The review article by INCA titled “Global Challenges in Access to Diagnostics and Treatment for Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) Patients” was recently published in the Journal of Neuroendocrinology.
The author team comprises renowned NET experts including NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia co-founder Simone Leyden and NET patient advocates from INCA member organizations.
The article is based on the findings of the Survey of Challenges in Access to Diagnostics and Treatment for NET Patients (SCAN), which measured access to diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of neuroendocrine tumour (NET) patients globally.
SCAN surveyed 2359 patients and 436 healthcare professionals worldwide and revealed issues with access to NET diagnostic facilities and treatment in emerging and developing economies compared to advanced economies. Access to diagnostics and treatments for NETs varies worldwide due to inequalities in availability and affordability of diagnostic facilities/techniques, and treatment modalities, as well as diagnosis waiting time and misdiagnosis, and suboptimal care. Development of national care pathways, mandatory expert center referral, and improved understanding of the disease are critical for achieving earlier diagnosis and optimal NET care for all. Tackling accessibility and affordability issues, especially in emerging and developing economies (EDE), is key to minimizing access disparities.
Raising awareness amongst primary care physicians/GPs and other healthcare professionals that NETs tend to present with non-specific symptoms that may be attributed to more common conditions is also imperative to further improve NET care.
SCAN findings aim to contribute to positioning NET research on an equal footing with other cancers of similar prevalence and the results are crucial to improving patient survival and NET care worldwide.
