Strengthening cancer care through the inclusion of audiological services

Aim Commonly used cancer treatments that treat the priority cancers are ototoxic. Ototoxicity can add to the already severe morbidity experienced by cancer survivors. It affects the quality of life and consequently has dire psycho-socio-emotional, cognitive, occupational, and scholastic effects. This article aims to highlight that the inclusion of audiological services, such as ototoxicity monitoring and management, can strengthen cancer care by reducing the morbidity and effects of ototoxicity. It explores the current practices of ototoxicity monitoring and management for cancer patients in South Africa and offers practical and innovative evidence-based solutions on how the practice can be improved. The paper also discusses how the National Care Strategic Framework (NCSF) (2017-2022) can be expanded to support the inclusion of audiological services by including ototoxicity monitoring and management in cancer care. Methods A review of literature was conducted utilising a narrative approach to explore audiological service provision for cancer care in South Africa. Peer-reviewed publications and clinical guidelines related to audiological and/or vestibular ototoxicity caused by cancer treatments were reviewed. Findings Despite the inroads that have been made in South Africa, resource and logistical limitations hinder the effectiveness of ototoxicity monitoring and management programmes. In addition, a lack of awareness of the ototoxic effects of some cancer treatments by oncology nurses, as well as ambiguity regarding the roles and responsibilities of the multidisciplinary cancer team in terms of ototoxicity monitoring, management, and patient counselling, further exacerbate the problem. Conclusions The effectiveness of ototoxicity monitoring and management could be enhanced by having a national and standardised protocol and programme incorporating tele-audiology and task-shifting. In addition, collaborative work among the cancer multidisciplinary team will foster holistic practice and integration of audiological services. Future versions of the NCSF should encompass considerations to reduce the associated burdens of cancer treatment, and audiological services, through ototoxicity monitoring, and ought to be included when providing cancer care to patients being treated with ototoxic agents.