UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the existing Palliative Care Services and Practices and identify the priorities for the Ministry of Health Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.

Methods: The comprehensive evaluation of the existing Cancer Control Services was performed by the staff of the Cancer Control Department, Need Assessment was done by external specialist-consultant and KAP questionnaire was distributed among the Primary Health Physicians.

Results: The majority of cancer patients in Northern Iraq are in advances stages of cancer at the time of diagnosis and have limited or no access to cancer treatment, only realistic treatment options for the cancer patients are pain relief and palliative care. However the Palliative Care services, Pain Management and Complication Treatment Guidelines, Related Policies are not in place. The study found that Health Professionals have low or no awareness, disinterest and “Fear of Opioids” and Palliative Care is not included in Curriculum of Medical College and Nursing College