December 2024 – COA Patient Advocacy Network News Bulletin
Advocacy Chats – Educational Conversations on Cancer Policy and Advocacy Issues
Be sure to catch up on all Advocacy Chat sessions about health equity, Sit In My Chair visits, pharmacy benefit managers, 2024 Advocacy Highlights, and more. Rose Gerber, MS, COA director of patient advocacy and education, and guests explore ways for advocates to advance cancer care. Stream past chats on @OncologyCOA’s YouTube channel.
Empower & Advocate: Save the Date for the 2025 Community Oncology Conference
When community oncology comes together, it creates a stronger future for independent cancer care. Don’t miss the 2025 Community Oncology Conference, Apr. 29-30 in Orlando, Fla., where advocates, community oncology professionals, and other stakeholders convene to learn from and connect with peers. Save the date for the 2025 Community Oncology Conference.
Watch Angelina’s Advocacy in Action Story [60 Seconds]
“Community oncology stands up for what patients deserve,” says CPAN advocate Angelina. Watch the latest Advocacy in Action to learn how she strengthened connections with policymakers by sharing her personal story and pushing for policies that support high-quality, personalized cancer care.
Cancer News You Can Use
Why Doctors Think Colon Cancer Is On The Rise In Gen Z And Millennials – Newsweek 11/17
Consuming large amounts of ultra-processed foods raises the risk of several types of cancer, including colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancers, according to research published in the British Medical Journal. While specific causes are unknown, some researchers say that lifestyle changes among young people can help reduce the risk of colon cancer. “We know that high fiber diets can help reduce risk for colorectal cancer but unfortunately the American diet is typically low in fiber,” said Dr. Anne K. Mongiu, a colon and rectal surgeon in New Haven, Conn.
Global Cancer Disparities To Grow By 2050: Study – Axios 11/06
Cancer cases and deaths will increase most in low- and middle-income countries that may have less access to health care or face competing priorities for allocating resources. Cases are projected to grow by nearly 77% from 2022 to 2050 and reach 35.3 million worldwide, according to research published in JAMA Network Open. Death rates will rise 146% in low-income countries, while high-income countries will see a roughly 91% increase and very-high income countries, including the United States, will see a nearly 57% growth.
Lung Cancer On The Rise In U.S. Asian Women Who Don’t Smoke. Experts Hope To Expand Screenings. – CBS News 10/28
Of the Asian women diagnosed with lung cancer, 57% are nonsmokers, according to a study by leading Calif. medical centers. For all others, only 15% of women diagnosed had no history of smoking. People who don’t smoke aren’t eligible to get screened for lung cancer. “Currently, screening guidelines drive what’s covered under insurance,” said study researcher Scarlett Gomez, epidemiologist of University of California San Francisco.
Resources for Chapters
Help federal and state policymakers understand the value of independent community oncology by hosting a Sit In My Chair visit. With many state lawmakers out of session through early 2025, use your state legislative calendar to inform your scheduling.
Recent News & Updates
Cancer is a complex disease with many causes – and sometimes none. For some patients, getting cancer is down to plain bad luck.
Following lung cancer resection, patients had more improved exercise outcomes and health-related quality of life with a home-based exercise and self-management program vs. usual care, according to results published in JAMA Network Open.
The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) is pleased to announce that Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, FASCO, has been elected president of COA.
Admitting she might sound like an eternal optimist, Alyssa Schatz, MSW, vice president, Policy and Advocacy, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), spent the fireside chat on the first day of the annual Patient-Centered Oncology Care (PCOC) meeting highlighting the progress she’s seen around responses to prior authorization (PA) policies and movement on equity.
