BCAC’s Libby Burgess joined the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Singapore, held over three days in December. The Congress brought together researchers, oncologists and patient advocates from across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and Europe to learn of breakthrough therapies and to advance local cancer care and research.
Libby filed this report on the Patient Advocate Summit at the Congress:
Advocates and experts worked together at the Congress Patient Advocate Summit to identify and develop solutions to roadblocks preventing optimal and equitable care for patients in the diverse APAC countries. Ranjit Kaur, Patient Engagement Co-Chair noted that the best care is delivered when healthcare professionals focus on treating the person, not just the disease. Shared decision-making empowers patients through greater knowledge and leads to greater acceptance of treatment choices. Issues for patients include overcoming financial toxicity, workplace and insurance discrimination, the need for psychosocial support, pain management, fertility protection and minimising sexual dysfunction. Cancer stigma is a real issue in many countries. Care needs to be patient-centred, culturally safe and inclusive of LGBTQI.
Libby noted that the concept of shared decision-making is increasingly raised at breast cancer conferences; an encouraging trend that should see patients more actively involved in their own care with good support from their health care providers. More effective communication will be very important to make this idea work well.
