ASSESSMENT OF ACCESS TO EARLY CANCER DETECTION AND TREATMENT SERVICE IN AZARE TOWN

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study was undertaken in order to identify the barrier and challenges that individuals face in accessing early cancer detection and treatmentservice in Azare Town. Methods: This prospective study was based on the targeted population of people within Azare Town. A whole of three hundred and twenty three (323) people are used for this project. Hospital records of cancer patients who attend Federal university teaching hospital Azare were obtained from hematology and trauma departments and they were used for this study. Result: This result sought out awareness of Cancer by looking at the various areas where awareness was expected. The areas covered in this study therefore includedawarenessofhealthcenters,awarenessofqualifiedhealthworkersatthehealth centers, and awareness of free medical services. Other areas included awareness of Cancer itself, awareness of other preventive methods of cancer and signs and symptoms of the disease. Conclusion: The result of this prospective study suggest that the Education of participants did not influence their willingness to participate, discuss or imbibe cancer awareness, access to early tratment and management techniques. These result provide Cancer prevalence, awareness and perception in Azare Town of katagum LGA, when considered from the psychosocial perspective, are determined by eight factors which were enumerated in the work. Key words: Assessment, Early Cancer detection, Treatment Service, Azare Town