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The Most Troubling Part of Cancer Treatment for Patients
A Wamberg Genomic Advisors’ Cancer Survey has revealing findings from people dealing directly with cancer.
Wamberg
Healthcare executives understand that cancer patients and their families are going through a difficult and challenging time. During this period, providing patients with access to guidance from knowledgeable experts can go a long way toward easing their frustrations.
A Wamberg Genomic Advisors’ Cancer Survey of 204 persons dealing directly with the disease (half of respondents were patients, and half were family or friends helping during diagnosis and treatment) found that 47%, said there was “no knowledgeable advocate to help” in finding an effective treatment/solution for cancer.
Another 29% found that the most troubling part of finding an effective treatment/solution was “healthcare experts could not agree on a treatment.” The remaining 24% said that they “bounced from doctor to doctor” to find a solution.
The survey also found that patients want more guidance, Forty-two percent said that they thought more help from an advocate dedicated to the case could have helped them better understand what was wrong.
Related: Early-Stage Clinical Trials Offer Hope to Oncology Patients
Other findings include:
- 21% said that finding a good treatment took more than a month.
- 10% of respondents noted that they never found a good treatment.
- 11% of respondents claimed that the cancer was misdiagnosed at least one time.
- 4% said that there was a misdiagnosis twice or more.
“Healthcare executives can advise those who have a history of cancer in their families, or a genetic predisposition for cancer to take aggressive measures in being ready to get the best possible help, and diagnostic testing,” says Tom Wamberg, CEO of Wamberg Genomic Advisors.
Top ways to be a patient advocate
“A professional advocate can assist people with cancer by providing professional support across three key domains: clinical confidence, emotional resilience, and practical help,” Wamberg says.
He advises helping the patient manage their cancer in a more productive and engaged way. This could include:
- Helping them orientate and understand the cancer landscape
- Answering questions and helping with complex medical terminology
- Organizing a second opinion
- Providing emotional support
- Providing an on-site nurse navigator during medical consultations to help ensure the right questions are being asked
- Curating information and signposting to useful resources
Reducing Low-Value Care in Oncology
November 10th 2023The Choosing Wisely campaign has helped with overscreening and overtreatment. Some experts say better management of end-of-life care and value-based payment would also help steer oncology away from care with poor cost-benefit ratios.
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Using the 'Pathway' Approach to Shorten the Time Between Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
November 16th 2022In this episode of Tuning In to the C-Suite, Briana Contreras, editor with Managed Healthcare Executive spoke with Dr. Yuri Fesko, oncologist and vice president of Medical Affairs at Quest Diagnostics. In the conversation, Dr. Fesko addressed the ongoing issue of long gaps of times between receiving a diagnosis for a type of cancer and finally getting the treatment for it. Dr. Fesko shared the benefits a number of sectors receive when treating patients sooner and the steps to get there.
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Takeda to Withdraw Oncology Drug Exkivity from U.S. Market
October 2nd 2023In a confirmatory trial, Exkivity did not meet the primary endpoint in treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR exon 20 mutations. It will remain available while Takeda works with the FDA on withdrawal timing.
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MHE Associate Editor, Briana Contreras, spoke with CEO of Inteliquet, a cancer solutions provider that strives to match patients to clinical trials accurately and promptly in healthcare, Marie Lamont. In this episode Marie discusses the challenges that have affected clinical trials and cancer screenings and how to get trials back on track through technology to avoid the wave of undiagnosed patients post-COVID. She also shared how broadening them through diversity can improve trials.
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