MBC Allies
Doubling Overall Survival For MBC
The goal of Rethink’s MBC Ally campaign is to double the median overall survival of MBC by 2025. What do you think, does it sound ambitious? A little confusing? Or do you ask yourself, where did that goal come from? Let’s break it down.
Where did the goal come from?
The goal to double the median overall survival of MBC by 2025 is part of the 10 Actions for Change created by the ABC Global Alliance, a multi-stakeholder platform for all those interested in collaborating on common projects relating to advanced breast cancer (ABC) around the world. As an inaugural member, Rethink helped develop the Charter and continues to support the vision to catalyze change and improve patient outcomes.
What is median overall survival?
Overall survival, also referred to as OS, is the length of time from either diagnosis or the start of treatment that a patient is still alive. Median overall survival is the average time that a group of patients is still alive after diagnosis or treatment begins.
Why not a cure for MBC?
Undoubtedly, we all want a cure for breast cancer, that goes without saying. But the reality is the clinical outcomes for women diagnosed with MBC have been stalled for over a decade. The current median survival time is only two to three years from initial progression. That’s simply unacceptable.
We believe if we work together, we can do better.
Ready to join the movement?
When we launched our campaign to rally 10,000 MBC Allies to support and stand with women living with metastatic breast cancer, we knew it was an ambitious goal. Metastatic disease isn’t easy to think about, but that only makes it that much more important. This was abundantly clear when planning with Rethink’s MBC Advisory Board.
In just one month, we’re nearly halfway to our goal, or should I say our recruiting goal. And I say that because we can’t lose sight of our real goal of doubling the median survival time from initial progression by 2025. It’s been stuck at just 2 to 3 years for more than a decade. And we’re committed to helping to change it.
This is no easy feat and there is no magic bullet. There are so many factors at play. So many stakeholders involved – Federal and provincial governments, drug manufacturers, healthcare professionals and researchers to name a few. But a tough challenge has never made us shy away before. You might say it’s the reason why Rethink exists.
Truly effective advocacy means more than just raising an issue or publishing a report. We believe in measurable goals and results. To influence stakeholders and the decisions that are made, we need meaningful recommendations and engaged Allies to demand those recommendations are adopted. Together, we help shape policies and practices that improve lives.
So, we ask for your patience, as we dig deep, do our research and layout the next steps. This is how every one of our advocacy successes began. We commit to coming back to this amazing group of MBC Allies ready to drastically improve the lives and clinical outcomes of women with breast cancer.
And in the meantime, please keep talking about MBC. Tell people why it’s important to understand and why they should sign the pledge too.
Women with MBC need you to be their Ally. Sign the pledge today.