Access in Action: Navigating the Cancer Continuum

HARRISBURG, May 16 – New findings that address the best methods and strategies to improve cancer care across the state will be presented at "Access in Action: Navigating the Cancer Continuum" – the second annual summit of the Pennsylvania Cancer Control Consortium (PAC3). Nearly 250 researchers, physicians, health care professionals, community and business leaders and cancer advocates from across Pennsylvania will attend the summit from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Friday, May 19 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Harrisburg, Pa.

The summit provides a one-of-a-kind forum for leaders in cancer research and care to share their latest findings on innovative approaches to cancer prevention, detection and treatment, and to identify the best practices in the Commonwealth for improving access to cancer care.

PAC3 members, who represent more than 850 individuals from more than 250 organizations, will present the results of community-based programs that are improving access to cancer services around the state. Following are highlights of the presentations:

The community food pantry: An unlikely venue for cancer education

Clinicians and health educators with the Indiana County Cancer Coalition used a unique venue for breast cancer education to reach out to low-income women in Indiana County who often experience health disparities due to high health care costs and inadequate health insurance. During food distribution days at local food pantries, 309 women were given information about mammography screening guidelines and obtaining mammograms. The results led authors to conclude that food pantries may represent a promising venue for educating low-income women at risk for breast cancer about the value of early detection and mammography.

Wireless technology finds a place in providing supportive care services to cancer patients

Using a wireless electronic tablet, researchers at the John Karnell Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia were able to successfully survey 4,758 cancer patients in a one-year period for a variety of physical and psychosocial symptoms. These patients often lack adequate screening and referral to supportive care services such as psychological and nutritional counseling.

Of the patients surveyed, 19 percent (799) reported that they experienced severe depression or anxiety. Additionally, referrals for psychological counseling tripled in the first three months after the initiative began. The researchers conclude that using a wireless screening technique is a cost-effective means to screen and measure outcomes for quality of life and symptom management for cancer patients and to ensure they receive needed services.

Healthy Black Family Project identifies African-Americans at high risk for cancer

Statistics indicate that cancer is the second leading cause of death for African-Americans in Allegheny County with a death rate of 1.2 times that of whites. The Healthy Black Family Project (HBFP), a community-based initiative headquartered at the Center for Minority Health at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, worked with community leaders to develop genetic family health histories of 370 African-Americans living in Pittsburgh.

The project detected 71 individuals with moderate to high risk of cancer through face-to face interviews. A genetic counselor then discussed their risks for developing disease and made recommendations on how to lower risks through physical activity, dietary changes and lifestyle changes. The study authors conclude that genetic family health history is a cue to action for participants to discuss risk factors with their physicians, other family members, and most importantly, to utilize the health promotion services provided by the HBFP.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health convened stakeholders from across the Commonwealth to write the Pennsylvania Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan (the Plan), which was announced in 2004. This plan, developed for Pennsylvanians by Pennsylvanians, is a blueprint for all sectors to work together to meet the growing challenge of cancer control. The partnership of stakeholders, the Pennsylvania Cancer Control Consortium (PAC3), represents public, private and volunteer organizations across the Commonwealth dedicated to implementation of the PlanÕs cancer control priorities. In 2005, PAC3 obtained 501(c)(3) non-profit status. This summit provides an opportunity for PAC3 to report on the progress being made to reduce the human and economic burden of cancer in Pennsylvania.

For more information on Access in Action, visit www.pac3.org and click the Summit Announcement link at the bottom of the page.

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UPMC News Bureau