'Coping with Cancer from the Outside In' Program to Launch at the Annual
Oncology Nursing Society Congress
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amgen and
ONSEdge, a subsidiary of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), today announced
that they will partner alongside celebrity make-up artist and cancer survivor
Jan Ping to support a new educational campaign, Coping with Cancer From the
Outside In. The initiative is aimed at educating oncology nurses about the
skin-related side effects associated with epidermal growth factor receptor
(EGFR) inhibitors that are used to treat metastatic colorectal, lung,
pancreatic, and head and neck cancers.
EGFR inhibitor therapy aims to interrupt tumor growth by disrupting
signals sent from the epidermal growth factor receptor, which is found on the
surface of some cancer cells. Because EGFR is also present on other normal
cells in the body, including skin cells, skin rash occurs in up to 90 percent
of patients undergoing treatment with an EGFR inhibitor. This can be serious
and potentially life threatening. Further, in its mild-to-moderate state, skin
rash can cause patients physical discomfort and take an emotional toll,
affecting body image. For most patients these side effects are mild, but
moderate or severe toxicities that lead to dose modification or interruption
develop in 8-17 percent of patients. Other appearance-related side effects
include nail changes, skin cracking and hair disorders.
"Oncology nurses serve as a patient's advocate and help them manage the
side effects of cancer therapy," said Beth A. Zubal, RN, oncology nurse
practitioner at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo.
"We are happy to be providing nurses with important educational tools."
The campaign will kick off at the Annual ONS Congress on April 30, 2009 in
San Antonio, Texas, where leading oncology experts and Jan Ping will host an
informational seminar on coping with the appearance-related side effects that
can accompany EGFR inhibitor treatments, along with other tips nurses can
provide to both male and female patients for looking their best during
treatment. Seminar attendees will be invited to a meet-and-greet reception
with Jan Ping and guest speakers, and will be supplied with educational
materials.
Jan Ping, an Emmy(R) Award-winning make-up artist known for her work on E!
Entertainment's Chelsea Lately Show and the Tyra Banks Show, and her work with
celebrities such as Cindy Crawford and Warren Beatty, was diagnosed with
breast cancer at age 45 and knows from her own experience that a patient's
body changes while undergoing cancer treatment. But despite her altered
appearance, Ping maintained a positive outlook, and she will lend her beauty
and skin care expertise to the campaign to help patients feel confident about
their appearance during treatment. "I'm excited to be taking part in an
important program that provides oncology nurses with everyday tips they can
teach patients to boost confidence during a difficult time."
Following the campaign launch at the Annual ONS Congress, local training
seminars will also be held in the second half of this year in New York City,
Los Angeles, and Miami. To obtain more information, please call ONSEdge at
877-588-3343 or visit www.onsedge.com.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human
therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first
companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective
medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics
has changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the
world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and
other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new
medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically
improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our
vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Christine Regan: 805-447-5476 (media)
Arvind Sood: 805-447-1060 (investors)
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081015/AMGENLOGO)
SOURCE Amgen
