Cancer is a leading cause of illness and mortality in the Dominican Republic, with prostate cancer alone responsible for over 16% of both cases and deaths.¹ Improving access to care and overcoming both fear and stigma about prostate cancer are key factors affecting the incidence and mortality rates in the Dominican Republic and projections for increased disease burden.

Astellas’ funding supports the Prostate Health Awareness and Screening Campaign (PHASC) through MAP International. This is a multi-pronged approach to raise awareness for a historically underrepresented cancer through media for a broad audience. The first phase will launch a community education campaign reaching six million people in high-traffic areas using culturally relevant messages, and strategic media placements. The second phase will target densely populated areas with mobile screening sites, bringing patients in rural areas and those without transportation to advanced medical service providers in one central location. Volunteer urologists and oncologists will provide 5,000 patients with screenings and consultations across the country.  WHO DR Cancer Country Profile 2020