New Registry to Examine Full Impact of Stomach Cancer

February 6, 2016
Share

WASHINGTON – The Cancer Support Community (CSC) and Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) launched today the Cancer Experience Registry: Stomach Cancer, an addition to the Cancer Experience Registry that will focus on people living with stomach cancer, including gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma and other cancers of the gastric tract.

The Cancer Support Community, an international nonprofit, introduced the Cancer Experience Registry as a way to connect people with cancer to each other and to convey the specific emotional, financial and social realities of living with cancer to the community at large. With more than 8,700 members, the Registry has grown to include specialty registries on individual types of cancer and the unique experiences that accompany them.

“CSC is proud to launch this new addition to the Cancer Experience Registry to better understand the unique needs of people living with stomach cancer. We hope that our findings will shape the development of future programs and resources for people living with this disease,” said Joanne Buzaglo, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and training at the Cancer Support Community.

Stomach cancer, including gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma, accounts for 37,600 new cancer cases in the United States each year.

Participants in the new registry will be asked a set of questions concerning their experience with stomach cancer, including items on patient-physician communication, care coordination, and financial impacts. Participants will also be given the opportunity to share their own thoughts about their experience and pass on advice to others who are living with cancer. Throughout the process, participants will have access to the multitude of resources provided by the Cancer Support Community, Debbie’s Dream Foundation and additional organizations.

"As the leading stomach cancer organization, Debbie's Dream Foundation is excited to partner with the Cancer Support Community on the Stomach Cancer Experience Registry. Our hope is that the Registry will identify additional issues faced by stomach cancer patients, family members, caregivers and friends. The information collected will give us a more complete picture of the struggles and gaps that exist, which will lead to further information sharing,better support, and new education offered," said Debbie Zelman, president and founder of Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer.

Lilly Oncology is the inaugural sponsor of the Cancer Experience Registry: Stomach Cancer. “People with gastric cancer experience distinct challenges, and we know that cancer care goes well beyond medicines,” said Richard Gaynor, M.D., senior vice president of product development and medical affairs for Lilly Oncology. “We are honored to help understand and support the evolving social and emotional journeys for these individuals as they navigate their care.”

Caregivers of people with stomach cancer also have the opportunity to share their experiences through the Cancer Experience Registry: Caregivers.

For more information on the Cancer Experience Registry: Stomach Cancer, or the Cancer Experience Registry: Caregivers, please visit www.cancerexperienceregistry.org.