Researched by Belong.life and Hematology Institute, University Hospital Assuta Samson Ashdod. published by ASCO
Authors: Adrian Marcelo Duek, Bozhena Haikin, Alon Litvin, Daniel A. Vorobiof
Background:
Cancer pts are mostly unaware of the higher than normal risk of developing a CAT event. A recently reported European survey, with 745 participants, showed that just above two-thirds (69%) of pts never received information and were not aware of the higher thrombotic risk associated with cancer diagnosis and its diverse treatments
Methods:
A comprehensive survey was sent, during July-September 2022, to members of Belong.life, a social and professional international free application for cancer pts and their caregivers. Pts who registered within the diagnostic groups, received a 24 questions survey of demographic and specialized questions referring to their knowledge on the possible increased risk of associated thromboembolic events, as well as determine the available resources for pts education. 1200 adult pts with a variety of cancers, replied to the survey. Most pts were receiving active anticancer treatments. Independent demographic and clinical variables were analyzed.
Results:
1200 cancer pts, Belong users from English speaking countries, completed the survey, most of them females (74%, 889/1200) and > 50 years of age (85%,1014/1200). Commonest cancers were breast (29%,350/1200), gastrointestinal (15%,182/1200), lung (12%,144/1200) and gynecological (11%,142/1200). 80% (964/1200) never suffered thrombosis before their cancer diagnosis. Overall, at the time of answering the survey, 71% (861/1200) claimed not being aware of their CAT risks. 28% (339/1200) of the responders were aware of CAT at the time of replying to the survey, and of them only 17% (49/289) confirmed to be fully informed of CAT risks. Among all those that received information on CAT, 10% (120/1200) obtained it at the time of their first thrombotic event occurrence, while 14% (172/1200) were informed at the time of their cancer diagnosis and/or commencement of their planned treatments. Verbal information on CAT was mostly conveyed (51%) by the medical staff, in face to face meetings, while family and friends gave mostly internet and social media guidance (73%).
Conclusions:
The presence of a CAT impacts cancer pts clinical outcomes and quality of life. Available data on CAT education and awareness have been sparse. A recent European survey has shown important awareness gaps. Our RWDE survey, on 1200 Belong members with diverse geographical backgrounds and a variety of cancers, confirmed that 71% of the surveyed pts are not aware of their CAT risks before their diagnosis and/or treatment of cancer, indicating a major need for education on the known CAT risk factors, signs and symptoms, and available diagnostic imaging and treatment approaches. It is imperative that oncologists, together with allied medical professionals involved in cancer care, provide relevant CAT information, at the time of a patient’s cancer diagnosis, when individual treatments are planned, and along the pts’s cancer journey.
For more info on abstract 18774: Real world data evidence (RWDE) on cancer patients’ (pts) awareness and knowledge of cancer associated thrombosis (CAT) events.
