La Roche-Posay strives to help people facing skin side effects of cancer treatments, partnering with Macmillan Cancer Support to help raise vital funds to support people living with cancer in the UK.
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUPPORT PEOPLE LIVING WITH CANCER
People with cancer have to endure so much, both emotionally and physically. For years, La Roche-Posay has worked to support people experiencing the unfortunate additional side effects that cancer treatment can itself cause. Now, in a landmark partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, La Roche-Posay aims to provide resources and expert advice on how to alleviate these side effects and support patients as they undergo treatment.
"As a consultant medical oncologist, I feel it is essential for patients undergoing cancer treatment to care for their skin. Skin issues are a common side effect of treatment, ranging from mild dryness to more severe reactions that may require treatment interruption. These issues can make an already difficult time even more challenging for patients. The key to skin health during this time is to keep it simple and ensure to cleanse, moisturise and protect your skin. I recommend using a gentle non-fragranced cleanser as well as a moisturiser with hydrating ingredients such as shea butter or glycerine . Additionally, wearing SPF daily is important to protect your skin from UV damage and pigmentation changes caused by cancer treatments.“
DR. FIONA MCCARTHY MBCHB MRCP PHD, Consultant Medical Oncologist
Dany Bell, Treatment and Medicines Advisor at Macmillan Cancer Support, says “Certain cancer treatments can have a huge impact on people’s skin, leading to a number of unpleasant side effects such as irritation, dryness and spots. For many, this can make an already very difficult time even worse. At Macmillan, we are doing whatever it takes to make sure people with cancer have the support they need, which is why we are so delighted to be working with La Roche-Posay. Together, we're ensuring more people with cancer are supported with the right advice and options to help soothe their skin, which can make a world of difference as they go through treatment.”
It is a partnership that La Roche-Posay believe will take their steadfast support for cancer patients to a new level. Since 2008, La Roche-Posay have welcomed 21,000 patients with a range of skin conditions to their Thermal Centre in France, including many people with cancer.
Treatment-related skin problems affect many people with cancer. Experts often hear that patients consider supportive care, which can include addressing issues such as skin problems, to be as important as their primary treatments2. By 2025, La Roche-Posay aims to:
- Educate 1 billion people around the world about the side effects of cancer treatments
- Train 1 million people in supportive care and
- Support 100,000 patients going through cancer treatment
Much still needs to change in the understanding and alleviation of the side effects of cancer treatment on the skin. La Roche-Posay believe this invaluable partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support will help start that life-changing revolution.
1Macmillan Cancer Support internal data. £250,000 could support the charity’s Cancer Information and Support team on the Macmillan Support Line to deal with around 13,200 calls and web enquiries from people who need practical and emotional support, or help to navigate cancer services.
2Expert opinion from Prof. Ivan Krakowski, oncologist and president of the Association Francophone des Soins Oncologiques de Support (AFSOS)