Bristol-Myers Squibb Launches an Online Resource for Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia in 15 European Countries

PARIS, December 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

My CML Life Online Resource Centre Empowers and Guides Patients with CML Through Different Stages of Their Journey

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) today announced the introduction of "My CML Life", a disease awareness website for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). In recognition of the need to raise awareness of this rare cancer, Bristol-Myers Squibb launched the "My CML Life" website to provide patients in Europe with easy-to-understand medical information and tools that offer support through various stages of their journey with CML.

"We are excited to bring this resource to patients and their caregivers in Europe," said Estelle Vester-Blockland, Executive Medical Director Oncology for Bristol-Myers Squibb. "Bristol-Myers Squibb will be providing this resource to patients in 15 countries across Europe, offering them support to manage and cope with their disease, and empower them to have a more informed dialogue with their doctor".

The educational content featured on the "My CML Life" website was developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb in close consultation with their advisory committee. Comprising CML medical experts who verified the scientific information and patient advocates who ensured that the patients' needs were taken into account, the committee worked in collaboration with BMS to provide insight and feedback on content, development and structure.

"We were looking to take a patient-oriented approach to explain to the patient, in a friendly way, the most important things when living with CML," said Dr Javier López Jiménez, head of the clinical department at the Hospital Ramón y Cajal in Madrid and member of the "My CML Life" website advisory committee. "I think that the website can be a big help for the patient because, when the patient is quiet at home, he can look at it and know better the side effects and how to manage them".

The "My CML Life" website provides patients with information on CML symptoms and diagnosis, an overview of available treatment options, and what to expect at treatment initiation and monitoring. The site also offers easy-to-use practical tools and services for patients. These include key questions for patients to ask their doctor during follow-up visits and treatment, adverse event diaries to help monitor their progress, and disease management tips to support them in their daily journey in CML. Links to other useful resources, including a list of patient advocacy groups, are also available for patients to access information from leading CML experts.  

For more information about "My CML Life"

The website has recently been launched in Spain and France and will be rolled out in 13 other countries across Europe including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K.  

Please visit http://www.mycmllife.eu/fr/ and http://www.mycmllife.eu/es/

About Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia

CML is a slow-growing type of leukaemia in which the body produces an uncontrolled number of abnormal white blood cells.^[1] CML accounts for 15% of all leukaemias.^[2] In Europe, the incidence is estimated at 10 to 15 cases per 1,000,000 people.^[3]

CML occurs when pieces of two different chromosomes (9 and 22) break off and attach to each other. The new chromosome is called the Philadelphia-positive chromosome, which contains an abnormal gene called BCR-ABL that signals cells to make too many white blood cells. There is no known cause for the genetic change that causes CML.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases.

References:

1.Macmillan Cancer Support. Leukaemia Overview.   Available at: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Leukaemia/Leukaemiaoverview.aspx. Last accessed April 2012.

2. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia - Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology - v.1.2007.

3. Baccarani, M et al. Annals Oncol. 2012:23 (Suppl 7):vii72-vii77.