Gilead and Upeach Launch a Campaign for Breast Cancer Patient Empowerment

In an inspiring initiative to enhance the treatment experience of breast cancer patients, Gilead Sciences, a prominent biopharmaceutical company based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has collaborated with Upeach, a support project for hard-to-treat breast cancer, to launch a dedicated website. This platform, titled "SDM – Making Your Own Breast Cancer Treatment Decisions with Healthcare Providers," signifies the official start of their awareness campaign focused on Shared Decision Making (SDM).

The campaign aims to promote SDM, a method that empowers patients to partake in their treatment choices, thereby enhancing their satisfaction and quality of life. The website features various resources intended for patients, including information on what SDM entails, insights from the campaign ambassador, celebrity Anna Umemiya, and engaging video content that provides real-life perspectives from both healthcare professionals and patients.

The website, which can be accessed at https://www.breastcancersdm.jp/, offers:
1. Detailed explanations on Shared Decision Making (SDM)
2. Personal comments and insights from ambassador Anna Umemiya
3. A discussion video featuring Anna Umemiya, doctors, and representatives from Upeach, where they share candid insights about breast cancer treatment
4. Short videos featuring Upeach and medical professionals discussing SDM from the patient's standpoint

Upeach's representative, Kei Nakagawa, expressed his enthusiasm about the campaign: "The concept of SDM has gained considerable attention in recent years, significantly impacting treatment satisfaction for breast cancer patients. I am thrilled to join Gilead in launching this campaign, which seeks to spread awareness of SDM among patients. Please visit our dedicated website to explore a space filled with trust between healthcare professionals and patients like Anna and myself."

Similarly, Andrew Hexter, President of Gilead Sciences, conveyed his excitement about the launch of the website. He stated, "It is a pleasure to join Upeach in this vital awareness campaign centered around SDM for patients. The messages shared between Anna and her doctors are powerful and resonate with many. The videos featuring Upeach members and healthcare professionals aim to inspire patients while providing practical insights into implementing SDM in their care. I hope that our dedicated website fosters a better understanding of SDM, facilitating open communication with healthcare providers for many."

Overview of the Dedicated Website

- URL: https://www.breastcancersdm.jp/
- Key Features:

- Information about SDM
- Comments from Anna Umemiya
- A panel discussion video with Anna, doctors, and Upeach representatives
- Short videos addressing SDM inquiries from the patient perspective

Participating Medical Professionals (In Alphabetical Order)**

- Dr. Tsutomu Iwasaka, Kinki University Nara Hospital
- Dr. Hiroharu Iwata, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Science
- Dr. Tomoya Oshima, Kaizuka Municipal Hospital
- Dr. Shinji Ono, Sagara Hospital
- Dr. Atsuko Kitano, St. Luke’s International Hospital
- Dr. Yuri Kimura, Kure Medical Center
- Dr. Tomonari Kunihisa, Kobe University Hospital
- Dr. Shigeaki Saji, Fukushima Medical University
- Dr. Chikako Shimizu, National Center for Global Health and Medicine
- Dr. Akihiko Shimomura, National Center for Global Health and Medicine
- Dr. Toshimi Takano, Cancer Institute Hospital
- Dr. Kazuyuki Tachibana, Fukushima Medical University
- Dr. Takahiro Nakayama, Osaka International Cancer Institute
- Dr. Maiko Nishida, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
- Dr. Kazuki Nozawa, Nagoya City University
- Dr. Michiko Harao, Jichi Medical University
- Dr. Manabu Nimura, Gifu University Hospital
- Dr. Chikako Funasaka, National Cancer Center East Hospital
- Dr. Ako Hosono, National Cancer Center East Hospital
- Dr. Satoru Mizuno, Mie University Hospital
- Dr. Susumu Yonemori, National Cancer Center Hospital

About Upeach

Upeach is a consortium formed by six patient associations and support groups in Japan, dedicated to disseminating accurate knowledge about breast cancer, particularly focusing on hard-to-treat variants like triple-negative breast cancer and advanced/recurrent breast cancer. In August 2023, Upeach initiated the "Momori Instagram Campaign," which encouraged over 1,800 submissions from patients, survivors, and supporters!

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences has been at the forefront of medical innovation for over 35 years, striving to create a healthier world for all. Specializing in treatments for life-threatening conditions such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, cancer, and inflammatory diseases, Gilead is committed to developing groundbreaking pharmaceuticals. With a mission to ensure global access to innovative therapies, Gilead recently announced a substantial $320 billion investment plan through 2025 to bolster its operations based in Foster City, California among other investments planned globally.