MDS World Awareness Day: 'A Call to Action' to Improve Treatment Outcomes

Anne Sophie Kubasch, MD, of Leipzig University, speaks on the importance of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) World Awareness Day as a clinician and a researcher in the field of hematology.

“This day allows us to shed light on MDS, a rare group of blood cancers that often go unnoticed,” Dr. Kubasch said. “It’s a reminder of the patients I’ve had the privilege to treat and the challenges they face.”

Dr. Kubasch also sees MDS World Awareness Day as a “call to action” to promote early diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes. In the video, she outlined the proactive steps clinicians can take to do so, such as engaging in education and outreach activities through seminars and social media.

For example, Dr. Kubasch’s team at the University Hospital Leipzig recently organized its first MDS Patient Café for individuals with MDS and their families. Dr. Kubasch described it as a “remarkable event” that provided a platform for patients to gain further insight into their condition and connect with each other and share their experiences.

“Such gatherings are insurmountable in building a sense of community among MDS patients and also to speak about potential new treatment options,” Dr. Kubasch noted. “They empower individuals to take a more active role in their treatment and to create a strong support network.”