“Change the Odds” Brings Pfizer Together with the American Cancer Society to Bridge the Gap in Cancer Care Disparities

Pfizer has long been committed to the research and development of innovative cancer treatments for patients around the world. This commitment was further strengthened by the addition of Seagen, a world leader in a powerful cancer-fighting tool called antibody-drug conjugates, enabling us to be at the forefront of cancer care. Additionally, addressing inequities in the healthcare of patients is one of Pfizer’s top priorities, and we’re proud to announce a new initiative that incorporates both of those missions.

On the heels of World Cancer Day, recognized each year on February 4, it’s the perfect occasion to launch “Change the Odds: Uniting to Improve Cancer Outcomes,” a three-year initiative with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to bridge the gap in cancer care disparities.

ACS has been a leading cancer-fighting organization for over 100 years, dedicated to improving the lives of people with cancer and their families. Pfizer has committed $15 million in funding to ACS’ “Change the Odds” initiative, and together we aim to improve health outcomes in medically underrepresented communities across the United States.

Thanks to advances in science and technology, there has been significant progress in the ability to detect and treat a range of cancers in recent years. Unfortunately, due to a variety of circumstances, not everyone has access to the care they deserve.

Breast cancer and prostate cancer, the two most common types of cancer for women and menⁱ, will serve as the initial focus of “Change the Odds.” These cancers are seeing increased rates nationwide^ii,iii, with a particular impact in racial and ethnic minorities^iv in urban areas.^v People living in rural areas are also disproportionately impacted, with limited access to cancer screening and quality care putting them at greater risk of death from cancer.^vi,vii

ACS and Pfizer endeavor to reach as many people as possible with this new initiative and make a tangible difference in these underserved communities, first with prostate and breast cancer, but potentially for other types of cancer as the program progresses.

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate – and neither should cancer care,” said Chris Boshoff, Chief Oncology Officer and Executive Vice President, Pfizer. “Everyone should have the same opportunity to access the latest advances in care, regardless of their background or where they live. We’re proud to partner with the American Cancer Society on a broad, community-focused initiative to reach people living with cancer where they are, with urgency, and connect them to resources to receive the care they deserve.”

Through “Change the Odds,” ACS will leverage its broad network and engage on-the-ground partners to raise awareness of no- and low-cost screenings and access to programs and services in U.S. communities that have been disproportionally impacted by breast and prostate cancer. “Change the Odds” will also deliver cancer prevention resources, information about clinical trials generally, and meaningful patient support resources in these communities. Together with ACS, Pfizer strives to help remove obstacles to care that arise due to circumstances and geography and continue our mission to reimagine the future of cancer.

For more information on “Change the Odds: Uniting to Improve Cancer Outcomes” read this Q&A between Pfizer’s Chris Boshoff and Dr. Karen Knudsen, Chief Executive Officer, ACS, and visit Together We Can Change the Odds for People with Cancer

REFERENCES

¹ “Cancer Stat Facts.” SEER. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/common.html#:~:text=An%20estimated%20297%2C790%20women%20and,overall%20with%20288%2C300%20expected%20cases. Accessed January 25, 2024  
² “Key Statistics for Breast Cancer.” American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html Accessed January 25, 2024  
³ “Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer.” American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html Accessed January 25, 2024  
⁴ “Cancer Facts & Figures for African American/Black People 2022-2024.” American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2022-2024  
⁵ “Rural-Urban Differences in Cancer Incidence and Trends in the United States.” National Library of Medicine. Rural-Urban Differences in Cancer Incidence and Trends in the United States - PMC (nih.gov) Published July 27, 2017. Accessed January 25, 2024  
⁶ “Rural cancer control: Bridging the chasm in geographic health inequity.” National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7076627/ Published March 17, 2020. Accessed January 25, 2024 (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers 2018) 
⁷ “Rural Cancer Disparities in the United States: A Multilevel Framework to Improve Access to Care and Patient Outcomes.” ASCO Publications, JCO Oncology Practice. Published June 23, 2020. Accessed January 25, 2024