Keyword: cancer

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Ovarian cancer is a major cause of cancer death in women, mostly due to late detection. Quality control (QC) in molecular genetics laboratories is essential for accurate testing of BRCA1/2 and other mutations. This study evaluated QC practices in molecular genetics laboratories in Kazakhstan conducting ovarian cancer diagnostics in a resource-limited setting and compared them with international standards. Aim: To assess the quality control practices of molecular genetics laboratories involved in ovarian cancer diagnostics in Kazakhstan.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 25 laboratory employees from three molecular genetics laboratories in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The questionnaire assessed internal quality control (IQC), external quality assessment (EQA) participation, SOP compliance, and operational challenges. Data were analysed using SPSS v.28. A systematic literature review based on PRISMA 2020 guidelines was also performed.
Results: Daily use of positive and negative controls was reported by 68% of respondents, while 52% performed daily DNA quality checks and 60% reported full SOP compliance. Equipment calibration was conducted weekly or monthly (44% each) rather than daily. Major challenges included sample contamination (56%), unreliable reagents (48%), and inadequate funding (68%). EQA participation was 76%. Respondents recommended improved training (52%), automation (36%), and better sample handling (32%). The review indicated that daily controls, high-depth NGS, and automation achieved 98–99% accuracy in BRCA1/2 testing.
Discussion: QC practices in Kazakh laboratories are reasonable but reveal gaps in calibration frequency, sample integrity, and resources. Daily calibration, affordable automation, local EQA programs, and staff training could improve diagnostic accuracy in resource-limited settings.

ABSTRACT: Background: Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge globally and disproportionately affects women in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana. Community health nurses (CHNs) play a critical role in promoting cervical cancer prevention, education, screening advocacy, and referral services within rural and underserved communities. However, limited evidence exists regarding their cognizance of cervical cancer and related service delivery practices within community-based healthcare settings in Ghana. This study assessed cervical cancer cognizance and service delivery practices among community health nurses within the Krobo Enclave in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among community health nurses within the Upper Manya Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo, and Yilo Krobo municipalities between January and April 2020. Using a census sampling approach, all 177 eligible community health nurses were targeted for participation. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, general awareness, knowledge, and cervical cancer-related service delivery practices. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square analysis, logistic regression, and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis were performed using STATA version 14.
Results: A total of 145 community health nurses participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 81.9%. Most respondents demonstrated low general awareness regarding cervical cancer (62.8%), although moderate overall knowledge levels were observed, with 55.9% demonstrating high knowledge scores. Knowledge regarding cervical cancer risk factors, prevention, symptoms, and treatment was generally satisfactory; however, knowledge and practical experience related to screening procedures such as Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and Pap smear testing were limited. Cervical cancer service delivery practices were generally poor, with 67.6% of respondents demonstrating low service delivery practice scores. Educational level was significantly associated with general awareness (p = 0.015). A weak but statistically significant positive relationship was observed between cervical cancer cognizance and service delivery practices (r = 0.20, p = 0.015).
Conclusion: Although community health nurses demonstrated moderate knowledge regarding cervical cancer, general awareness and service delivery practices were suboptimal. The findings suggest that knowledge alone may not translate into effective cervical cancer prevention practices within community healthcare settings. Regular in-service training, practical screening workshops, and strengthened integration of cervical cancer prevention services within the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) system are needed to improve community-level cervical cancer prevention and early detection efforts in Ghana.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Thyroid cancer is one of the most common endocrine malignancies. According to global studies, its prevalence has been increasing worldwide and continues to grow. Although there have been global epidemiological studies on thyroid cancer, there is limited data on its epidemiology in Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study utilized data from the Unified National Electronic Health System on thyroid cancer patients in Kazakhstan from 2014 to 2021. A descriptive analysis of patients was performed based on key demographic factors. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and Cox proportional hazards regression.
Results: In total, 4,877 cases of thyroid cancer have been included during the period from 2014 to 2021 in Kazakhstan. Most of the diagnosed patients throughout the given period were females. The highest incidence and prevalence rates were found in the age group of 51-70 years old, while the highest mortality rate was among patients older than 70 years. Increasing age and male sex were the major predictors of mortality among thyroid cancer patients.
Conclusion: The obtained data coaligned with global data on thyroid cancer. Increased age, male sex, and living area were associated with poor prognosis. The study was limited by missing information on comorbidities and treatment types that the patients could have received. Therefore, further research is needed to assess the impact of such significant factors on survival.

ABSTRACT: Notwithstanding notable advancements in occupational health and safety over the past century, occupational injuries and illnesses occur frequently worldwide. Mining is among the highest-risk occupational environments, exposing workers to acute and chronic health problems. This narrative review explores research evidence of different mining-related hazards, with a special focus on asbestos exposure. Mineworkers more commonly face biological, chemical, physical, ergonomics, and psychological hazards than other industries. Exposure to respiratory particles like silica and coal dust contributes to respiratory diseases like pneumoconiosis, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung diseases. Due to the physically demanding nature of the work and poor ergonomics, the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) occurring in soft tissues and surrounding body structures is high in mineworkers. Despite technological advancement and safety precautions, the mining industry remains a high-risk workplace with disproportionately higher rates of occupational injuries. Routine exposure to carcinogens results in a high risk of stomach and lung cancers. Chrysotile is the most used asbestos in the mining industry, causing asbestosis and mesothelioma. While some countries have introduced regulations to limit or phase out the use of asbestos, asbestos is still used in many countries. Studies are warranted to investigate the immediate and long-term health effects and potential risk factors. Essential preventive measures, consistent enforcement of safety standards, and accessible healthcare are essential to ensure overall well-being.

ABSTRACT: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cancer, is steadily increasing in Kazakhstan alongside socioeconomic development, highlighting the urgent need for effective national management and control strategies. The Electronic Registry of Oncological Patients (EROP) is a key initiative designed to support this goal by enabling comprehensive surveillance of cancer patients across the country. This review examines the patient journey that informs EROP’s data collection process and explores its potential as a foundation for local cancer epidemiology research. Analysis of the registry reveals extensive coverage of dispensary, outpatient, and inpatient visits, capturing detailed socio-demographic information, diagnoses, treatments, and mortality outcomes. EROP provides valuable insights into cancer morbidity, mortality, and quality of life across spatial and temporal dimensions in Kazakhstan. The review also addresses current limitations and underexplored aspects of the registry, emphasizing the importance of careful interpretation to ensure robust, evidence-based research.