December 2019 – COA Patient Advocacy Network News Bulletin
Chapter Spotlight: Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central New York
Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central New York (HOA) is an innovative leader in cancer care, prevention, and support services that provides patients with cancer and blood disorders clinical services from active treatment through remission. HOA’s growing and dedicated staff of health care professionals and support personnel prioritize financial counseling services for patients as part of their care model, an increasingly important service that can deliver peace of mind during a difficult time.
Della, a cancer survivor, became an advocate for community cancer care thanks to the Community Oncology Alliance’s (COA) Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) after her treatment at HOA in 2012. This community practice made Della feel genuinely heard and supported by her care team. She recalls when her doctor started laying out all of her treatment options in a way that made her feel comfortable with moving forward. “There was no rush—I knew they must have a thousand patients, but we spent an hour together. It felt like their only concern was me.”
Della’s experience with community oncology inspired her to work with her CPAN chapter’s patients and fellow survivors after completing her bachelor’s degree in community and human services. Her patient advocate peers were grateful for Della’s insights and expertise as they prepared for Congressional meetings in Washington, D.C. to bring the value of community oncology to life through personal stories and experiences: “Della was wonderful, and jumped in with her insights and her experience advocating on Capitol Hill. Several of the scholarship recipients found the information she shared helpful as they got to know each other before meeting in D.C. There is definitely great excitement for our upcoming trip.”
- Read Della’s story and learn how you can get involved in advocacy with CPAN at COAAdvocacy.org.
- Upload your advocacy story for a chance to be featured in CPAN’s next newsletter!
CPAN Chapters in Action: Stop “Fail First” Step Therapy!
CPAN chapters across the country educate patients and staff about national policy issues that impact care locally. When CPAN advocates from around the country come together to explain why it’s critical to protect and promote community oncology, we become a guiding force for powerful change.
CPAN is asking all chapters to focus on “fail first” step therapy, a policy developed by insurers and pharmacy benefit managers that puts patients at risk by delaying or eliminating access to the latest, breakthrough cancer treatments. Step therapy is a dangerous barrier to innovative cancer care, with potentially devastating consequences.
CPAN chapters are hosting educational events on step therapy, which poses a clear and present danger to patients, families, and providers. The more our advocates know about step therapy, the more effectively we can oppose and work to defeat policies that limit access to needed treatments and jeopardize patients health. Taking what they learn from CPAN chapter meetings, advocates become well-equipped to contact their member of Congress about the issues, author a letter to the editor, or otherwise engage in support of community oncology.
“At our chapter events, we’re thrilled to see the cross-discussion that happens among our patients, survivors, and caregivers. Advocates at our event are motivated to respond to these issues and bring CPAN into their own organizations. We’re so excited to be building advocacy momentum at our chapter!” ~Susan Dicosola, Executive Director, Queens Medical Associates, New York.
Have you planned a step therapy event? CPAN makes it easy with FREE advocacy resources!
- LEARN STEP THERAPY BASICS: Learn how “fail-first” step therapy puts patients at risk by forcing them to try older, often less expensive drugs before the medication their oncologist originally prescribed is considered.
- EDUCATE OTHERS: Understand step therapy policies so you can educate others on the one in five patients who never receive their prescribed treatment due to step therapy.
Your Chapter can use COA’s new resources to take action! Encourage your policymakers to protect patients from harmful step therapy practices by supporting bills such as the Safe Step Act.
For more information about CPAN’s extensive library of educational and advocacy resources for your practice, community, or chapter, please contact Tracey Banks, CPAN Executive Assistant.
Cancer Policy News Highlights
“Medicare beneficiaries are struggling with higher cost-sharing stemming from health systems snapping up physician practices and shifting many services to their outpatient departments.”
“Although half of cervical cancers are detected in women over 49, a first-of-its-kind study finds women are less likely to get screenings as they age.”
Washington Post: A severe shortage hits a drug used for cancer, immune disorders, epilepsy, causing canceled treatments and rationing
“A severe shortage of immune globulin—a popular medicine used to treat epilepsy, cancer and immune disorders—is forcing doctors nationwide to cancel patients’ lifesaving infusions.”
Click here to see the full version.
Recent News & Updates
A new study from researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) has suggested that diets rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains may possibly be linked to a higher risk of early‑onset lung cancer.
At the 2026 NCCN Annual Conference, Anjali Albanese, an oncology social worker at Fox Chase Cancer Center, sat down for an interview with CURE to discuss the emotional and psychosocial impact of a cancer diagnosis among younger adults.
Breast, colorectal and prostate cancers account for most screen-detectable cancers in adults aged under 50 years, with most “unfortunately diagnosed symptomatically,” a presenter at ACP’s Internal Medicine Meeting said.
Popular niacin (vitamin B3) derivatives, which are readily available in retail stores and often promoted as anti-aging supplements, may have a protective effect on cancer cells, according to a new study.
