Younger Women Are More Likely To Be Non-Adherent To Oral Breast Cancer Therapies, Kantar Health Says
NEW YORK, May 23, 2016—Women who are younger, have lower income and are ethnically non-white are more likely to be non-adherent to oral endocrine therapy (ET) for breast cancer. The new research, conducted by Kantar Health and drawn from its National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), will be presented today at the 21st Annual International Meeting for ISPOR (International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research) in Washington, D.C.
As breast cancer survivorship increases, maintenance treatments such as adjuvant ET, including tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, are critical to improving long-term survival. According to NHWS data, adherence predictors varied based on whether the non-adherence was unintentional or intentional. NHWS research found that:
• Patients who are unintentionally non-adherent, such as forgetting to take their medication, are more likely to be non-white, obese, sedentary and smokers.
• Patient who are intentionally non-adherent, such as not getting a prescription filled or deliberately skipping doses, have lower income and normal BMI.
• Younger patients are more likely to be non-adherent, both intentionally and unintentionally.
“Evidence suggests that breast cancer survival is decreased when adjuvant therapy is interrupted, so improved adherence is key in delaying disease progression and improving health outcomes for these patients,” said Amir Goren, Ph.D., Director, Health Outcomes Research at Kantar Health. “Being able to identify which patients are more likely to be non-adherent and why can help physicians and drug makers develop appropriate interventions – including tools to aid adherence, mitigating treatment costs and better educating patients regarding health benefits and side effects.”
About the National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS)
The study’s results were drawn from the 2010-2015 U.S. NHWS, a nationally representative, self-administered survey conducted annually. Respondents were provided with a list of conditions and asked which they had experienced and been diagnosed with. Topics covered include health status, attitudes, behaviors and outcomes among adults 18 or older. Kantar Health conducts the NHWS in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America. The survey is the largest self-reported dataset in the healthcare industry.
About Kantar Health
Kantar Health is a leading global healthcare consulting firm and trusted advisor to many pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device and diagnostic companies worldwide. It combines evidence-based research capabilities with deep scientific, therapeutic and clinical knowledge, commercial development know-how, and brand and marketing expertise to help clients evaluate opportunities, launch products and maintain brand and market leadership.
Kantar Health deeply understands the influence of patients, payers and physicians, especially as they relate to the performance and payment of medicines and the delivery of healthcare services. Its 600+ healthcare industry specialists work across the product lifecycle, from preclinical development to launch, acting as catalysts to successful decision-making in life sciences and helping clients prioritize their product development and portfolio activities, differentiate their brands and drive product success post-launch. Kantar Health is part of Kantar, the data investment management division of WPP. For more information, please visit www.kantarhealth.com.
As breast cancer survivorship increases, maintenance treatments such as adjuvant ET, including tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, are critical to improving long-term survival. According to NHWS data, adherence predictors varied based on whether the non-adherence was unintentional or intentional. NHWS research found that:
• Patients who are unintentionally non-adherent, such as forgetting to take their medication, are more likely to be non-white, obese, sedentary and smokers.
• Patient who are intentionally non-adherent, such as not getting a prescription filled or deliberately skipping doses, have lower income and normal BMI.
• Younger patients are more likely to be non-adherent, both intentionally and unintentionally.
“Evidence suggests that breast cancer survival is decreased when adjuvant therapy is interrupted, so improved adherence is key in delaying disease progression and improving health outcomes for these patients,” said Amir Goren, Ph.D., Director, Health Outcomes Research at Kantar Health. “Being able to identify which patients are more likely to be non-adherent and why can help physicians and drug makers develop appropriate interventions – including tools to aid adherence, mitigating treatment costs and better educating patients regarding health benefits and side effects.”
About the National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS)
The study’s results were drawn from the 2010-2015 U.S. NHWS, a nationally representative, self-administered survey conducted annually. Respondents were provided with a list of conditions and asked which they had experienced and been diagnosed with. Topics covered include health status, attitudes, behaviors and outcomes among adults 18 or older. Kantar Health conducts the NHWS in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America. The survey is the largest self-reported dataset in the healthcare industry.
About Kantar Health
Kantar Health is a leading global healthcare consulting firm and trusted advisor to many pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device and diagnostic companies worldwide. It combines evidence-based research capabilities with deep scientific, therapeutic and clinical knowledge, commercial development know-how, and brand and marketing expertise to help clients evaluate opportunities, launch products and maintain brand and market leadership.
Kantar Health deeply understands the influence of patients, payers and physicians, especially as they relate to the performance and payment of medicines and the delivery of healthcare services. Its 600+ healthcare industry specialists work across the product lifecycle, from preclinical development to launch, acting as catalysts to successful decision-making in life sciences and helping clients prioritize their product development and portfolio activities, differentiate their brands and drive product success post-launch. Kantar Health is part of Kantar, the data investment management division of WPP. For more information, please visit www.kantarhealth.com.