COA Patient Advocacy Network News Bulletin: August 2021

Advocacy Chats

Insightful Conversations on Key Cancer Issues & the Policies That Impact Them

Get to Know Your Oncology Care Team: Oncology Nurses

Oncology nurses are an integral component of community oncology, diligently delivering their patients exceptional care through a series of care processes established by respective practices. Brenda McGarr, RN, an oncology nurse at Augusta Oncology in Augusta, Georgia, joins COA’s Rose Gerber, Director of Patient Advocacy & Education, to discuss the role of oncology nurses and provide a glimpse into their day-to-day procedures that help other care professionals support the patients they serve. Register for free and join us Wednesday, August 11.

ICYMI: 2021 Virtual Community Oncology Advocacy Summit

The annual Advocacy Summit was a day to remember! Summit graduates discussed key issues challenging community cancer care in the U.S. and learned about topics such as the alarming number of clinic closures, the bureaucratic burdens that overrule physician expertise, delayed access to critical treatments, and more. Session Recordings now available, view here.

Chapter Spotlight: Augusta Oncology

Augusta, Georgia

As one of the most active chapters in the CPAN community, Augusta Oncology engages its patient and survivor audiences through every step of advocacy. From instilling confidence and sharing advocacy tools with its chapter members, to representing Georgia at national conferences, to participating in focus groups and more, Augusta chapter leaders do everything they can to keep patients updated on pressing national oncology issues. This transparency improves the patient-provider connection, allowing advocates to better understand the practice’s offerings and the values that guide operations.

In addition to advocacy updates, Augusta Oncology communicates with its peers in the CPAN Network about clinical trials. To answer questions from the community, the Augusta Oncology team hosted an online event explaining the advantages of clinical trials, safety measures, and more, to ensure that patients gain a better understanding of the many unique benefits of community oncology that helps demonstrate its value. Augusta Oncology is wholly committed to the 3,000+ patients they serve, utilizing its expertise, modern technologies and convenient location to provide affordable, high-quality, community-based care. Learn more about CPAN’s Advocacy Army and read Augusta Oncology’s full story.

Cancer News You Can Use

Grammy-Winning Patti Labelle Teams Up With Cancer Nonprofits: ‘Honey, It’s Time To Get Screened
The Hill 07/22

Music icon and Grammy winner Patti LaBelle is urging U.S. adults to undergo early cancer detection screenings. LaBelle has teamed up with the nonprofit organizations the Community Oncology Alliance and CancerCare for a series of TV, digital and radio PSAs called “Time to Screen,” an effort that encourages adults, especially those over the age of 40, to schedule screenings for six of the most common types of cancers: skin, lung, breast, colorectal, cervical and prostate.

Race Is The Most Pronounced Driver Of Delays In Screening-Detected Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Radiology Business 07/28

Race is the most pronounced driver of delayed breast cancer diagnosis during regular screenings, according to a new study in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. Mortality rates from the disease have declined steadily over the last decade, thanks to national mammography screening programs, among other factors. But “substantial” barriers to screening and primary care still exist, which can result in delayed treatment and poor outcomes.

1 In 3 Cancer Articles On Social Media Contain Harmful Misinformation
Medical News Today 07/28

According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 72% of adults in the United States use social media. Another survey suggests that 73% of people in the U.S. obtain health-related information from the internet. Research also shows that false news is more shareable than news that is fact-checked, especially for social media.

Community-Based Programs Have the Power to Remove Clinical Trial Barriers
OncLive 07/20

For decades, there has been a persistent lack of diversity among cancer-related clinical trial participants. This disparity affects both the patients and the science. A community-based approach to cancer care and research could offer a solution.

Pandemic Delays in Screening Mean More Breast Cancer Deaths Ahead: Study
U.S. News & World Report 07/14

New research suggests that disruptions in breast cancer screening and treatment in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to an increase in deaths from the disease.

COMMUNITY ONCOLOGY 101
The Value of Community Oncology

Where you receive cancer care matters. Community oncology practices work to ensure that all patients receive high quality, affordable cancer care close to home. Find out more in this Cancer Policy Minute with Ted Okon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjhvOmZ2PXU

Resources for Advocates & Chapters

Many people stayed home during the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than visiting a medical office for routine care, including screening for cancer. The pandemic and resulting delay in scheduling cancer screenings led to an increase in cancer deaths, according to a recent study. Getting screened for cancer is vital for patients and communities because early detection may save lives.

Time to Screen, a collaboration between CancerCare and the Community Oncology Alliance, offers free resources about the importance of recommended cancer screenings and a toll-free hotline to connect your patients with people who can help them find a convenient cancer screening location.

Call 1-855-53-SCREEN or visit TimetoScreen.org to learn how to find a convenient cancer screening location.