Sponsored Insight
By Tom Cavanaugh, President, Janssen Oncology
“There is so much more to be done; the patients are waiting.”
When I first walked into Janssen’s offices, I saw that simple — but deeply inspiring — mantra. I think about it every morning when I arrive to start my day and at the end of each day as I depart for home.
This call to action was first coined by Dr. Paul Janssen, also simply known as Dr. Paul. He was truly one of the 20th century’s most innovative and inspiring scientists, and I’m pleased that his vision and life’s work continues to live on today.
We here at Janssen, along with the whole oncology community, have achieved many ‘Victories Over Cancer’. We can now effectively diagnose, treat, and even prevent many cancers, so that patients can live not just months and years, but decades. That’s amazing, and largely unthinkable not long ago. When I think back to my childhood, we still talked about cancer in hushed tones and with sad nods to communicate a diagnosis, let alone a prognosis.
Great strides, yes. But, as Dr. Paul said, there is so much more to be done.
I’m filled with excitement and energy to be among so many researchers, healthcare providers, advocates and industry leaders at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2018 annual meeting, and to share some of our researchers’ latest study findings with you.
One area of research that Janssen is presenting on is metastatic urothelial cancer, a type of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer represents the sixth most common type of cancer in the U.S., with approximately 81,000 new cases and about 17,000 deaths expected in 2018. Metastatic urothelial cancer remains an elusive and hard-to-understand disease to treat. Despite advances in treatment, the average five-year survival rate for patients with metastatic urothelial cancer remains at approximately five percent. Patients and physicians desperately need better options for this type of cancer.
From all of us at Janssen, welcome to ASCO 2018. Bring your ideas and hope. Share your research and spark ideas. Challenge new thinking. Compare, contrast new developments, and discuss and debate the best paths forward. And then, when this year’s meeting is over, let’s get back to work.
There is so much more to be done, and patients are waiting.
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