Debiopharm launches a new knowledge and resource platform to empower patients living with cancer to improve their quality of life, with an initial focus on prostate cancer.
Lausanne, Switzerland – July 6th, 2023 – Debiopharm (www.debiopharm.com), a privately-owned, Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company aiming to establish tomorrow’s standard-of-care to cure cancer and infectious diseases, today announced the launch of a new online portal to support people living with cancer. As recent studies show the importance of lifestyle habits in the management of cancer,1,2 this website has been designed to share relevant recommendations for patients, with a first focus on prostate cancer.
Centered on shared decision-making between the patient, clinician and caregiver, the Oncolifestyle.com platform helps patients get accessible, evidence-based information for taking an active role in their journey with cancer, making positive lifestyle choices, and finding new ways to improve their quality of life. Resources include information related to their disease, nutrition, physical activity, brain health and sexual health.
“At Debiopharm, we want to guarantee that patients are given a seat at the table when it comes to their care. They deserve access to the right information to make the right choices and remain an active player in their personal health journey” explained Thierry Mauvernay, President, Debiopharm & Après-Demain.
Every year, around 6,600 men in Switzerland develop prostate cancer, making it the most common type of cancer among men.3 Studies reveal that exercising regularly and eating well can help men with prostate cancer improve their quality of life,4 slow disease progression5,6 and reduce the likelihood of aggressive prostate cancer.7 Based on this clinical evidence, Oncolifestyle.com recommends that patients incorporate physical activity into their daily routine and adopt a Mediterranean diet. In addition, having an active social life, playing games, and doing handiwork can help maintain good cognitive health.
“In addition to receiving medical treatments, patients can greatly benefit from personalized guidance on adjusting their daily habits to improve their well-being, both physically and mentally. It is essential to look beyond medical interventions and consider the broader lifestyle factors that can contribute to a patient’s overall health and happiness. By providing tailored advice, the Oncolifestyle platform empowers patients to make positive changes in their day-to-day routines. This guidance may include recommendations on nutrition, exercise, stress management techniques, sleep habits, and other self-care practices. Implementing these small but impactful adjustments can enhance the patient’s physical strength, boost their emotional resilience, and improve their overall quality of life – during and after prostate cancer treatment” commented Dr. med. Mohamed Shelan, Senior Physician, Radio-Oncology, University Hospital of Bern (Inselspital).
This new portal also aims to facilitate discussions between patients and their doctors. According to recent research, regret over the choice of prostate cancer treatment is almost six times more common in people who underestimated the possible side effects.8 Changes in sexual function are generally cited by patients as the most difficult consequences of treatment.9
“It is often challenging for patients to talk about how prostate cancer may impact their quality of life, especially in terms of sexual health. The Oncolifestyle platform can help start these sensitive conversations” commented Prof.Dr.med. Hubert John, Head of the department of Urology, Winterthur Cantonal Hospital.
The website is available in most of the Swiss languages, including French, German, and Italian, as well as in English.
“This platform marks an important milestone. We will continue to enrich it with support from healthcare professionals and patient organizations, to empower even more patients in the management of their cancer. When patients are informed and actively engaged, conversations with their medical team and caregivers flow more smoothly, and the whole care journey improves. It is a win for everyone involved” noted Thierry Mauvernay.
Debiopharm’s commitment to patients
Debiopharm aims to develop innovative therapies that target high unmet medical needs in oncology and bacterial infections. Bridging the gap between disruptive discovery products and real-world patient reach, we identify high-potential compounds and technologies for in-licensing, clinically demonstrate their safety and efficacy, and then select large pharmaceutical commercialization partners to maximize patient access globally.
For more information, please visit www.debiopharm.com
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References
[1] Choi JW, Hua TNM. Impact of Lifestyle Behaviors on Cancer Risk and Prevention. J Lifestyle Med. 2021 Jan 31;11(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.15280/jlm.2021.11.1.1
[2] Zhang, YB., Pan, XF., Chen, J. et al. Combined lifestyle factors, incident cancer, and cancer mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Br J Cancer. 122, 1085–1093 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-020-0741-x
[3] Swiss Medical Network. Factsheet on prostate cancer. Accessed June 29, 2023: https://www.swissmedical.net/en/urology/prostate-cancer
[4] Baguley, B., Bolam, K., Wright, O. & Skinner, T. The Effect of Nutrition Therapy and Exercise on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life in Men with Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 9, 1003 (2017). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9091003
[5] Friedenreich, C. M. et al. Physical Activity and Survival After Prostate Cancer. Eur. Urol. 70, 576–585 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2015.12.032
[6] Gregg, J. R. et al. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and grade group progression in localized prostate cancer: An active surveillance cohort. Cancer. 127, 720–728 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.33182
[7] Castelló, A. et al. Mediterranean Dietary Pattern is Associated with Low Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer: MCC-Spain Study. J. Urol. 199, 430–437 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.08.087
[8] Wallis, C. J. D. et al. Association of Treatment Modality, Functional Outcomes, and Baseline Characteristics With Treatment-Related Regret Among Men With Localized Prostate Cancer. JAMA Oncol. 8, 50 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.5160
[9] Europa Uomo Patient Reported Outcome Studies (EUPROMS). Quality of life after prostate cancer treatment. 2023 Accessed June 29, 2023: https://www.europa-uomo.org/who-we-are/quality-of-life-2/the-euproms-study/