Introduction: In the field of oncology, we are all stimulated by the desire to improve the lives of patients with cancer; however little data are available about the amount of time and travel discomfort that patients and families typically spend for clinical examinations and for antitumoral/supportive treatments. The purpose of this study was to determine the advantages for cancer patients to receive clinical, test examinations, and anticancer treatment near their residence in a territorial clinical structure called "Casa della Salute" (CdS).
Methods: Since July 2016 to all the cancer patients treated at the Oncology Unit of the General Hospital in Piacenza, was offered the possibility to be treated near their residence at the CdS located in the mid valley (Val Nure), or to continue the treatment at the Oncology Unit of the General Hospital in Piacenza. The treatments were delivered by an oncology nurse under the supervision of a medical oncologist.
Results: From 18 July 2016 to 20 July 2017, 54 patients with cancer were managed in the CdS in Bettola, province of Piacenza in North Italy. All these patients received the planned antitumoral and supportive treatments. The average distance from the patient's residence to the Oncology Unit in Piacenza was 81,65 km (range 31,6-131 km), while it was 21,06 km (range 3-54,2 km) to the CdS (p<0,001). The average time for the round trip to the Oncology Unit in Piacenza was 93,35 minutes (range 40-162) while it took 16,35 minutes (range 10-78) to reach the CdS (p<0,001). 98,5% of patients were very satisfied to receive oncological treatment at the CdS, and 65% of patients who needed a caregiver to reach the Oncology Unit in Piacenza, could travel alone to the CdS.
Discussion: The increase in the incidence of cancer, especially in elderly patients with comorbidity, has been accompanied by an increase in the overall survival rate of these patients thus requiring organizational innovations. The results of this study hightlight the possibility of treating cancer patients in territorial structures near their residence, with advantages for the patients, their caregivers and for the entire community.