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Survey results demonstrate the need for scientific information about cancer to be understandable to patients
- Findings are based on a May 2016 survey of 124 cancer-oriented patient and carer organizations in 39 countries, conducted by PatientView, and sponsored by AstraZeneca.
- 99% of respondent patient/carer organisations report that people living with cancer want to know how their cancer treatments work.
- Over 90% of patient/carer organizations report that patients must understand scientific concepts about cancer if they are to better manage their cancer.
LONDON, Friday, 7th October 2016
New survey findings indicate a significant need for scientific information that is accessible to, and understood by, people living with (and affected by) cancer. The majority of patient/carer organizations responding to the survey recognize that cancer science is complex and fast changing. As cancer science improves, and new discoveries occur, people who are living with cancer wish to learn more about the science of their cancer diagnosis and treatments. Nearly all (99%) of the patient/carer organizations surveyed “Agree” or “Somewhat agree” that patients want to know how their treatments work, and 91% of the respondent patient/carer organisations say that patients need to understand relevant scientific concepts about cancer to better manage their cancer.
The patient/carer organizations responding to the survey, however, also say that cancer science is hard to navigate for newly-diagnosed and experienced patients alike, and that currently- available patient information about cancer is difficult to understand, and confusing to people who are living with cancer [60% of respondent patient/carer organizations believe that cancer science is not well explained to patients and the public.
“An exciting new wave of cancer treatments is emerging out of the rapidly-advancing scientific concepts about cancer,” says Alex Wyke, founder and CEO of PatientView. “Yet, in the face of the advance, cancer patient information remains stubbornly hard for ordinary people to digest. The results from this 2016 survey show that over 90% of respondent patient/carer organisations believe that people living with cancer (and their families and carers) will be better equipped to manage the disease if they have a fundamental understanding of basic cancer science. Arming the cancer patient community with intelligible knowledge about cancer will allow people with cancer to understand more about the disease and its numerous diagnostic procedures and treatments. Such knowledge will empower people with cancer to communicate more effectively with doctors, nurses, and all the other health professionals who help them to fight cancer. In short, information about cancer science—carefully tailored to the needs of patients—will ultimately permit people with cancer to make truly informed decisions about their health.”
Key findings from the survey include:
99% of respondent patient/carer organizations “Agree” or “Somewhat agree” that people living with cancer want to know how their cancer treatments work.
Over 90% of respondent patient/carer organizations “Agree” or “Somewhat agree” that patients must understand scientific concepts about cancer if they are to better manage their cancer.
57% of respondents indicate that increasing the awareness of cancer treatment options among patients and the public is a top priority of their organization.
61% of respondents say that the public is unfamiliar with basic scientific concepts about cancer.
83% of patient/carer organizations have been asked by patients/carers about immuno- oncology. However, only 48.2 % of those same organizations are themselves familiar with the topic of immuno-therapies in oncology.
67% of patient/carer organizations have been asked by patients/carers about gene mutations associated with cancer and biomarkers. Again, though, only 52 % of the organizations themselves claim familiarity with the concepts of genetic testing and precision medicine.
Full survey results can be accessed via this link
ABOUT THE SURVEY SPONSOR This 2016 survey of 124 patient and carer organizations was sponsored by AstraZeneca, a global, science-led, bio-pharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines—primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas (respiratory/autoimmunity; cardiovascular/metabolic diseases; and oncology).
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION THAT CONDUCTED THE SURVEY
PatientView was founded in 2000 out of a belief that the views of patients should be considered in every important healthcare decision (whether a new healthcare product or service, or a government change to a healthcare system). A UK-based research, publishing and consultancy group, PatientView has the capacity to reach out to 120,000 patient groups worldwide, covering over 1,000 medical specialties.
PatientView Ltd, One Fleet Place, London EC4M 7WS, UK +44 (0)1547 520 965
info@patient-view.com
www.patient-view.com
Media contact
Alex Wyke, CEO, PatientView +44 (0)1547 520 965 alexwyke@patient-view.com]
Grt example of how big pharma supports healthcare provision, by generating significant patient needs!