Equity and Accessibility for Everyone Facing Prostate Cancer
Supporting High-Risk Veterans
organizations to address how we can better serve the military population and meet their prostate cancer needs through policy change. As part of the larger ZERO Prostate Cancer Veterans Initiative, this group helped support the passage of the Veterans Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act. The group also helped administer a Veterans Prostate Cancer survey that garnered more than 1,500+ responses, and these responses will help identify opportunities for prostate cancer risk identification and testing as early as possible.
ZERO is on the front lines pushing for policies and initiatives to help raise awareness around the correlation
Last year, ZERO hosted the second annual Health Equity Symposium, addressing the status of prostate cancer disparities and what can be done to eliminate them. The symposium featured sessions on place-based disparities, prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease, and clinical trial participation. It also introduced ZERO’s new and expanding Prostate Cancer in the Black Community film series.
Health equity is a cornerstone of our work. Everyone deserves a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive prostate cancer, regardless of race, the financial resources one has access to, or location. ZERO is dedicated to eliminating disparities and ending prostate cancer for all families. Black men are more than 170% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and are 210% more likely to lose their battle against the disease than white men. These disparities are unacceptable, and ZERO is committed to reducing the gaps that make it harder for people from historically underrepresented communities to receive care and support while battling prostate cancer. Last year, ZERO’s Black Men’s Prostate Cancer Initiative expanded to help more men and provide educational resources and support groups. The Initiative launched a support group in Atlanta and now meets in person and virtually to provide prostate cancer education resources and support specifically for Black men diagnosed with prostate cancer. This initiative also includes education and awareness events to help Black men and their families as they manage their diagnosis and navigate the cancer care system. Programs like this are critical to building a future where health equity is achieved, and all men have the opportunity to survive prostate cancer.
between military service and prostate cancer and bring resources to Veterans actively fighting prostate cancer. One in five American Veterans will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at a rate twice that of the general population during their lifetime, making the support, resources, tools, and education needed to fight this disease critically important. This alarming statistic needs immediate action and future planning to ensure our Veterans receive the care they deserve. The ZERO Prostate Cancer Veterans Initiative led the effort responsible for the successful passage of the Veterans Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act to create a standardized clinical pathway for prostate cancer care within the Veterans Health Administration. In addition to the Veterans Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act, the federal budget included vital investments in prostate cancer research at the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Veterans Administration and education and outreach at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ZERO’s Veterans Prostate Cancer Working Group continues to convene as a panel of stakeholders from the prostate cancer community and Veterans service
Last year, ZERO convened a new Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) to serve as a brain trust around Veterans prostate cancer experiences. The VAB led the effort to update and publish a Veterans version of the Prostate Cancer 101 brochure, specific to Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, their families, and
Film Series 950+ attendees 375+ men screened for prostate cancer at film series events
” I’m proud to be part of work that includes reaching out and encouraging Black men to talk about prostate cancer in their own community. ” Film Series Attendee
The Prostate Cancer in the Black Community film series has reached communities nationwide, raising awareness about the disease. The films shown include “The Black Walnut” by Terrance Afer-Anderson and “The Silent Killer” by Landi Maduro. The film series helps to bring awareness to high-risk men, underscoring existing early detection and education challenges and identifying new ways to address these issues within the Black community. Each event features a post-screening panel discussion with a medical professional and patient.
active-duty military members, to ensure those most at-risk have access to information and treatment options within the Veterans Health Administration system.
1 in 5 U.S. Veterans will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. BY THE NUMBERS
ZERO’s Black Men’s Prostate Cancer Initiative podcast series features candid conversations about the racial barriers some men face regarding healthcare and what can be done to achieve health equity for prostate cancer patients. Episodes are available for listening on Apple, Google, Spotify, and other podcast streaming platforms.
Nearly 489,000 prostate cancer patients receive care through the Veterans Affairs healthcare system.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among U.S. Veterans.
Prostate cancer rates in the military are twice those in the general population.
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