CANCER BUZZ

Bladder cancer remains a prevalent disease with significant disparities in care, particularly in underserved populations. To address this, ACCC launched a national quality improvement initiative in three phases: 1. assessment and preparation, 2. action plan implementation, and 3. monitoring for continuous improvement. Dr. Samuel Washington, from the University of California, San Francisco, discuss...

Members of the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) are preparing for a day of cancer care advocacy on Capitol Hill during its 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS) in Washington, DC between March 5-7, 2025. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Nicole Tapay, JD, director of Cancer Care Delivery & Health Policy at ACCC about key policy issues that members will addr...

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) have the potential to transform cancer treatment and are being actively integrated into community oncology practices. To support oncology practices as they introduce BsAbs into their treatment protocols, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) has developed a comprehensive blueprint for this process. This resource highlights key strategies, best practices, and c...

The imPROVE study aims to bridge the gap in patient-reported outcomes (PRO) data for Black women with breast cancer by enhancing engagement with tailored electronic PROs (ePROs) and partnering with community leaders to address barriers and ensure accessibility and relevance in community cancer care settings. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Manraj Kaur, PhD, investigator and lead faculty f...

In anticipation of the 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), ACCCBuzz spoke with this year's keynote speaker, Nick Webb, who gave some insight into what AMCCBS attendees can expect from his session. As a health care futurist, Nick's consulting practice is centered around the future of health care and trends that are both already present and fast-approaching. One trend Nic...

ACCC's Oncology Reimbursement Meetings (ORMs) assist members in navigating the frequent changes in oncology reimbursement and regulations through expert-led sessions in different regions across the US. In addition to bringing attendees up to speed on annual updates to the revenue cycle, a wide range of related issues that can impact oncology reimbursement are brought to the table, including naviga...

Synopsis: Adverse reactions involving the skin, nails, and hair are common among patients undergoing treatment for cancer and are often underreported and overlooked. These reactions directly impact patient quality of life and may be the reason for interruptions in lifesaving antineoplastic treatment. To address these toxicities, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is leading an initiativ...

As a medical oncologist working in a rural private practice in Australia, Dr. Christopher Steer expresses that one of the biggest challenges in cancer care is a limited workforce. Lacking personnel at every level of cancer care makes it difficult to provide high-quality, timely care, especially in a rural region. In this episode, Dr. Steer also mentions the importance of advocacy work in improving...

The involvement of oncology fellows in state policy and advocacy efforts is essential for enhancing cancer care and advancing research. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) provides up-to-date information and opportunities for oncology advocacy, helping oncologists early in their career to be aware of how to contribute to local, state, and national initiatives. In this episode, CANCER BUZ...

The delivery of cancer care in Nigeria is impeded firstly by a lack of infrastructure, with a low number of hospital beds and skilled staff across the care pathway—an issue which has been compounded by the migration of skilled staff out of sub-Saharan Africa and to more developed countries. A lack of specialized equipment, such as radiotherapy machines, and the prohibitive costs of delivering canc...

Raising awareness about sarcoma is essential to reducing treatment delays and preventing misdiagnoses of this rare cancer with over 100 subtypes. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to providing up-to-date information on sarcoma management and the unique challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment in community settings. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Richard...

Like many nations across the world, 1 of the biggest challenges in oncology facing Sweden is a growing number of patients with cancer, including a large subset of elderly patients and those with comorbidities. In this episode, Dr. Mef Nilbert also explains that data sharing issues with other countries in Europe makes collaboration difficult. Two areas of great success, however, are prevention and...

With nearly half the patients the Baheya Foundation for Early Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer in stage 3 or 4 of the disease , delayed diagnoses are one of the biggest challenges in o ncology faced in Egypt today. This both ca u ses patients to present for treatment in more advanced stages of the disease and contribute s to a high breast cancer mortality rate in Egypt compared to other de...

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) have transformative potential in cancer treatment and can be successfully integrated into community oncology practices. To support this integration, ACCC is committed to providing educational initiatives and support for cancer care teams to optimize care coordination. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jean Louise Koff, MD, MSc, associate professor of hematology...

As a large country, economic disparities persist as a public health issue in Brazil, with 70% of the population depending on the public health system. According to Dr. Theodora Karnakis, the aging population of patients with cancer is expected to result in a 61% increase of new cancer cases between 2020 and 2040. The type of care received depends heavily on where patients are located, due to the v...

It is crucial that multidisciplinary cancer care teams stay informed about upcoming changes to Medicare Part D under the Inflation Reduction Act. To support this effort, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is committed to providing updated information on health care policy changes, ensuring that both providers and patients are aware of the financial benefits. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ...

Immunotherapy and targeted therapies have transformed the way patients are treated and allow more patients than ever before to survive stage IV diagnoses. Other key advancements in oncology being prioritized in Puerto Rico today include early detection and prevention efforts. However, a lack of education, access, and health insurance coverage often prevents community members from timely cancer scr...

In both high- and low-income countries, the most common struggles patients with cancer face are largely the same, including financial toxicity from treatment costs, difficulty with transportation to and from appointments, and the impact of treatment on their caregivers and families. Consistently, the greatest barrier to accessing health care in many nations is a lack of insurance coverage, often d...

UCSF Health's Seeking Care Patient Experience Team introduced web self-scheduling to improve fragmented workflows and streamline the process of seeking care from a cancer specialist. Patients now have the option to conveniently self-register and schedule appointments through 2 distinct models: direct scheduling of a new-patient appointment or use of a navigator-led intake appointment. This innovat...

CANCERBUZZ speaks with Dr. Naoto Ueno about his NOC session titled The Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium: An Equitable Clinical Trials Initiative. Guest:  Naoto T. Ueno , MD, PhD, FACP Director Interim Program Co-Leader, Cancer Biology Program, Translational and Clinical Research University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center Resources: ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference

CANCERBUZZ speaks with Melanie Grant about her NOC session titled Navigating Access and Equity: Providing the Answers That Matter.   Guest:  Melanie Grant , Esq. Staff Attorney Triage Cancer   Resources: ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference  

CANCERBUZZ speaks with guests at the 2024 NOC Gala event about what they are looking for at the conference.    Guests:  Una Hopkins , DNP, MSN, BSN, FNP-BC, NE-BC, FACCC, RN ACCC President-Elect Director for Research and Evidence Based Practice Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, NY   Nadine Barrett , PhD, MA, MS ACCC President Senior Associate Dean, Research Equity and Community Engagement Wake Fore...

CANCERBUZZ speaks with Terry Keys about his NOC session titled Empowering Partnerships: Enhancing Cancer Research Through Patient Advocacy.  Guest:  Terry Keys Patient Advocacy Manager Staff Senator – President's Advisory Committee University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Lexington, KY   Resources: ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference

CANCERBUZZ speaks with ACCC President Dr. Nadine Barrett about this year's NOC theme: Realizing Innovation. Listen to what's new in conversations and oncology education in 2024. Guest:  Nadine Barrett , PhD, MA, MS ACCC President Senior Associate Dean, Research Equity and Community Engagement Wake Forest School of Medicine Durham, North Carolina   Resources: ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference

CANCERBUZZ speaks with ACCC's Immediate Past President Dr. Olalekan Ajayi about the international panel held at NOC this year, where cancer care providers from around the world share and learn from common challenges and best practices.    Guest:  Olalekan Ajayi , PharmD, MBA Chief Operating Officer Highlands Oncology Group  Fayetteville, Arkansas   Resources: ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference