Often, one of the most challenging aspects of cancer treatment is dealing with the unpleasant side effects that often come with taking medications used to treat the cancer. These side effects can range from nausea or vomiting, to anxiety and constipation. In addition to dealing with side effects, another frustrating factor for cancer patients is how they feel about the efficacy of the drugs they are prescribed. Have you ever taken a drug that didn’t seem to accomplish what it was supposed to do?
According to a recent survey conducted of chemoWave app users, 9 out of 10 users have been prescribed medication as part of their cancer treatment. These medications are intended to deal with one or more symptoms or side effects that a patient experiences while receiving cancer treatment, most commonly these side effects include nausea or vomiting, anxiety, constipation, diarrhea, pain, and problems with sleep. For example, 65 percent of chemoWave users report that they have been prescribed medication to treat nausea or vomiting, while 39 percent report they have been prescribed medication to treat symptoms of anxiety. It was found that 7 out of 10 chemoWave users are taking medications to treat at least two or more symptoms or side effects.
chemoWave users don’t always feel like their medications are working, and some can even cause adverse and unexpected side effects. Eighty three percent of respondents reported that they suspect they have taken medication that didn’t work or caused a side effect that they didn’t originally anticipate. Of these, more than half of the respondents claim that they have experienced both issues after taking medication. The survey found that men seem to be more skeptical than women about the efficacy of their medications. Age also has something to do with it, as patients under 50 years old tend to be more skeptical about medication efficacy. Overall, 66 percent of chemoWave users surveyed feel that they have taken a medication at some point that they felt was ineffective. Research shows that medication efficacy can vary, with drug response rates ranging from 50 to 75 percent (Spear et al., 2001).
There is a better way
Although some patients feel like certain medications don’t work for them when it comes to treating their cancer –or if they feel like they experience negative side effects, there is a way to understand how patients may respond to certain medications. Pharmacogenomic testing uses the patient’s DNA to determine which medications may or may not work best for them, including chemotherapies and other supportive medications. Of the chemoWave users surveyed, 85 percent were unfamiliar with the concept of pharmacogenomic testing, and 54 percent say they have never heard of it.
Despite not knowing much about the topic, chemoWave users are quite interested in learning more about pharmacogenomics. According to our survey, 81 percent of users would like to learn more about pharmacogenomic testing. Developed by OneOme and the Mayo Clinic, a comprehensive test called RightMed® can help patients learn what medications will work best for them. RightMed® is a pharmacogenomic test that analyzes the patient’s DNA to determine how they will respond to hundreds of medications.
chemoWave users are diverse individuals. Our survey respondents were mostly female (65 percent), from a variety of age groups. Thirty-seven percent of users reported that they were 35 to 49 years old, and 33 percent were 50 to 64 years old. The most common type of cancer that our users have experienced is breast cancer (36 percent), followed by colon/rectum cancer (14 percent). For 92 percent of users, their cancer was a new diagnosis. In terms of the stage of their cancer, 23 percent of chemoWave users surveyed said they were experiencing stage 1 cancer, 23 percent reported stage 2 cancer, 23 percent reported stage 3 cancer, and 28 percent reported stage 4 cancer.
chemoWave is a free mobile app designed by a cancer survivor for cancer patients and healthcare professionals. The goal of the app is to empower patients in their cancer treatment experience. chemoWave functions like a virtual advocate, helping patients communicate personalized information and symptoms to their physicians. The app is available for download on all Apple iPhone and Android mobile devices.
By Nicki Karimipour, Ph.D.
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