Assessment of patients’ knowledge of their treatment with capecitabine at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat

Abstract

Introduction

Capecitabine is a molecule of choice in the therapeutic arsenal of anticancer drugs used in Morocco for the treatment of breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Its frequent use imposes a follow-up and a post-prescription monitoring of the treatment modalities as well as the adverse events that may occur following its administration.

Objective

The objective of this study is to evaluate the level of knowledge of patients in the day hospital of an oncology facility about their treatment with capecitabine.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective study conducted over a period of 2 months (January–February 2022) at the day hospital in the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat, and it was conducted using a questionnaire in order to evaluate patients’ knowledge about their treatment with capecitabine.

Results

This study involved 95 patients, 76% claimed to have ever received pharmaceutical advice on capecitabine treatment. The main indications were colorectal and breast cancer. Ninety seven percent knew the indication for capecitabine and the action of the molecule on the relevant tumor. Eighty three percent receiving capecitabine therapy reported the occurrence of side effects and hand-foot syndrome was the most reported in 31.2% of the total listed side effects.

Discussion

Capecitabine is an oral treatment of choice for colorectal and breast cancer in Morocco. Therapeutic education happens to be an effective tool in order to guarantee the best effectiveness and manage the possible side effects that can occur during the treatment.