Pierre Fabre
New ways to care  

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women1, with more than 2.2 million new cases reported each year worldwide.2  It accounts for 1 in 4 annual cancer cases globally.1 Breast cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer in women.2   Although more frequent after age 50, breast cancer can also occur in younger patients.1 An estimated 20% of breast cancer cases in Europe occur in women when they are younger than 50 years old.1 Also, even though most breast cancer cases occur in women, it can also occur in men (around 1% of cases).3  Importance of early detection  Early detection is key. Detecting cancer at an early stage significantly improves the prospects for treatment success. Being aware of your breasts' usual appearance and feel is important, and you should immediately inform your healthcare provider of any alterations. The most common symptoms of breast cancer are changes in the breasts, the lump in the breast being the most common, but not the only one.3  The following signs that should alert women and men:3  A lump in the breast  Change in the size or shape of the breast  Dimpling of the skin or thickening in the breast tissue  An inverted nipple  Rash on the nipple  Discharge from the nipple  Swelling or a lump in the armpit  Pain or discomfort in the breast that doesn’t go away  Skin redness  Skin thickening  In most cases, breast cancer is asymptomatic. Getting regular screening tests is the most reliable way to detect breast cancer early. Check with your doctor if you are eligible and get information about screening frequency. 4,5         How to do self-examination?4 

  The script of the video. •    Could you please introduce yourself? Hello, I’m Miaomiao Zhang, I’m 27 years old. I come from China medical team. I became an MSL in Pierre Fabre and it has been two years. •    What is your professional background before being an MSL?  I studied clinical pharmacology at Chongqing Medical University in China and then I went abroad for further study at University of Glasgow. I finally got my master’s degree. •    How would you define the MSL role? I think MSL is a role acting as a bridge between the company and the experts, providing scientific information in an accurate and objective way. •    What do you like about being an MSL? Being a MSL can apply my professional knowledge to the practical work, and I think it is meaningful to help the doctors to improve their treatment strategies. •    What is the most difficult thing for you about being an MSL? The development and the changes in the field of oncology treatment are very rapid, which requires us to keep learning cutting-edge knowledge worldwide. I think it’s very difficult. •    What is the essential quality of an MSL for you? I summarize into three words: professionalism, communication and coordination. •    What motivates you to get up in the morning as an MSL? MSL's working scenarios are varied, so I’m always able to play my role in different occasions, which keeps me feeling fresh and enthusiastic about my work. •    What is your most beautiful emotion experienced as an MSL? Being as an MSL makes me feel valuable when I deeply communicate with the doctors and I could get to the good feedback from them.  •    Any words or advice for someone wanting to become an MSL? If someone wants to be a good MSL, he needs to maintain the passion for learning about the disease area and keeps the love of science just trying to work as an expert in the field      Know more about MSL

Join us in recognizing World Lymphoma Awareness Day, 15th September, a day dedicated to raising awareness of lymphomas, which are cancers of the lymphocytes or white blood cells.  This day sheds light on a type of cancer with more than 80 subtypes and that affects up to 864,000 people world wide1,2. One of these subtypes is Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). PLTD is a rare disease characterized by the development of lymphoid neoplasms after solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation3,4.  As we mark World Lymphoma Awareness Day this September, Pierre Fabre Laboratories is dedicated to shine a light on this rare condition. PTLD is a potentially life-threatening complication that can occur after an organ transplant. The occurrence of PTLD varies from 2% to 20%, depending on the type of transplant5. Our commitment is to educate, support, and inspire action among patients, healthcare professionals, and the broader community to improve understanding and management of PTLD. Understanding PTLD  Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD) is a spectrum of lymphoid proliferations that can occur following hematopoietic (bone marrow) or solid organ transplantation3,4. Patients who receive a transplant are subjected to a strong immunosuppressive regimen to prevent rejection, which makes individuals susceptible to the disease, resulting in very few cases of PTLD5.PTLD is characterized by proliferation of white blood cells (B lymphocytes) which often are infected by the Epstein Barr virus.6 What causes PTLD? •    Although children who are infected with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), also called infectious mononucleosis, may not display any symptoms, the virus can lead to the development of mononucleosis in adolescents and adults.7•    It is estimated that 90% of the world-wide adult population has life-long EBV infection.7•    Immunosuppressive therapy can produce the reactivation of EBV-infected B lymphocytes.8,9•    In an immunosuppressed patient, T-cells are low in number, and they cannot properly eliminate the virus.10 This can lead to the rapid proliferation of EBV-infected B-cells, causing PTLD.6 Prevalence and Risk of PTLD PTLD occurs in solid organ transplants and in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation3,4.         The risk of developing PTLD depends on the degree of immunosuppression, the EBV serostatus and age.8,9,13,14 •    The more immunosuppressed the patient is, the greater the risk of developing PTLD.12,14 The degree of compatibility between recipient and donor is very important, especially in the case of stem cell transplants.12,14•    PTLD can occur when the transplanted patient’s own EBV is reactivated or because the EBV from the donor is reactivated in the patient.8,9•    Children under 10 years and adults over 50 years (haematopoietic transplant) or 60 years (solid organ transplant) are at higher risk of developing PTLD.12,14 Symptomatology and diagnosis Some of the common PTLD symptoms are: 8,9,14

  The script of the video. •    Could you please introduce yourself? My name is Zohra Butt. I’m 32 years old and I’m from the UK. I’ve been a Medical Science Liaison in Pierre Fabre for just over two years; in this role I cover a large area of the UK and Ireland. •    What is your professional background before being an MSL?  In my previous life, I was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liverpool in the UK, which is where I also completed my PhD. In my academic career I was immersed in cancer research, particularly thoracic malignancies such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. •    How would you define the MSL role? An MSL is the external face of the wider medical team. We MSLs are the medical and scientific experts on the company’s therapeutic areas and medicines.   •    What do you like about being an MSL? I really enjoy meeting and talking with healthcare professionals. I love travelling all over the UK and Ireland to meet with them to discuss science and clinical data, and to educate the clinical teams on our company’s medicines. It’s a huge privilege really. •    What is the most difficult thing for you about being an MSL? Forging strong relationships with healthcare professionals in a post-COVID world where the virtual environment is often preferred over a face-to-face meeting. •    What is the essential quality of an MSL for you? Excellent communication skills and an enjoyment for meeting new people. •    What motivates you to get up in the morning as an MSL? The knowledge that my contributions to the learning and education of healthcare professionals can have a positive impact on the care that their cancer patients receive. The medical team makes a difference to patient’s lives through communication with the clinical teams, and I am privileged to be a part of that. •    What is your most beautiful emotion experienced as an MSL? A memorable experience for me was during a meeting with a healthcare professional who wanted to feedback some patient comments, who wanted to thank the medical team for fighting to improve patient care and outcomes. •    Any words or advice for someone wanting to become an MSL? You absolutely must enjoy communicating on science and medicines. You should feel comfortable working in a team environment and try to be flexible in your day-to-day as Medical Affairs is fast paced, you never know how your week might change!   Know more about MSL