In the current context of economic and social inequalities in cancer care that exist in many European countries, the need to find the best possible solutions for cancer patients is critical. Technological developments have now made a molecular and genomic analysis possible. These test findings, as offered by OncoDNA, provide doctors with the information they need to review what genes have been mutated and figure out if one treatment may work better than another on a specific cancer patient. The ultimate goal of molecular profiling is the development of individualized, highly targeted and effective therapies that can improve patient outcomes and care.
OncoDNA (“OncoDNA or “the Company”), the healthcare technology company making precision medicine a reality, today announces that it has signed a collaboration agreement with the EUROPEAN CANCER PATIENT COALITION (ECPC) in supporting its project on Personalised Medicine awareness.
The European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) is the leading umbrella cancer patient organisation in Europe that has a central role in bringing the unmet needs of patients with cancer to the forefront of cancer policy, care, and research. A joint Patient Survey released in 2016 showed that there was a very low general awareness on cancer molecular testing and biomarkers, and ECPC has responded by playing a strong and prominent role in patient education, including the launch of the first Personalised Medicine Awareness Month.
With its donation and involvement, OncoDNA confirms its strong commitment towards cancer patients and the education of the oncology community and reinforces its will to increase accessibility to independent personalised medicine in oncology in Europe.
“We are proud to support the unified voice of cancer patients across Europe by collaborating with ECPC. OncoDNA has invested in precision oncology and developed unique and comprehensive tumour molecular tests including interpretation software to support oncologists and pathologists. As a result, laboratories can offer a highly personalised therapeutic approach to cancer. At OncoDNA we believe that every European citizen has the right to access the best cancer management tools regardless of the socio-economic situation. This collaboration with ECPC demonstrates OncoDNA’s firm intention to dedicate time and resources in educating cancer patients.”, said MYRIAM GUIRAL, Chief Commercial Officer at OncoDNA.
ANTONELLA CARDONE, Director at ECPC added “Molecular testing allows a doctor to personalise cancer care for patients, identifying the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. In some countries molecular testing is not reimbursed or available to all people with cancer. Moreover, many people don’t even know about this possibility. We are now conducting a survey on biomarker testing to learn about cancer patients’ and cancer survivors’ knowledge and experience with biomarker testing or no testing, and the interim results are not encouraging. This needs to change. This is why at ECPC we want to raise awareness on the importance of access to cancer molecular testing, specifically during the Personalised Medicine Awareness Month in November. We believe patients should be informed about all available treatment options and be empowered to make the best decisions for their own health.”
About the European Cancer Patient Coalition
The European Cancer Patient Coalition is the largest European cancer patients’ umbrella organisation. It was established in 2003 and has currently over 450 Members in 47 countries. ECPC represents patients affected by all types of cancers, from the rarest to the most common and works for a Europe of equality, where all European cancer patients have timely and affordable access to the best treatment and care available, throughout their life. ECPC believes that cancer patients are the most important partners in the fight against cancer and against all the cancer-related issues affecting our society. ECPC works for the recognition of cancer patients as partners in their own healthcare and invites policy makers, researchers, doctors and industry to work all together in this direction.
