Optimizing Germline and Somatic Testing in Prostate Cancer
CANCER BUZZ
Genetic factors play a critical role in prostate cancer treatment planning, with both germline and somatic mutations guiding therapeutic decisions. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) remains committed to improving prostate cancer care and has developed the Metastatic Prostate Cancer Handbook: A Guide to Optimizing Outcomes with Germline and Somatic Testing. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Andrea Murphy, FNP-C, ACGN, CGRA, genetics nurse practitioner at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC, director at Meredith & Jeannie Ray Cancer Center, about the...
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Better Bladder Cancer Care, Closer to Home
CANCER BUZZ
Navigating the growing complexity of bladder cancer care is essential to improving patient access and treatment closer to home. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Suzanne Merrill, MD, urologic oncologist at Colorado Urology about barriers and solutions to delivering high-quality bladder cancer care in community settings. CANCER BUZZ also speaks with Patrick Hensley, MD, urologist at University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, about implementing the Delivering High-Quality Bladder Cancer Care infographic in the community setting. Created by ACCC and BCAN, the infographic describes the...
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ASCO E-Poster: Immune-Related Adverse Events
CANCER BUZZ
Immune-related adverse events (AEs) are becoming more frequent in oncology patients receiving immunotherapy. To better understand emerging trends and education needs, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) developed the Immuno-Oncology Census as part of its ongoing commitment to sharing up-to-date strategies for managing adverse events. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Bat-ami Gordon, clinical research PhD candidate at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, who discusses best practices for cancer care providers to identify immune-related AEs caused by immunotherapy. ...
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Implementing a Structured, Scalable Geriatric Oncology Program
CANCER BUZZ
In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Ramy Sedhom, MD, section chief of medical oncology at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Princeton Cancer Center about his program’s receipt of a 2025 ACCC Innovator Award. His team’s innovation, Implementing a Structured, Scalable Geriatric Oncology Program, paves the way for other programs to effectively integrate the use of geriatric assessments into routine clinical workflows, thus bridging a critical gap for older adults with cancer. Ramy Sedhom, MD Section Chief, Medical Oncology Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Princeton Cancer Center...
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Shaw at Home: An Oncology Specific Home and Community-Based Palliative Care Program
CANCER BUZZ
In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Katie Jones, FNP, MA, nurse practitioner for oncology and palliative care at Shaw Cancer Center, about her program’s receipt of a 2025 ACCC Innovator Award. Recognizing the urgent need for the expansion of palliative care services beyond the clinic setting, Shaw Cancer Center’s innovation, Shaw at Home: An Oncology Specific Home and Community-Based Palliative Care Program, bridges this critical gap in care by addressing the unmet needs of the patients in its community. Katie will discuss how the program has created a continuous transition of care...
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The Coordinator’s Perspective – Driving Research Growth From the Ground Up
CANCER BUZZ
Expanding access to clinical trials in community oncology settings is essential to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in cancer research. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with clinical research coordinator, Oluwakemi “Kemi” Oladipupo, MSHS, MPH, BSN, RN, CCRP, whose cancer center recently participated in a foundational oncology clinical trials course, developed by ACCC and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) to help cancer programs expand availability of trials to traditionally underserved communities. Oladipupo shares how this training prepared their...
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Improving Care Between Clinic Visits: A Sustainable Model for Remote Patient Monitoring
CANCER BUZZ
In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Lauren Hughes, RN, director of infusion services at Highlands Oncology about her program’s receipt of a 2025 ACCC Innovator Award. Highlands Oncology’s innovation, Improving Care Between Clinic Visits: A Sustainable Model for Remote Patient Monitoring, ensures continuous support and symptom management for patients between clinic visits. An early contributor to real-world evidence on the impact of remote patient monitoring, Hughes will discuss how Highlands Oncology significantly reduced emergency department visits and hospitalizations while...
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5 Ways to Improve Oncology Clinical Trials
CANCER BUZZ
On October 29-30, 2024, the ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI) hosted the Community Oncology Inclusive Clinical Trial Design Summit in Arlington, VA. The event brought together stakeholders including academic and community cancer center practitioners and researchers, advocacy organizations, government agencies, and industry partners to discuss strategies to increase patient access to clinical trials in the community setting. Five priority areas were identified that characterize actionable strategies to promote fair and accessible clinical trial design that is representative of...
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Navigating Disparities and Challenges in BTC Care
CANCER BUZZ
Navigating disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract cancer (BTC) is essential for improving patient outcomes, ensuring equitable care, and optimizing the patient experience. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) remains committed to increasing awareness and disseminating the latest strategies for BTC management. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ explores these issues with Paige Griffith, CRNP, lead oncology nurse practitioner at Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, who highlights the vital role of multidisciplinary teams in reducing care fragmentation...
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Housing at Risk Program (H@RP)
CANCER BUZZ
Synopsis: One of the most significant social determinants of health is housing, which can lead to prolonged hospital stays and an endless cycle of episodic care. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to highlighting programs that address this disparity to improve medical outcomes and restore stability to patients’ lives. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Deirdre Sekulic, of social work at Montefiore Health System to discuss ways that HARP prioritizes patient outcomes to improve continuity of care. “We really wanted to focus on coordinating health...
info_outlineHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) disproportionately impacts underserved and minority populations, compounded by systemic barriers in care. These populations face increased risk factors yet often experience delayed diagnoses and limited access to specialists, leading to later-stage detection. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Karen S. Waldrop, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, a GI oncology nurse navigator at UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer, and Henry Rendon, a patient diagnosed with HCC in June 2023. Together, they share insights on the vital role of multidisciplinary teams and how nurse navigators can mitigate access barriers by improving patient outreach, facilitating access to care, and guiding patients through the complexities of the health care system.
“Karen, my nurse navigator, knew everything I was going through. She made sure everything was coordinated and ran smoothly. She communicated clearly and thoroughly every time. I never had to second-guess what was happening. She made sure I was prepared, not just once, but every step of the way.” - Henry Rendon, patient guest with HCC
“At our institution, we have a clinic where the patient can see a medical oncologist, a liver medical physician, an interventional radiology specialist, a pharmacist… the whole gamut. If they need social work, we’ll pull in social work. If they need palliative care, we’ll pull in palliative care. And that’s in one visit. For folks with transportation issues or those who live far away, it’s truly the best way to get care.” - Karen S. Waldrop, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG
Karen S. Waldrop, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG
GI Oncology Nurse Navigator
UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer
Birmingham, Alabama
Henry Rendon
Patient Guest, diagnosed with HCC
Helena, Alabama
Additional Resources:
Multidisciplinary HCC Care Effective Practices in Care Coordination - https://bit.ly/4lHTpbN
HCC Education and Protocols to Advance Treatment through Integrated Collaboration - https://bit.ly/42GpatW
Understanding practices and gaps in multidisciplinary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) care within the community oncology setting - https://bit.ly/3XT4k84
Building Multidisciplinary Care Capacity for People Impacted by Hepatocellular Carcinoma - https://bit.ly/44rgFUS