MILAN (ITALPRESS) – The biopharmaceutical company Ipsen launched “Attennti alla Zebra”, the new digital campaign dedicated to raising awareness on neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and their early diagnosis. An old saying of medicine reads “When you hear hoofs, think about horses, not zebras” and invites you to look for the most likely causes first. But in the diagnosis of rare diseases, the opposite happens: We must also think of zebra. His step, similar to that of a horse, deceives the hearing, pushing us to imagine the most obvious thing. Likewise, when a diagnosis is formulated, it is not necessary to stop the most obvious hypothesis, but it is important to think also of the rarest possibleities. The concept of the campaign starts right from here: flip a way of thinking. Seeing zebra means not stopping at appearances. The campaign’s protagonist is Netty, the zebra created by the International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance (INCA), a global network that brings together associations and organisations involved in raising awareness about neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and which has made Netty the international symbol of these rare diseases. Netty, in the campaign “Attennti alla Zebra”, moves in a frenetic Milan looking for a diagnosis in the face of symptoms seemingly trivial, but which instead need insights. Thanks to the encounter and support of his friend Marta will be able to understand the cause of his change and the path of care suitable for her. Starting today, November 10, for three weeks, the comic book created by Angela Piacentini, cartoonist and illustrator, will address the theme of a person’s patient journey diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. The initiative has the patronage of the Patient Associations A.I.NET Living Hope – Friends of Emanuele Cicio – ODV, NET Italy ETS Association Patients with Tumori Neuroendocrini and La Lamp of Aladino ETS.“The Association A.I.NET has travelled the evolution of the Research in the field of the Neuroendocrine Information Tumors in 25 years of support to the same dissemination, Patients, caregivers, clinicians, institutions are always at the heart of our projects so that you can identify NET more and more early and above all ensure that each patient adheres to care in the most effective and human way. At the same time, awareness-raising initiatives such as ‘Beware of Zebrà are essential to increase awareness on these rare diseases’. NETs, an English acronym (Neuro-Endocrine Tumor) of neuroendocrine tumors, are rare neoplasms with an incidence of about 4 new cases every 100,000 inhabitants per year. Most of these tumors are asymptomatic and non-functional. Consequently, the diagnosis is often problematic and late, especially in cases preceded by vague and nonspecific symptomatology. “Despite the fact that our association was born only in 2012, we are proud of the course and the achievements. All this success would not have been possible without the dedication of a patient and caregiver group. Our volunteers, with energy and commitment, have quickly grown NET Italy, making it a reality recognized and respected by the scientific community. Their contribution shows how much passion and collaboration can make the difference in the life of those who face the disease. The ‘Attennti alla zebrà campaign is a further opportunity to make NET known and strengthen the communication we carry on every day’, said Simona Barbi, President NET Italy Patients Association with Tumori Neuroendocrini. Neuroendocini tumors are a group of very heterogeneous neoplasms for extreme variability of symptomatology, clinical and prognosis course, as well as for possible therapeutic treatments; NETs can, in fact, arise in any organ or tissue of our organism as they originate from cells, so-called neuroendocrine. More than half rises at the level of the gastro-entero- pancreatic tract (about 60%); of the remaining quota about 30% develops at the level of the lung. “ Rare tumors are a complex challenge for both patients and healthcare. People living with these pathologies are frequently faced with diagnostic delays, treatments not always appropriate and the difficulty of orienting themselves between reference centers and specialist networks – said Davide Petruzzelli, President of the Association Pazienti La Lamp di Aladino ETS -. The association La Lamp di Aladino is committed specifically in this area with the awareness that the problem of diagnostic delay and therapeutic adequacy can be improved through a crucial information, guidance and support service that facilitates access to national and international networks of excellence”. In recent years, knowledge of these rare tumors and treatment have improved, thanks also to the development of specific medical skills mostly concentrated in reference centers for this pathology. “Although neuroendocrine tumors are often indolent and initially asymptomatic, they can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients and caregiver. Their rarity and the great clinical heterogeneity make the diagnosis complex requiring a highly specialized approach – commented Francesco Panzuto, Gastroenterologist at La Sapienza University of Rome and Coordinator of the Centre of Excellence ENETS (European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society) at the Sant’Andrea Hospitaller-University of Rome -. Therapies are complex and require the collaboration of different specialists and the experience of specialized reference centers, such as those recognized by the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS), a true network of excellence at national and international level. In Italy, the synergy between the scientific community, represented by the Italian Association Tumori Neuroendocrini (ITANET), and patient associations favor the early diagnosis and a better takeover of those living with a NET”. In Italy there are about 2,500 new cases per year with a prevalence of approximately 24,000 patients. Certain risk factors for neuroendocrine cancer have not been identified. One of the most likely is age, since these neoplasms are more frequent in adult and elderly people. “For more than thirty years Ipsen has been engaged in oncology with the aim of offering concrete answers to the needs of patients and caregiver – said Patrizia Olivari, President and CEO of Ipsen Italia –. This commitment translates not only in the search for increasingly innovative therapies, but also in the desire to ensure rapid and conscious access. With ‘Beware of Zebrà we want to bring attention to neuroendocrine tumors, through immediate language. Early diagnosis and correct information remain key elements to improve the path of care and quality of life.”.
– photo press office Honboard –(ITALPRESS).
