Güneş, Demet; Atalikoğlu Başkan, Sebahat

Objective: This study aimed to identify the effect of fatalist beliefs on the attitude toward cancer screening. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study design had a research population comprising individuals residing in Türkiye and aged ≥18 years; the research sample comprised 1,516 individuals who satisfied the inclusion criteria of this study. We used the personal information form, the Fatalism Scale, and the Attitude Scale for Cancer Screening-Short Form for this study. Results: The results revealed statistically significant differences in the means of the participants’ Fatalism Scale scores for the following variables: education level, income level, place of residence, profession, and perceived state of health (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed in the means of the scores obtained by the participants from the Attitude Scale for Cancer Screening-Short Form for the following variables: gender, education level, income level, and cigarette smoking status (p<0.05). These findings showed that fatalism had a statistically significant negative relationship with the cancer screening attitude (t=-2.171, p<0.05). Conclusion: It was ascertained that the participants had a positive attitude toward cancer screening and medium-level fatalism perception, and increased levels of fatalism perception negatively affected the attitude toward cancer screening.

Sumbul, Ahmet Taner; Sedef, Ali Murat; Karacin, Cengiz; Bilir, Cemil; Akagunduz, Baran

Cancer is a disease in which some body cells with genetic or epigenetic changes become capable of replicating and invading other regions of the body uncontrollably. Numerous functional abilities and features are acquired by these cells during this multistage neo¬plastic process. In the last 20 years, many agents have been discovered and used in the fight against cancer. However, the use of these drugs in appropriate patient groups is still a serious problem. Many cancer types are on the way to becoming chronic diseases; conscientious physi¬cians who are unable to provide appropriate treatment due to economic factors and other reasons face an additional burden.

Akagündüz, Baran; Güven, Deniz Can; Atci, Muhammed Mustafa; Çil, İbrahim; Karaçin, Cengiz; Özer, Muhammet; Kiliçkap, Saadettin

Objective: We aimed to capture a snapshot of the current situation in Turkey regarding the management of elderly cancer patients through an online survey of medical oncologists in Turkey. Material and Methods: An anonymized cross-sectional nationwide de-scriptive online survey was sent to the Turkish Society of Medical Oncology members by email in November 2020. Before closing the survey in December 2020, one remainder was sent. Results: The survey was completed by 133 medical oncologists from 41 centers with a 29% response rate. Routine use of geriatric evaluation was practiced by 18.2% of the medical oncologists in their daily practice. A geriatrician was available in the centers of 36.8% of the participants. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was the most commonly employed tool for investigating older cancer patients. Our survey determined that the presence of malnutrition, treatment adherence, comor-bidities, and social support were the most commonly identified challenges while caring for geriatric cancer patients. Hearing problem was the most common reason, followed by dementia, regarding the communication with the elderly cancer patients. Conclusion: Our survey results revealed a very low rate of geriatric evaluation for systemic treatment planning in elderly patients. Moreover, medical oncologists encoun-tered a high rate of communication problems and additional challenges in the care of geriatric cancer patients. These findings signify the need for geriatrics and oncology collaboration for the optimization of geriatric cancer care.