Volume 5 | Issue 10
Inside This Issue
October Edition 2022
Why Breast Cancer Patients Need Help Now More Than Ever
How Joining Susan G. Komen®’s MORE THAN PINK Walk in Central Texas Will Raise Money For Cutting-Edge Breast Cancer Research and Critical Patient Services By Jeannine O’Deens, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen, Central Texas Medicaid Expansion May Reduce Emergency Department Visits for Non-Emergencies See pg. 11
INDEX Legal Matters....................... pg.3 Oncology Research......... pg.4 Mental Health...................... pg.6 Healthy Heart....................... pg.8 Hospital News.................... pg.10
Culinary Medicine Programs Aim to Improve Nutrition Education for Doctors See pg. 12
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reast cancer patients need help today. Now, it is more critical than ever to provide much-needed support to help those facing breast cancer because there are more burdens and barriers to care that they face due to the aftermath of the pandemic and the current economic slow-down adding personal financial stress. On October 30, Susan G. Komen® will hold its in-person MORE THAN PINK Walk Central Texas in Austin to raise critical funds that provide direct patient services to address the economic, medical, social, and emotional (psychosocial) impact of a breast cancer diagnosis. Why now? We have seen a tremendous increase in demand for our services because of the additional financial barriers caused by the economic slowdown. Financial Need The financial toll caused by
cancer often surprises patients. Basic costs of living like transportation, childcare, and housing costs become more challenging as well as any possibility of saving for retirement. Known as financial toxicity, breast cancer patients often deal with high costs from treatment and managing related side effects. This can take a huge emotional, mental and physical toll. We are seeing this firsthand, that the aftermath of the pandemic has exacerbated this financial toxicity due to the impact it has on the economy and personal finances. The Komen Patient Care Center has seen an increase in calls since this time last year and over 60% of those callers are in active treatment and seeking financial support. At the current rate, the demand for financial assistance will increase by 81% this year compared to last year. We estimate needing another $2.6 million in funding this year to be able to meet the demand and help keep people in
treatment. Delays in screening and treatment Also, we are also concerned about how breast cancer screenings and treatment were significantly disrupted due to the pandemic causing additional challenges and barriers to much-needed breast cancer care. The screening delays and cancellations during the pandemic raised concerns about associated increases in late-stage cancer diagnoses and mortality. We know 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime- the need for help for patients today is more urgent than ever. Now is the time for us to invest in providing breast cancer patients the care they deserve and fund researchers hard at work in search of the cures. How can you help? We can help reduce breast cancer deaths by 30% by giving people access to the care and support they need today. This year’s MORE THAN see Breast Cancer...page 14
PERMIT# NO PERMIT 11491 AUSTIN TXTX HOUSTON PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID