ACCC Recognizes Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in this country; the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 1 male in every 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime. The ACS also estimates that there will be 248,530 new cases and 34,130 deaths from prostate cancer in 2021—an increase of 30% and 2.4%, respectively—compared to 2020. This increased risk is at least partially due to the stay-at-home orders brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led many Americans to avoid trips to doctors’ offices for annual visits and cancer screenings. Continued growth in healthcare disparities—also aggravated by COVID-19— has added to the disproportionate access of marginalized groups to necessary cancer screenings and quality cancer care.  

ZERO —The End of Prostate Cancer published a report in January 2021 that highlights the disparities in care the Black community continues to face in the context of COVID-19: “The incidence of prostate cancer is almost 80% higher in non-Hispanic Black men than in non-Hispanic white men, and the death rate for Black men with prostate cancer is more than double that of men in every other population.” Many factors contribute to these disparities, including social determinants of health (e.g., low health literacy, low economic status, and lack of transportation), patients being underinsured or uninsured, and language barriers between patients and members of their care team. As risk and mortality rates are predicted increase once again in 2021, the fight against prostate cancer is critical. 

Designated as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, September is a time to fight for health equity for all patients at risk for and diagnosed with prostate cancer. ACCC has long highlighted the racial and ethnic disparities that exist in oncology and hematology care delivery to advocate for true health equity for all patients with cancer. Through various programs, ACCC helps teach members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team how they can help patients overcome barriers and disparities in various treatment settings.  

• The importance of information and risk communication in advanced prostate cancer decision-making. 
•  The value of decision support tools for clinicians and patients. 
•  The need to identify opportunities or strategies to build capacity for access to relevant subspecialities as standard of care in community settings, to optimize technology-based solutions for standardizing treatment and improving patient tracking, and to integrate appropriate patient navigation models to support patients.

Attendees will help identify actionable items that can guide community cancer care teams in expanding access to high-quality advanced prostate cancer care. Those interested in participating in the summit can register online. 

Other ongoing ACCC prostate cancer projects include: