Hackensack University Medical Center Receives Two Grants to Develop Urologic Cancer Programs for Patients and Community Members

Members of the Department of Urology at Hackensack University Medical Center have secured two significant grants to fund programs designed to expand cancer care, education, and opportunities for patients and members of the Hackensack community. People diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer, will benefit from an interactive patient portal to help them make treatment decisions, and African American men will be able to attend a Men's Health Day in fall 2022 to be connected with prostate cancer screening and other health services.

"These programs will provide education and resources to people with kidney cancer and those at increased risk of prostate cancer to enhance their understanding of these diseases and link them with the most effective care," said Nitin Yerram, MD, co-director of Urologic Oncology at John Theurer Cancer Center and director of Urologic Research. Dr. Yerram spearheaded both programs.

Enhancing Kidney Cancer Education

The kidney cancer program is being funded by a grant from Pfizer Inc. to support approaches designed to improve patient outcomes. In addition to surgery, patients with renal cell cancer have numerous treatment options, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. Dr. Yerram and his colleagues are designing an educational curriculum delivered through an interactive patient portal and featuring videos with team members and other resources to help patients newly diagnosed with localized or metastatic kidney cancer navigate their treatment options.

Patients will be able to virtually "meet" surgeons, medical oncologists, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants on the Hackensack University Medical Center kidney cancer care team so when they come in for their next visit, they will have a better understanding of the next steps in their treatment. The site will also be accessible to members of the community who are not yet patients at Hackensack University Medical Center. It is expected to be live by 2024.

"This portal will provide a consolidated way for patients to better understand kidney cancer so they can make more informed decisions about their care when they meet with their doctors," said Dr. Yerram.

"When someone hears they have renal cell carcinoma, it can be daunting to know which treatment options are most appropriate," noted Michael D. Stifelman, MD, professor and chair of Urology at Hackensack University Medical Center. "Our Urology program has some of the highest volumes and strongest outcomes in treating kidney and prostate cancer surgically but surgery is just one option and only part of the patient’s journey. This program will make that decision-making process much easier."

Men's Health Day for African Americans

African American men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer, with twice the risk of developing the disease and higher mortality rates compared to white men. A grant from the BD Foundation is supporting a social media marketing campaign to advertise Men's Health Day, which will provide free resources to African American men who would benefit from prostate cancer screening. Other services offered that day may include free testing for such disorders as high blood pressure and diabetes and connection with colorectal cancer screening.

"The pandemic has delayed many people from seeking the screening tests they need, many of whom already had reduced access to health care. Our goal is to connect African American men in our community with cancer screening, which can detect the disease in its earliest, most curable stages," Dr. Yerram explained. Not all men need prostate cancer screening; guidelines recommend that each patient discuss PSA testing with his doctor to make an informed decision. "Through this event, we are bringing the shared decision-making model from the doctor's office into our community while reconnecting them with needed medical care," Dr. Yerram added.

The initiative is a partnership between the Hackensack University Medical Center Department of Urology and Community Outreach Program, Hackensack Meridian Health Center for Discovery & Innovation (CDI), and a diagnostic testing company. "This effort highlights the strong relationship between clinicians and CDI investigators to develop a translational program that will benefit the community," said Ihor S. Sawczuk, MD, president, Academics, Research and Innovation at Hackensack Meridian Health and professor and chair emeritus of Urology.