With the aim of exploring the personal side effects female metastatic breast cancer fighters go through, the results of “Count Me”, a survey that included women from seven different countries, were revealed stating that most Egyptian women feel that no one empathises with their suffering.

The study was conducted by Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt (BCFE) in collaboration with Novartis, on 58 Egyptian women as part of 381 women from countries including Saudi Arabia, India, Singapore, and Switzerland. The study in Egypt reveals that two-thirds of Egyptian women with advanced breast cancer, or 67%, say they generally feel like no one understands what they are going through, and over 45% with advanced breast cancer in Egypt feel isolated.
“The survey aims to identify the problems and concerns of advanced breast cancer patients. The results of the survey will complete the “Count Us” initiative aimed at providing support for women living with the disease, and engaging with all stakeholders to find practical solutions to them,” Sherif Amin, president of Novartis Oncology, Egypt said.
“The survey findings will be used to continue the Count Us, Know Us, Join Us campaign aimed at providing support to women around the globe living with advanced breast cancer” Dr. Mohamed Shaalan, BCFE chairperson said.

The most important results:
1. Support:
• Two -thirds (67%) admit they frequently feel like no one understands what they are going through, and more than 2 in 5 women with ABC in Egypt (45%) feel isolated from the non-ABC community.
2. Information:
• Six in 10 (60%) say it is hard to find information on ABC specifically.
• In Egypt, majorities of women think it is important to have information available on managing side effects (74%) and available treatment options (62%).

3. HCP-Patient Communication:

• Far more (66%) would like their HCPs to address their emotional needs.


4. Patient Role:

• Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) say their caregiver is the primary decision-maker.


5. Treatment:

• Over three-quarters (76%) believe their cancer treatment options are limited, and nearly all (88%) believe there need to be new therapies to treat ABC patients.


6. Impact on Life:

• In Egypt, 24% of women with ABC are currently employed. But, the majority of women (66%) say that ABC has interfered in their ability to work so they have suffered a loss of personal income.

7. Impact on Community:

• Most women in Egypt (66%) no longer feel like an active member of the community.