John Procter
Senior Director, Global Service and Solution Development – Patient & Market Access
QuintilesIMS
United Kingdom

Abstract

Support programmes have traditionally focussed on the needs of patients or the prescribing physician. However, the increasingly complex and evolving cancer treatment landscape, with new treatments being launched each year, requires the development of tailored, multi-channel programmes that consider the needs of all healthcare professionals across the wider healthcare systems, as well as patients and their families. This article explores the growing importance and various touch points for such programmes.

Cancer is an increasingly common disease. In 2015, 8.8 million people worldwide (1) died from cancer; almost one in six of all global deaths. In 2012, there were 14.1 million (2) new cancer diagnoses, and by 2025 this is predicted to increase to 19.3 million (3) new cases each year. Each of these diagnoses will be life-changing for patients and those close to them, requiring them to make decisions about their treatment, as well as coming to terms with the impacts on their family, work and social life. This is made even more complicated as the cancer treatment pathway is a complex and evolving one. New drugs, and diagnostic biomarkers and tests are being launched each year, and some treatments may be given to specific patients but not be relevant to others with the same tumour site.

Support programmes have traditionally focused on the needs of the patient or the prescribing physician. However, as the cancer treatment landscape is changing, an optimal approach will need to look at all individuals involved in the treatment pathway, from the patients and their families to all healthcare and administrative staff involved in their care. Patients are also increasingly becoming ...