November 2021 – COA Patient Advocacy Network News Bulletin
Advocacy Chats – Insightful Conversations on Policy Issues & Cancer Research
Getting to Know Your Oncology Care Team: Oncology Social Workers – Most people are familiar with the physicians and nurses providing cancer treatment, but often unseen are the oncology social workers who provide mental health support, care planning, coordination between physicians, and other key services to keep treatment and recovery on track. On November 10 at 12 p.m. ET, Abra Kelson, LICSW, OSW-C, of Northwest Medical Specialties joins Rose Gerber of COA to discuss the life of a social worker and how patients can better take advantage of all the resources offered by care providers’ social workers. Register Today.
ICYMI: Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Thanks to increased access to tools and resources for both diagnosis and treatment, public awareness of breast cancer, the most common form of cancer in women, has continued to grow. COA’s Rose Gerber and Stacy Lewis, Chief Program Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of the Young Survival Coalition, discussed breast cancer prevention and treatment challenges, resources available to women, connecting with underserved audiences, and how the Young Survival Coalition supports young adults affected by breast cancer. Stream it today on @OncologyCOA’s YouTube channel. Stream it on @OncologyCOA’s YouTube channel today.
Chapter Spotlight – New York Cancer & Blood Specialists
With over 480 staff members across 20 locations in the Empire State, New York Cancer & Blood Specialists (NYCBS) leverages every resource in their network to provide world-class cancer care to the 48,000 patients they serve each year.
A team of oncologists, nutritionists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, and more care for and support patients in a way that can only be found in community oncology practices. Their onsite research center allows them to participate in clinical trials and deliver cutting-edge treatments to patients.
After more than four decades of service to New Yorkers, NYCBS understands the value of community oncology and the need to protect practices around the country so they can continue to serve patients with cancer. Since joining CPAN’s Advocacy Army in 2013, NYCBS has made its voice heard at the national and state levels, arranging meetings with New York legislators, and joining other CPAN members to advocate on Capitol Hill. Learn more about CPAN’s Advocacy Army and read New York Cancer & Blood Specialists’ full story.
Cancer News You Can Use
Third Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine Increases Response Among Patients with Cancer – Healio 10/29
Patients undergoing active chemotherapy for solid tumor cancers mounted an antibody response similar to healthy individuals after a third dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, according to a study in Nature Medicine.
Telehealth May Increase Access to Quality Lung Cancer Screenings – mHealthIntelligence 10/29
Using telehealth for lung cancer screenings was just as effective as in-person screenings and may help increase screening rates, a study out of Temple University Hospital found. In-person care became difficult when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. Per CMS and other regulatory guidance, many healthcare organizations hit pause on preventive care screenings in order to reallocate staff and reduce the risk of virus transmission.
Cancer Costs U.S. Patients $21 Billion a Year – HealthDay 10/26
American cancer patients spent more than $21 billion on their care in 2019, a new report shows. That $21.09 billion included out-of-pocket costs of $16.22 billion and patient time costs of $4.87 billion. Patient time costs are the value of the time patients spend traveling for, waiting for, and receiving care.
Early Breast Cancer Screenings Reduce Mortality, Health Disparities – HealthITAnalytics 10/21
According to analyses performed by the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network, having Black women begin mammography screenings every other year starting at the age of 40 could reduce breast cancer deaths by 57 percent, eliminating health disparities.
Covid and Cancer: A Dangerous Combination, Especially for People of Color – The Washington Post, 10/11
Last year, as the pandemic unfolded, millions of cancer screenings and diagnostic tests were canceled and thousands of surgical procedures postponed, in part to protect patients. Researchers say the pause and subsequent delayed diagnoses and treatments will likely result in an increase in cancer deaths over the next several years — but they don’t know the extent.
Community Oncology 101 – Spotlight on Cancer Care: Always Looking Forward
How does a community oncology practice maintain and improve its patient care? New England Cancer Specialists says it’s by always looking forward. – Watch on OncologyCOA.
Resources for Chapters
CPAN Advocacy Chats are monthly webinars designed to raise awareness of issues affecting community oncology, educate members on important topics, and spotlight professionals who care for patients with cancer. Check out CPAN’s library of Advocacy Chats to learn about oncology nurses, clinical trials, the power of social media as an advocacy tool, and more.
Recent News & Updates
September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, an observance dedicated to raising awareness about blood cancers, such as multiple myeloma (MM), lymphoma, and leukemia.
Your diagnosis of an early-stage blood cancer, such as a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) or a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), means that something has changed in the way your bone marrow produces blood cells.
Why do health stories about food and cancer grab so much attention? Because they offer an enticing promise: that a single item on your plate, or even a sudden change in what you crave, might hold the key to spotting disease early.
Senators from both parties grilled HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week on changes to vaccines recommendations, the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel and HHS priorities, including funding for rural hospitals.
