NEW YORK, N.Y., June 2, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Nearly one in four women with breast cancer are non-adherent with their oral endocrine therapies, according to new findings from Kantar Health's National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS). The research will be presented today at the 19th Annual International Meeting for ISPOR (International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research) in Montreal.
Kantar Health's data showed that 23 percent of women treating their breast cancer with oral endocrine therapies were non-adherent with their therapy. Endocrine therapies include aromatase inhibitors, such as Femara (letrozole), Aromasin (exemestane) and Arimidex (anastrozole), and selective estrogen receptor modulators, such as tamoxifen and Fareston (toremifene).
Patients who were non-adherent had significantly worse health-related quality of life (especially mental health status), greater work and activity impairment, and higher likelihood of hospitalization in the past six months.
"Endocrine therapy for women with breast cancer is part of an increasing shift to effective, chronic, self-administered, oral anticancer medications. However, patients who do not adhere to their treatment regimen are reporting greater impairments," said Amir Goren, Ph.D., Manager, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, with Kantar Health. "Given the detrimental effects of non-adherence, interventions should be developed and tested to improve adherence in patients at highest risk."
Visit Kantar Health's website to download the presentation, " Non-Adherence Is Associated with Poorer Health Outcomes among Women Currently Treated for Breast Cancer with Oral Endocrine Therapy ."
About the National Health and Wellness Survey ( NHWS )
The study's results were drawn from the 2010-2013 U.S. NHWS, a nationally representative, self-administered survey conducted annually. Topics covered include the 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 of the world's leading pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device and diagnostic companies. 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 700+ 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. For more information, please visit http://www.kantarhealth.com .
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