Situation
A 2020 World Health Organization report identified prostate cancer as the seventh most common cancer among men in Thailand, accounting for nearly one in ten cancer cases among males.
Early detection can create an opportunity for treatment before the disease progresses. Yet prostate cancer can develop slowly and may not produce symptoms until later stages, making awareness and access to screening particularly important.
In Thailand, the challenge extended across the patient journey. Limited access to diagnostic tools made early detection more difficult, awareness of the importance of early screening was limited, and financial barriers could prevent patients from accessing treatment after a diagnosis.
Solution
Axios partnered with a pharmaceutical company to support a Patient Support Program (PSP) designed to improve awareness and access to prostate cancer screening.
The approach focused on addressing barriers before a patient reached the point of diagnosis, helping increase awareness among relevant stakeholders while reducing financial barriers associated with screening.
Axios’ broader approach to access is grounded in understanding the barriers patients face throughout their journey and designing interventions around those needs.
Results
As of late 2022, more than 1,000 policyholders in Thailand had been screened for prostate cancer through the program.
By increasing awareness and reducing financial barriers to screening, the program helped more patients access earlier detection.
Earlier diagnosis can allow patients to begin treatment sooner, creating the potential for improved long term outcomes.
