June 2022 – COA Patient Advocacy Network News Bulletin
Since the beginning of the movement in 1986, the work of cancer survivorship advocates – including patients, survivors, and physicians – has established survivorship as a vital part of cancer care and planning. On June 8 at 12 p.m. ET, Judy Pearson, A 2nd Act, Founder, joined COA Director of Patient Advocacy, Rose Gerber, to explore the four pillars of survivorship goals, the state of survivorship, and how A 2nd Act helps cancer survivors launch their second acts. View the entire video here.
ICYMI: Clinical Trials – Conversations with Community Oncologists
Clinical trials allow community oncologists to deliver cutting-edge treatments – and hope – to their patients. What do patients and families need to know about clinical trials, how have trials evolved, and how can they be improved? During Clinical Trials Month, Rose Gerber spoke with Dinesh Kapur, MD, medical oncologist, director of clinical research at Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology Associates, and the chair of OneCouncil about the ins and outs of clinical trials. Stream it on @OncologyCOA’s YouTube channel today.
Reaching policymakers is always the goal of any form of advocacy. Advocates engage with policymakers through emails, letters, and phone calls – but how can they ensure their outreach is effective?
When writing an email or letter to a policymaker, begin the message with a formal greeting and an introduction. Next, using issue-specific research, messages, and goals, briefly explain your issue. With the issue and need for action established, make an ask – explain to the policymaker what they can do to solve the problem.
If you’re calling policymakers, prepare a script with the same issue-specific research, messages, and goals. The script can help you explain the issue and what can be done to solve it.
No matter how an advocate chooses to engage with a policymaker, preparation is always key.
- Learn more about community oncology, the challenges that practices face, and how you can get involved by visiting CPAN’s Education & Resources library.
Colon Cancer Death Rates Are Falling Among The Young — But Only For Whites
HealthDay 05/24
New research warns that race and ethnicity matter when battling colon cancer, with young white patients facing notably better odds than Black, Hispanic, or Asian patients. A look at colon cancer survival among Americans younger than 50 turned up a glaring discrepancy: Survival five years after diagnosis improved to nearly 70% among white patients over two decades but was less than 58% among Black patients.
New Senate Bill Aims To Empower FTC To Crack Down On PBMs
Fierce Healthcare 05/24
New bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate aims to empower the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices such as spread pricing. The legislation comes as the PBM industry faces other areas of reform, including a proposed rule to get rid of clawback fees PBMs can charge pharmacies after the drug is dispensed.
Nearly Half Of People With Abnormal Lung Cancer Screening Postpone Follow-Up Care
Everyday Health 05/24
Nearly half of all people considered high risk for lung cancer after computerized tomography screening delayed follow-up care, according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2022 international conference. It’s estimated that lung cancer accounts for about 25% of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.
New Cancer Moonshot: White House Official Discusses Strategy, Promise
Healthline 05/17
On February 2, 2022, President Joe Biden announced plans for a Cancer Moonshot program that promises to “end cancer as we know it.” The coordinator of the White House’s new Cancer Moonshot initiative explained that the program has bold new goals and strategies, including accelerating cancer research and improving earlier cancer detection.
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.
