[ad_1]
This article was initiated and funded by Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd and was written and developed in collaboration with the Let’s Talk Prostate Cancer Expert Group. The work of the Let’s Talk Prostate Cancer Expert Group is funded by Astellas Pharma, Amgen, and Pfizer.
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men, affecting more than 2 million men across Europe.[1] It has caused approximately 75,000 deaths.[2] However, compared to other diseases, the level of public awareness of this disease remains disproportionately low.
The key to saving lives is early detection, and this can only be achieved by raising awareness of the disease and encouraging those affected to seek help. However, significant barriers to testing and care exist across Europe, reflecting the impact of gender, socio-economic, ethnic and national inequalities.[3] Many of these barriers still exist because there is a common misconception that prostate cancer is somehow “less serious” than other cancers and has gone unnoticed for many years. This couldn’t be further from reality.
.png)
Prostate cancer and its treatment can cause a variety of physical and mental problems, including sexual dysfunction, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.[4] It has a significant impact on the lives of patients and those closest to them. There are also gender-specific taboos and stigmas that compound the effects of prostate cancer, with men often having a hard time sharing their struggles with family and friends.[4] For example, a study in Denmark found that: Between one-fifth and one-quarter of men between the ages of 25 and 39 have no or very few people to talk to privately.[5] Addressing this requires comprehensive men-specific health policies or targeted efforts to increase awareness and participation in early detection.
In 2022, the European Council reached an important milestone by announcing its intention to expand its targeted screening program to include prostate cancer.[6] However, more than a year later, the progress is very slow, with only a few member states moving towards implementation.. For example, the Italian Ministry of Health recently funded a pilot project for prostate cancer screening.[7] And the Czech Republic has launched a national testing and risk-based screening program for men to encourage early detection.[8]
Of course, it’s encouraging to see steps in the right direction, but unfortunately it’s not enough. To bring about real meaningful change, broader and more harmonized implementation of screening recommendations is needed across the EU. Prostate cancer must be a top priority. The LTPC Expert Group is therefore calling on all MPs to sign his 2024 EU election manifesto ‘Parliamentary Manifesto’ and commit to working together on this issue. We must push prostate cancer onto the political agenda. And with the new EU Directive 2024-2029 on the horizon, we have a unique opportunity to ensure that everyone in Europe, no matter who or where they are, has access to the right detection and treatment at the right time. We have it. they are. We must turn the tide on this life-destroying disease to benefit patients, their families, and society as a whole. Now is the time to act.
Disclaimer: This article was initiated and developed in collaboration with the Let’s Talk Prostate (LTPC) expert group. The LTPC Expert Group is a joint initiative that unites stakeholders at EU level with the common goal of advocating for policy changes and promoting education and awareness about prostate cancer. Since his founding in 2018, the LTPC Expert Group has worked to draw attention to the challenges faced by prostate cancer patients in Europe, including delays in detection and diagnosis, limited or unequal access to treatment, and stigma. I did.
The activities of the Let’s Talk Prostate Cancer Expert Group are funded by Astellas Pharma, Amgen Inc., and Pfizer Inc., who jointly contribute to and support the goals and objectives of the Expert Group. .
References
[ad_2]
Source link
