A recent European survey revealed that 80 percent of thoracic surgeons declared to follow the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, focussed on improving peri-operative lung cancer care,1 simultaneously, patients appear to continue experiencing confusion regarding the available treatment pathway.
BARCELONA, Spain, May 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Johnson & Johnson MedTech hosted a symposium during the 32nd Meeting of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) (26-28 May 2024), in Barcelona, Spain. The Johnson & Johnson symposium, ‘HCP and Patient Perspectives: Optimising Surgical Outcomes Through Collaboration Across the Treatment Continuum’, convened a patient advocate and a group of healthcare professionals -including thoracic surgeons, a thoracic oncologist and a physiotherapist-, to share their viewpoints during an interactive discussion aiming to optimise communication between patients and their healthcare team, and improve the peri-operative treatment of lung cancer.2 Some of the experts from the recent symposium will now gather to establish an advisory board promoted by J&J MedTech, focused on developing a medium to long-term plan to redefine the surgical lung cancer treatment pathway, and on promoting further collaboration between surgeons, clinicians, and patients.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, resulting in over 375,000 deaths each year in Europe alone.3 It is often detected and diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment options are limited and survival is poorest.4 When lung cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, up to 90 percent of people will survive at least 5 years.5 This figure decreases to less than 10 percent with a late-stage diagnosis.5
“At Johnson and Johnson, changing the trajectory of lung cancer is our priority and we are committed to supporting early diagnosis to help improve survival and disease outcomes for patients. As part of our work with The Lung Cancer Policy Network - a worldwide network of almost 70 leading lung cancer experts, patient organisations, and industry representatives -, we use our collective expertise to make survival from lung cancer a policy priority around the world, through the wider implementation of lung cancer screening,” said Gianluca Casali, Senior Medical Director, Johnson & Johnson MedTech. “Open discussions between patients and multi-disciplinary healthcare teams involved in lung cancer management are crucial to identify areas where improvements are needed in both diagnosis and care, to ensure that lung cancer is diagnosed early, and that each individual patient receives the best treatment option for their particular cancer, to live longer, with the best quality of life possible. This is why we are dedicated to promoting and facilitating this exchange of opinions.”
In a recent European survey of over 200 thoracic surgeons, promoted by J&J MedTech and LuCE (Lung Cancer Europe) and presented at the ESTS meeting, 50 percent of respondents acknowledged being successful and 30 percent very successful in implementing the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for surgery of lung cancer in their hospital department, an evidence-based multidisciplinary protocol of peri-operative care.1,6 At the same time, survey results indicated inconsistent implementation of the protocol, with 36 percent of respondents stating they don’t have a specialised pulmonary nurse.1 Tumour boards and the assignment of a dedicated nurse are critical to ensure that patient care is aligned with the best available evidence, allowing clinicians to put forward personalised treatment options. The data of the survey indicated that the ERAS protocol is not always fully implemented, which could lead to inadequate patient management and missed communication among parties, as suggested by some of the panellists. J&J MedTech is committed to exploring solutions to help HCPs maintain effective pre- and post-operative communication with patients, including through the use of digital technologies.
“A diagnosis of lung cancer is overwhelming for patients, and lack of communication and clarity around the treatment options available adds to the feeling of complete loss we all come to experience,” said Merel Hennink*, patient advocate. “What matters the most to us is to know that our healthcare team is organising a treatment plan based on our individual needs and unique features of our cancer. Once we’ve had a chance to digest our diagnosis news, we want to have those conversations with our oncologist, to discuss our treatment options and we want to be able to make an informed decision on the best course of action for us and our families.”
“We know that screening of high-risk lung cancer individuals is an effective and cost-effective way of identifying patients who are most likely to respond to a curative treatment; we now have the opportunity to transform lung cancer to a treatable condition if it is diagnosed early,” said Professor Cecilia Pompili†, Associate Professor and Thoracic Oncology Surgeon University of Leeds, UK. “Surgery plays an integral role in the multidisciplinary care of lung cancer, alongside emerging treatments, and it is crucial for us to understand how available treatments impact patients' daily lives. Clinicians must grasp patients’ preferences and psychophysical burdens during their treatment. We must empower patients in playing an active part in their lung cancer management plan, as a means of improving overall outcomes for each individual patient.”
*Merel Hennink is a patient advocate. She has been compensated for her participation in the symposium but not for any media work.
†Professor Cecilia Pompili is a paid consultant to Johnson & Johnson MedTech. She has been compensated for her participation in the symposium but not for any media work.
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ABOUT JOHNSON&JOHNSON MEDTECH
At Johnson & Johnson MedTech, we unleash diverse healthcare expertise, purposeful technology, and a passion for people to transform the future of medical intervention and empower everyone to live their best life possible. For more than a century, we have driven breakthrough scientific innovation to address unmet needs and reimagine health. In surgery, orthopaedics, vision, and interventional solutions, we continue to help save lives and create a future where healthcare solutions are smarter, less invasive, and more personalised. Learn more at https://www.jnjmedtech.com/en-EMEA. Follow us at https://www.linkedin.com/company/jnjmedtechuki/.
ABOUT JOHNSON&JOHNSON MEDTECH IN LUNG CANCER
Johnson & Johnson MedTech is committed to change the trajectory of lung cancer and potentially save more lives across the globe and in EMEA, by addressing various initiatives. Our approach includes:
- Developing innovative technologies: we invest in the research and development of advanced technologies to improve treatment outcomes for lung cancer. We aim to provide healthcare professionals with effective tools to enhance patient care.
- Collaboration with healthcare professionals and institutions: we work closely with healthcare professionals and institutions to understand their needs and challenges in combating lung cancer. By collaborating closely, we aim to develop comprehensive solutions and professional education programmes that address these challenges and provide better patient outcomes.
- Advocating for increased access: we advocate for increased access to lung cancer screening and quality care. We believe that every patient should have equal opportunities for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.
- Raising awareness: we actively strive to raise awareness about the importance of prevention and early intervention in lung cancer. By educating the public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers and collaborating with patients advocacy groups, we aim to encourage proactive measures and reduce the impact of lung cancer.
CAUTIONS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialise, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Ethicon, Inc., Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC, Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation Inc., and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: uncertainty of regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; challenges to patents; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; changes in behaviour and spending patterns of purchasers of healthcare products and services; and trends toward healthcare cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in Johnson & Johnson’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at sec.gov, jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither of Ethicon, Inc., Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC, Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation Inc., nor Johnson & Johnson, undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.
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1 Johnson & Johnson. Survey of thoracic surgeons conducted in May 2024. Data on file.
2 Johnson & Johnson MedTech symposium. HCP and Patient Perspectives: Optimising Surgical Outcomes Through Collaboration Across the Treatment Continuum. Presented during the 32nd Meeting of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Barcelona, Spain, on 26th May 2024.
3 International Agency for Research on Cancer. Global Cancer Observatory. Cancer Today GOBOCAN 2022 -Lung. Available at: https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/cancers/15-trachea-bronchus-and-lung-fact-sheet.pdf. Last accessed: May 2024.
4 World Health Organization. Lung cancer -fact sheet (June 2023). Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer. Last accessed: May 2024.
5 Jing N, et al. Early diagnosis of lung cancer: which is the optimal choice? Aging 2021;13(4):6214–6227.
6 Batchelor TJP, et al. Guidelines for enhanced recovery after lung surgery: recommendations of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS). European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery 2019;55(1):91-115.
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