Editorial Medicalfacts / Janine Budding November 15, 2023 – 10:46 PM
On Tuesday, October 3, the Integrated Cancer Center of the Netherlands (IKNL) presented the survival figures for patients with metastatic cancer. Great progress has been made in a number of tumor types such as multiple myeloma, melanoma and breast and prostate cancer. There is also progress for lung cancer: the median survival for patients treated with immunotherapy is now 18 months. That gives hope to many cancer patients. An opportunity that we wish for all patients with metastatic cancer. The Dutch Federation of Cancer Patient Organizations (NFK) calls for intensive cooperation for further improvement.
The IKNL press release makes a link to the use of valuable medicines. The figures presented emphasize that much progress has been made in treatments for specific tumor types. These are also the tumor types for which expenditure is highest and therefore appears to have been spent wisely. NFK emphasizes, just like IKNL, that research into treatments for other tumor types is of vital importance. We wish all patients with cancer the progress that has already been made in specific tumor types.
Not all cancers are the same
The IKNL data mainly show that cancer is not one disease. The improvement in survival varies considerably per cancer type. As the IKNL report explains, this has several causes. Some tumor types are basically difficult to treat, sometimes the development of new treatment options is difficult because the tumors are rare or we do not yet know exactly in which subgroup of patients the greatest benefit can be achieved. Other conditions mainly occur in a vulnerable patient population, which means that the use of valuable resources is not always optimal.
Not all patients are the same: a plea for appropriate use and further research
If a medicine does not deliver the expected returns, you can ban it from the market completely so that it is no longer accessible to anyone. Pauline Evers: “NFK is convinced that optimizing treatment through appropriate use offers more opportunities. Appropriate use improves the quality of care, while maintaining effectiveness is accompanied by fewer side effects. Moreover, it can lead to savings.”
An example is the CAR-T tumor board. Due to better selection of patients who are suitable for CAR-T treatment, fewer patients are treated with it in the Netherlands, but the overall results are even better than in other countries. Therapy breaks or dose reductions have already been successfully used for hematological cancers. And the SONIA trial in breast cancer is an example of determining the optimal treatment sequence, with less treatment burden for the patient without loss of effectiveness.
Increasing number of patients, broader perspective
It is now known that 1 in 2 Dutch people is confronted with cancer. To continue to provide good care, a broader view is needed than a one-sided focus on the often-cited expensive medicines. Prevention and lifestyle changes should reduce the number of cancer cases, early detection and earlier and adequate treatment ensure that cancer is stopped before it spreads. Further specialization and expert care will contribute to a learning system. New insights can then be identified and implemented more quickly. Pauline Evers: “The only way to reduce the impact of cancer is optimal cooperation between all parties. Very important steps are being taken in this regard within the Dutch Cancer Collective.”
Source: IKNL
Editorial Medicalfacts / Janine Budding
I studied physiotherapy and health care business administration. I am also a registered independent client supporter and informal care broker. I have a lot of experience in various positions in healthcare, the social domain and the medical and pharmaceutical industries, nationally and internationally. And I have broad medical knowledge of most specialties in healthcare. And the healthcare laws from which healthcare is regulated and financed. I attend most of the leading medical conferences in Europe and America every year to keep my knowledge up to date and to keep up with the latest developments and innovations. I am currently doing a Masters in applied psychology.
My messages on this weblog do not reflect the strategy, policy or direction of an employer, nor are they work by or for a client or employer.
2023-11-15 21:52:35
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