A new survey from Takeda due to be presented at the ESMO Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress in Spain this week highlights major gaps in the treatment experiences of people with metastatic colorectal cancer.
The survey, commissioned by Takeda—which sells colorectal cancer drug Fruzaqla—and conducted by The Harris Poll, included more than 800 adult colon cancer patients across Europe and Canada.
The vast majority of patients surveyed were either actively undergoing treatment or deciding on a treatment plan. To improve the entire treatment experience, many in the group said they’d like to better understand their diagnosis and treatment options.
Also negatively impacting the treatment experience is the survey’s finding that nearly two-thirds of the patients reported feeling unheard or dismissed by their healthcare providers (HCPs) at least some of the time. As a possible solution, about half of the respondents said they’d like to have more non-medical conversations with their HCPs—about their quality of life and how to manage daily experiences, for example—and many said they’d also prefer to have access to a wider range of healthcare services.
Beyond HCP interactions, the surveyed patients named several other factors that play a major role in their treatment decisions: potential side effects, impact on physical health or quality of life and fear of becoming a burden on loved ones.
They cited about a dozen groups and resources that provide guidance in making those decisions. Friends and family ranked highest among the European respondents, while the Canadian patients pointed to their oncologists; other prominent influences include caregivers, social media, fellow colon cancer patients and internet searches.
Only about a quarter of all respondents said patient organization resources helped provide guidance in making treatment decisions; the survey’s authors noted that this indicates that such organizations “seem to remain underutilized.”
The new survey results echo similar findings from a recent Takeda-sponsored survey of U.S. adults with metastatic colorectal cancer, which found that about two-thirds wished they had more power in the treatment process and that only a small percentage of patients relied on patient groups for decision-making support—though about 20% said they were looking for more support from advocacy groups.
The expansion of the survey to Canada and Europe “underscores our commitment to addressing patient needs worldwide,” Annarita Egidi, head of Takeda’s Europe and Canada oncology business unit, said in a statement sent to Fierce Pharma Marketing.
“The survey findings emphasize the importance of holistic care, as many patients seek more comprehensive conversations that address their overall quality of life,” she continued. “The data also revealed the crucial role of support networks, such as family, friends and patient organizations, in influencing treatment choices. While a significant number of patients reported feeling unheard at times, we see this as an opportunity to enhance communication and ensure that every patient feels valued and understood.”