New Surviving with Confidence Program Helps to Dispel Misconceptions about Chemotherapy Revealed in National Survey of Cancer Survivors

• 83% of cancer survivors said they were at least somewhat fearful before undergoing chemotherapy, but only 38% feel their fears were justified
• 90% of survivors said chemotherapy gave them hope for survival
• 94% of survivors advise other survivors to undergo chemotherapy if their doctor recommends it

New York, March 27 - Based on the results of a new national survey of cancer survivors showing that most feared undergoing chemotherapy before starting treatment, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) and sanofi-aventis today launched the Surviving with Confidence program intended to address the gap identified between common perceptions of chemotherapy before treatment versus many patients' actual experiences and the potential benefits offered.  The campaign celebrates the strides in cancer treatment that are extending survival, with an inspirational videotape featuring respected broadcast journalist Linda Ellerbee and other cancer survivors sharing their experiences during and beyond the completion of treatment.

Surviving with Confidence addresses the need for more patient information identified in a national survey which revealed widespread misconceptions about chemotherapy held by cancer survivors before they underwent treatment. While about eight out of ten survivors  (83%) said they had been at least somewhat fearful before starting chemotherapy, six out of ten  (62%) now acknowledge they had many misconceptions. Having undergone chemotherapy treatment, about four in ten (38%) felt their fears had been justified.

NCCS together with sanofi-aventis are sponsoring Surviving with Confidence as part of a mission to empower cancer survivors to be their own advocates and seek the high quality care.

"Like many of our programs, Surviving with Confidence encourages cancer survivors to get as much information as possible so they can make decisions based on facts rather than emotion," said Ellen Stovall, President and CEO, NCCS. "Of the survivors surveyed, almost all (97%) did not delay treatment because of their fears, which for many people is important depending on the type and stage of cancer. In those cases, the timing of initial treatment may be an important factor in their overall survival."

Survivors' Experience Offers Hope

Sixteen-year survivor Linda Ellerbee is taking part in the Surviving with Confidence program by sharing her experience to help dispel these and other misconceptions about chemotherapy and to encourage others living with cancer to take an active role in managing their treatment. "Like most people, I had many fears about chemotherapy prior to my treatment, particularly about possible side effects, but the reality is I'm here today because I accepted treatment for my breast cancer. I would encourage anyone newly diagnosed to empower themselves with information to have more shared decision-making. Also, I would encourage patients to discuss any and all side effects and how to best prevent and manage them with their physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals."

To help bring survivors' stories to life, Linda has narrated an inspirational video that will be available at no cost from NCCS. The video features three survivors living with prostate, lung and breast cancers who share how they acted as their own advocates and what they have been able to achieve in the months and years following treatment with chemotherapy. 

Though 91% of patients surveyed experienced side effects from chemotherapy, only 14% found chemotherapy to be very difficult, and about a third (32%) had a somewhat easy or very easy experience with chemotherapy. Most (61%) found their experience with side effects associated with chemotherapy such as nausea, hair loss and fatigue differed from their expectations, and 87% said that their side effects were more manageable because of supportive care products. Similarly, 87% of those who had side effects said that chemotherapy was worth undergoing despite the side effects. About one third (35%) of patients surveyed found treatment more successful than they had imagined. Also, 90% said chemotherapy gave them hope for survival, and 94% would advise others to undergo chemotherapy if their doctor recommends it.

"I took part in Surviving with Confidence because it helps healthcare professionals as well as cancer survivors to recognize that chemotherapy has and will continue to play a critical role as a cornerstone of cancer treatment," said Dr. Howard (Skip) Burris, chief medical officer and director of drug development at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville, TN.  "Though some fears persist, chemotherapy is allowing survivors to live longer, while newer supportive therapies help to alleviate some symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and fatigue and are enabling them to undergo treatment more comfortably."

Communication is Key

The Harris Interactive survey showed fewer than half (44%) of the cancer survivors responding received a written care plan outlining their treatment before it began, and only one third (35%) got a written summary of treatment when care ended. Of those who did not receive a written care plan outlining their treatment before it began, 78% said having one would have helped them ask appropriate questions about what side effects to expect from treatment. Those survivors who had an easier experience with chemotherapy were more likely than those who had a difficult experience to strongly agree that their doctor tried to ensure they understood their treatment plan before beginning chemotherapy (76% easy experience vs. 54% difficult experience), and to agree that this discussion helped ease their fears about chemotherapy (94% easy experience vs. 79% difficult experience).

"We want to be sure that patients realize that they can ask for a written treatment plan before treatment begins and a survivorship care plan after treatment has ended to help them know what questions to ask," says Ellen Stovall. "The Surviving with Confidence program aims to encourage greater dialogue between survivors and healthcare professionals throughout treatment, from the outset through conclusion."

About the Survey

The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of NCCS between November 8 and November 21, 2007. Harris surveyed 326 U.S. adults ages 18+ who have been diagnosed with a non-blood cancer and have undergone chemotherapy treatment within the past 5 years. Results were weighted as needed for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of U.S. adults ages 18+ who have been diagnosed with a non-blood cancer and have undergone chemotherapy treatment within the past 5 years. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to be invited to participate in the Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Cancer survivors and their caregivers can request the Surviving with Confidence video at no cost by calling NCCS or view it online.   

About NCCS

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) is the oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country, advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans and empowering cancer survivors.

About sanofi-aventis

Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).