Winning where it matters
We’re winning the war on cancer on a scientific level but losing it in the real world. That was the conclusion reached by 100 top researchers, clinicians and advocates at the first World Oncology Forum [more]
May 2019
Better care or just more high-tech? Defining the value of new radiotherapy treatments
Many patients are being treated with costly new radiotherapy treatments on the basis of hype rather than evidence that they stand to benefit. For others, lack of evidence is delaying access to new treatments that [more]
Shortages of generic cancer medicines are harming patients. So why can’t we fix it?
Despite more than a decade of efforts to address the problem, cancer patients across Europe and the US still cannot rely on essential drugs being available when they need them. Rachel Brazil looks at the [more]
Stavroula Theophanous-Kitiri: a clinical pharmacy service that delivers for patients
It’s about getting the right drug, to the right patient, at the right time, in the right amount, with the right patient information on how, when and why to use it. Peter McIntyre talks to [more]
Access to quality cancer care: Is the cross border healthcare directive helping or hindering?
The EU cross border healthcare directive – officially the ‘Directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross border healthcare’ – has been in force across member states for more than five years now. It [more]
‘Relentless and debilitating’: why is nausea still a problem, and how can we do better?
A whole armamentarium of antiemetic drugs has dramatically reduced the level of vomiting related to cancer treatment. But nausea, in particular, is still troubling patients. Sophie Fessl explores the causes, and asks: why is this still [more]
Management of toxicities related to immunotherapies
Immunotherapy agents are being used to treat a growing range of cancers, but emerging evidence from randomised trials and clinical practice shows very different patterns of toxicity compared to chemotherapy. Jean-Marie Michot reviews what doctors [more]
Better outcomes, better experiences: why cancer nursing is a job for specialists
The European Oncology Nursing Society has compiled the evidence to show the value of the work cancer nurses do, and the specialist training and education they need to do it. Now they’re calling on policy [more]
If it’s approved but not reimbursed, what do you say?
“There are doctors who do not inform the patients about [non-reimbursed options] because it is less stressful”. “I explain to them that if they were treated in more developed countries, the treatment strategy would be [more]
The unreported results that are still undermining evidence-based medicine
The scandal of unreported trials has been known about for decades, prompting a variety of initiatives, legislative changes and campaigns. Sophie Fessl asks what impact these have had on reporting practices, and how far patients [more]
Dina Tiniakos: President of the European Society of Pathology
Precision cancer medicine has put a spotlight on the role of pathologist, whose job it is to provide an accurate diagnosis as well as prognostic and predictive information on which to tailor the treatment plan. [more]
Incidence of colorectal cancer is on the rise among young adults
Data from 20 European countries show that in the past 15 years colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence increased among young adults. The awareness of the changing epidemiology of CRC could have a practical implication: to reconsider [more]
Safety First, Safety Always
European Cancer Nursing Day (ECND2019) on 18 May sees the launch of the EONS Safety Manifesto. Here, EONS President Lena Sharp describes how this new initiative from the European Oncology Nursing Society will have a [more]