Latest news with #patientsupport
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
This nonhormonal hot-flash remedy gives options to women, experts say
During breast cancer treatment, Sharity Keith started experiencing hot flashes and night sweats. She had been placed on medications that caused her to start experiencing menopause symptoms. But because of her cancer, she was not a candidate for hormone therapy, which is considered the most effective treatment for many menopause symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats.
The National
21-05-2025
- Health
- The National
Abu Dhabi healthcare endowment strengthens a sense of national community
A sudden illness is always a challenge but conditions that last for months or years can put considerable stain on the sufferer, their family and society. As well as the physical and psychological consequences of chronic or drawn-out illnesses, the accompanying financial burden is often punishing. Treatment can require many trips to the doctor or hospital, repeated testing and expensive medicines or therapies. Although the UAE has a solid reputation for cutting-edge health care, as can be seen in its ambitious and long-running Emirati Genome Project or Monday's launch of a major new pharmaceutical manufacturing venture by Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company, the country is aware that relatively common and chronic ailments often present people with the greatest financial difficulties. According to recent research from insurance company WTW, medical healthcare costs in the Middle East are to increase by 12 per cent this year. In the GCC, the picture is even more stark; a 2023 World Bank report highlighted data that estimated the direct medical costs of seven major noncommunicable diseases to be about $16.7 billion. Indirect costs from lost worker productivity were thought to be about $80 billion in 2019 alone. Given such challenges, it is timely that Abu Dhabi this week unveiled a new endowment initiative aimed at supporting patients with chronic conditions. It is hoped that the campaign, launched under the slogan With You for Life, can raise Dh1 billion ($272 million) to cover treatment costs for people who are unable to pay while also supporting the research and development of pharmaceutical drugs. The seriousness of the scheme's intent can be seen in its financial model. Speaking to The National, Fahad Al Qassim, director general of the Abu Dhabi Endowments and Minors Funds Authority, said the fund – which will have a board of trustees, an investment committee and a spending committee – will spend its returns on treatment 'which means that we have a sustainable financial instrument and product that gives returns every single year'. It is an important addition to the UAE's evolving welfare safety net. On January 1, a basic health insurance scheme for all private sector and domestic workers who did not have coverage went live, thereby establishing a nationwide standard for health insurance. Similarly, a national unemployment insurance scheme was introduced in late 2023, providing a financial safety net to Emiratis and UAE residents in the form of a cash payout for three months if their employment is terminated. One thing these initiatives have in common is their particular importance for expat residents. As Mr Al Qassim noted: 'This endowment caters for the weakest point in the community and a lot of those people are actually non-UAE nationals … UAE nationals today, at the end of the day, they do get the treatment from the government by the leadership.' Although no-one is denied emergency medical treatment in the UAE, the country's progress in building a sense of national community is strengthened when people feel that they are secure, even at their weakest moments. This is a journey in which everyone has their part to play. Private insurance companies can contribute by regarding health coverage as less a process of assessing risk and more along the lines of providing a social service. The private sector and general public also have a key role; the highly positive response to this year's Fathers' Endowment scheme, an initiative to provide treatment and health care to the poor and needy raised more than Dh3.72 billion in donations. There is no sign of the UAE's commitment to advanced biosciences and ground-breaking research waning any time soon. That additional plans are in place to support people with more routine – although no less distressing – conditions is a positive step for the future.
Medscape
12-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
EU Urged to Tackle Rising Digestive Cancers in Young Adults
In response to the alarming rise in digestive cancers among young adults, doctors, researchers, patients, and European policymakers are urging Europe to rethink its strategies for screening, treatment, and support of digestive cancers. The ENTERO2024 conference, held recently at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, addressed this issue and provided a platform for affected individuals to share their experiences. The event was organised by Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE), Brussels, Belgium, an umbrella organisation representing over 30 national member groups across the World Health Organization European region. Through the ENTERO programme, DiCE brought together patients, caregivers, clinicians, and politicians to develop a collective response. Testimonies and proposed solutions were presented as part of a formal 'call to action.' For 5 years, the organisation has been working to better understand and address the needs of young people with colorectal, oesophageal, gastric, pancreatic, and biliary cancers. The goals are to accelerate early diagnosis, improve access to testing, and strengthen support for these patients. Many of those affected by digestive cancers are as young as 40 years old, with no significant family history and active lifestyles. Yet they suddenly find themselves facing intensive treatment, chronic pain, and long-term uncertainty. Since the 1990s, the incidence of digestive cancers, including colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers, has been steadily increasing among young adults, raising concerns in the medical community. 'Can we really afford to wait until these young patients turn 50 years of age to start screening them?' asked Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, heart surgeon and member of the European Parliament, during the morning session. Over the past three decades, the incidence of early age-onset digestive cancers has increased by 80%. This increase is linked to environmental and behavioural factors, and poorly understood causes remain. Andriukaitis criticised the slow pace of political adaptation and urged policymakers to implement risk-based screening instead of relying solely on age. He also called for more research funding and emphasised the need to protect cancer survivors from discrimination because of their medical history or illness. Cancer Has no Age At 31, Mila Ollaga Toledo, a patient advocate, discovered that she had digestive cancer after months of wandering around the healthcare system. Her experience reflects a troubling trend: Early age-onset digestive cancers increasingly affect young adults, often with poor treatment. Currently, 900,000 people get a diagnosis of digestive cancer annually in Europe, and the incidence of colorectal cancer among adults between 20 and 29 years is increasing by 7.9% annually. Young patients often find their symptoms trivialised, which delays their treatment. According to recent surveys, 60% of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. 'We need to change our way of thinking and recognise that cancer has no age limit,' Mila concluded. 'Changing mindsets and practices is essential to prevent an entire generation from being sacrificed due to a late diagnosis.' Emily Harrold, MD, a Dublin-based oncologist, also highlighted that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death among men aged 20-49 years in the United States and the second leading cause in women. Due to the severity of the issue, Harrold suggested lowering the screening age to 45 years, developing genetic tests, and training doctors to better recognise early signs of cancer. New Avenues Karl Smith-Byrne, PhD, senior molecular epidemiologist at the Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, shared his own battle against an aggressive digestive cancer. After undergoing several surgeries, prolonged hospitalisations, and drastic weight loss, he managed to survive and continue his research. Referring to the hope offered by a vaccine currently under development to prevent the recurrence of digestive cancers, 'we now have promising avenues,' he noted. 'Traditional risk factors explain only a part of the disease,' he added, calling for more research on environmental-genetic interactions. Gianluca Mauri, MD, an oncologist in Milan, Italy, confirmed that understanding the typical biology of early cancers is now a priority. He advocated a collaborative approach that combines epidemiological, biological, and technological data to develop non-invasive screening strategies tailored to young adults. Access to Care Among the various patient testimonies, Natalia Ramirez Montigny's particularly resonated with the audience. It highlighted the complexities surrounding access to innovative treatments. Diagnosed in 2021 at the age of 34 with metastatic gastric cancer, she survived thanks to her participation in a phase 1 clinical trial in Paris, France, an opportunity she would never have discovered without her personal network. 'The chances of me being here today were almost nil,' she testified. 'There was less than a 2% chance I would survive. It all started with a cough, but within weeks, I was suffering unbearable pain and was bedridden.' 'According to the World Health Organization, more than 70% of young adults with cancer have never been informed about the possibility of participating in a clinical trial,' she emphasised. 'Due to a lack of information, financial resources, or logistical support, many patients can only accept standard treatments that are often ineffective or discontinued. It is essential to make access to clinical trials more inclusive, fair, and evident across Europe,' she concluded. European Strategy Eric Van Cutsem, MD, PhD, gastroenterologist and digestive oncologist at KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, reminded attendees that recent advances in treatment are largely due to clinical trials. However, he also pointed out the bureaucratic hurdles and lack of harmonisation among member states, which are hampering European innovation and complicating access to protocols for many patients. 'We need a Europe that invests better and simplifies access to clinical research,' he argued, stressing the need to maintain and strengthen budgets dedicated to fighting cancer. 'Without strong measures to harmonise access to innovative treatments and financially support research, Europe risks widening inequalities among its citizens.' Psychological Support Beyond medical treatment, the emotional support of patients also plays a significant role in discussions. Luzia Travado, MD, PhD, clinical psychologist and researcher of psycho-oncology at the Champalimaud Clinical and Research Centre in Lisbon, Portugal, reminded everyone how the shock of diagnosis and the treatment journey disturb the emotional balance of young patients and their loved ones. 'Psychological distress affects up to 60% of cancer patients,' she said. 'Structured psychological support not only improves the quality of life but also the chances of survival. However, access to psycho-oncological care remains inconsistent, despite its proven effectiveness. The systematic integration of psychological support into care pathways, advocating for a truly person-centred care model, is essential.' Act Now Three priority areas must be addressed, concluded Zorana Maravic, molecular biologist and CEO of DiCE. There is a need to increase awareness and screening, accelerate interdisciplinary research, and ensure fair access to treatment and psychological support. The European Union (EU) must integrate early age-onset digestive cancers into its future cancer-fighting strategies, she argued. It must also secure funding within the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the EU's long-term budget. 'Today was not just a conversation, but a call to action. Behind these numbers and behind every epidemiological curve, there are faces, stories, and entire lives relying on a diagnosis, a treatment, a chance,' concluded Aurelijus Veryga, Lithuania's former health minister and now a member of the European Parliament.
