Ovarian Cancer in the Sudan - Identifying the Social and Clinical Factors that Prevent an Early Diagnosis

Mohamed, E; Bature, F; Ali, IHM; Abdelaziz, F; Alsayed, S; Mukhtar, MM; Osman, BI; Guinn, B

Abstract

Ovarian cancer, because it often presents with vague symptoms, is a difficult disease to diagnose at the early stages, especially in developing countries. In Sudan, diagnosis is further complicated by additional factors and challenges. First, as in any developing country, access to treatment, facilities and medical staff is generally lacking. Secondly, Sudan is the second largest country in Africa: its very size presents difficulties for the implementation of a centralized health system. The two tertiary hospitals in or near the capital have long patient waiting lists.
The lack of female education in sub-Saharan Africa, together with social and economic issues affecting women, is a further obstacle to disease diagnosis and management. Misdiagnosis, leading to inappropriate treatment, may result from the presence of comorbid diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB), which can mimic ovarian cancer and obstruct early detection. Most patients are identified at the later stages when the complications associated with invasive procedures and conventional chemotherapy make treatment much less effective. The early detection of biomarkers may prove to be a vital tool to indicate targets for immunotherapy treatment.
Financial aid may help improve the outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer in the Sudan, assisting with diagnosing and management procedures including training medical staff. Research and development, documentation and updating the statistical register for the whole country are also important requirements for future improvements.
Finally, there is a need to promote interdisciplinary work between surgeons and clinical oncologists to optimize international guidelines and protocols in accordance with the facilities available.

Citation

Mohamed, E., Bature, F., Ali, I., Abdelaziz, F., Alsayed, S., Mukhtar, M., Osman, B., & Guinn, B. (2021). Ovarian Cancer in the Sudan - Identifying the Social and Clinical Factors that Prevent an Early Diagnosis. Austin Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 8(5), Article 1181. https://doi.org/10.26420/austiniobstetgynecol.2021.1181

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 30, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 6, 2021
• Publication Date: May 6, 2021
• Deposit Date: Feb 2, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 4, 2022
• Journal: Austin Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 5
• Article Number: 1181
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.26420/austiniobstetgynecol.2021.1181
• Keywords: Biomarker; Ovarian cancer; Early detection; Diagnosis; Sub-Saharan Africa; Tuberculosis
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3763472
• Publisher URL: https://austinpublishinggroup.com/obstetrics-gynecology/