Background: Breast cancer is the most common cause of death, due to malignant neoplasms in women worldwide. The nature of the symptoms associated with breast cancer depends on the stage of the disease. In this case, any cancerous changes in the initial phase of the disease can only be detected during imaging tests. Participation in mammography screening can reduce breast cancer mortality by up to 40%, if only 70% of the eligible population participates in preventive programs. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of accessibility to health care resources on breast cancer mortality. Methods: Eurostat aggregated health care data was extracted. Hierarchical cluster analysis of average breast cancer mortality identified four groups of countries with similar mortality rates and trends. The data was then analyzed, in terms of access to health care. Results: It was observed that the higher the financial expenditure on health care and the better the health care accessibility, the lower the mortality rates of breast cancer. Conclusions: There are examples indicating that the studied elements are not the only factors affecting the improvement of population health. The authors would like to emphasize the need to influence lifestyle factors, direct cancer risk, and introduce a multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer prevention.

Background: Breast cancer is a global health issue affecting all countries regardless of economic development status. In Poland, the risk remains high: over the past 20 years, breast cancer incidence has increased by 60%, and mortality has risen by 30%. Although prevention options are limited, lifestyle modifications and regular medical check-ups can help reduce risk. This study aimed to identify key factors influencing Polish women’s willingness to undergo breast cancer screening.Material and methods: The study surveyed 407 women aged 45 to 69 between 2021 and 2022 and reported using the STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist. The research tool included an author-delivered questionnaire, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale, the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI), and the Mini-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Mini-COPE) inventory.Results: Women were more likely to participate in screening if they were older, married, had children (although having an additional child was associated with a lower likelihood of screening), used oral contraception, had received education on breast cancer prevention, had higher average intensity in the Health Behavior Inventory and scored significantly higher on the author’s scale, and demonstrated an external health locus of control. Additionally, women who reported attending prophylactic examinations were significantly more likely to express a need for emotional support.Conclusion: Further research is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that motivate women to engage in health-promoting behaviors and to develop targeted interventions. The findings suggest that women who are well-informed about breast cancer prevention and feel comfortable accessing preventive services are more likely to undergo regular screening.

Introduction. Alcohol exposure is a highly preventable cancer risk factor. European Code Against Cancer recommends to reduce alcohol intake of any type in order to decrease cancer risk. Poles have drunk more and more alcohol, reaching the average level of consumption at 9.55 liters of pure alcohol per capita in 2018. This phenomenon shows that alcohol consumption is constantly a great public health challenge in Poland. Material and methods. Material in our study was an epidemiological data on cancer incidence in Poland sourced from the National Cancer Registry in Poland. Data on alcohol consumption comes from the State Agency for Prevention of Alcohol Related Problems survey conducted in Poland in 2002. Relative risks (RR) for alcohol consumption and cancer were sourced from the published studies. The alcohol attributable fraction (AAF) has been calculated with use of the formula provided in this work. Results. Results of our study show that in Poland in 2016, about 4.6% (7252) of all cancer cases were related to the alcohol consumption: women – 3.4% (2599), men – 5.8% (4653). Conclusions. In the face of epidemiological prognosis on increasing number of new cancer cases in Poland, there is a need to implement an immediate public health actions on reducing strong cancer risk factors such as alcohol consumption. Introduction. Alcohol exposure is a highly preventable cancer risk factor. European Code Against Cancer recommends to reduce alcohol intake of any type in order to decrease cancer risk. Poles have drunk more and more alcohol, reaching the average level of consumption at 9.55 liters of pure alcohol per capita in 2018. This phenomenon shows that alcohol consumption is constantly a great public health challenge in Poland. Material and methods. Material in our study was an epidemiological data on cancer incidence in Poland sourced from the National Cancer Registry in Poland. Data on alcohol consumption comes from the State Agency for Prevention of Alcohol Related Problems survey conducted in Poland in 2002. Relative risks (RR) for alcohol consumption and cancer were sourced from the published studies. The alcohol attributable fraction (AAF) has been calculated with use of the formula provided in this work. Results. Results of our study show that in Poland in 2016, about 4.6% (7252) of all cancer cases were related to the alcohol consumption: women – 3.4% (2599), men – 5.8% (4653). Conclusions. In the face of epidemiological prognosis on increasing number of new cancer cases in Poland, there is a need to implement an immediate public health actions on reducing strong cancer risk factors such as alcohol consumption.

Introduction: Cancer pain is a serious medical problem affecting about 75% of patients. As the disease progresses, the percentage of those suffering from pain increases. On the whole, cancer pain is one of the most common symptoms accompanying the disease and the symptom that patients fear the most. Pain, and even the awareness that it may occur, affects a person's mood and modifies their health behavior, and may lead to changes the treatment process. The perception of pain in cancer patients is sometimes so great and long-lasting that it disorganizes the patient's life, making it impossible for them to function even on a basic level and degenerating the patient's psyche.Material and methods: The study was carried out on 661 patients of the Pain Treatment Clinic in the years 2016-2019. The survey was conducted using standardized tools - a Melzack Qualitative Pain Questionnaire and 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS).Results: Moderate and severe pain intensity was reported by 90% of interviewed patients, who required immediate modification of the current treatment and implementation of additional adjuvant drugs. Almost 50% of them reported constant pain with varying severity.Conclusions: Pain is not only a medical problem, but also a clinical, psychological, and socio-economic issue. Its multidimensional nature affects patients’ functioning and quality of life. Therefore, it has to be properly diagnosed and treated like a disease itself.

Objectives: Assessment of anxiety-depressive disorders in an oncologically ill patient may help in the treatment process and planning psycho-oncological care. The aim of the study was to assess the level of anxiety and depression and selected psychosocial variables in cancer patients....

Amount raised: 1 635 652,11 Polish Zloty (PLN; about 480,000 USD) Background and context: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) (IDC10: C00-C15, C30-C33, C69; C73) are significant clinical and social problem. While the overall number of new cases is stable and almost on the same level (∼6000 new cases each year) increase of HNCs incidence among young adults (<40 y.o.) is observed. This phenomenon is mostly connected with HPV infections, because a great majority of this group has never smoke and never abuse alcohol (smoking and drinking high-percentage alcohol are well-known risk factors for HNCs). Because there is no screening program for HNCs and treatment prognosis for these cancers are unfavorable, preventive actions are basic and most effective tool in decreasing HNCs incidence and mortality. Aim: To implement in 5 Polish voivodeships pilot prophylactic program on early detection on HNCs. Strategy/Tactics: The main objective will be achieved by influencing the 5 basic causal areas of the problem of late HNCs recognition in Poland. These are: 1) awareness about HNCs risk factors in Polish society, 2) competences of medical staff in prophylaxis, health education and diagnostic of HNCs (120 doctors and nurses - especially from primary health care, 100 dentists), 3) access to preventive examinations (800 people from 5 voivodeships), 4) launching mechanisms of HNCs prophylaxis through the involvement of representatives of nongovernmental and local governments organizations who have constant contact with people in HNCs risk groups, 5) increasing the knowledge on the incidence of oncogenic HPV varieties in the oral cavity of healthy people and the frequency of HPV infection in the oral cavity from smoking and drinking alcohol. Apart from the trainings for health professionals, trainings for street workers are also provided in this program. Program process: Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute - Oncology Center successfully applied for funds for the implementation of the created project. Program is cofinanced by European Union, from European Social Funds within the Operational Program Knowledge Education Development 2014-2020, V. Priority axis: Support for the health area, Measure 5.1: Preventive programs and is free of charge for participants. Nowadays project team conducts procedures aiming among the others recruitment of participants, cooperation with NGOs, creation of agenda of the meetings, preparation of the awareness campaign. Costs and returns: Main obstacles and costs are combined with administrative difficulties and doctor's tight schedule (lack of time for additional activities). The biggest return will be improvement of early HNCs detection and mortality decrease caused by these cancers. What was learned: Preliminary observations show that patients are very interested in participation in HNCs early detection and prevention program. Moreover, in many cases they have never participated in any actions concern HNCs education.