As part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we take a look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted lung screenings across the country and how oncology teams are adapting their outreach and education to reach as many people as possible.

Guest: Jennifer Aversano, MSN, RN, OCN, BMTCN, Oncology Nurse Navigator, Oncology Administration; Lung Cancer Screening Navigator, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Related Content:

• ACCC Cancer Types: Lung Cancer
• Project: Fostering Excellence in Care and Outcomes in Patients with Stage III/IV NSCLC
• Improving Care Coordination: A Model for Lung Cancer
• ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
• Mini-Podcast: Cancer Screening During COVID-19
• Webcast: Risk Stratification for Cancer Patients During COVID-19

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

As the number of oral anti-cancer medications continues to grow, so do new challenges in education, care delivery, and patient adherence to treatment. Additionally, dispensing requirements from manufacturers, payers, and regulators continue to change as healthcare transitions to a value-based care environment.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn about the role of the interdisciplinary cancer team in managing oral chemotherapy for patients with cancer. Discover how one cancer program has transformed their care model, improving their workflow while keeping the patient at the center of the process. Guests:

• Marnee Lieberman, CPhT, Oncology Liaison, Masonic Cancer Center
• Jeff Engle, PharmD, MS, Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacist, Fairview Specialty Pharmacy & Masonic Cancer Center

Related Content:

• Evaluating Pharmacy Dispensing Models to Help Improve Cancer Care Delivery
• Oral Chemotherapy Education Sheets
• The Role of the Oral Oncology Nurse Navigator, by Mark K. Anderson, BSN, RN, OCN, et al.
• Oral Oncolytic Welcome Letter, National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc.
• Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 & Oral Oncolytics

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, we mark the beginning of Lung Cancer Awareness Month by looking at the present landscape for the diagnosis and treatment of one of the most common cancers in the world.

Guest: Deepti Behl, MD, Medical Director, Sutter Institute for Medical Research; Medical Director, Thoracic Oncology, Sutter Medical Center

Related Content:

• ACCC Cancer Types: Lung Cancer
• Improving Care Coordination: A Model for Lung Cancer
• Eating the Elephant
• ASTRO Abstract: Learnings from Thoracic Surgeons and Radiation Oncologists from a National Quality Survey
• IASCLC Abstract: Variable Definitions of "Unresectable" Stage III NSCLC Among Lung Cancer Specialists
• ASCO Abstract: Defining High-Quality NSCLC Care at US Cancer Centers

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Shared decision-making occurs when patients collaborate with their care teams to agree on a health decision that involves multiple treatment options. When patients actively participate in the decision-making process, they are more satisfied with their care and are more likely to follow their treatment plans. However, that process isn't easy—effective and compassionate communication requires strategic thinking.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn about effective tools to understand a patient's values, preferences, goals, and priorities. Discover strategies to help your patients ask important questions and make tough decisions. Guests:

• 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; Director, Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+)
• Cardinale Smith, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine; Chief Quality Officer, Cancer Services, Mount Sinai Health System, Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology and Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine

Related Content:

• Shared Decision-Making: Practical Implementation for the Oncology Team
• Ask Me 3 Tool
• Webinar Series: Approaches to Shared Decision-Making for the Oncology Team
• Shared Decision-Making Resources
• Shared Decision-Making, National Patient Advocate Foundation

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

When biosimilars were first introduced in the U.S. in 2015, it was expected that they would deliver equally effective treatment to patients as their reference products, at a reduced cost for cancer programs and patients. However, it can be difficult to explain to patients that biosimilars may be their best—and most cost-effective—option.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, Miami Cancer Institute shares their unique approach to patient understanding: a biosimilars education course that explains what biosimilars are, how they are used, the testing process they go through, and how their use can affect insurance approvals and out-of-pocket expenses. Guests:

• Ana Chayeb, RN, Nurse Navigator, Miami Cancer Institute
• Peggy Bullard, RN, Rapid Treatment Nurse, Miami Cancer Institute
• Jorge J. Garcia, PharmD, MS, MHA, MBA, FACHE, Assistant Vice President - System Oncology Pharmacy Services, Non-Oncology Infusion Center Pharmacy Services, Miami Cancer Institute

Related Content:

• ACCC Biosimilars Education Center
• They're Here—Cancer Biosimilars Enter U.S. Market
• The Year of the Biosimilar
• Media Issue Brief: Biosimilars, American Society of Clinical Oncology
• "When Will Biosimilars Start Making a Serious Difference in Oncology?," Managed Healthcare Executive

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Lack of community participation in cancer clinical trials has long been an issue, as has a lack of diversity among participants. On this CANCER BUZZ mini-podcast, learn about the importance of reaching diverse populations with clinical trials where they live and how one clinical trial has prioritized community engagement. Guest:

• Alex Spira, MD, PhD, FACP, Medical Oncologist; Director, VCS Research Institute & Phase I Trial Program, Virginia Cancer Specialists

Related Content:

• A Focus on Targeting KRAS G12C in NSCLC
• KRAS G12C Inhibition with Sotorasib in Advanced Solid Tumors, New England Journal of Medicine
• Featured Clinical Research: Barriers to Clinical Trials Participation
• Cancer Center Brings Clinical Trials to Diverse Population
• Episode 16: IO Clinical Trials During COVID-19

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

The advent of biomarker testing has brought targeted cancer treatment to more patients than ever before. However, these tests require a collaborative effort from a number of specialists—and that means a high price tag. Additionally, private payers have different reimbursement structures that change frequently, resulting in lengthy pre-authorization periods.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we speak to two financial navigators about their roles helping patients and providers understand the options available to patients in need of biomarker testing. Guests:

• Rifeta Kajdic, Program Manager, Oncology Service Line, St. Luke's Cancer Institute
• Arnela Kajdic-Tarantino, BMT Patient Financial Coordinator, St. Luke's Cancer Institute

Related Content:

• BiomarkerLIVE Resource Library
• Financial Advocacy Network
• A White Paper on the Need for Consistent Terms for Testing in Precision Medicine
• CMS's Proposed Payment Rules for 2021: What You Need to Know
• Reimbursement Challenges and Solutions with Molecular Biomarker Testing, Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship
• Biomarker Testing for Cancer Patients: Barriers and Solutions Part 5, Lablogatory
• Navigating the Cost of Comprehensive Biomarker Testing, LUNGevity

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

The gender gap in healthcare leadership is well documented. In the oncology discipline, the divide is even wider—according to a recent survey, less than half of academic medical oncology programs have a woman in a leadership position, and that number decreases further for radiation and surgical oncology programs.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn how the Livestrong Cancer Institutes and Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin are reaching out to young women in high school to generate interest in oncology. Through leadership training, meetings with program leaders, and a week-long research project, the Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) lays the groundwork for female mentorship and support at an early age. Guests:

• Kristen E. Wynn, Senior Administrative Program Coordinator, Livestrong Cancer Institutes
• Ximena Cruz and Korena Martinez, Summer Healthcare Experience participants

Related Content:

• ACCC 37th [Virtual] National Oncology Conference
• National Oncology Conference: Featured Speakers
• 2020 ACCC Innovator Award Winners
• Cancer Life reiMagined: The CaLM Model of Whole-Person Cancer Care
• Proportion of Women in Oncology Leadership Positions Remains Low, Cancer Therapy Advisor

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

For patients undergoing treatment with cancer immunotherapy, immune-related adverse events most often present on the skin and can be so severe that patients opt to discontinue treatment. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we look at dermatology's role in the cancer care continuum and how cancer teams can better integrate dermatology into the immunotherapy care process. Guest:

• Joshua Arbesman, MD, Dermatologist, Cleveland Clinic

Related Content:

• ACCC Immuno-Oncology Institute
• Supportive Oncodermatology
• Managing IO Toxicities: Three Keys to Success, by Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD
• Immunotherapy & Mental Health (podcast)
• The Immunotherapy Patient Perspective (podcast)

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced adjustments to all aspects of healthcare. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we look at recent adaptations in oncology—and how some of these changes can actually make cancer care stronger moving forward. Guest: Randall A. Oyer, MD, Medical Director, Oncology Program, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health; 2020-2021 ACCC President

Related Content:

• ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
• Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 & Telemedicine
• Webcast: ASCO Survey on COVID-19 in Oncology (ASCO) Registry
• Mini-Podcast: Cancer Screening During COVID-19
• Beyond the Pandemic: A Long-Term View of Medical Environments
• Curated COVID-19 Resources for Financial Advocacy

This mini-podcast is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.