NCI PATTERNS OF CARE STUDY FOR DIAGNOSIS YEAR 2021 (PROSTATE CANCER AND OVARIAN CANCER)

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Patterns of Care (POC) studies describe, characterize, and compare practice patterns and treatments provided for cancer in different geographic areas of the United States. POC Studies are conducted periodically, typically annually, to satisfy a congressional directive (under Public Law 100-607, Sec. 413 (a)(2)(C) adopted on November 4, 1988) to the NCI to "assess the incorporation of state-of-the-art cancer treatments into clinical practice and the extent to which cancer patients receive such treatments and include the results of such assessment in the biennial reports...". To satisfy the directive and to update and enhance the utility of the POC Studies, a working group including representatives from the NCI's Divisions of Cancer Control and Population Sciences and Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis and a representative from the American Cancer Society was developed to review knowledge gaps in cancer therapy dissemination and to develop priority areas for study. The group reached a consensus that a gap remains regarding factors associated with guideline use of biomarker tests and targeted therapy. Furthermore, the group determined there is limited information about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and receipt of supportive/palliative care among individuals diagnosed with cancer. For feasibility reasons, the group also recommended that this POC Study be focused specifically on the patterns of care for patients newly diagnosed with prostate or ovarian cancer. This POC Study will also collect data on documentation of palliative care and patient financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Relevant information on cancer diagnosis, cancer recurrence and metastasis, patterns of care (e.g., utilization of biomarker testing, specific cancer treatments, supportive/palliative care), and patient financial stability shall be abstracted from medical records among patients aged 20 years of older who were diagnosed with prostate or ovarian cancer in 2021.