The survey revealed that over half (58-percent) are not currently receiving EPO therapy (drugs which stimulate the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) for their anemia-related fatigue, despite the recommendation of European standards for anemia care.
This suggests the adoption of appropriate anemia management by cancer treating physicians has not advanced enough over the past four years.
Anemia causes debilitating fatigue that is not relieved by rest or sleep and which affects every aspect of life for patients with cancer. The findings also show fatigue is the most frequent and distressing symptom patients report and that it interferes with their ability to carry out even basic daily tasks such as preparing food, walking or picking up everyday items.
Commenting on the survey findings, Dr Matti Aapro, Genolier, Switzerland says, "It is not acceptable that so many cancer patients are needlessly suffering with the physical, emotional and economic stress of anemia-related fatigue."
It has previously been reported that many cancer patients feel the fatigue they experience is so extreme they would rather die than continue to live with it. Patients say fatigue affects their lives more than pain and it is one of the top two symptoms (with nausea) they want their doctors to help manage.
This new survey shows many patients are still not benefiting from the standards set out in the EORTC guidelines on the management of anemia in cancer.
