11th European Cancer Conference, Lisbon, Portugal – Patient awareness of potentially life-saving new breast cancer tests and treatments is woefully low among the majority of women with breast cancer across Europe, according to the results of a new survey of breast cancer patients revealed today.1
Although doctors and nurses were rated as among the prime sources of breast cancer information, some patients expressed concern that information on new treatments was not always readily offered.
Overall patients demonstrated a lack of knowledge about innovative new treatments such as Herceptin® (trastuzumab). While patient familiarity with older treatments such as chemotherapy was high in all countries, Germany was the only country to report high awareness levels for Herceptin at 60%, compared to only 6% in the UK.1 Similarly, awareness of HER2 diagnostic testing (which identifies those patients suitable for Herceptin) was only 17% overall.
Susan Knox, Executive Director of Europa Donna, The European Breast Cancer Coalition, commented, “Unlike other illnesses, breast cancer is a disease in which a woman needs to understand the treatments available and the probable outcomes related to them. Knowledge and information are crucial elements in decision-making and in enabling a woman to take back some of the control she has lost over her body.”
Given patient awareness of treatment options, it is unsurprising that women were found to make little or no contribution to the treatment decision-making process.
Susan Knox continues, "Women have the right to play an active role in making their treatment decisions. Since breast cancer treatments are diverse and constantly changing, the more a woman knows, the more confident and calm she will be during treatment, having arrived at a decision in collaboration with her healthcare team. It is concerning to think that not all women are being given this option."
The survey – Breast Cancer Awareness and Communication Study – of 500 women (100 per country) in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, was carried out to explore patient awareness of breast cancer issues and treatments and to identify their key information sources. It was sponsored by an educational grant from Roche.
References:
1. Breast Cancer Awareness and Communication Study, NOP Healthcare, 2001.
Editors’ Notes:
Breast Cancer Awareness and Communication Study
A quantitative survey of 500 face-to-face structured interviews with breast cancer patients, 100 per country (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK). On average, patients surveyed were in their mid to late fifties. Fieldwork was conducted in March-April 2001. This was further supplemented with a qualitative survey of 175 face-to-face in-depth interviews of 25 breast cancer patients, 10 loved ones per country.
Key areas probed in the survey included the following:
knowledge of breast cancer prior to diagnosis; information offered to patients at time of diagnosis; source of most useful information at time of diagnosis; extent of patient contribution in selecting treatment for breast cancer; sources currently relied on for information on breast cancer; awareness of breast cancer terminology
Herceptin
Herceptin is a biologically engineered, monoclonal antibody (MAb) designed to target and block the function of HER2, a protein found in excessive amounts on the surface of some breast cancer cells. Treatment with Herceptin has resulted in improved and lasting responses, higher overall survival rates and maintained quality of life among women with metastatic (advanced) breast cancer who overexpress for HER2.
For further information please visit www.her2status.com or contact:
Carrie Deverell
Roche
Tel: +41 61 688 9848
Mobile: +41 795 069 940
E-mail: carrie.deverell@roche.com
Carrie Monaghan
Ketchum
Tel: +44 20 7611 3613
Mobile: +44 7884 265 413
E-mail: carrie.monaghan@ketchum.com
Rina Amin
Ketchum
Tel: +44 20 7611 3513
Mobile: +44 7770 794 235
E-mail: rina.amin@ketchum.com
Sally Cresswell
Ketchum
Tel: +44 20 7611 3554
E-mail: sally.cresswell@ketchum.com