Lilly and Metastatic Breast Cancer Advocates Launch Thriver Movement to Elevate Understanding of the Daily Impact of the Disease, Encourage Public to do More for MBC
INDIANAPOLIS,? Results from a new national, multi-stakeholder survey commissioned by?Eli Lilly and Company?(NYSE: LLY) reveal that metastatic breast cancer (MBC) places a significant daily strain on those living with the incurable disease. People with MBC who participated in the survey reported spending nearly half their time each week (47%) on things related to their cancer. In addition:
- Nine-in-ten respondents report experiencing a new or worsened emotional or mental health condition because of their diagnosis, with anxiety (61%), insomnia (56%) and depression (56%) most often reported.
- Friends and family also feel the significant impact of MBC, with 85 percent experiencing a new or worsened emotional or mental health condition since their loved one's diagnosis, most often anxiety (59%) and depression (45%).
- Healthcare providers recognize the importance of understanding the emotional aspect of MBC, with 45 percent of those surveyed reporting an interest in learning more about the impact of MBC on a patient's mental health and 71 percent showing a desire to understand how to help patients maximize quality of life.
- When asked how the importance of various parts of their lives have changed since diagnosis, 85 percent say having a meaningful relationship with family is even more important now, and 68 percent say it's more important now to be a good friend. Conversely, 67 percent say possessions are less important, along with 61 percent who say what others think of you is less important and 46 percent who say their career is less important.
- 81 percent of people with MBC say that most people cannot tell that they have the disease.
- Patients would like more emotional support and companionship, with a 22 percent gap in each between what they currently get and what they would like to get.
- More than a third of patients say they are unlikely to ask for help when it comes to emotional support and companionship (37% and 35% of patients, respectively).
- Fewer than half of patients ? just 43 percent ? are familiar with the newest treatments approved for MBC.