explain the benefits and risk of radiation to their patients when obtaining informed consent for examinations involving radiation.Conclusions: This study concluded a deficit of knowledge about radiation dose exposure, and hazards among Physicians, which may cause them to request more radiological investigations than appropriate and high-dose investigations instead of lower dose alternatives. Providing better radiation protection training may help improve their basic knowledge on the subject and reduce unnecessary patient exposure to radiation.

BackgroundCancer patients are not routinely assessed for thyroid function after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to the neck, despite hypothyroidism being a known side effect of EBRT. So, this study aimed to assess the incidence of hypothyroidism after therapeutic external beam radiotherapy to the neck and to determine the time for the development of hypothyroidism. MethodologyA non-randomized prospective comparative study was done at a tertiary care center from April 2018 to September 2020. Any cancer patients who were euthyroid before radiotherapy and are planned to receive EBRT to the neck were included as cases, whereas controls were selected from the patients who were euthyroid before radiotherapy and were planned to receive EBRT to the site other than the neck. A total of 100 participants in each case and control group were selected. Data were collected on participants' age, gender, primary tumor site, treatment modality, total radiation dose along with concurrent chemoradiation regimens. Details of blood chemistry including thyroid hormone levels were collected during the preradiation phase and post-radiation phase. After the completion of radiotherapy, both the patients and controls were followed up periodically at three months, six months, nine months, 12 months, and finally at 15 months post-radiation. Data were analyzed and interpreted to pursue defined objectives by using tables and graphs using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS, version 26.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). The chi-square test was applied to find out the association of different variables with the development of hypothyroidism. P-values<0.05 were considered significant throughout. ResultsAccording to our findings, the incidence of hypothyroidism following external beam radiotherapy to the neck where radiation portals included a portion or the entire thyroid gland was 16% and 4%, when the radiation given to sites other than neck region. The difference in incidence between the case and control groups was found to be statically significant (p<0.05). However, it was found that age, gender, the primary tumor site, total radiation dose, and treatment modality had no significant effects on hypothyroidism development. The median time duration to become hypothyroid after EBRT was 12 months. ConclusionsThe monitoring of thyroid function should become a part of routine follow-up procedures in all cancer patients who receive neck radiation as part of their treatment.

Background: A cancer diagnosis can have a significant impact on mental health and wellbeing. Cancer is the second most common cause of death after heart diseases and it accounted for 9.6 million deaths worldwide in 2018. Various individual psychosocial and contextual factors potentially contribute to the development of anxiety and depression among people with cancer. In comparison with general people, the prevalence of anxiety and depression is frequently found to be higher among cancer patient, but estimates vary due to various factors, such as the type of cancer, treatment setting, and prognosis of disease. The present study was conducted to find out the estimate of depression in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and determine the various factors associated with depression.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at Department of Oncology, Government Bundelkhand Medical College and Hospital, Sagar from January to April 2019. 150 participants were interviewed using predesigned questionnaire based on the Beck’s depression inventory.Results: Out of 150 cancer patients, 83 (55.3%) were found to be depressed. Depression was comparatively higher in patients’ ≥50 years; in males. Among the study patients, 83 (55.33%) had depression of which 21 (25.3%) had borderline clinical depression, 54 (65.06%) had moderate depression and 08 (9.6%) had severe depression.Conclusions: The study revealed depression in majority of patients receiving chemotherapy. Treatment of cancer patients need to be complemented by psychological support. Research is urgently needed into the possible impacts of long term effects of cancer treatment on mental health.

Background: This study aimed to explore the experience of cancer patients about chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and its effect on patients’ daily life. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted on cancer patients who experience nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy. Semi-structured interview guide consisting of eight questions was used as a study tool and thematic analysis was done using QDA Miner lite software.Results: Twenty-five participants were included in the final analysis. The median age of the participants was 53 (IQR-15) years and most of the patients were Hindu. All the patients were newly diagnosed. Approximately 80% of patients had received three cycles of chemotherapy by the time of their interviews. Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide (AC), Docetaxel (T), Paclitaxel and Carboplatin (P+C) were the chemotherapy drugs administered. Our findings suggest that chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting has affected many aspects of patient’s lives, especially those related to eating, physical, emotional, and social functioning, but the degree of impact was unique to each patient. Conclusion: The individual experiences of nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy treatment may have a profound effect on treatment compliance and future outcomes. Specific assessment and innovative approaches for its subsequent management are highly needed while considering the complexity of these symptoms.