Cancer remains one of the world’s most urgent medical issues, what with its massive impact on society and lives of individuals. The recent celebration of World Cancer Day on Feb. 4 intended to drive future change by raising awareness and action to help save millions from the disease.
In the Philippines, the national government through the Department of Health manages a countrywide cancer prevention and control program. Among other significant undertakings of the DOH, with the support of private sector organizations, is the annual commemoration of Cervical Cancer Consciousness Month that enjoins women to get screened at once and get themselves protected through immunization against human papillomavirus.
Modern medicine has advanced to such a degree that cancer is now being addressed across the continuum of care which includes prevention, as well as timely treatment. Pharmacological solutions are helping address the health and economic burdens of the disease.
Pharmaceutical company MSD continues to be at the forefront of research to advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and communities around the world—including cancer.
In the area of oncology, MSD is inventing new ways to treat cancer and transform the paradigm of cancer care with more than 450 studies and clinical trials underway. Since its first oncology product was approved in 1986 by the US Food and Drug Administration, more new and innovative medicines have come out of the company that manage and control cancer and cancer-related conditions.
To fight for the vision of an HPV-free future, the company developed the first-ever vaccine to help prevent cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers. The HPV quadrivalent and the nonavalent vaccines available today protect against HPV strains that cause diseases linked with HPV, including genital warts.
Meanwhile, in the critical area of therapeutic medicine, MSD contribution comes in the form of immunotherapy. This immunologic treatment unleashes the body’s defense system to recognize and combat tumor cells. More and more case studies of patients responsive to immunotherapy are demonstrating how the therapy improves patient prognosis and quality of life.