The following is a statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New York City Senior Government Relations Director Michael Davoli:
“Late last year, Mayor Adams laid out a goal of reducing deaths from cancers that can be detected early through routine screening by 20% by 2030. His HealthyNYC initiative might be viewed as overly ambitious but we at ACS CAN believe it is possible to achieve, should city leaders look in the right direction. Patient navigation is that right direction. It is one of the most promising solutions towards achieving this goal, and cancer survivors throughout the city are eager to see it actualized by the Adams administration through an improvement in New Yorkers’ access to patient navigation.
“Patient navigation is revolutionizing how we treat cancer. It is a patient-focused and community-centered approach to care that was born here in New York City when Dr. Harold P. Freeman, a physician in Harlem, noticed that women, many of whom were Black, were repeatedly coming to the hospital too late to be saved from breast cancer--despite living within walking distance of the hospital. Dr. Freeman studied the pervasive gaps across the cancer continuum and devised the role of the patient navigator, who endeavors to connect patients to the help and support they need and find ways to ensure that they don’t fall through the cracks.
“Unfortunately, the impact of this innovation has been limited by insufficient coverage, meaning that patients, namely those who are under- and un-insured, are not fully benefiting from patient navigation. NYC leaders can do something about this. They can help close the gap in access by investing $1,000,000 in community-based patient navigation services.”
“We have five years to achieve what we set out to do through HealthyNYC. City leaders have a real opportunity to meet this goal if they prioritize patient navigation in 2025. Not only will improved access to patient navigation save lives, increase positive outcomes and improve quality of life, but it will provide patients with the hope, guidance, clarity and community that they need and deserve.”
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.