CANCER BUZZ

While advancements in cancer diagnostics and genomics continue to accelerate, the need to centralize and improve coordination around biomarker testing is more important than ever. Hear how precision medicine stewards are helping to bridge the gaps and challenges associated with cancer diagnostics and biomarker testing. In this episode, CANCERBUZZ speaks with Crystal Enstad, MBA, BSN, RN, OCN at Sa...

In the second of a three-part series on "changing the culture of oncology," Dr. Sanjay Juneja shares three technologies he's excited about and why—technology that detects circulating tumor DNA to reveal if cancer is present, technology that facilitates real-time testing of a specific treatment on a patient's tumor cells before initiation of the anti-cancer regimen, and more. Guest: Sanjay Juneja,...

This first of a three-part series on "changing the culture of oncology," offers a brief look at how treatment has evolved with precision medicine, targeted therapies, and the activation of our own immune systems to destroy cancerous cells. Dr. Sanjay Juneja also explores how—with many cancers now being treated like a chronic disease—it may be time to cancel the term "a cure for cancer." Guest: San...

Remote patient monitoring involves transmission of health data, such as vital signs, from the patient's home to healthcare providers via a wearable device, mobile app, and/or home hub. Studies have shown promising results for this technology, including improvements in health equity and reductions in hospitalizations. This quality improvement project evaluated the Current Health platform to remotel...

Oral cancer therapies for breast cancer offer many benefits such as convenience and effectiveness, but also can add financial burden. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Aimee Hoch, LSW, MSW, Oncology Financial Navigator at Grandview Health in Sellersville, PA. Hear as our expert discusses how and when to screen patients, and then connect them to available resources to better support patients' financial needs. T...

Live from the ACCC 39 th National Oncology Conference, CANCER BUZZ interviews Erika DeBoer, the Chief Nursing Officer at Sanford Health, about the system's data-driven approach to manage clinical workforce scheduling and staffing needs. Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the country, is leveraging technology and exploring new care delivery models to solve workforce challenges, enha...

Live from the ACCC 39th National Oncology Conference, Lailea Noel, PhD, MSW, joins the CANCER BUZZ podcast to discuss the topic of her workshop today: building sustainable coalitions to support the cancer care community. During our conversation, Dr. Noel breaks down how to build trust and earn the respect of under-represented patient populations in the community, including Black, Latinx, Asian, an...

Billie J. Baldwin, MA, MSW, LCSW-C, joins CANCER BUZZ to talk about the development of Medstar's Regional Staff Support Program. This program, which was created to address burnout and improve retention rates, provides staff with an opportunity to participate in monthly employee celebrations, encourages peer-to-peer recognition, and enhances communication among associates. Since its implementation,...

As the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network engages key stakeholders to update its Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines using a collaborative, consensus-based process, gaining buy-in across the oncology community at-large (e.g., the multidisciplinary care team, administrators, payers, and other organizations) is necessary to ensuring positive financial health for all patients with cancer no matter wh...

In 2018, ACCC developed the Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines to support cancer programs and practices by proactively addressing patients' financial concerns along the cancer care continuum, so patients can access high-quality care for a better quality of life. As the healthcare landscape continues to change and the role of oncology financial advocates evolves, the network sought to create ne...

The successful integration of oral oncolytics into practice depends on collaboration of the multidisciplinary cancer care team to guide patients through treatment with optimal medical, financial, and psychosocial support. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Dr. Mazyar Shadman, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Clinical Research at Fred Hutch in Seattle, WA. Hear as our expert describes process improvement strategi...

As oral anticancer medications become a common treatment option, patient adherence to medication is essential to ensuring positive clinical outcomes. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Dr. Maryam Lustberg, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Director, Center for Breast Cancer at the Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, and Sandra Cuellar, PharmD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharm...

While remote monitoring platforms have been used effectively throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the burden on patients and healthcare facilities around the country, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tenn., has been using the technology in a different capacity—with its patients on CAR T-cell therapy. To avoid a lengthy inpatient stay, these patients are seen daily in Vanderbilt'...

Increased use of oral therapies means more freedom for patients with cancer, but also can lead to increased risks. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Tammy Smith, Family Nurse Practitioner for INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA, and Dr. Pearman Parker, Assistant Professor for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, AR. Hear how to educate patients and their caregivers about the r...

Validated screening tools for malnutrition help to improve a patient's quality of life. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Dr. Christina Bowen, Chief Well-being Officer for Vidant Health in Greenville, NC, Dr. Egidio Del Fabbro, Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of Palliative Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA and Kelay Trentham, registered dietician, nutritionist, and administr...

Cancer and its treatment impact patients in many ways, beginning before a diagnosis and lasting long through survivorship. One, often overlooked, side effect of cancer—whether it be from surgical, medical, or radiation treatment—relates to patients' sexual health. Hear how one Iowa-based program is addressing the sexual health gap in cancer care by supporting oncology professionals in having these...

Many cases of malnutrition are underdiagnosed and undertreated. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Dr. Christina Bowen, Chief Well-being Officer for Vidant Health in Greenville, NC, Dr. Egidio Del Fabbro, Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of Palliative Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA and Kelay Trentham, registered dietician, nutritionist, and administrative fellow for the Mul...

For more than a decade, the United States healthcare system has been warned of an impending oncologist shortage that is projected to occur as the population continues to age and the demand for cancer services increases. As integral members of the cancer care team, advanced practice providers (APPS) play a pivotal role in the rapidly evolving oncology ecosystem, bolstering access to quality care. A...

In the summer of 2020, staff at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio, realized that many patients experiencing symptoms for cancer and those who needed further evaluation to reach a diagnosis were now actively avoiding the hospital given the COVID-19 pandemic. The underlying concern: the global pandemic might...

It's common for cancer programs and practices to struggle with timely treatment education, consent gathering, and adherence tracking, especially when an oral oncolytic is prescribed. These challenges are due in part to older solutions that are no longer benefiting all patients equally. To better address these concerns, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami Cancer Institute in Florida turned to techn...

Ochsner Health, Ochsner Cancer Institute in Louisiana implemented a program—Chemotherapy Care Companion—to identify and meet oncology patients' needs in real time. By remotely monitoring those on intravenous or oral anti-cancer treatment, providers can discover and address the issues patients may experience during and after treatment appointments, including fluctuations in vitals. Since implementa...

Weight loss and malnutrition can be caused by the effects of cancer, such as malabsorption, or adverse effects from cancer therapies. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Kelay Trentham, registered dietitian, nutritionist, and administrative fellow for the MultiCare Health System in Tacoma, Washington, and Christie Mangir, patient advocate and breast cancer survivor. Hear how malnutrition affects people with canc...

For cancer programs and practices, silos between specialties make it challenging to address the comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease) many patients with cancer experience. In the same healthcare system, a patient's primary care provider (PCP) may not know what their cancer care team knows and vice versa. Hear how an embedded PCP at ChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Cancer...

With the emergence of oral cancer therapies, it is a very exciting time in cancer care. But these treatments can come with adverse events. Dr. Pavani Chalasani from the University of Arizona Cancer Center shares how she educates patients on what to expect from oral cancer therapies and her focus on one of the most underestimated symptoms for patients. Pavani Chalasani, MD, MPH Associate Professor...

While patients with cancer face many physical and psychological challenges associated with their disease and/or treatment, their social, emotional, and legal needs can lead to ongoing health disparities and reduced quality of life if left unaddressed. Hear how a unique medical-legal partnership at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health System expands the clinical team to include lawyers who...