News Summary
Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Asia Pacific has partnered with patient advocacy leaders to enhance shared decision-making for lung cancer patients. Announced at the ESMO Asia 2025 conference in Singapore, this initiative aims to empower patients through ‘The 3rd Opinion’ campaign and the launch of ‘J&J withMe,’ an online hub providing valuable resources for informed treatment decisions. This collaborative effort addresses the urgent need for improved lung cancer care in the Asia Pacific region, where patient satisfaction remains crucial.
Singapore – Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Asia Pacific has recently reinforced its commitment to empowering lung cancer patients by collaborating with patient advocacy group leaders from across the region. This significant initiative, aimed at strengthening shared decision-making in lung cancer care, culminated in key announcements around December 11, 2025, following pivotal discussions at the ESMO Asia 2025 conference in Singapore. The effort is a crucial component of the ongoing “The 3rd Opinion” campaign, designed to elevate the patient’s voice in their complex healthcare journey and improve treatment outcomes.
The collaborative push began with a Patient Reception on December 6, 2025, where twenty leaders representing seventeen patient advocacy groups from Asia Pacific, Europe, and the United States gathered to advocate for enhanced shared decision-making practices. This was followed by the ESMO Asia 2025 Symposium on December 7, 2025, which highlighted the essential role healthcare professionals play in guiding patients and their families through intricate treatment choices, especially concerning EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Elevating the Patient Voice Through Collaborative Initiatives
The heart of this ongoing effort is “The 3rd Opinion” campaign, a new term coined to inspire a social movement that encourages lung cancer patients to actively participate in shaping their treatment plans. This patient-centered approach ensures that all treatment decisions are aligned with each patient’s personal goals, preferences, and unique circumstances, ultimately leading to more informed choices, increased patient satisfaction, and improved health outcomes.
To support this objective, Johnson & Johnson has also launched “J&J withMe,” an online hub. This vital resource equips lung cancer patients and their caregivers with essential information, including tailored toolkits and conversation guides. These tools are designed to prepare individuals for medical consultations, enabling them to make well-informed and personalized treatment decisions. Beyond digital support, the company is actively co-driving specific initiatives within various markets, working closely with local patient advocacy groups to foster greater patient empowerment throughout the Asia Pacific region.
Addressing Patient Satisfaction and Engagement
Recent patient surveys unequivocally demonstrate the critical need for shared decision-making. Data shows that patients who were actively involved in shared decision-making processes were eleven times more likely to report higher satisfaction with their treatments. Furthermore, a significant ninety percent of lung cancer patients in Japan expressed a desire to play an active role in their treatment decisions. This data clearly indicates a strong demand for more patient-centric care models.
Despite these clear preferences, studies conducted across the Asia Pacific region reveal a notable gap: up to seventy-seven percent of patients often trust and rely on their physicians to make treatment decisions for them. This trend persists even though sixty-nine percent of physicians actively encourage patients to engage in shared decision-making. This disparity underscores the importance of initiatives like “The 3rd Opinion” in bridging communication gaps and empowering patients to effectively voice their preferences and participate in their care.
The Urgent Need for Enhanced Lung Cancer Care in Asia Pacific
The necessity for strengthening shared decision-making is particularly acute in the Asia Pacific region, which bears a disproportionately heavy burden of lung cancer. In 2022, the region was tragically responsible for sixty percent of global lung cancer deaths, solidifying its status as the deadliest cancer in the Asia Pacific. Projections indicate that this concerning trend will continue through 2050. Moreover, Asia is currently home to sixty-three percent of all lung cancer patients worldwide. The high prevalence of specific non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) mutations in Asia, such as EGFR mutations, makes the selection of first-line therapy incredibly critical, demanding a careful balance between clinical objectives and individual patient values.
Addressing Systemic Challenges
Comprehensive studies have identified significant systemic gaps in lung cancer care across the Asia Pacific. These challenges include patients having suboptimal understanding of their disease and treatment options, limited engagement in shared decision-making, the persistent stigma associated with cancer, and insufficient psychosocial support. Many patients lack a complete understanding of genetic mutations relevant to their condition and frequently experience delays in receiving a diagnosis. Culturally, there has been a long-standing tendency for patients to defer to their physicians, which highlights the critical importance of efforts aimed at encouraging patients to articulate their own opinions and goals for treatment.
To actively combat these multifaceted challenges, Johnson & Johnson is pursuing a multi-pronged approach that involves various stakeholders. This includes policymakers, oncologists, nurses, advocacy groups, caregivers, and patients themselves. The company’s commitment extends to developing transformative therapies specifically targeting both common and rare EGFR mutations, and it also supports broader policy work, such as the Asia Pacific Lung Cancer Policy Consensus. This influential consensus document, collaboratively authored by ASPIRE for Lung Cancer and the Asia Pacific Coalition Against Lung Cancer (APCLC), provides region-specific recommendations tailored to improve lung cancer care. By adapting strategies to the unique epidemiological patterns, environmental risks, and diverse healthcare infrastructures prevalent in the Asia Pacific, the initiative aims to translate global visions into practical local actions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and ensuring equitable care for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main goal of the collaboration between Johnson & Johnson and Asia Pacific patient advocacy groups?
- The main goal is to strengthen shared decision-making in lung cancer care, empowering patients to play a more active role in their treatment decisions.
- Where did the recent announcements and events related to this initiative take place?
- The recent announcements and stakeholder engagements, including a Patient Reception and ESMO Asia 2025 Symposium, took place in Singapore.
- What is “The 3rd Opinion” campaign?
- “The 3rd Opinion” is a campaign designed to elevate the patient’s voice and spark a social movement that empowers lung cancer patients to confidently articulate their personal goals for treatment, fostering collaborative care.
- What is “J&J withMe” and how does it help patients?
- “J&J withMe” is an online hub launched by Johnson & Johnson that provides lung cancer patients and caregivers with tailored toolkits and conversation guides to prepare for consultations and make informed, personalized treatment decisions.
- Why is shared decision-making particularly important in the Asia Pacific region for lung cancer?
- The Asia Pacific region faces a disproportionately high burden of lung cancer, accounting for sixty percent of global lung cancer deaths and sixty-three percent of all lung cancer patients worldwide. There are also significant gaps in patient knowledge, limited shared decision-making, and cultural tendencies to defer to physicians.
- What impact does shared decision-making have on patient satisfaction?
- Patient surveys indicate that those engaged in shared decision-making were eleven times more likely to report higher satisfaction with their treatments.
Key Features of the Initiative
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Core Objective | Strengthening shared decision-making in lung cancer care. | Asia Pacific Region |
| Key Campaign | “The 3rd Opinion” to elevate patient voice. | Asia Pacific Region |
| Patient Support Platform | “J&J withMe” online hub with toolkits and guides. | Asia Pacific Region |
| Patient Satisfaction Impact | 11 times higher satisfaction with shared decision-making. | Nationwide (Japan data cited) |
| Regional Lung Cancer Burden | 60% of global lung cancer deaths, 63% of all lung cancer patients. | Asia Pacific Region |
| Stakeholder Collaboration | Involves policymakers, oncologists, nurses, advocacy groups, caregivers, and patients. | Asia Pacific Region |
| Policy Support | Supporting the Asia Pacific Lung Cancer Policy Consensus. | Asia Pacific Region |
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