ghp July 2015 pdf

ghp July 2015 | 5 Doctors Call for Reinstatement of Lung Cancer Awareness Campaign Medical professionals from the front line of lung cancer services have demanded clarity on the future of the Be Clear on Cancer lung cancer awareness campaign. The campaign, which was funded by the depart- ment of health in 2012, raised public awareness of persistent cough as a key lung cancer symptom. This led to more patients being urgently referred by their GPs, and an increased number of lung cancers being diagnosed. However there has yet to be any information about whether the campaign will be returning despite this success. The industry professionals have written an open letter to the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, seeking answers. ‘We are disappointed that the Department of Health does not appear to be building on the success of its own nationwide lung cancer awareness initiative, and that the campaign seems to have been shelved’ Mr Richard Steyn stated. Mr Steyn is the Chair of the UK Lung Cancer Coali- tion (UKLCC) and Consultant Thoracic Surgeon and Associate Medical Director, Surgery, at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and one of the signatories of the letter. Other specialists who signed include Professor Michael Lind, Professor of Oncology, Head of Centre for Cancer, Hull Medical School; Professor Dean A Fennell; Department of Cancer Studies and Molec- ular Medicine, University of Leicester & Leicester University Hospitals and Dr Andrew Wilcock, Clinical Reader in Palliative Medicine and Medical Oncology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The letter states that despite the marked improve- ment in services over the recent years, wide varia- tions in lung cancer treatment and care continue to persist across the UK, which means that treatment and survival rates are lagging behind other compara- ble countries in Europe. The letter also declares that the restoration of the campaign is vital to saving patients from lung cancer. ‘We are therefore disappointed that the Department of Health does not appear to be intending to build on the success of its own nationwide lung cancer aware- ness initiative and we call on the new Government to re-instigate the campaign immediately - in order to encourage early diagnosis and save British lives.’ Healthcare experts have called on Jeremy Hunt to bring back the Be Clear on Cancer lung cancer awareness campaign. CEO Cancer Gold Standard Reaccreditation Awarded to PPD CEO Roundtable on Cancer has bestowed Pharmaceutical Product Development with CEO Cancer Gold Standard reaccreditation for maintaining a strong commitment to the health of company employees. The firm, which a leading global contract research organization providing drug discov- ery, development, lifecycle management and laboratory services, encourages employee participation in health and wellness programs. These include cancer prevention and screening, nutrition coaching and fitness classes, to pro- mote healthy lifestyles and empower employees to take an active role in managing their health. The CEO Roundtable on Cancer developed the Gold Standard as an employee wellness frame- work based on concrete actions for companies to take in five key areas: establishing policies and programs to reduce cancer risk by prohibiting tobacco use and supporting tobacco cessation efforts; promoting physical activity, healthy nutri- tion and weight management; providing health insurance options that include detecting cancer at its earliest stages, access to quality care and participation in clinical trials; promoting employ- ee awareness of these initiatives; and supporting the needs of cancer survivors in the workplace. Nearly 200 private, non-profit and government employers in a wide range of occupational categories have earned Gold Standard accred- itation, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and a number of NCI-designated cancer centers. These firms act as standards for other employers to follow with regards to employee health and wellbeing. Hematology and oncology form one of PPD’s leading therapeutic areas for clinical research. PPD has conducted in excess of 420 hematol- ogy and oncology studies in the past five years at more than 23,000 research sites involving greater than 100,000 patients. PPD has a global network of more than 8,000 hematology and oncology investigators. PPD provides a tobacco-free workplace, health screenings, education and promotion of healthy lifestyles and other initiatives critical to helping detect and prevent cancer. David Simmons, chairman and chief executive officer of PPD, made it clear that the company was committed to employee heath and was honoured by the award. ‘“PPD is committed to the fight against cancer. As a global contract research organization with deep expertise in oncology, we are dedicated to helping biopharmaceutical clients deliver safe treatments to patients more quickly, cost-effec- tively and with the highest possible quality. We’re pleased the CEO Roundtable on Cancer has recognized our efforts in employee health and wellness, and we applaud their worthy mission.’