Beirut, Lebanon, 25 July 2018: Around the world, men’s life expectancy continues to be lower compared to women’s, in part due to them being less likely to visit a doctor[1]. For men, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in the world[2] and the most common in Lebanon[3]. Currently nearly 15% of the Lebanon’s population is over the age of 55[4] – within the age group at risk of prostate cancer[5]. Lebanon has the fasted growing older adult population in the Arab region[6], thus the number of people at risk is expected to increase.
The current knowledge gap in patient care was addressed during a panel discussion ‘Understanding Prostate Cancer patient needs’ held during the Arab League for Patients Organizations forum in Egypt. The forum also saw the launch of the ‘Every Voice Matters’ initiative.
‘Every Voice Matters’ aims to give prostate cancer patients a voice, so that their needs are heard and understood. The MENA wide initiative is sponsored by Astellas Pharma and endorsed by medical societies and patient organizations from across the region including Barbara Nassar (Lebanon), Lebanese Medical Oncology Society (Lebanon); Lebanese Urology Society (Lebanon) Saudi Cancer Foundation (KSA); Saudi Urology Association (KSA) ; Emirates Urology Society (UAE); Friends of Cancer Patients (UAE); Egyptian Urology Association (Egypt); and Can Survive (Egypt). During phase one of the initiative, a prostate cancer patient survey will be conducted by IPSOS (independent research agency) in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt. The results are expected to be announced by November 2018. Phase two of the initiative will see cross industry collaboration and activities to address needs identified by the survey.
Mr. Hany Nassar, President, Barbara Nassar said: “Our key mission is to fight cancer though all possible means: by raising awareness, providing moral and financial support and seeking to enhance hospitalisation conditions for cancer patients. We are pleased to partner with Astellas Pharma, other patient organizations and medical societies across the region for ‘EveryVoiceMatters’ initiative, because we believe that understanding patients’ needs will allow us to continue to drive action to meet those needs.”
The cancer care ecosystem is complex involving many stakeholders – treating physicians, patients’ family and friends, patient organizations, government and pharmaceutical companies – who often don’t engage with the patient directly or collaborate amongst themselves. By opting for data driven insights of what prostate cancer patients need the most, areas for collaboration among all stakeholders will be identified in order to advance patient care.
Dr. Ayman Eldeeb, Cluster Head, Astellas Pharma said: “Improving the lives of patients is the key focus for Astellas Pharma. We are pleased to bring ‘Every Voice Matters’ initiative to the Middle East, and to work with medical societies and patient organizations in the region to understand the needs of prostate cancer patients. Our hope is that the availability of data on prostate cancer patient needs will serve as a starting point for industry wide collaboration and as a result the patients will receive better support throughout their treatment allowing them to enjoy higher quality of life while coping with the disease.”
‘Every Voice Matters’ gives patients the opportunity to share their story on how prostate cancer has affected their life, so men fighting the disease can receive the support that they need. If you are a prostate cancer patient and want to share your story, you can contact IPSOS (research agency) directly and enrol yourself in the survey:
TEL: +9714 428 0332
EMAIL: [email protected]
About Astellas Pharma
Astellas Pharma Inc., based in Tokyo, Japan, is a company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products.
We focus on Urology, Oncology, Immunology, Nephrology and Neuroscience as prioritized therapeutic areas while advancing new therapeutic areas and discovery research leveraging new
technologies/modalities. We are also creating new value by combining internal capabilities and external expertise in the medical/healthcare business. Astellas is on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our websites at www.astellas.com/en and www.astellasmenassa.com
[1] The men’s health gap: Men must be included in the global health equity agenda. (2014, August 01). Retrieved from Retrieved from http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/92/8/13-132795/en/
[2] International Agency for Research on Cancer. World Health Organization. GLOBOCAN 2012: Estimated Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide in 2012. All Cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer)
[3] GLOBOCAN 2012 Retrieved from: http://globocan.iarc/fr. Last accessed July 2018.
[4] Lebanon Demographics Profile 2017. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/le.html. Last accessed July 2018
[5] American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2003. 2003; American Cancer Society: Atlanta, GA; 48
[6] Sawsan Abdulrahim, et al. 2015. . Aging in Lebanon: Challenges and Opportunities. The Gerontologist Vol 55 No 4, 511-518