All.Can report urges health officials and policy makers to "do the right thing for patients"

The international cancer initiative All.Can today released an important report urging health officials, governments and policy makers to "take the steps that patients need" when they develop cancer treatment plans and policies, taking into account all aspects of treatment and treatment. care.

Patient Perspectives on Cancer Care: Opportunities for Improving Efficiency strong points the inefficiency of cancer care from the patient's point of view. All.Can defines inefficiency in cancer treatment as anything that does not focus on what matters to patients.

"Patients are often overlooked in cancer care planning," said Alex Filicevas, European Affairs Officer of the European Cancer Patient Coalition and member of the steering committee of All.Can International. "With the prevalence, complexity and rising costs of cancer in the world, it's imperative to listen to what patients think would improve their care experience." Ignoring the results of this report would be a missed opportunity to do so. what's needed for patients and making changes that could make a real difference. "

Based on the results of a large international survey of nearly 4,000 people affected by different cancers in 10 countries, the report identifies four key areas for improving effectiveness based on patient information. :

1. Ensure rapid, accurate and correctly issued diagnosis

• One quarter of survey respondents (26%) said that their initial diagnosis was the most ineffective part of their cancer treatment journey.
• Nearly one-third (32%) of respondents whose cancer was diagnosed outside of a screening program reported that their cancer had been diagnosed differently, one or more times.

1. Improve information sharing, support and shared decision-making

• Almost half (47%) of respondents did not feel sufficiently involved in choosing the treatment option that best suited them.

• 39% of respondents reported never having, or only occasionally, sufficient support to cope with persistent symptoms and side effects.

1. Ensure integrated multidisciplinary care becomes a reality for all patients

• Seven in ten respondents (69%) reported needing psychological support during or after their care, but one-third (34%) said that it was not available.
• A quarter of respondents (24%) said they did not have access to support from allied health professionals such as dietitians and physiotherapists.

1. Address the financial implications of cancer

• 26% of respondents reported a loss of employment income as a result of their cancer care and treatment.
• 36% of respondents cited travel expenses as a financial implication of their cancer care and treatment.

The authors of the report urge policymakers and the entire cancer community to follow through on these findings, as these changes could actually improve outcomes for patients and care experiences, and the financial impact that cancer has on patients, their families, the health system and the health system. society as a whole.

This is corroborated by existing evidence: faster diagnosis can improve patient survival and is badociated with reduced treatment costs for many cancers.[i] Shared decision making is badociated with better outcomes for patients.[ii] Cancer patients with depression have a higher mortality risk of 39%,[iii] increased use of health care, and higher health care costs than non-depression patients[iv] – stressing the need for appropriate psychological support.

TheCancer productivity is estimated at 52 billion euros per year in the European Union, due to premature deaths and lost workdays[v] – and protective social policies that help either patients return to work or protect them from financial insecurity related to cancer can have a significant impact on reducing this burden.

"It's so important that as doctors, we listen to what patients tell us in this investigation," said Christobel Saunders, international All.Can member, bad cancer specialist and professor. of surgical oncology at the University of Western Australia. "Each of the identified areas represents an opportunity to enhance cancer care for patients and provide truly patient-centered care."

According to the World Health Organization, at least 20% of health expenditures would be wasted on ineffective treatments and care.[vi]