BAYER AND ONYX LAUNCH GLOBAL LIVER CANCER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
New Survey Confirms Sixth Most Common Cancer Is Widely Unknown
Stockholm, Sweden- September 15, 2008 – Addressing the growing incidence and general lack of awareness about liver cancer worldwide, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in partnership with leading advocacy organizations, today announced the launch of Living with Liver Cancer> – the first international program designed to educate patients and caregivers worldwide about liver cancer signs and symptoms, risk factors and available approved treatment options, as well as methods for screening and diagnosis in at-risk populations.
According to a new GfK Roper international survey of nearly 7,000 respondents, conducted in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Mexico, China and Japan, approximately 51 percent of adults are unable to name any of the symptoms associated with liver cancer. Additionally, more than 40 percent were unaware of treatment options associated with liver cancer. Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world, and often results from certain liver-related illnesses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcohol abuse, fatty liver disease, and exposure to chemicals.
Living with Liver Cancer is for people affected by or at risk of developing liver cancer and aims to address the growing need for information about liver cancer.
"The incidence and mortality rates for liver cancer are increasing worldwide and these survey findings underscore the need for easily accessible education of the risk factors and signs and symptoms of liver cancer,said Dr. Jordi Bruix, Head of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), Senior Consultant, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic., Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Barcelon" a IDIBAPS. "The ultimate goal of the Living with Liver Cancer program is to increase dialogue among patients and physicians in an effort to encourage earlier diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes for patients living with or at risk for the disease."
The Living with Liver Cancer (LWLC) campaign is designed to provide support and information for patients, caregivers and others affected by liver cancer through an informative Web site with information about treatment options and regional educational events.
"Liver cancer is most often an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis, and, unfortunately, many people who are at risk for the disease know nothing about it," said Selma Schimmel, founder and CEO of Vital Options International. "The Living with Liver Cancer program is an important step in the fight against liver cancer, by providing resources that have been lacking in this population. We are excited to be a part of this vital campaign, and are hopeful that the program will help the individuals who need it the most."
About Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. More than 600,000 cases of liver cancer are diagnosed worldwide each year (more than 400,000 in China, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, 54,000 in the European Union, and 15,000 in the United States) and the incidence is increasing. In 2002, approximately 600,000 people died of liver cancer including approximately 370,000 in China, South Korea and Japan, 57,000 in the European Union, and 13,000 in the United States.
Treatment options for liver cancer patients are limited and depend on the stage of the malignant disease, underlying liver function and the patient’s overall condition. Five standard treatments are used to treat liver cancer: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, percutaneous ethanol injection and targeted therapy.
To learn more about liver cancer and the Living with Liver Cancer program, please visit www.livingwithlivercancer.com
About the Survey
The GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media survey was conducted in July and August 2008 in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Mexico, China and Japan via telephone interviews using a computer assisted telephone interviewing program. All interviews were among national samples of adults (18+) who were randomly selected to take the survey using a random digit dial (RDD) or equivalent random selection method. Approximately 1,000 interviews were completed in each country.
Completed interviews were weighted to match national norms and to help ensure a reliable and accurate representation of the public. At the 95 percent confidence level, the margin of error for the total sample in each country is, on average, +/- 3 percentage points.
The survey was sponsored by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The complete survey findings will be unveiled via a global Web cast in early October. Please visit www.livingwithlivercancer.com for more information.
About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals unit of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a division of Bayer AG. One of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, Bayer HealthCare combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions. In the U.S., Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals comprises the following business units: Women’s Healthcare, Diagnostic Imaging, Specialized Therapeutics, Hematology/Cardiology and Oncology. The company’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.
About Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany
Bayer Schering Pharma is a worldwide leading specialty pharmaceutical company. Its research and business activities are focused on the following areas: Diagnostic Imaging, General Medicine, Specialty Medicine and Women's Healthcare. With innovative products, Bayer Schering Pharma aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. Using new ideas, Bayer Schering Pharma aims to make a contribution to medical progress and strives to improve quality of life.
About Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company committed to improving the lives of people with cancer. The company, in collaboration with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is developing and marketing Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets, a small molecule drug. For more information about Onyx, visit the company's website at: www.onyx-pharm.com.
About the Coalition Partners
About Vital Options International
Vital Options International is a not-for-profit cancer communications organization with a mission to facilitate a global cancer dialogue. Founded in 1983, Vital Options was the first organization for young adults with cancer, before expanding to include people of all ages and cancer types with its innovative programs such as The Group Room®, a weekly cancer talk radio show.
Using creative multimedia technology, Vital Options enables patients and their loved ones to interact and speak directly with noted oncology medical professionals and researchers in the US and Europe, while supporting the efforts of the advocacy community.
Vital Options is headquartered in Southern California, with a European division based in France at the American Hospital of Paris. For more information or to listen to archived shows, go to www.vitaloptions.org.
About the American Liver Foundation
The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is the nation's leading nonprofit organization promoting liver health and disease prevention. The ALF provides research, education and advocacy for those affected by liver-related diseases, including hepatitis.
Although liver disease is among the ten major causes of death in the United States, there was no national voluntary health agency devoted exclusively to combating liver diseases until 1976, when the ALF was formed by a consortium of doctors from the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD).
Since 1979, the Research Awards Program has provided more than $21 million for research. More than 650 qualified scientists and physicians have pursued careers in liver disease research and treatment as a result of receiving the ALF and AASLD grants early in their careers.
No other voluntary organization in the nation provides a voice for the 30 million Americans with liver disease. The ALF makes a measurable difference in the fight against liver disease by providing financial support for medical research, education for patients and health care professionals, and advocacy and information for patients and their families, and by creating public awareness initiatives about liver wellness and disease prevention.
No matter how you become involved your support of the ALF will make an impact on the 30 million people living with liver disease. Make the commitment to help in your own way today!
To learn more about The American Liver Foundation, Hepatitis and the over 100 other liver diseases, visit us at: www.liverfoundation.org.
