May 2021 – COA Patient Advocacy Network News Bulletin
Upcoming Advocacy Chat: Your Source for Policy & Cancer Research Insights
Community Oncology Clinical Trials: Cutting Edge Treatment for Patients with Cancer
Clinical trials represent the latest developments in cancer treatment, offering patients access to the most cutting-edge options. And contrary to popular belief, clinical trials aren’t just provided in the academic medical setting.
Community oncology practices provide patients with affordable, accessible, and cutting-edge treatment options to fight against cancer within in their own communities. American Oncology Network (AON) Vice President Katie Goodman joins COA’s Rose Gerber to discuss provider and patient perspectives on clinical trials, their value in the community setting, safety processes, eligibility requirements, and more.
RSVP for the Advocacy Chat on May 12 at 12 p.m. ET.
ICYMI: COA’s Time to Screen Campaign
COA’s Nicolas Ferreyros and CancerCare’s Marissa Fors discussed “Time to Screen,” a public awareness and engagement initiative to boost recommended cancer screenings and get people to take charge of their health. Learn more about how cancer screening empowers patients and how it may even save their lives.
Watch it today on the @OncologyCOA YouTube channel.
Chapter Spotlight: New Mexico Cancer Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico
As the only community oncology center in the state, the New Mexico Cancer Center (NMCC) serves over 4,000 patients each year, largely rural and diverse populations.
NMCC believes community oncology is more than medical care. It’s “a home for patients to feel welcomed and supported during treatment, survivorship, and everything in between.” The center joined CPAN to be part of a national network of community centers promoting comprehensive, patient-driven cancer care. NMCC pledges to use CPAN’s educational tools and chapter resources to illustrate its value and bring care to New Mexicans in need.
NMCC’s community of health care professionals provide patients with a welcoming environment and engage families and caregivers to join forces on the survivorship journey. The center’s team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and pharmacists are committed to serving patients beyond the traditional health care setting, delivering high-quality care in the community.
Learn more about CPAN’s Advocacy Army and read NMCC’s full story.
Cancer News You Can Use
It’s ‘Time to Screen,’ Oncologists Tell Americans In New Campaign
Becker’s Hospital Review 04/08
In the wake of delayed cancer screenings and care spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, oncologists are now urging people to get back on track with routine screenings through the national “Time to Screen” campaign, recently launched by the Community Oncology Alliance and CancerCare.
Pandemic-Induced Delays in Medical Care Leading to Influx Of Advanced Illnesses
The Hill 04/19
While the coronavirus raged throughout the world over the past year—monopolizing medical care amid soaring cases—many found themselves reluctant to even attempt to seek care for other medical ailments, frightened that they could be exposed to the virus. Now, doctors are seeing the effects of these delays.
Relatively Few Drugs Account for a Large Share of Medicare Prescription Drug Spending
Kaiser Family Foundation 04/19
Policymakers are once again focusing attention on proposals to lower prescription drug costs. These drug pricing proposals raise the question of whether limiting the number of drugs subject to government price negotiation or international reference pricing might leave substantial savings on the table, even if this approach is more administratively feasible than subjecting all drugs to negotiation or reference pricing.
From COVID-19 To Colorectal Cancer, Telehealth Has Changed How We Look at Preventive Care
Healio 04/13
The pandemic has resulted in changes and adaptations to health care. While delays in cancer screenings are becoming more prevalent across the nation, the expansion of telemedicine helps close the gaps in cancer screenings related to the continuing pandemic and provides preventive care to patients.
Spotlight on Cancer Care Video
CGCC Helping Caregivers
Community oncology treatment considers the whole-patient approach—not just their medical care. Often, this approach requires support from family members and caregivers.
Community oncology practices like Central Georgia Cancer Care (CGCC) treat the whole patient, not just the disease, as well as the family and caregivers, giving them the support that they need.
Check out COA resources for patients and their support system.
Resources for Advocates & Chapters
The 2021 Community Oncology Conference was a massive hit, with thousands of attendees and important, informative sessions. Although you may not have attended every session, we collected session recordings and resources in one easily accessible location.
Conference materials are available free-of-charge to registered attendees and oncology professionals who registered at coaconference.com.
Recent News & Updates
Melanoma cases are rising in younger people, particularly in women under 50, a National Cancer Institute study has found.
For patients with multiple myeloma, bone complications can significantly affect quality of life.
The New York State Assembly ended its session without passing a bill for which pharmacists across the state, including some from local, independent pharmacies, had been desperately advocating, arguing that the bill was the best hope to prevent pharmacy deserts upstate.
I remind people all the time that cancer survivorship is another ballgame.
