American Cancer SocietyProstate Cancer Activities

2007 African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit

September 28, 2007Washington, D.C.

ACS Overview Nationwide voluntary health organization

Over 3,400 community-based units within 13 divisions

Volunteer-driven, over 2 million volunteers

Dedicated to eliminating cancer, by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer

ACS Priorities Information

Support better decisions by making available high-quality, timely, understandable information

Research Support innovative, high impact research through both

direct funding and influencing the amount and direction of funding from other sources

Quality of Life 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 Started by a survivor, James Mullen

Incorporated in Florida (Man to Man, Inc.) in 1994

ACS entered into agreement with Man to Man , Inc in 1996

ACS expanded program nationwide (1996 – 2000)

Program revision and enhancements (2003-2004)

Current Man to Man Program Components

One-to-One Contacts

Man to Man Self-Help and/or Support Groups

Community Education and Awareness

Outreach to High Risk Groups

Collaboration with Health Care Professionals

Advocacy

Program implementation depends on a high level of Volunteer involvement and leadership

Basic Tenets of Man to Man Groups

Confidential

No fees charged

No medical advice

Desired Program Outcomes

Increase: Knowledge base of survivors Self-efficacy in treatment decisions # of high risk men and newly diagnosed

men reached by Man to Man Referrals to Man to Man from health care

providers Screening rates (esp. among high-risk

men)

Desired Long-Term Outcomes

Reduced morbidity and mortality

Improved quality of life

ACS Advocacy Efforts

Clinical trials

Federal appropriations

Access to medical care

Two Important Dimensions of Access to Care

Adequate Health Insurance, and

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 Regular, dedicated, preventive health encounters with

health care professionals must become a core role of primary care

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

Recently appointed first ever National Vice-President for Disparities

Partnerships with minority-serving organizations, including National Medical Association

Incoming Chief Medical Officer has extensive background in cancer disparities

Thank you