The effectiveness of regular medical check-up for ovarian cancer patients

Background. With the widespread prevalence of oncogynecological diseases, measures for their early detection and timely treatment, including the systematic implementation of all necessary medical and diagnostic measures within the framework of regular medical check-up, become more important.

Aim. Evaluation of the effectiveness of regular medical check-up of patients with ovarian cancer.

Material and methods. Information was collected by copying data from the primary medical documentation of patients with ovarian cancer who were under regular medical check-up in 2020 in all 4 outpatient cancer care centers in St. Petersburg (392 observation units, complete study). The average age of the patients was 59.7±3.8 years. The data were statistically processed, extensive coefficients and average values with standard deviation (δ) were calculated. The initial data had a normal distribution. The effectiveness of regular medical check-up and the achievement of its completeness was assessed by comparing the actual volumes of medical care provided to patients as part of regular medical check-up with the volumes of medical care established by the Standard of Medical Care for Adults with Ovarian cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer and primary peritoneal cancer, approved by Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated April 13, 2021, as well as by assessing the compliance of the actual terms of medical care with the terms established by the program of state guarantees.

Results. Non-compliance with the timing of the regular medical check-up start from the moment of establishing diagnosis was revealed, as well as limited compliance with the requirements of the industry standard for the frequency and multiplicity of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures: the three-time visit to the oncologist established by the standard was performed only in 45.5%, the determination of the level of the CA125 adenogenic cancer antigen in blood — in 68.8%, ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs — in 36.6%, of the true pelvis — in 82.2%, magnetic resonance imaging of the true pelvis — in 36.6% of cases.

Conclusion. Evaluation of compliance with the completeness of regular medical check-up of patients with ovarian cancer showed a discrepancy between the volume of its performance to the industry standard and other regulatory documents in the field of healthcare, which indicates the failure to achieve its effectiveness and the unsatisfactory quality of medical care for patients in this group.