Women are 34% more likely than men to experience severe side effects from cancer treatments (for immunotherapy that number rises to a 50% increased risk of serious side effects).
A study conducted by a major cancer centre found that cancer treatment often fails to take into account the personal needs of women:
90% of men undergoing brachytherapy for prostate cancer were asked about their sexual health vs 10% of the women undergoing brachytherapy for cervical cancer.
Sexual function was discussed with 89% of men versus only 13% of women at their initial radiation therapy consultation.
81% of men with prostate cancer had their sexual health assessed using a patient-reported outcome tool, compared to 0% of women.
Next to medical decisions, the way women tend to choose to fight cancer may differ. In a study of differences in attitudes of breast cancer vs prostate cancer, women often chose the most aggressive therapy, while men weighed the cost-benefit ratio. Women also tended to seek guidance from others who had gone through cancer treatment, building up a social support network, something men undergoing cancer treatment tended to lack.
Investigating these differences is essential to design a system that better serves the needs of patients.
At this year’s FemTechnology Summit in collaboration with Roche, we explored what women-centric cancer care might look like: including the perspective of clinicians, Pharma, researchers and Femtech Startups (both as the innovators in the space and as the patients impacted themselves) in the discussion.
Here we’re highlighting the exceptional achievements of three inspiring leaders who recently attended the FemTechnology Summit. These remarkable individuals are redefining the landscape of Cancer Care and empowerment through groundbreaking technological advancements:
MiMARK:
specializing in the discovery, verification and validation of biomarkers to develop new solutions for gynaecological patients
AOA Dx:
developing first accurate early-stage ovarian cancer diagnostic test
Prosoma:
developing digital therapeutics for mental health for women undergoing cancer treatment.