Can early cancer detection be improved in deprived areas by involving community pharmacists?

Konya, Judit; Neal, Richard D; Clark, C.; Bearman, David; Campbell, John D.

doi:10.3399/bjgp22x718865

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Other studies have demonstrated pharmacists can play an important role in community outreach efforts based on their training, experience, and penetrance and accessibility in all communities 27 , 29 , 30 , 37. , 38 , 39. and should continue to do so and further expand these efforts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A pharmacist-led community-based survey study: Determining the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on actionable factors associated with worse cancer outcomes and cancer health disparities

Titus-Lay,

Nehira,

Courtney

et al. 2023

Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 37. , 38 , 39. An expanded role in this area also aligns with the Surgeon General's 2018 call to action relating to community health and prosperity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A pharmacist-led community-based survey study: Determining the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on actionable factors associated with worse cancer outcomes and cancer health disparities

Titus-Lay,

Nehira,

Courtney

et al. 2023

Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy

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“…Whilst self-management is encouraged by policy makers, the review suggested an unintended consequence of this self-management may be delayed presentation with symptoms. Pharmacists and dispensaries could be well placed to recognise potentially harmful self-management of certain red flag symptoms (such as the use of antacid medication for dyspepsia) and are encouraged to promote help seeking, however there are no formal referral pathways for community pharmacists to refer patients to primary care or any mechanism for them to ensure help seeking has taken place (112). Further research is needed and future public health self-management messages may need to take this into account, especially in older adults with potentially red flag symptoms.…”

Section: Implications For Policy and Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing symptom appraisal and help-seeking of older adults with possible cancer: a mixed-methods systematic review

et al. 2022

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Background: The burden of cancer falls predominantly on older adults. Prompt presentation to primary care with cancer symptoms could result in an earlier diagnosis. However patient appraisal and help seeking decisions involving cancer symptoms are complex and may be further complicated in older adults. Aim: To explore the effect of older age on patients’ appraisal of symptoms that may indicate cancer and their decision to seek help for these symptoms. Design: Mixed methods systematic review Method: Electronic databases were searched for studies on the appraisal and help seeking of cancer symptoms by adults aged 65 and over. Studies were analysed using thematic synthesis and according to the Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) guidelines Results: Eighty studies were included in the review with a total of 324995 participants. The studies suggested an association between increasing age and a prolonged appraisal interval. Factors such as reduced knowledge of cancer symptoms and differences in symptom interpretation may contribute to this prolonged interval. In contrast, we found an association between increasing age and prompt help-seeking. Themes affecting help seeking included the influence of family and carers, competing priorities, fear, embarrassment, fatalism, co-morbidities, a desire to avoid doctors, a perceived need to not waste doctor’s time and patient self-management of symptoms. Conclusions: This review suggests that increasing age is associated with delayed symptom appraisal. As a result of this review, policy makers, charities and information from GPs should aim to ensure older adults are able to recognise potential symptoms of cancer and can seek help promptly.

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“…Community pharmacists, in addition to their known educational and awareness-raising roles, may play an essential future role in detecting symptoms of probable malignancy. Community pharmacists also appear to be able to advise patients with cancer-related symptoms properly 23 . In addition, due to their convenience and simplicity of access, community pharmacists are in a good position to address public health issues and have an impact on how acute and chronic illnesses and disorders are controlled locally as well as refer patients directly to other healthcare practitioners 23 , 24 .…”

Section: Early Detectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roles of Community Pharmacists in Cancer Management

Egbewande

Abdulwasiu²,

Yusuf³

et al. 2022

Innov Pharm

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Community pharmacists are among the most easily accessible healthcare practitioners and are usually the first point of contact with the public or community. This is often due to their accessibility, credibility, and widespread within the public sector making them essential members of the healthcare team with significant contributions to the delivery of public health care. Community pharmacists, in addition to their known educational and awareness-raising roles, may play an essential role in risk assessment and screening of patients, detection of symptoms of probable malignancy, and cancer treatments. The pharmacy profession has been evolving from dispensing roles into more patient-oriented outcomes and pharmacists are now participating in more clinical interventions. This places community pharmacists in the best position to provide the necessary knowledge and healthcare to benefit populations at risk of cancer. Active involvement of community pharmacists in the care and management of cancer will significantly contribute to screening and risk assessment, early detection, treatment and eradication of breast, cervical, lung, ovarian and other forms of cancer. As a result, the community pharmacy setting must the developed to maximize its full potential in cancer care.

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Can early cancer detection be improved in deprived areas by involving community pharmacists?

Cited by 6 publications

References 10 publications

A pharmacist-led community-based survey study: Determining the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on actionable factors associated with worse cancer outcomes and cancer health disparities

A pharmacist-led community-based survey study: Determining the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on actionable factors associated with worse cancer outcomes and cancer health disparities

Factors influencing symptom appraisal and help-seeking of older adults with possible cancer: a mixed-methods systematic review

Roles of Community Pharmacists in Cancer Management

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