701 days are needed at a new therapy to reach oncologically ill patients in Bulgaria
On average 701 days, a new therapy is required to reach oncologically ill patients in Bulgaria, according to an EFPIA report prepared by IQVIA. This is much more than the average 545 days for the European Union. And more: in 2021 alone, more than 20 innovative therapies have been launched on the global market in the field of oncology, and for the period 2012-2021 their number is 169.
The EFPIA report was presented during a working meeting between representatives of the National Oncology Alliance at the initiative of the Bulgarian Oncology Scientific Society (Bond). During the meeting, the main goals and priorities laid down in the national anticancer plan were discussed, as well as the remaining steps until its finalization and acceptance by the Ministry of Health.
The data show that in 2020 2.7 million people in the European Union were diagnosed with cancer and another 1.3 million people lost their lives as a result of the disease. The International Cancer Research Agency's expectations are by 2035. Deaths will increase by 24%, which will turn cancer into a leading cause of death in the EU.
And more: from a study conducted in 2021, among medical professionals in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Romania and Bulgaria, data shows that 68% of treated breast cancer patients in Bulgaria were diagnosed in stage II and III and only 12% in stage 0-I. The situation is similar in Romania, while in other countries studied the percentage of patients diagnosed at an early stage of the disease is 27%.
"These data once again show the lack of adequate prevention and working screening programs in the country. If we had any, we would have diagnosed breast cancer, as well as many other diseases, in a much earlier stage. We hope that the adoption of the national anti -cancer plan and the launch of its activities, we will reverse these statistics, as well as to provide equal access to modern treatment for all citizens in the country, "added Prof. Assen Dudov, DM, chairman of Bond.
"Thank you on behalf of the Bulgarian Medical Association, both for this working meeting and for all the efforts you make, you will continue to launch to solve the cancer problem in Bulgaria. In our face, you have a faithful partner and follower. All those present here are aware of the seriousness of the problem and I sincerely hope that with joint efforts to be able to draw the attention of society to it, to be able to engage the population of our country, and to become an active participant in the prevention and prevention of not only oncological diseases, but in general ", Said the lawyer. Daniel Kolev, lawyer of the Bulgarian Medical Union.
