New Survey Highlights Need for Education Resources, Critical Role of Physician in Patient Communication and Importance of Maintaining Normal Lifestyle During Treatment
BARCELONA, Spain, December 1 - Findings from a survey of European prostate cancer patients,
presented at the 2nd European Multidisciplinary Meeting on Urological Cancers
(EMUC) in Barcelona, Spain, highlight the need for further sources of
information about the disease.
It found that only 44 per cent of patients felt the information given to
them on the likely outcome of their disease at the time of diagnosis was
very informative. The critically important role of the physician in providing
information about prostate cancer was strongly recognised with over three
quarters of those surveyed identifying their specialist as the most important
source.
Experts consider the provision of information post-consultation to be
vitally important in enabling those affected to understand their situation
and work with their physician to combat their disease, even though 40 per
cent of respondents indicated they preferred to let their physician decide
what is best in terms of treatment. Nearly 60 per cent of respondents stated
they prefer to discuss options with their physician and decide together on
the best way forward.
The survey discovered that many patients had not discussed key issues
with their physician. For example, maintenance of a normal lifestyle during
treatment of prostate cancer was considered as important by patients
(40 per cent) as concerns about side effects (42 per cent), but many had not
talked about lifestyle with their specialist.
To help aid understanding and communication, people across Europe
affected by the disease can for the first time access a new online resource,
UnitedAgainstProstateCancer.com, designed to particularly inform men affected
by prostate cancer, through novel and comprehensive educational resources and
links to patient organisations across Europe. The survey and website have
been commissioned as an educational initiative by Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.
Professor Bertrand Tombal, Chairman of Urology Services at Universitaires
Saint-Luc, Belgium, who reviewed the information available on the website
said: "The survey shows us the pivotal role of the specialist physician in
educating and informing patients about prostate cancer following diagnosis.
The key question is what happens after the consultation. A diagnosis and
subsequent treatment plan is a lot of information to take in and consider, so
resources are required to help refresh the memory and continue to promote and
enhance understanding away from the consultation room."
He added, "UnitedAgainstProstateCancer.com is a highly welcome and
valuable resource which helps to fill information gaps not only for patients
but men, their families and anyone touched by prostate cancer. It recognises
that it is not just patients who are affected, and that the need for ongoing
learning and education about the disease among all those touched by it is
high."
UnitedAgainstProstateCancer.com aims to help demystify prostate cancer by
offering a range of straightforward visual representations of the condition
and its impact on the body. It also provides up to date information on
treatment options and contact information to organisations across Europe who
are united in supporting patients.
Notes to Editors:
About UnitedAgainstProstateCancer.com
- unitedagainstprostatecancer.com/ is not designed to provide
medical advice or professional health services. Information provided is
not a substitute for medical care and should not be used for diagnosing
or treating prostate cancer. Anyone who has, or suspects they may have,
a health problem should contact their doctor.
About Astellas Pharma Europe
Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., located in the UK, is a European
subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a
pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around
the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical
products. The organisation is committed to becoming a global company by
combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities and continuing to
grow in the world pharmaceutical market. Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. is
responsible for 20 affiliate offices located across Europe, the Middle
East and Africa, an R&D site and three manufacturing plants with
approximately 3,500 staff.
About the EU Patient Survey
- The EU Patient survey of European prostate cancer patients was
conducted by GfK HealthCare, an independent survey house, in June 2009
and funded by Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.
- A total of 252 diagnosed prostate cancer patients were interviewed in
France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain.
- In addition to information about patients' views on the
management of prostate cancer, insights were gained on the different
types of therapy currently offered. For example, the survey found that
nearly 50 per cent of those surveyed had undergone a surgical procedure
during prostate cancer management, with 39 per cent stating they had
undertaken hormone therapy and 37 per cent had taken a course of
radiotherapy.
unitedagainstprostatecancer.com/
Georgina Pinnington, georgina.pinnington at resolutecommunications.com, +44(0)20-7015-1308; Sheniz Yusuf, sheniz.yusuf at resolutecommunications.com, +44(0)20-7397-7479
Related Press Releases
Astellas Pharma Europe Announces Winners of the Changing Tomorrow 2009 AwardsSeptember 22nd, 2009 STAINES, England - Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., the European subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., one of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical companies, has today announced the launch of the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards. The charity award funding programme is designed to award organisations that help citizens of all communities realise their full potential and enhance their quality of life - both today and in the future.
New and Interesting PROSTVAC(TM) Data Indicate Broad Therapeutic Use in Metastatic Prostate CancerSeptember 21st, 2009 KVISTGAARD, Denmark - Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) yesterday presented further detailed PROSTVAC(TM) data at the European Cancer Organisation (ECCO), ECCO 15 - 34th ESMO Congress in Berlin, Germany. Further data from a Phase II double-blind, prospective randomized placebo-controlled study of 125 patients with metastatic prostate cancer was presented by Dr.
Call to Action to Prevent Deaths From Prostate Cancer in EuropeSeptember 16th, 2009 ANTWERP, Belgium -
- Leading Cancer Groups and Archbishop Desmond Tutu Unite in Call to Action in the Fight Against Prostate Cancer
ANTWERP, Belgium, September 17 /PRNewswire/ --
A coalition of influential European advocacy and professional groups are meeting today to call for action by the European Parliament to commit to serious steps to reduce the number of men affected by, and dying from prostate cancer, by ensuring timely access to information, care and support services for men at risk or with prostate cancer. The call to action is being launched during European Urology Week, as part of a new campaign, the Proactive Prostates Initiative, at a meeting in Antwerp, which is being hosted by Europa Uomo and the European Association of Urology.
New Review on PROSTVAC(TM) Published by Key Investigators From NCIJune 30th, 2009 KVISTGAARD, Denmark - A just published Review in the publication "Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs", Volume 18, Issue 7 2009, confirms the previous published information on PROSTVAC(TM). This is the most comprehensive and updated Review on PROSTVAC(TM) so far.
PROSTVAC(TM) Data Presented at the ASCO Meeting Demonstrates the Potential for Significant Increases in Life Expectancy in Late-Stage Prostate CancerMay 31st, 2009 KVISTGAARD, Denmark - Detailed data from a randomized Phase 2 study with PROSTVAC(TM) were presented Saturday at the ASCO Annual Meeting in Orlando. The presentation was made by Philip Kantoff MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute who is also the principal investigator of the study.
Invitation: PROSTVAC(TM) Wrap upMay 26th, 2009 KVISTGAARD, Denmark - Following the presentation of data with PROSTVAC(TM) - a promising, late-stage vaccine candidate for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, Bavarian Nordic will be hosting a Q&A session at the ASCO Annual Meeting. Time: Sunday, May 31st 2009 from 09 AM EDT to 10 AM EDT.
Successful Phase I/II Clinical Trial Results From Cancer Patients Treated With Anti-Cancer Drug From Axelar ABMay 5th, 2009 STOCKHOLM - Axelar AB today announced successful completion of the single-day oral dosing part of its ongoing phase I/II clinical trial on cancer patients with its new anti-cancer drug AXL1717,an insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptor inhibitor which has no effects on the closely related insulin receptor. The study is conducted in Sweden on patients having terminal cancer disease.
EAU Position Statement on Screening for Prostate CancerApril 15th, 2009 ARNHEM, The Netherlands - The European Association of Urology (EAU) has taken into consideration the recent scientific information on randomised screening studies on prostate cancer (Schröder et al, NEJM 2009). Based on the results of the European Randomised Study for Screening of Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), the EAU has formulated a position statement regarding prostate cancer screening in Europe, and the subsequent actions to be taken by health professionals and health authorities.
FIRMAGON(R) (Degarelix) is Launched in Europe for the Treatment of Advanced Prostate CancerMarch 17th, 2009 STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Today marks the European launch of FIRMAGON(R) (degarelix), a new
treatment option in hormonal therapy for prostate cancer, with details
presented at the 24th Annual European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress
in Stockholm. FIRMAGON(R) is a new GnRH receptor blocker indicated for the
treatment of patients with advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer.
PSA Screening Cuts Deaths by 20%, Says World's Largest Prostate Cancer StudyMarch 17th, 2009 STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Attn: Healthcare Editors
Screening for prostate cancer can reduce deaths by 20%, according to the
results of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer
(ERSPC) published online 1700 hours CET 18 March (NEJM, Online First*). ERSPC
is the world's largest prostate cancer screening study and provides robust,
independently- audited evidence, for the first time, of the effect of
screening on prostate cancer mortality.
Related News
Britain's GlaxoSmithKline pulls application to sell enlarged prostate drug for blocking cancerNovember 23rd, 2009 GlaxoSmithKline pulls application for new drug useTRENTON, N.J. — British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline PLC said Monday it is temporarily withdrawing its application for U.S.
Poniard Pharma says picoplatin did not improve survival in late stage study; shares tumbleNovember 16th, 2009 Poniard cancer drug misses goal in lung cancerSOUTH SAN FRANCISCO — Poniard Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Monday its cancer drug candidate picoplatin did not help lung cancer patients live longer, sending its shares plunging in early trading.
Poniard recovers part of Monday losses on data for picoplatin in colon cancer, and safety infoNovember 17th, 2009 Poniard rebounds on picoplatin colon cancer dataSOUTH SAN FRANCISCO — A day after Poniard Pharmaceuticals Inc. said its drug candidate picoplatin failed to improve survival for patients with lung cancer, the company reported positive data on the drug as a treatment for colorectal cancer.
Poniard Pharma drops more than 70 percent after lung cancer drug fails in late stage trialNovember 16th, 2009 Poniard plunges on failure of picoplatin studyNEW YORK — Shares of Poniard Pharmaceuticals Inc. crashed Monday after the company said its cancer drug picoplatin missed its goal in a clinical trial.
Study: Uninsured almost twice as likely to die of injuries that bring them to hospital ERNovember 16th, 2009 Study: Injured uninsured more likely to die in ERCHICAGO — Uninsured patients with traumatic injuries, such as car crashes, falls and gunshot wounds, were almost twice as likely to die in the hospital as similarly injured patients with health insurance, according to a troubling new study. The findings by Harvard University researchers surprised doctors and health experts who have believed emergency room care was equitable.
Brynwood Partners VI buys Balance Bar from Kraft Foods, terms not disclosedNovember 23rd, 2009 Brynwood Partners VI buys Balance Bar from KraftGREENWICH, Conn. — Brynwood Partners VI LP, a private investment firm in Greenwich, Conn., said Monday it bought energy bar company Balance Bar Co.
UAE satellite company expands networkNovember 21st, 2009 ABU DHABI - Thuraya Telecommunications, the United Arab Emirates based satellite operator has expanded its distribution chain in Europe, WAM news agency reported Saturday. The UK-based satellite communications provider Applied Satellite Technology (AST) will now distribute Thuraya's broadband service "ThurayaIP" and other solutions based on it in Europe and other global markets.
Cohen steps down as majority owner of NHL's Florida Panthers; 2 partners named replacementsNovember 16th, 2009 NHL: Florida Panthers announce new majority ownersSUNRISE, Fla. — Florida Panthers majority owner Alan Cohen is stepping down to allow two minority partners to run the NHL franchise.
6 hospitals to sue Mass. for millions of dollars, say 2006 health care law shortchanged themNovember 30th, 2009 6 hospitals to sue Mass., say shortchanged by lawBOSTON — Six Massachusetts hospitals are suing the state, saying they were shortchanged by the 2006 health care law. The hospitals claim the state violated a law requiring health care providers be adequately reimbursed for caring for Medicaid and Medicare patients.
Oxigene's developing cancer treatment meets safety goals in midstage studyNovember 17th, 2009 Oxigene drug meets safety goals in studySOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Development-stage biotechnology company Oxigene Inc.
