Patients with cancer are failing to receive appropriate treatment for anaemia and so are suffering unnecessarily from the debilitating fatigue it causes, according to results from a new pan-European survey of over 250 cancer patients in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK conducted during summer 2005.
The survey revealed that over half (58%) are not currently receiving EPO therapy (drugs which stimulate the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) for their anaemia-related fatigue, despite the recommendation of European standards for anaemia care. This suggests that the adoption of appropriate anaemia management by cancer treating physicians has not advanced enough over the past four years.
Commenting on the survey findings, Dr Matti Aapro, Genolier, Switzerland said: “It is not acceptable that so many cancer patients are needlessly suffering with the physical, emotional and economic stress of anaemia-related fatigue. This new survey shows that too many patients are still not benefiting from the standards set out in the EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) guidelines on the management of anaemia in cancer. When used according to the guidelines, EPO can have the effect of reenergising patients, enabling them to regain their strength and to have a greater sense of independence and confidence. We have to make the treatment of anaemia a routine part of cancer management.”
