CANCER BUZZ

Friends, family, and loved ones are essential parts of a patient's support system, but COVID-19 has altered their access to the care process and to care providers. On this mini-podcast, learn how the role of caregivers has changed during the pandemic, and how the cancer team can provide caregivers with guidance on taking care of patients with cancer.

Guest: Lawrence D. Wagman, MD, Surgical Oncologist, Medical Director, City of Hope National Medical Center

Related Content:

• Patient Navigation: Creating a Toolkit for Caregivers
• Creating a Caregiver Toolkit: 24 Tips for Caregivers
• Maintaining Patient Connections with Online Support Groups
• Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 Conversations with Patients
• Support for Caregivers of Cancer Patients, National Cancer Institute
• What a Cancer Caregiver Does, American Cancer Society

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 COVID-19 pandemic has affected every corner of American cancer care—including psychosocial services. On this mini-podcast, we explore how patients are dealing with the "new normal," and how oncology social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists are working to help them through an unprecedented time.

Guest: Jeffrey Kendall, PsyD, LP, Director of Oncology Support Services, University of Minnesota Medical Center

Related Content:

• Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 Conversations with Patients
• Guided Patient Support: Helping Patients Navigate the Clinical, Psychosocial, and Financial Aspects of Cancer Care, by Jessica Sima, MSN, RN, ACM, et al.
• Telehealth at its Best: Transitioning a Comprehensive Psychosocial Program to a Virtual Format, by Jennifer Bires, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, and Drucilla Brethwaite, MSW, LCSW
• Oncology Social Workers' Role in Patient-Centered Care, by Fran Becker, LCSW, OSW-C
• Oncology Social Workers Promote Self-Care in the Workplace

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 redirection of T cells against tumors holds significant promise for the treatment of cancer. Two main approaches for T-cell redirection involve their genetic modification with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) or the use of bispecific antibodies that can bind to two different antigens simultaneously.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn about these promising breakthroughs, the challenges facing their widespread use, and what your cancer team needs to know about the future of cancer treatment. Guest: Firas El Chaer, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia, Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center

Related Content:

• Preparing Community Providers for Bispecific Antibodies
• How Targeted Therapies Are Affecting the Cancer Care Team: A Conversation with Dr. Firas El Chaer
• CAR T-Cell Therapy Gave Me Back My Life
• CARs versus BiTEs: A Comparison between T Cell–Redirection Strategies for Cancer Treatment, American Association for Cancer Research
• Bispecific Antibodies: Success and Challenges, The ASCO Post

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 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.