Prostate Assess-Connect-Treat Program
The Chatham County Safety Net’s Prostate Assess-Connect-Treat (PACT) program is a grant funded by the Southeast Georgia Cancer Alliance which will provide prostate biopsies to at least 12 men with confirmed positive prostate cancer screenings. The project will accept uninsured men living at 200% of FPL or lower.
Men with an elevated PSA and/or positive DRE may be referred from Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care after being evaluated by a physician. Once the urologist has confirmed that a prostate biopsy is indicated, a biopsy will be arranged at no cost to the patient. Should the biopsy be positive, the patient will be connected to the recommended treatment.
A care navigator will follow the patients through the entire care continuum, provide linkage to all recommended health and social services and insure that the patients are fully informed about prostate cancer and any proposed treatment options. She will also have a small patient assistance fund to use for transportation and other fees patients may encounter if the diagnosis of prostate cancer is made. She will also ensure that the logistics and communication go smoothly.
As of January 31, 2012, two men at CVC have been identified and referred to a urologist for evaluation. The meeting with the office staff at the urologist’s office to coordinate logistics and processes is scheduled for February 1, 2012.