If This Were a Drug, the Price Would Be $100,000
The use of an online tool that allowed patients with metastatic cancer to report symptoms to their care team in “real time” was associated with a 5-month improvement in overall survival, compared with usual care based on follow-up, according to new randomized clinical trials results.
“If This Were a Drug that had a survival advantage of this magnitude, it would be retail priced at $100,000s, said Harold Burnstein from Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, who commented during the press event. Dr. Burnstein acknowledged that the practice of medicine has been behind the curve in technology adoption.
The study took place at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City and was featured at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2017 Annual Meeting. Dr. Ethan Basch, MD, MSc, (UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center member, Director of Cancer Outcomes Research Program, and Professor in UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology) was the scientific responsible of the study.
Dr. Betty Ferrell noted that the study added to the growing body of evidence that unreported symptoms impact not only quality of life but survival. “It is very well established that patients are often hesitant to report symptoms and tend to endure symptoms rather than to see them as influencing their survival”.
Dr. Dawn Hershman, a medical oncologist at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York City, commented that the key is the use of patient-reported outcomes and acting on symptoms early. “Acting early can prevent toxicities and improve adherence to effective treatment”.
The report of symptoms using the web-based tool by the patients can have positive effects on disease outcome and the quality of life. This may be related to the early responsiveness of the clinicians and early management of symptoms, avoiding further complications, such as nausea, constipation, pain, etc.
CureCancer - mycancer.gr is a web-based tool that provides patients with these exact services. It is easy to use and helps you to record your medications and your treatments, organize your medical files, self-report, follow and share your symptoms with your doctor. Thus, it enables you to receive early medical response and therapy, to prevent or minimize toxicity and improve your adherence to effective treatment.
CureCancer - mycancer.gr can help you live longer and better.
References:
- https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/881080
- http://search.medscape.com/search/?q=Ethan%20Basch&
- https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/asco2017-6008792#
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2630810
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/06/04/how-a-simple-tech-tool-can-help-cancer-patients-live-longer/?utm_term=.a1f081014d98
