Inmate cancer patient - Highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to oncological care

Abstract

Purpose: Inmate oncologic patients' rates increased drastically worldwide. Elderly, limited exercise, unhealthy diet, hepatitis, HIV + status, tobacco and alcohol use, constitute the main cancer risk factors. We present an outline of practical oncological management and ethical thinking, in the specific environment of a detention facility. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Database of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS and grey literature were extensively searched up to October 2021. Incarcerated oncologic patients experience various everyday challenges:their confinement in high security facilities, the lack of access to critical care and related ethical dilemmas inherent to the context of a correctional facility. Results: The detention facilities may be inadequate in providing early cancer diagnosis and appropriate care mainly due to a lack of specialized personnel, b) in-house or in external specialized cancer hospitals, care variability (e.g. admissions in small local or regional hospitals), c) delays in providing access and d) gatekeeper systems. There is a paucity of administration of a)systemic therapy (chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy etc),b)radiotherapy, c) palliative care, and d)enrollment in clinical trials. Conclusions: Correctional facilities must encourage teamwork between healthcare and correctional professionals in order to improve the provided anticancer care. © 2021 Zerbinis Publications. All rights reserved.