Dario Trapani, Medical Oncologist at European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Researcher at Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology at University of Milan, shared Partha Basu’s post on LinkedIn, adding:
“Survival is the goal, and Quality of Life (QoL) is a gold standard in measuring cure in early breast cancer.
A New International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization research tracking 830 survivors in Morocco proves that medical treatment alone isn’t enough. To fix the ‘Low QoL’ trajectory, we need four urgent policy shifts:
Optimize evidence-consistent Care: Patients at comprehensive centers, receiving guidelines-consistent care, had an 88% lower risk of poor outcomes. We must prioritize ‘Centers of cancer treatment’ as a health systems goal in cancer control.
Mandate value-driven and resource-appropriate Guidelines to inform treatment and guide resource optimisation and investments: Following international protocols cut poor QoL by over 50%. Quality control is a patient right.
Fix Financial Toxicity: Insurance cover does not work in silos, it isn’t a silver bullet, when not comprehensive, person-cenfric. Financial hardship persisted for everyone. Policy must cover the “hidden costs” (transport, lost wages). Investing in cancer is key.
Target Young Survivors: Patients under 50 are struggling the most. They need specialized social and psychological support.
To optimize survivorship in low- and middle-income countries, we must move from ‘treating the tumor’ to ‘supporting the person’!!”
Partha Basu, Head of the Early Detection, Prevention and Infections Branch at IARC – International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization is privileged to collaborate with Lalla Salma Foundation and researchers in Morocco to study Quality of life trajectories in breast cancer survivors up to one year after treatment.
The study demonstrates that advanced stage of disease and financial hardships had major impact on QoL out-comes.”
Title: Quality of life trajectories in breast cancer survivors up to one year after treatment: a prospective study in a lower-middle-income country
Authors: Farida Selmouni, Karima Bendahhou, Richard Muwonge, Catherine Sauvaget, Halima Abahssain, Eric Lucas, Hind Mimouni, Rachid Ismaili, Soukaina Bidar, Fatima Zahra Benkaddour, Loubna Abousselham, Youssef Chami, Latifa Belakhal, Partha Basu
Read the Full Article on Quality of Life Research
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