UCLA will release a new report on prostate cancer and its impact on underserved African-American and Latino men at a forum convened by the UCLA Center for Community Partnerships. The report, which also examines the financial impact of the disease on the families and communities of men with prostate cancer, is from a study conducted by Dr. Mark Litwin, UCLA associate professor of urology and health services.
The forum, entitled “Caring for Uninsured Californians: Prostate Cancer and Your Community,� will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Friday, March 28, at the Taper Auditorium of the Los Angeles Public Library, 630 W. Fifth St., in downtown Los Angeles. Copies of the report will be disseminated at the event, which will be followed by a reception from 6 to 7 p.m.
Litwin, who is director of the state-funded IMPACT program (IMProving Access, Counseling and Treatment for Californians With Prostate Cancer), will present an overview of the program and its findings. The program has evaluated prostate cancer incidence rates and current U.S. Census data for Los Angeles County and found that uninsured men are underrepresented in current prostate cancer-related statistics.
As past studies have shown, there is a greater risk for prostate cancer among African-American and Latino men. In addition, the disease may be more prevalent among these men because they are less likely to have health insurance and the opportunity and access to seek treatment.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in California and the second leading cause of death among men in the state,� Litwin said. “Men diagnosed with prostate cancer who do not qualify for state or federal health insurance programs are not represented in current cancer-reported data. The data underscores the need for treatment programs that decrease barriers in accessing quality prostate cancer diagnosis treatment.�
Moderated by Dr. Frank Gilliam, UCLA associate vice chancellor for community partnerships and head of UCLA in LA, the forum brings together physicians, policymakers and community members to examine and discuss access to prostate cancer treatment and its cost and impact on families and communities in Los Angeles County.
“This forum is a vital example of UCLA’s commitment to partnering with key community organizations to examine and offer solutions to important social problems facing residents of the greater Los Angeles area,� Gilliam said. “This is but one in a series of public forums that UCLA in LA will convene over the next few years to connect the resources of the campus to the needs of the community.�
Appearing on the panel of experts for the forum are Litwin; Dr. Jeffrey Kaufman, immediate past president of the American Urological Association and board member of the California Prostate Cancer Coalition; Dr. Mehdi Jam, King Drew Medical Center staff urologist; and Yochanan Israel, USC-Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center project manager of radiation oncology. Additional panelists are to be confirmed later.
The forum is free and open to the public; however, reservations are required. Those interested in attending are asked to make a reservation by calling (310) 267-5442 or e-mailing rsvp@conet.ucla.edu. Parking costs $6 at the 524 S. Flower St. garage after 4 p.m.