(BPT) - If you’re diagnosed with cancer, chances are that you will turn to a community oncologist. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 1.7 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2019.¹ For many of these Americans, seeing a community oncologist is often the first step toward starting a treatment regimen to help fight the disease. Almost 55% of all Americans diagnosed with cancer will be treated by an oncologist in their community.²Undergoing treatment by a local or community oncologist can often mean receiving personalized care close to home and may lead to lower costs and easier access to monitored care.^2,3 Additionally, community-based care may limit disruption to your day-to-day life and can keep you closer to your family and friends during treatment.²Since community oncologists see and treat patients diagnosed with a broad range of cancers, providing opportunities to discuss the latest research – known as scientific exchange – is important. This summer, community oncologists will be meeting with other experts in the field for the “Best of ASCO” regional meetings. These meetings, which are hosted by the world’s leading oncology professional organization – the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) – bring information shared during the organization’s annual meeting, where 32,000 oncology professionals from around the world discuss more than 2,500 pieces on the latest in cancer research, directly to the local community. For this year’s “Best of ASCO” Program, ASCO has selected 70 of the top “practice-changing” pieces of research across a variety of cancers to share in meetings in three cities taking place across the country.Findings on acute myeloid leukemia, advanced prostate cancer and advanced bladder cancer will be presented at the meeting. Astellas, a company dedicated to making every day better for those impacted by cancer, is one of the companies with research being featured at these meetings.Andrew Krivoshik, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Oncology Therapeutic Area Head at Astellas, shares: “Due to their role in the care of patients, community oncologists are critical to helping us realize our vision of advancing science to deliver medicines to the people most in need. For this reason, we are proud to share the latest research on certain Astellas medicines and investigational therapies directly with these physicians.”For more information on the “Best of ASCO” Program, visit: https://meetings.asco.org/boa/join-us. For more information on Astellas Oncology, visit: http://www.astellasoncology.com/.References

1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2019. https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/cancer-facts-figures-2019.html. Accessed 07-02-2019.
2. Community Oncology. Fact Sheet: What is Community Oncology? (2017). https://www.communityoncology.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/What-is-Comm-Onc.pdf. Accessed 07-01-2019.
3. Gordan, L., Blazer, M., Saundankar, V., Kazzaz, D., Weidner, S., & Eaddy, M. (2018). Cost Differences Associated With Oncology Care Delivered in a Community Setting Versus a Hospital Setting: A Matched-Claims Analysis of Patients With Breast, Colorectal, and Lung Cancers. Journal of Oncology Practice,14(12), E729-E738. doi:10.1200/JOP.17.00040.