Transcript American Cancer Society Prostate Cancer Activities 2007 African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit September 28, 2007 Washington, D.C.

American Cancer Society
Prostate Cancer Activities
2007 African American Prostate Cancer
Disparity Summit
September 28, 2007
Washington, D.C.
ACS Overview

Nationwide voluntary health organization
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Over 3,400 community-based units within
13 divisions
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Volunteer-driven, over 2 million volunteers
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Dedicated to eliminating cancer, by
preventing cancer, saving lives, and
diminishing suffering from cancer
ACS Priorities
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Information

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Research

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Support innovative, high impact research through both
direct funding and influencing the amount and direction of
funding from other sources
Quality of Life

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Support better decisions by making available high-quality,
timely, understandable information
Primarily by assisting with service referral, community
mobilization, advocacy and direct service provision
Prevention and Early Detection
Disparities Reduction/Elimination
Advocacy
Man to Man Program - History
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Started by a survivor, James Mullen
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Incorporated in Florida (Man to Man, Inc.) in
1994
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ACS entered into agreement with Man to
Man , Inc in 1996
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ACS expanded program nationwide (1996 –
2000)
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Program revision and enhancements (20032004)
Current Man to Man Program
Components
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One-to-One Contacts
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Man to Man Self-Help and/or Support Groups
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Community Education and Awareness
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Outreach to High Risk Groups
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Collaboration with Health Care Professionals
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Advocacy
Program implementation depends on a high level
of Volunteer involvement and leadership
Basic Tenets of Man to Man
Groups
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Confidential
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No fees charged
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No medical advice
Desired Program Outcomes
Increase:
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Knowledge base of survivors
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Self-efficacy in treatment decisions
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# of high risk men and newly diagnosed
men reached by Man to Man
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Referrals to Man to Man from health care
providers
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Screening rates (esp. among high-risk
men)
Desired Long-Term Outcomes
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Reduced morbidity and mortality
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Improved quality of life
ACS Advocacy Efforts
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Clinical trials
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Federal appropriations
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Access to medical care
Two Important Dimensions of
Access to Care
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Adequate Health Insurance, and
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A Health Care Delivery Model with a
Strong Emphasis on the Continuum of
Care
If we had universal coverage today, we still would
have the same high rate of missed opportunities
for prevention & early detection that are evident in
the insured population
Delivery Model and Preventive
Care
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Regular, dedicated, preventive health encounters with
health care professionals must become a core role of
primary care
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Achieving ACS’ cancer prevention and early detection
goals depends on the implementation of systems that
support early preventive health interventions, and
regular screening
Disparities
Reduction/Elimination
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Recently appointed first ever National Vice-President
for Disparities
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Partnerships with minority-serving organizations,
including National Medical Association
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Incoming Chief Medical Officer has extensive
background in cancer disparities
Thank you