UK researchers are addressing disparities in hormone therapy for cervical cancer patients
A recent University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center study has discovered possible disparities regarding prescribing hormone therapy for cervical cancer patients, according to a UK HealthCare article by Elizabeth Chapin.
Drs. Denise Fabian, Morgan Levy, and collaborators observed an overall willingness from oncologists to prescribe hormone therapy to cervical cancer patients going through early menopause caused by radiation treatment, however, not enough are following through. The researchers investigated potential obstacles that could be preventing clinicians from prescribing this treatment.
Key reasons for not giving hormone therapy were:
- Not enough availability/resources to monitor patient long-term care
- Not being up to date with current clinical guidelines
The authors are calling for expanded access to care, telling Chapin:
- “Hormone therapy can meaningfully improve not only quality of life, but also long-term health. We need to ensure more patients can access it.”- Dr. Fabian
- “We are excited to continue working with our multidisciplinary team in survivorship and gynecologic oncology to design interventions to improve the standard of care.”- Dr. Levy
They are now working to address the barriers listed in the study.
The full study is published in JAMA Network Open.
