ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S2205

Interdisciplinary – Education in radiation oncology

ESTRO 2025

4415

Digital Poster Evaluating Public & General Practitioners’ Awareness of the vital role of radiotherapy in cancer treatment in Jordan Ahmed Salem 1,2 , Jana Alnsour 3 , Lojain Qshair 3 , Yassmin Mullahwaish 3 , Omar Abualnadi 3 , Sara Almadadha 3 , Fanar Al Samarat 3 1 Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan. 2 Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom. 3 Faculty of medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan Purpose/Objective: Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in Jordan, a Middle Eastern country with limited radiotherapy resources. Jordan has 12 linear accelerators and 64 radiation oncologists. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) and the public regarding the role of radiotherapy in cancer treatment and assess access challenges to identify critical knowledge and access gaps. Material/Methods: This is a cross-sectional study designed to assess the awareness of both the general public and GPs regarding the role of radiotherapy in cancer treatment. Data were collected through surveys conducted online and in person. GPs were questioned about the symptoms of the five most common cancers and radiotherapy role. The public survey focused on awareness of radiotherapy. years (N=135, 54.4%), have a bachelor’s degree (N=214,86.35%), and live in Amman (N=153, 61.7%). Of all, (N=171,69%) demonstrated overall awareness of radiation therapy. Most (N=195,78.6%) knew what is radiation therapy, and (N=230,92.7%) recognized its role in cancer treatment, including definitive treatment (N=231, 93.1%) and adjuvant post-surgical treatment (N=214, 86.3%). Additionally, (N=202,81.5%) understood its palliative applications, (N=198, 79.8%) were concerned about serious side effects. Regarding awareness of local facilities, (N=129,52%) were aware of oncology departments in their surroundings, (N=117,47.2%) knew the services of radiation therapy departments, (N=73,29.4%) understood available services, and N=53 (21.4%) had visited a radiation therapy department; Figure 1. 95 GPs took part in the survey. The majority were aged 23-30 (76.8%), male (60.0%), single (75.8%), and from Amman (70.5%). Most GPs (N=94,98.9%) agreed that special instructions should be provided to patients undergoing radiation therapy, (N=90,94.7%) recognized its psychological effects, (N=79, 83.2%) acknowledged its palliative role, fewer believed it could completely destroy cancer cells (N=60, 63.2%) or be used in both early and advanced stages of cancer (N=63,66.3%). Awareness of safety requirements (N=52,54.7%) and educational resources (N=58,61.1%) were moderate. GPs identified costs (N=31,32.6%), limited specialists and equipment (N=26,27.4%), and geographical or transport issues (N=38,40.0%) as barriers to radiation therapy access. Most (N=67,70.5%) emphasized the need for patients to receive radiotherapy on specific regular schedule sessions, (N=84,88.4%) deemed it safe during pregnancy, and (N=19,20.0%) were aware of potential drug interactions, Figure 2. Results: 248 members of the general public took part in the survey (149 female, and 99 male). The majority were aged 18-25