July 2021 – COA Patient Advocacy Network News Bulletin
2021 Advocacy Summit: Empowering Your Cancer Advocacy
On July 21, CPAN will host its annual Advocacy Summit to discuss key issues impacting cancer care in America. Attendees will learn about topics such as the increased volume of community cancer clinic closures, the bureaucratic burdens that overrule physician expertise, delayed access to critical treatments, and more. Summit “graduates” leave equipped and ready to inform policymakers and Congressional representatives about concrete solutions to improve the overall care experience.
Register for free and join us Wednesday, July 21.
ICYMI: Cancer Communication and the Power of Social Media
Chapter Spotlight
Dayton Physicians Network, Dayton, Ohio
Bringing together a comprehensive team of multi-disciplinary oncologists, hematologists, and urologists, the Dayton Physicians Network (DPN) provides greater Dayton, Ohio with committed, patient-centric care, and offers support services for patients and their loved ones at seven practice locations. DPN’s team of 18 physicians and six advanced nurse practitioners believe that care is best when the doctor and patient involved are aligned and connected. This connection improves communication, reduces unnecessary wait time, and reduces travel time—keeping loved ones in close reach of needed health and support services. Each DPN doctor is a recognized leader in his or her respective field, using advanced technologies to deliver modern, affordable treatment methods to all Ohioans.
DPN understands the national policy issues impacting community oncology. Their leadership aims to introduce patients to community oncology advocacy, teaching the importance of why patients should become cancer care advocates, and understanding how physicians support patients beyond their clinical roles.
From joining fellow oncology advocates on Capitol Hill to hosting multiple CPAN practice-based events, such as Sit in My Chair congressional visits, clinical trials educational days, and national and local CPAN events, DPN demonstrates the best of cancer care advocacy. Their diligence in community oncology advocacy demonstrates their continued commitment to the patient.
Learn more about CPAN’s Advocacy Army and read DPN’s full story.
Cancer News You Can Use
Multiple Factors Contribute To Disparities In Health And Cancer Outcomes
MedPage Today 06/15
Medicare needs to streamline its portfolio of alternative payment models (APMs), the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) said in its annual report to Congress.
News10 ABC 07/07
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, shining a light on the “forgotten cancer.” Sarcoma is more prevalent in children than adults, but breast cancer survivors are at increased risk for this rare cancer.
Watch: An Unusual 30th Birthday Gift: Why I Got A Colonoscopy So Young—And Documented Every Step
STAT News 06/22
Because of my family history, I am at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Black men are also at higher risk as well. So just days before my 30th birthday, I underwent my first colonoscopy.
The Same mRNA Technology Used In COVID-19 Vaccines Could Help Treat Cancer
USA Today 06/19
Companies like Moderna and Pfizer’s partner BioNTech are using mRNA to spur cancer patients’ bodies to make vaccines that will prevent recurrences and treatments designed to fight off advanced tumors. If they prove effective, which will not be known for at least another year or two, they could be added to the arsenal of immune therapies designed to get the body to fight off its own tumors.
Clinicians Open Their Notes To Patients In A Grand Experiment In Medical Care
STAT News 06/18
As of this past April, under a provision of the 21st Century Cures Act, health care providers are required to give all their patients electronic access to most kinds of medical notes. Patients previously had the right to ask for their medical records, and test results and some other documents have been available through electronic portals.
Survivors’ Plasma Helps Blood Cancer Patients Battle COVID-19
HealthDay 06/18
Giving COVID-19 survivors’ blood plasma to blood cancer patients hospitalized with COVID-19 significantly improves their chances of survival, a new study finds
Community Oncology 101: Community Oncology is Personal
Cancer patients and survivors are sharing their perspective on the supportive, personal nature of community oncology. Learn why community oncology practices are the preferred care setting for patients and their support systems:
Resources for Advocates & Chapters
Are you looking to educate yourself on the benefits of community oncology? Our partners host virtual and in-person events to connect with industry leaders, educate, and promote community oncology in America.
https://communityoncology.org/category/partner-events/
Recent News & Updates
The Department of Health and Human Services will renew funding to states for cancer prevention and tracking efforts, alleviating anxieties among local officials about the future of their work.
When I read that Ananda Lewis had died of breast cancer, I felt a deep, familiar heartbreak, followed by a sharper, more painful recognition: This didn’t have to happen.
President Trump's tax and spending bill sets in motion nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and other health policy changes that could loom over the midterm elections.
You might have seen the recent headlines on a new study on exercise and cancer recovery suggesting that “exercise is better than a drug” in preventing cancer returning.
