Research Article
Physicians' Perceptions of Children's Right to Information and Decision-Making in Pediatric Oncology: Implications for Palliative Care in Cuba
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2026
Pages:
37-42
Received:
17 June 2026
Accepted:
1 July 2026
Published:
24 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijcocr.20261102.11
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Abstract: Children's right to information in pediatric oncology represents a critical intersection of bioethics, clinical practice, and patients' rights. In Cuba, the normative framework—including the Constitution (2019), the Family Code (2022), and Public Health Law No. 165/2023—explicitly recognizes minors' right to information and participation in health decisions; however, the gap between normative recognition and clinical practice remains underexplored. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to describe physicians' assessments of patients' right to information in Cuban pediatric oncology from a bioethical perspective, and to identify gaps between normative recognition and clinical practice. A purposive convenience sample of 33 physicians working in Cuban pediatric oncology centers participated voluntarily. A structured questionnaire, designed and validated through expert judgment, was applied; descriptive statistical analysis was performed using absolute and relative frequencies. Results showed that 78.2% of physicians recognized children's and adolescents' right to receive information about their illness. Nevertheless, 56.5% reported giving more weight to parents' assessments of their children's quality of life than to patients' own views in medical decision-making. Moreover, 60.4% acknowledged that minors can offer assessments, although these are rarely considered when modifying treatments, and only 12.1% held postgraduate training in bioethics. These findings reveal the persistence of a paternalistic model in Cuban pediatric oncology and a clinically significant gap between normative recognition and professional practice. The results have direct implications for the integration of pediatric palliative care (PPC) and the development of shared decision-making competencies in PPC teams, underscoring the urgent need for institutional protocols and bioethics training in Cuba's eight reference pediatric oncology centers.
Abstract: Children's right to information in pediatric oncology represents a critical intersection of bioethics, clinical practice, and patients' rights. In Cuba, the normative framework—including the Constitution (2019), the Family Code (2022), and Public Health Law No. 165/2023—explicitly recognizes minors' right to information and participation in health ...
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Research Article
Proteomics in Cancer Detection and Treatment: Biomarker Discovery and Personalized Medicine
Muhammad Ahsan*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2026
Pages:
43-47
Received:
20 June 2026
Accepted:
2 July 2026
Published:
24 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijcocr.20261102.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Proteomics has emerged as a transformative field in cancer research by providing comprehensive insights into protein expression, structure, function, interactions, and post-translational modifications associated with tumor development and progression. Cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease influenced by genetic, molecular, cellular, tissue, environmental, and socioeconomic factors that continuously evolve throughout disease progression. Despite remarkable advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, the disease remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, highlighting the need for more accurate diagnostic biomarkers and personalized therapeutic approaches. This review aims to examine the role of proteomics in cancer biomarker discovery and its contribution to the development of personalized medicine for cancer detection and treatment. The review is based on published literature describing recent advances in proteomic technologies, cancer biomarker identification, proteogenomics, and precision oncology. Current evidence demonstrates that proteomics has significantly improved the identification of reliable biomarkers for early cancer detection, tumor classification, prognosis, therapeutic target discovery, and treatment monitoring. Furthermore, integration of proteomics with genomic data has enhanced understanding of cancer progression and individualized therapy. Overall, proteomics represents a powerful platform for advancing cancer diagnosis, biomarker discovery, and personalized medicine.
Abstract: Proteomics has emerged as a transformative field in cancer research by providing comprehensive insights into protein expression, structure, function, interactions, and post-translational modifications associated with tumor development and progression. Cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease influenced by genetic, molecular, cellular, tissue, ...
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