2023-07-19 10:18:37
Patients deserve better better than going after commercial interests. This is what 36 oncologists and patient advocates say in a scientific commentary published on July 16, 2023 in the specialized journal The Lancet Oncology (Source 1). Wanting to change things in the field of oncology, where they say commercial interests have taken over, the authors of this commentary also set out guidelines for the development of a new movement, a new deal, putting the patient at the heart of cancer care : “Common Sense Onclology”.
“Oncology needs a recalibrated approach that is more patient-centric and prioritizes equitable cancer care. An approach that puts patient needs first with treatments that improve survival and quality of life, promotes informed decision-making and ensures that these treatments are accessible to all patients”, write the authors in their summary.
Putting the patient’s interest back at the heart of research
The authors deplore a major change over the past decades: the shift from clinical trials mainly funded by public funds, in favor of patients, to clinical trials funded by the pharmaceutical industryand aimed at obtaining regulatory approval or commercial advantage at all costs.
They believe that this industry stranglehold on clinical research has created a system primarily focused on new cancer drugs, to the detriment studying new approaches in surgery, radiotherapy, palliative care or even in the field of prevention. In short, research would thus have gradually moved away from the real needs of patients.
Via their movement “Common Sense Oncolgy”, the authors invite the world of oncology research to do better for patients, in particular by:
- ensuring that clinical trials use and report results that matter to patients;
- promoting the critical spirit of oncologists, to make judicious clinical decisions and in favor of patients;
- improving public and patient understanding of cancer treatment options.
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