CANCER BUZZ
CANCER BUZZ features fresh perspectives on hot topics in oncology care delivery. CANCER BUZZ is where stakeholders from the front lines of care to the C-suite, from research to the registry, from chairside to benchside, talk about top-of-mind questions and real-world impact.
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Integrating Genetic Counselors in Routine Genitourinary Care
05/10/2024
Integrating Genetic Counselors in Routine Genitourinary Care
Germline and somatic testing for in prostate cancer can improve outcomes and promote early detection and prevention, yet many patients are not aware of testing and the impact it can have on treatment options. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with David Gill, MD, medical oncologist at Intermountain Healthcare’s Intermountain Cancer Center and Lindsey Byrne, MS, LCGC, licensed certified genetic counselor at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, who discuss how genetic counselors and increased patient education can help cancer programs close the practice gap and promote guideline-concordant testing among patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. “I’d really advocate—even in your patients with a negative NGS panel—please still consider getting germline testing in those patients.” –David Gill, MD “We know that individuals, yes, they’re dealing with a diagnosis of cancer, but the first thing people say to me when I sit down with them is, ‘All right, I have this figured out, but what does this mean for my family?’ They’re really worried about their family, and that’s where our focus is, to help take care of that.”—Lindsey Byrne, MS, LCGC David Gill, MD Medical Oncologist Intermountain Healthcare - Intermountain Cancer Center Salt Lake City, Utah Lindsey Byrne, MS, LCGC Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Columbus, Ohio This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program and is supported by AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer. Resources:
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A Multidisciplinary Approach to Anemia Management in High-Risk MDS and AML
05/09/2024
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Anemia Management in High-Risk MDS and AML
Anemia can negatively affect quality of life and treatment outcomes for patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Amy DeZern, MD, MHS, director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP, clinical oncology pharmacy manager, Atrium Health Levine Cancer in Charlotte, North Carolina, and David Sallman, MD, assistant member, Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Their discussion elucidates an array of patient-centered approaches, touches on social determinants of health, and highlights collaborative measures to support care coordination in the management of anemia in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. “It really does take a village to manage the anemia of high-risk MDS…We as providers need to think through transfusion mitigation strategies but also keep our patients safe.” –Amy DeZern, MD, MHS “Health disparities can play a really important role in affecting outcomes. And a lot of that is multifactorial—it may be due to patients without insurance having a higher tendency to delay seeking care due to the associated cost of seeking medical attention, and therefore they may present sicker.”—Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP “There’s no question, especially as therapies are getting more complex, and the side effects as far as the severity of cytopenias are increasing, this collaboration between blood bank centers and community oncologists is going to be increasingly important.”—David Sallman, MD Amy DeZern, MD, MHS Director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program Professor of Oncology and Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP Clinical Oncology Pharmacy Manager Atrium Health Levine Cancer Charlotte, NC David Sallman, MD Assistant Member, Department of Malignant Hematology Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, Florida This episode was developed in connection with an initiative of the ACCC education program , Optimal Management of Anemia in Adults with High-Risk MDS, which is supported by Gilead. Resources:
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Improving Care Delivery to Patients Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
05/03/2024
Improving Care Delivery to Patients Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
Prior to 2020, patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s Comprehensive Cancer Center experienced high variability in the number of days it took to see a breast cancer provider. Scheduling was decentralized across the departments and rarely could multiple visits be coordinated to occur on the same day, within the same location. Addressing this issue required a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach that involved engaging the cancer center leadership across 3 treatment departments—medical, radiation, and surgical oncology—administration, physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), patient navigation, genetic counseling, scheduling, imaging, lab, and pathology. The primary goals of the initiative were to transform patient experience and improve timeliness to care for every newly diagnosed patient. Guest: Hunter Hayes, MBA Associate Principal The Chartis Group “Being able to get patients seen quickly; being able to retain patients for their full cancer treatment is incredibly important…competition is growing and being able to keep those patients and keep their experience positive is critical.” Read more in “Improving the Care of Patients Newly Diagnosed With Breast Cancer” coming in your Volume 38, Number 2, . Resources:
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Highlights from the ACCC Working Summit: Advancing CAR T-Cell Therapy Care Continuity and Collaborative Patient Education
04/25/2024
Highlights from the ACCC Working Summit: Advancing CAR T-Cell Therapy Care Continuity and Collaborative Patient Education
Improving timely identification and referral of patients who may be eligible for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is critical for improving outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancies. On February 7, 2024, ACCC hosted a virtual Working Summit: Advancing CAR T-Cell Therapy Care Continuity and Collaborative Patient Education to explore topics including patient and caregiver needs as well as care coordination between referring providers and certified CAR T-cell therapy centers. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC, director of the Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center at Ivinson Memorial Hospital and co-chair of the Summit about the event’s key findings, which can guide cancer programs in “The goal really was how do we get those patients [receiving CAR T-cell therapy] back here and get them back into some kind of normalcy in their life sooner? A lot of that is building relationships and having trust with those providers in the academic centers that are performing the CAR T, so that they know that we can provide safe care at home.” –Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC “Keeping care close to home is near to my heart, living in a rural area. That was one takeaway... how do we collaborate better to make this happen for our patients and care teams? –Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC Director, Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center Ivinson Memorial Hospital Laramie, WY This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program and made possible with support by Kite Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, and Legend Biotech, and through partnerships with Cancer Support Community, the Association of American Cancer Institutes, and the Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology Resources:
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Care Action Plans for People with Cancer
04/19/2024
Care Action Plans for People with Cancer
The 4R Oncology® Model facilitates enhanced patient engagement and timely care provision by streamlining delivery of complex interdependent care. Implementation of the 4R Oncology® model in breast and lung cancer clinics has improved patients’ involvement in organizing their care, enabled the development of high-functioning multidisciplinary care teams, and helped to optimize the timing and coordination of sequence of care. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Raymond Liu, MD, director of research of Hematology-Oncology in Kaiser Permanente Northern California, director of cancer survivorship in Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, and assistant clinical professor at UCSF, who shares how successful implementation of the 4R Oncology® model empowers patients and clinicians and coheres care teams. When people could see that plan, and they could bring that home with them, and they saw that it was all guideline-based and mapped through in a very, very detailed way, they were empowered to answer their questions, especially for their loved ones, and to really reflect on what was said [in the doctor-patient consultation] at home.” –Raymond Liu, MD “Care is so complex now; our innovations are really, really going fast but we have not been able to deliver the care in a way that’s understandable sometimes, and so by putting it in a single care plan, the patients really engage with it, and we found that the call volumes came down.” –Raymond Liu, MD Raymond Liu, MD Director of Research of Hematology-Oncology Kaiser Permanente Northern California Oakland, CA Director of Cancer Survivorship Kaiser Permanente San Franciso San Francisco, CA Assistant Clinical Professor University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA his episode was developed in connection with the ACCC program . ACCC, in partnership with the Center for Business Models in Healthcare, is making 4R Care Sequences® available at no cost to ACCC members. 4R Oncology® is the intellectual property of CBM-HC (Executive Frameworks, Ltd.), but is not a commercial product or service. 4R Care Sequence® templates were developed based on studies sponsored by Genentech, Inc. Resources:
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Beyond the Brush: Navigating Dental Care in Head & Neck Cancer
04/02/2024
Beyond the Brush: Navigating Dental Care in Head & Neck Cancer
While advancements in oral medicine are improving the treatment landscape for head and neck cancer, routine dental care and preventative oral cancer screenings can help identify head and neck cancers early. In this episode, Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH, chief of Oral Medicine, Oral Oncology, and Dentistry at Baptist Health South Florida’s Miami Cancer Institute, emphasizes the proactive role dentists can play in early identification of cancer—as well as the need for equitable access to dental care—and explores how a cross-disciplinary cancer care team and patient education work in tandem to better manage complications from head and neck treatment. “It is widely known that any patient with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer who is scheduled to receive treatment with chemo and radiation therapy should see a dentist prior to starting cancer therapy. We should make sure that access is available for this patient.” —Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH Chief of Oral Medicine, Oral Oncology, and Dentistry Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida Miami, FL in partnership with Head and Neck Cancer Alliance and the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and with support provided by EMD Serono. Resources:
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Navigating the Operational Challenges of Treatment with Bispecific Antibodies
03/28/2024
Navigating the Operational Challenges of Treatment with Bispecific Antibodies
Advancements in clinical data and research have shown the immunotherapeutic potential of bispecific antibodies as treatment for hematologic cancers and solid tumors. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Aaron Cumpston, PharmD, pharmacy clinical specialist for bone marrow transplant and Christine Barrett, PharmD, BCOP, medical oncology clinical pharmacy specialist who discuss the challenges of care coordination and therapy and share operational best practices for the delivery of bispecific antibodies in the community setting. “I think we’re finding these drugs to be highly effective and having high response rates and also very durable response rates in very refractory patients.”—Aaron Cumpston, PharmD, BCOP “I know that in community practice it can be really difficult, but there is a network of institutions out there that have taken on administering these BiTE therapies and have a lot of experience that can be very helpful for those in community practice.” —Christine Barrett, PharmD, BCOP Aaron Cumpston, PharmD, BCOP Pharmacy Clinical Specialist – Hematologic Malignancy, Transplant, and Cellular Therapy WVU Medicine WVU Cancer Institute - Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center Morgantown, WV Christine Barrett, PharmD, BCOP Medical Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist WVU Medicine WVU Cancer Institute - Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center Morgantown, WV This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program and is supported by Amgen. Resources:
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Policy Perspectives on Biomarker Testing Coverage for 2024
03/26/2024
Policy Perspectives on Biomarker Testing Coverage for 2024
As the need for access to guideline-concordant biomarker testing for underserved populations continues to grow, hear what care teams need to know about coverage for Medicaid beneficiaries and the legislative outlook for 2024. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Hilary Gee Goeckner, MSW, director of State and Local Campaigns for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ASC CAN), who shares policy perspectives and the latest on state legislation to expand coverage for biomarker testing for Medicaid beneficiaries. “There are a lot of challenges around implementation—getting the legislation passed is just the first step…It is also important for providers to be aware of the new rules that affect many plans and their states so they are able to order testing that may not have been covered or rejected previously.” –Hilary Gee Goeckner, MSW Hilary Gee Goeckner, MSW Director, State and Local Campaigns, Access to Care American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Washington, D.C. This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program Improving Access to Biomarker Testing in Medicaid Populations and is made possible with support by Foundation Medicine and Exact Sciences. Resources:
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Open Enrollment: Best Practices for End-of-Year Prep
03/21/2024
Open Enrollment: Best Practices for End-of-Year Prep
The ACCC Oncology Reimbursement Meetings (ORMs) help all members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team navigate the annual changes in oncology reimbursement and regulations— while improving their knowledge on effective strategies for success in an everchanging oncology landscape. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jordan Karwedsky, financial counselor, Green Bay Oncology, about her session at the ORMs last fall, where she discussed best practices cancer care teams can adopt as they prepare for the open enrollment season. “If you have a patient who is uninsured or underinsured, make a note that is a reminder for you so come November when open enrollment begins, you can reach out to them and help them optimize their insurance. In the meantime, if they need treatment, then work with the drug companies to save them as much money on their treatment.” “Highlights from recent ORMs include how to work with your legislature, either at the state or federal level, to advocate for laws that will help patients.” Jordan Karwedsky Financial Counselor Green Bay Oncology In one of the upcoming ORMs this spring, Karwedsky will share strategies for patient navigation in the digital age. For more information, please visit the . Resources: · · · · ·
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Disparities in Accessing Care for AML Patients: Challenges and Solutions
03/19/2024
Disparities in Accessing Care for AML Patients: Challenges and Solutions
. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Linda Hayward, patient financial advocate at the University of Maryland, Kaufman Cancer Center at Upper Chesapeake Health, about the challenges of treatment and strategies to address disparities in access and care for patients with acute myeloid leukemia. “Patient financial advocates can help patients navigate different resources……if we [financial advocates] were not here to help our patients, many would forgo treatments.” –Linda Hayward, Patient Financial Advocate Guest: Linda Hayward Patient Financial Advocate University of Maryland, Kaufman Cancer Center at Upper Chesapeake Health Bel Air, Maryland Additional Reading/Sources · · · · · · · · (Cancer Support Community) · (ACCC)
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Clarifying the Role of Maintenance Therapy
03/14/2024
Clarifying the Role of Maintenance Therapy
Maintenance therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those who are ineligible for transplant, can be critical to treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Thomas LeBlanc, MD, hematologic oncologist, associate professor of Medicine, and associate professor in Population Health Sciences at Duke Cancer Institute, about the importance of keeping patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first remission as long as possible through maintenance therapy. “You have to be aware of the benefits of maintenance therapy…and for patients who are being considered for transplant but who do not end up getting a transplant, it should really be the default option that those patients receive a maintenance therapy.” –Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD Guest: Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD Hematologic Oncologist, Associate Professor of Medicine, Associate Professor in Population Health Sciences Duke Cancer Network, Duke Cancer Institute Durham, North Carolina This is the fourth and final episode of a four-part series developed in connection with the ACCC education program Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This episode was made possible with support by Bristol Myers-Squibb. Additional Reading/Sources (Cancer Support Community) (ACCC)
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A Conversation With ACCC’s Outgoing and Incoming Presidents at the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit
03/08/2024
A Conversation With ACCC’s Outgoing and Incoming Presidents at the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit
On March 1, 2024, ACCC elected a new president and board of trustees for the 2024 -2025 term. CANCER BUZZ interviews outgoing President, Lekan Ajayi, and incoming President, Nadine Barrett, about their respective ACCC President’s Themes, the programs and resources ACCC developed in the past year, the state of the oncology workforce, ACCC’s role in improving health equity, the Association’s 50th Anniversary, and more. Guest: Lekan Ajayi Immediate Past President, Association of Cancer Care Centers Chief Operating Officer Highlands Oncology Group, Fayetteville, Arkansas “[Last year] ACCC set out to rebuild and upskill the workforce to deliver the next generation oncology care...it’s been enlightening, and there's been so much learning that’s been made available…I think through the power of sharing, we can all be better together.” “The oncology workforce. currently is at a point of inflection really. I think what we know now is that we need to invest to be better…what we've been able to do is create a popular awareness amongst leaders in the industry of the need to invest in the workforce and also to give them tools to be able to do exactly that.” Nadine Barrett President, Association of Cancer Care Centers Professor of Social Science and Health Policy Senior Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Equity Research Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity at Wake Forest School of Medicine “Health equity is part of the core of ACCC, to want to advance equity, to want to think about what health equity and cancer looks like…ACCC is very much committed to recognizing that it takes a national and global community to create the change.” Resources:
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LIVE from AMCCBS: White House Update
03/02/2024
LIVE from AMCCBS: White House Update
Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ features an update from the White House on the Biden Cancer Moonshot program. Speaker: Dr. Catharine Young Assistant Director of Cancer Moonshot Engagement Policy and International Engagement White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Resources:
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LIVE from AMCCBS: Capitol Hill Update
03/01/2024
LIVE from AMCCBS: Capitol Hill Update
Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Dr. Sarah Hudson-DiSalle, member of the Reimbursement and Economics Subcommittee of ACCC’s Governmental Affairs Committee, about this week’s Hill Day, when members of ACCC met with Capitol Hill offices to advocate on behalf of patients. Guest: Sarah Hudson-DiSalle, RPh, PharmD Assistant Director of Infusion Reimbursement The James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, Ohio Issues Discussed on Capitol Hill this week: Oncology Patient Navigation Financial Toxicity for Patients with Cancer Oncology Drug Shortage Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Resources:
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LIVE from AMCCBS: Institute for Comprehensive Cancer Care Services
03/01/2024
LIVE from AMCCBS: Institute for Comprehensive Cancer Care Services
Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Krista Nelson, ACCC past president, about the new Institute for Comprehensive Cancer Care Services and resources for cancer centers to implement these services. Guest: Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services and Compassion, Providence Health & Services Resources:
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LIVE from AMCCBS: New Payments for Patient Navigation
02/29/2024
LIVE from AMCCBS: New Payments for Patient Navigation
Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Dr. Mandi Pratt-Chapman about new patient navigation payments. Guest: Mandi Pratt-Chapman, MD Associate Center Director for Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity Associate Professor of Medicine Associate Professor of Prevention and Community Health George Washington Cancer Center Resources:
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LIVE from AMCCBS: Financial Advocacy Resources
02/29/2024
LIVE from AMCCBS: Financial Advocacy Resources
Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Wendi Waugh, ACCC financial navigation committee member, about resources for financial advocacy. Guest: Wendi Waugh, BS, RT(R)(T), CMD, CTR Administrative Director, SOMC Cancer Services & Ambulatory Infusion, Southern Ohio Medical Center Resources:
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Making the Case for Head & Neck Cancer Patient Care Navigators
02/20/2024
Making the Case for Head & Neck Cancer Patient Care Navigators
Recent advancements in treatment and a multimodal approach to care are improving outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer, however access to therapies and unique patient challenges due to disease symptoms, difficulty eating, difficulty communicating, and other psychosocial factors can reduce patient quality of life. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Angelea Bruce, RD, CSO, OPN-CG, registered dietician and head and neck program navigator at Sharp Memorial Hospital and Brittney Watts, RN, head and neck patient care coordinator at Yale New Haven Hospital, about the importance of head and neck nurse navigation and how a dedicated navigator can help address these unique patient needs and improve care for patients with head and neck cancer. “I think looking at it through the eyes of the physicians, the health insurance, the organization [cancer program], and looking at what are the patient outcomes, success rates, delays in care, survivorship...I think those are important metrics to monitor and we [as head and neck patient navigators] can let a program know whether the patient’s needs are being met.” –Angelea Bruce, RD, CSO, OPN-CG “Having a specific nurse coordinator for the head and neck community is vital to the patient’s journey within the entire process. This is the point person for the patient, for the providers, and you are the connection for the patient to the healthcare facility.” –Brittney Watts, RN Guests Angelea Bruce, RD, CSO, OPN-CG Registered Dietician, Head & Neck Program Navigator Sharp Memorial Hospital San Diego, California Brittney Watts, RN Head & Neck Cancer Patient Care Coordinator Yale New Haven Hospital New Haven, Connecticut This episode, developed in connection with the ACCC education program Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head and Neck Cancer Care, was made possible with support by EMD Serono. Additional Reading/Sources
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The Florez Lab: Increasing Retention and Improving Productivity of Under-Represented in Medicine Trainees
02/15/2024
The Florez Lab: Increasing Retention and Improving Productivity of Under-Represented in Medicine Trainees
Founded in 2019, this inclusive lab is comprised of 42 members ranging from undergraduates to faculty from 12 different countries, most of whom self-identify as women and/or individuals who are under-represented in medicine. This virtual lab meets monthly to discuss projects, grants, and future collaborations. Joint research efforts focus on professional development of the health care workforce; cancer health disparities; diversity equity, and inclusion in medical education; and social justice in medicine, with a focus on cancer clinical outcomes and survivorship experiences of underserved populations. From 2020 to 2023, the Florez Lab secured nearly 1.5 million in combined research funding to support the development of translational research to mitigate and provide resources to address disparities in oncology and medical education. In this podcast, Narjust Florez, MD, teases her session at the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit and why it’s important to attend this session in person. Guest: Narjust Florez, MD Thoracic medical oncologist Associate Director, Cancer Care Equity Program Assistant Professor of Medicine Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School “[At AMCCBS] I provide realistic strategies and actions that anyone can take to diversify the workforce, not only in oncology, but in medicine as a whole…I focus on what I have done with very little staff that has remained in place and helped create a more inclusive and diverse workplace.” Hear Dr. Florez speak live at the . Resources: — [PODCAST]
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BRCA Testing Survey Insights: A Multidisciplinary Perspective on Testing and Treatment for Patients with Breast Cancer
02/06/2024
BRCA Testing Survey Insights: A Multidisciplinary Perspective on Testing and Treatment for Patients with Breast Cancer
Hereditary breast cancer is a significant concern, with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations accounting for many inherited breast cancer cases. However, a 2018 survey by ACCC revealed the underutilization of BRCA testing, showcasing a significant gap in care. In this podcast, Joy Larsen Haidle, Genetic Counselor at North Memorial Health Cancer Center in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, and Lillie Shockney, University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer, Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, delve into the topic of BRCA mutation testing within breast cancer care, highlighting care gaps and opportunities for improvement that were identified in the 2023 ACCC BRCA Testing Reassessment Survey. “There are treatments that are specific for women who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene that have metastatic disease. So, by not testing them, they are not receiving the benefit of specific drugs that have been developed, that only work, for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation carriers who have advanced disease.” Lillie Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON- ONN-CG “In the past 4 years in particular, the ability for patients to reach out and see a genetic counselor via telehealth has rapidly improved access for providers across the country.” Joy Larsen Haidle, MS, LCGC Joy Larsen Haidle, MS, LCGC Genetic Counselor North Memorial Health Cancer Center Robbinsdale, MN Lillie D Shockney, RN., BS., MAS, HON- ONN-CG University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer, Professor of Surgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD Resources:
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Championing an Institutional Culture of Well-being in a Post-Pandemic Oncology Workforce
02/01/2024
Championing an Institutional Culture of Well-being in a Post-Pandemic Oncology Workforce
#AdvocateHealth is leading the way in rebuilding its 150,000+ workforce post-pandemic. Recognizing wellness as an institutional imperative and creating a new C-suite role—Enterprise Vice President, Well-Being for All Teammates—underscores this commitment. In this podcast, Mila Felder, MD, FACEP, teases her keynote at the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit, why it’s important to attend this session in person, and what she’s looking forward to most at the meeting. Guest: Mila Felder, MD, FACEP Enterprise Vice President, Well-Being for All Teammates Advocate Aurora Health “…talking about burnout and stress related to working in health care is important as a preventative tool. We do a lot of work to prevent illness in our patients…clinicians and health care workers are not very good at identifying their own individual needs and serving those needs.” Hear Mila speak live at the . Resources: — [PODCAST]
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Missed Care Conversations for Patients with DLBCL
12/21/2023
Missed Care Conversations for Patients with DLBCL
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive disease whose management is complex and requires open communication amongst a multidisciplinary care team. It has a high rate of relapse, with up to 40 percent of patients relapsing within the first two years after primary treatment. Management of a patient with DLBCL begins with prognostic evaluation of the disease and assessing the potential adverse effects of treatments. It should be followed by evaluations of physical, physiological, cognitive, and socio-economic status of the patient. When considering treatment options, the patient should be engaged to share their expectations and goals related to disease control and quality of life. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Robin Atkins, RN, OCN, symptom triage nurse, Virginia Oncology Associates in Norfolk, Virginia. Listen as we discuss effective practices to support patients with diffuse large b-cell lymphoma throughout the care continuum. “It’s important to listen for meaning when talking with patients and caregivers who are undergoing cancer treatments for diffuse large b-cell lymphoma and incorporating that into the care plan.” “Need to validate the patient perspective.” “Shared decision-making is a two-way conversation.” Robin Atkins, RN, OCN Symptom Triage Nurse Virginia Oncology Associates Norfolk, Virginia Resources: This project is supported by AbbVie/Genmab and Genentech.
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Community CAR T-Cell Patient Identification Framework
12/14/2023
Community CAR T-Cell Patient Identification Framework
As the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy continues to expand as an effective treatment for hematologic malignancies, understanding how to identify eligible patients early and implementation of an effective framework for identification can improve care coordination and better prepare community cancer programs for widespread use of CAR T-cell therapy. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with David L. Porter, MD, director of Cell Therapy and Transplant at Penn Medicine, about the challenges community oncologists face and the key role they can play in identifying and recommending eligible patients for CAR T-cell therapy. “The single most important thing for a patient out in the community at a place that doesn’t have familiarity or immediate access to CAR T-cells is to refer them somewhere that does and refer them soon and timely.” – David L. Porter, MD Guest: David L. Porter, MD Director, Cell Therapy and Transplant Jodi Fisher Horowitz Professor in Leukemia Care Excellence Penn Medicine- University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) Philadelphia, PA This episode has been developed in connection with the ACCC education program . This episode was made possible with support by Kite Pharma. Additional Reading/Sources
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The Future of the Patient Experience
11/16/2023
The Future of the Patient Experience
The aging US population is predicted to drive an increase in cancer incidence of almost 50% by 2050. At the same time, some cancer programs face capacity and resource constraints—which will continue to increase as demand for cancer services rises. Many cancer programs are also facing significant challenges with patient access. This podcast explores 4 pillars for creating a differentiated patient experience: access, navigation, digital health, and health equity. The end goal for both cancer programs and patients is to shorten the time span between diagnosis and treatment. Guest: Jessica Turgon Partner ECG Management Consultants “What we’ve seen coming out of COVID-19 is a growing consumerism in cancer care. Patients want their information quickly—even more rapidly than healthcare teams can turn it around. And patients want this information in a way that they can easily access it.” Look for the full article, “Pioneering a Cancer Program of the Future,” in the Volume 38, Number 6, Oncology Issues. While you wait, check out the most now. Resources:
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Highlights from the ACCC Working Summit: Biomarker Testing – Solutions for EHR Integration
11/09/2023
Highlights from the ACCC Working Summit: Biomarker Testing – Solutions for EHR Integration
Health technology performance and integration of electronic health record (EHR) systems—the creation of interfaces between EHRs and reference labs performing biomarker testing— have become critical factors in conducting efficient and equitable biomarker testing at cancer programs nationwide. At ACCC’s 40th Annual National Oncology Conference, an exclusive EHR Working Summit was held to understand barriers to integrating biomarker testing into EHR systems and explore effective practices/workaround solutions to facilitate timely and comprehensive biomarker testing. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Karen Huelsman, MS, LGC, precision oncology lead and genetic counselor at TriHealth Cancer and Blood Institute, who also serves on ACCC’s EHR Integration program Advisory Committee, about key takeaways and insights from the Working Summit. “Some of the key barriers include limited staffing on information systems and technical teams—that’s the number one ingredient—[also] funding is an important element, having enough FTEs [full-time employees] to create a team, having knowledgeable data engineers and project coordinators…and trying to include some level of clinical input for any new integration implementation team is really important, and those are not always available…” – Karen Huelsman, MS, LGC Guest: Karen Huelsman, MS, LGC Precision Oncology Lead, Genetic Counselor TriHealth Cancer and Blood Institute Cincinnati, Ohio This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program EHR Integration: Effective Practices to Facilitate Timely and Comprehensive Biomarker Testing. This educational program is made possible with support by AstraZeneca and Genentech. Additional Reading/Sources
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Developing a Disease-Site Specific Oncology Patient Navigation Program
10/19/2023
Developing a Disease-Site Specific Oncology Patient Navigation Program
In 2020, this community-based cancer program started laying the foundation for a disease-site specific oncology patient navigation program that would grow exponentially over the next 2 years. In addition to a rapidly growing patient caseload, nurse navigator responsibilities grew extensively, largely due to increasing physician and system support of the program and role. To date, this 3-person oncology nurse navigator team has received over 2100 referrals from more than 259 providers. Guest: Stephanie Bonfilio, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG Oncology Navigation Manager St. Elizabeth Cancer Care “Patient experience is such a huge part of what we do in cancer care. We survey our patients who are actively being navigated to see if the care we are providing is of value to them…over 94% of our patients said that having a nurse navigator on their care team increased their overall experience.” Read more in “” in Volume 38, Number 5, Oncology Issues. Resources: · · · ·
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Germline and Somatic Testing for Ovarian Cancer
10/17/2023
Germline and Somatic Testing for Ovarian Cancer
Since 2014, the widespread use of germline and somatic testing in gynecologic oncology has dramatically increased. The use of genetic testing can support actionable changes which may influence treatment decisions. Test results can inform risk for other malignancies and prompt preventive screenings for at-risk relatives. Despite an increasing awareness of the benefits of genetic testing, many patients are not receiving consistent or equitable testing. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Melissa Frey, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and Director, Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program, Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, New York, and Leigha Senter, MS, CGC, Professor, Clinical Internal Medicine, Associate Director, Division of Human Genetics, and Licensed Genetic Counselor, The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Listen as we discuss germline and somatic testing for patients with ovarian cancer. “Ovarian cancer is probably one of the most exciting examples of the way genetics and genomics can inform treatment, and also improve patient care, and patient outcomes.” Melissa Frey, MD, MS “While we are putting a lot of effort into making sure patients get the testing they need, we also need to have a support web in place for their family members too. And that is actually a service to our patients.” Leigha Senter, MS, CGC Melissa Frey, MD, MS Assistant Professor, Division of Gynecologic Oncology Director, Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program Weill Cornell Medicine New York, New York Leigha Senter, MS, CGC Professor, Clinical Internal Medicine Associate Director, Division of Human Genetics Licensed Genetic Counselor The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio Resources: This project is supported by AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline.
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AML Care Coordination in the Community Setting
10/10/2023
AML Care Coordination in the Community Setting
Coordination of care for patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those who are ineligible for transplant, can impact access to specialist care, clinical trials, and cancer programs with advanced capabilities to treat patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Geoffrey Uy, MD, professor of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Leukemia at Washington University’s School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and Khoan Tuong Vu, MD, hematologist oncologist at Texas Oncology, who share strategies and best practices for co-managing care for patients with acute myeloid leukemia. “The impact of care coordination can be tremendous. A large proportion of our patients come from several hours away. Through care coordination and through things like telehealth, we can deliver high quality care to patients in their [own] community.” – Geoffrey L. Uy, MD “Successful care coordination is a seamless transition of care where we work together as a cohesive team, even across different cancer centers, with a consistent message and consistent treatment plan.” – Khoan Tuong Vu, MD Guest: Geoffrey L. Uy, MD Professor of Medicine, Bone Marrow Transplantation & Leukemia\ Division of Oncology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO Khoan Tuong Vu, MD Hematologist Oncologist Texas Oncology Dallas, TX This is the third episode of a four-part series developed in connection with the ACCC education program Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This episode was made possible with support by Bristol Myers-Squibb. Additional Reading/Sources · - Video Podcast Ep 37 · – Video Podcast Ep 35 · · (Cancer Support Community) · (ACCC)
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Live from NOC: AI in Precision Oncology
10/06/2023
Live from NOC: AI in Precision Oncology
Live this week from the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference, CANCER BUZZ interviews Doug Flora, MD about AI in Precision Oncology, the first- ever peer-reviewed journal on the topic. The journal shares meaningful information on the evolution of these tools, especially for clinicians and decision makers to help make a case for artificial intelligence. Guest: Doug Flora, MD Editor-in-Chief, AI in Precision Oncology Resources:
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Live from NOC: Technology Support for Health Care Workforce
10/06/2023
Live from NOC: Technology Support for Health Care Workforce
The oncology community is facing staffing shortages across disciplines and specialties, as well as pressure from organizations and individuals for clinicians to practice at the top of their license and nonclinical staff to work at their highest skill set; that’s where technology can help. Live this week from the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference (NOC), CANCER BUZZ interviews Karline Paul, Associate Operating Officer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, about the ways technology can support—not replace—the oncology workforce. Guest: Karline Peal, MBA Associate Operating Officer Vanderbilt University Medical Center Resources:
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