Amgen Launches 2007 Breakaway from Cancer Initiative

Patrick Dempsey Joins Team Breakaway; Survey Findings Reveal Impact of Cancer on Careers

Amgen created the Breakaway from Cancer initiative in 2005 as a complementary component to the company's sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, a world-class cycling event taking place in February. Last year, through the Breakaway from Cancer effort, Amgen raised more than $1 million to support TWC, an international, non-profit organization dedicated to providing free support, education and hope to people affected by cancer. In 2007, the initiative is expanding to also benefit the NCCS, the oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country.

Dempsey to Help Spread the Word

Real-life drama prepared Grey's Anatomy's Patrick Dempsey for his new role as spokesperson for the Breakaway from Cancer initiative. In this role, Dempsey will raise awareness and funds to help empower patients and their caregivers with the education, resources and hope it takes to live well with cancer.

"My mother is a two-time ovarian cancer survivor," said Dempsey. "I hope by supporting Breakaway from Cancer and sharing my family's experience, others will be inspired to seek the support they need. The good news is there is a wide array of free resources and services out there."

Survey Shows Employer Support Strong; Yet Missed Treatments are Prevalent

To assess the impact of cancer on careers and raise further awareness about the Breakaway from Cancer initiative, Amgen, in collaboration with the NCCS and TWC, developed a nationwide survey of cancer survivors and caregivers. Results of the survey indicate one in five cancer patients say they missed a scheduled treatment due to a work-related conflict -- and, of those who skipped treatments, 50 percent say they missed or postponed three or more times. The survey findings reveal this concerning statistic, while at the same time demonstrate strong support from employers of both cancer patients and caregivers.

-- 75 and 79 percent of cancer patients and caregivers, respectively, characterized their employer as supportive while dealing with their own illness or that of a loved one.

-- Approximately 40 percent of the more than one million Americans diagnosed with some form of cancer each year are working-age adults, and nearly 10 million Americans have a history of cancer.(1)

-- The most frequently requested and granted accommodation among patients and caregivers was time off for doctor's appointments at 55 percent. Other granted requests included flexible work hours, telecommuting or the ability to rest during the day.

-- Six out of 10 respondents say they received support from their colleagues ranging from random acts of kindness to being the recipient of donated vacation time.

"These findings tell us that receiving necessary support from an employer may be as simple as asking for it," said Cynthia Schwalm, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. "We sincerely urge anyone dealing with cancer to do just that, especially since keeping a consistent treatment schedule is one of the most important weapons in the fight against cancer."

The survey further reveals that caregivers are on the frontline -- not the sideline -- when it comes to helping friends or family members with the disease. Career challenges and sacrifices made by caregivers closely mirror those reported by cancer patients who remain employed during their treatment.

-- One-fourth of both caregivers and patients report missing five to 15 days of work.

-- The average number of hours worked decreased considerably for both groups, with patients averaging 10 fewer hours of work each week, and caregivers working nearly seven hours less.

-- Slightly more than one-third of patients (35 percent) said their caregivers made significant career sacrifices while assisting them during their illness. The same proportion of caregivers agreed with the statement.

"According to the survey, nine out of 10 times a caregiver is assisting a family member and we know that cancer can impact an entire family," said Kim Thiboldeaux, president and CEO, TWC. "In most cases the caregiver needs support from both their employer and organizations such as ours just as much as the person with cancer. We were pleased to learn that 45 percent of caregivers said they wish they had an online support group because they can find one online at The Virtual Wellness Community in addition to face-to-face groups at our 21 nationwide centers."

Interestingly, two-thirds of both cancer patients and caregivers report their job helped them maintain emotional stability during the treatment period and 34 percent of patients said they kept working because they wanted to -- not because they had to. However, ongoing health insurance coverage had a significant impact on one's decision to work or not work, as 68 percent of patients who had health insurance through their employer said it was a factor in their decision to keep working. And one-third felt they could not leave their job because they might not be able to obtain health insurance elsewhere.

"In comparing today's findings with results from a cancer and the workplace study commissioned by Amgen and NCCS a decade ago, we're pleased to see progress in regards to supervisor and co-worker understanding of cancer patient situations. And this new data further emphasizes what we know to be the experiences of people with cancer where the career and emotional tolls weigh heavily on both patients and caregivers," said Ellen Stovall, president and CEO, NCCS. "But, there is help and hope, and in many cases, it is a matter of knowing where to turn for support. To effectively navigate the healthcare system, it is critical that patients and caregivers have access to credible and accurate tools and resources."

Of the more than 1,000 survey respondents (504 working patients/500 working caregivers), 61 percent of patients worked full-time while undergoing cancer treatment and 64 percent of caregivers were employed full-time. The majority of respondents were between the ages of 18 - 64 and all either had cancer or served in the caregiver role within the past five years.

About Breakaway from Cancer

About Amgen

About The Wellness Community

About the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

(1) Armour, S. (2005, December 13). More stay on the job while they fight cancer. USA TODAY, pg. B-1, Cover Story, Money.

CONTACT: Amgen
Ashleigh Koss, 805-313-6151

SOURCE: Amgen