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Cancer patient advocacy: new opportunities for treatment advances

Diane Zipursky Quale1, Michael J Droller

  • 1Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. dzquale@bcan.org

Urologic Oncology
|July 14, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Patient advocacy groups raise awareness and funding for cancer research and treatment. The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network was founded in 2005 to support bladder cancer patients and advance research toward a cure.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Public Health
  • Patient Advocacy

Background:

  • Patient advocacy organizations are crucial for cancer awareness, treatment improvement, clinical trial participation, and research funding.
  • Historically, bladder cancer lacked a dedicated patient advocacy group, despite the disease's prevalence.
  • The establishment of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) in 2005 addressed this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical role of patient advocacy in cancer research and treatment.
  • To emphasize the significance of establishing a dedicated advocacy network for bladder cancer.
  • To explore how patient advocacy organizations can drive progress in cancer care.

Main Methods:

  • Review of the impact and function of patient advocacy organizations in oncology.
  • Historical analysis of patient representation in bladder cancer.
  • Conceptual framework for collaboration between advocacy groups and healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

  • Patient advocacy organizations significantly enhance public awareness and demand for improved cancer treatments.
  • These organizations play a key role in recruiting participants for clinical trials and securing research funds.
  • The founding of BCAN marked a pivotal moment for the bladder cancer community, providing a platform for patient voices.

Conclusions:

  • Dedicated patient advocacy networks, like BCAN, are essential for accelerating research and improving treatment outcomes for specific cancers.
  • Collaboration between advocacy groups and healthcare professionals can lead to significant advancements, potentially including a cure for bladder cancer.
  • Ensuring representation for all cancer patients through advocacy is vital for equitable progress in oncology.

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