In 2021, 30% of patients with prostate cancer gave up medical visits for fear of Covid and always 30% avoided going to hospital. Eight out of ten are unaware of whether the treatments they are subjected to put them at a greater risk of contracting the virus. But 99% are vaccinated and for 60% the National Health Service offers a good level of assistance despite the pandemic. For 70% of urologists, the return to normal is still far away and the follow-ups have undergone more reductions (compared to pharmacological treatments and surgeries), while 65% of them receive requests for postponement of therapies for fear of a possible contagion in the wards, with a significant reduction in adherence to care. Covid is still scary,as confirmed by the two surveys administered to 400 prostate cancer patients and 400 urologists last October, as part of the 'For cancer there is no lockdown' campaign, carried out by Fondazione Pro with the unconditional support of Ipsen.
"The surveys have shown the need to meet the patient's needs and favor, for those living with prostate cancer, quarterly and half-yearly therapies, which allow them to go less to hospitals, despite the continuity of care - says Giuseppe Procopio, manager of the Genitourinary Medical Oncology of the National Cancer Institute of Milan - 93% of patients report that the frequency of administration has a significant impact on the quality of life ". "Action is needed at the national level, but above all at the regional level, to ensure safe access to care for all patients," explains Stéphane Brocker, president and chief executive officer of Ipsen.
The Pro Foundation has launched an awareness campaign that includes social activities, some insights on web TV, a booklet for patients printed and distributed in 10 urological centers of excellence and two commercials, one promoted with Massimiliano Allegri and another that has as testimonial of exception Carlo Verdone.
