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July 12 – For decades, a diagnosis of cancer has been equated with a loss of hope and even described as a death sentence. Advances in drug treatments have changed that.
"Cancer Survivor" is used to define people who have successfully completed treatment, and has evolved to mean something more holistic. The National Coalition for Cancer Survival and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the United States state that a person becomes a survivor from the time of diagnosis and continues to be a survivor for the rest of his life.
In Malaysia, we face two problems. First, unlike similar countries, patients are diagnosed with advanced cancer. Our national registry shows that more than half of our survivors are diagnosed with advanced stage 3 or stage 4 cancer. Secondly, the diagnosis of most Malaysians is being rejuvenated, due to a better awareness of cancer that sees more women being screened quickly.
Resources, especially new innovative treatments, are often focused on breast cancer because they often have better chances of responding to treatments. However, studies show that providing new and innovative treatments to patients in later stages of the disease can give equal rewards; Patients with early-stage (stage 1 and 2) breast cancer who visit public hospitals have access to a drug called "trastuzumab", which allows them to live longer. which is very effective for those who express a specific protein (HER2 +). With these medications, they have better survival and / or cure rates. However, the evidence now shows that for people with stage 3 and stage 4 breast cancer, trastuzumab also has tremendous benefits – increasing both the survival periods and the quality of life of these patients. Unfortunately, it is not available for their use.
The government must consider the value obtained by extending the treatment of advanced cancer survivors because they are huge. It is not enough to consider the cost of treatment alone, because there are savings such as less hospitalization and care required for the survivor who is doing well; the economic productivity of the survivor (and members of his family) who has the ability to return to work. Providing these drugs can improve the well-being of survivors who will be able to spend more time with their families while improving their quality of life.
Just asking for funds for the treatment of survivors may seem unfair to the Ministry of Health. what with our recent economic conditions. The Malaysian National Cancer Society, along with other cancer groups, would like to ask all stakeholders to work together to build innovative new strategies to ensure that these patients can receive these innovative and highly innovative therapies. effective. cancers should also be hired to partially fund patient purchase programs; while pharmaceutical companies can provide assistance programs – in which they also contribute these drugs at subsidized rates.
With stakeholders assuming their role, the Ministry of Health must take a small step forward to ensure the Malaysian health system; our patients receive the best care to allow for longer survival and a better quality of life.
* Dr. Murallitharan M. is a public health physician and the director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. It is communicable by email to [email protected]
** This is the personal opinion of the author or publication and does not necessarily represent the point of view of Malay Mail .
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