It seems peculiar to me that presentations designed to inform men about the importance of early detection often fill the room with survivors… men who have already been diagnosed and are already extremely knowledgeable about early detection.

So, what’s the best case scenario?  Is it teaching my 12 year old how to eat right and be safe and healthy?  To adopt practices early in life that reduce his risk of developing cancer or, more likely, just reduce his risk of dying of it?  To encourage my 35 year old brother to be sensitive of our family history so we don’t have to experience more loss from this preventable cause of death?  God knows he is already “aware” as we shared losing our dad together… so talking to him about genetic testing… nagging him to screen annually and track his velocity… to make sure he knows what those results mean?

Social marketing is a term that gets tossed around in public health… it’s a novel concept designed to inspire revolutions.  But seriously, for the theory to work, don’t you have to start by designing programs and messages that inspire change within in groups and individuals that are most likely to adopt that change?  Who is that guy?  Is he a guy with health insurance or without it?  Is he already knowledgeable about health issues, or completely unaware?  Is he completely opposed to change, or concerned and willing to consider adaptations?

Further, if we don’t encompass within that message an underlying communication about the varying degrees of prostate cancer and the importance of knowing what yours is and how to manage it, don’t we create our own opposition?

What if you flip the message around and talk about the broad palette of options available with early detection?  Talk about the improved outcomes both in regard to survival and preservation of quality of life available with early detection?  Emphasize that, with early detection, you buy time to research and educate yourself?

Is that an easier pill to swallow?  Maybe just keeping it simple and about priorities like family and quality of life… maybe?

Since so many men are using medications off-label this program should be of interest to prostate cancer advocates.

About half of the use of anticancer chemotherapy drugs is for “off-label” indications – uses not listed on the FDA-approved label.  Public and private payers typically cover off-label indications for anticancer drugs if they are listed in the compendia or supported in peer-reviewed medical literature. Coverage and payment for off-label uses of anticancer drugs has been a critical tool in the battle against cancer.

Both public and private payers are examining their choices of compendia for determining medically-accepted uses of anticancer drugs.  CMS recently established an annual compendia review process.  CMS will accept requests for changes to its approved list of compendia, and will publish final decisions by July 15 after collecting public comments.  CMS’ decisions are poised to have an immediate impact on Medicare coverage. Concurrently, private payers are endorsing specific compendia for use in making coverage decisions for chemotherapy drugs.

Join Avalere Health for a 90-minute interactive audio conference that will highlight:

• The evolving landscape of compendia and their use in coverage decision-making by Medicare and private payers
• CMS’ current efforts to revise the official list of approved compendia
• Trends in the use of compendia by commercial payers
• Variations in use of compendia at the regional and local levels by medical directors
• Impact of state mandates on the use of compendia

Click here to register.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Communities are busy planning programs to raise awareness of prostate cancer issues.
The Prostate Health Education Network, Inc., (PHEN) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. PHEN was founded in 2003 by Thomas A. Farrington, a prostate cancer survivor. They are having a program in DC focused on advocacy issues for the African American community. If you are African American or work with the African American community this meeting is an excellent opportunity to network and and get information that will be helpful in your activities.

Below is the information from the PHEN announcement:

SEPTEMBER IS PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH…
With a broad media campaign and the support of the National African American RV Association (NAARVA), PHEN will launch a “Rally Against Prostate Cancer” during the month of September 2007. The rally will kick – off Sept. 8th in Boston – click for rally information; PHEN Rally

Members of the US Congressional Black Caucus voice awareness messages
Hear our national leaders voice their support for PHEN’s prostate health awareness initiatives. Click to listen; Leaders Speak

The Tom Joyner Morning Show with PHEN founder
Listen to PHEN founder and president, Thomas Farrington, interviewed on the Tom Joyner Morning Show. Please click; Morning Show

Join the rally against prostate cancer
PHEN needs your support for the “Rally Against Prostate Cancer” – click to join; Join Rally

3rd Annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit
For the third consecutive year PHEN will host this summit in collaboration with Sen. John Kerry (MA) and Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY) on Sept. 27 & 28 in the Rayburn House Building. It is open to the public, click to register; Register

To reach the PHEN website click here.