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.

Diagnoses of the six most prevalent cancers have decreased sharply, according to recent reports—indicative of big changes to oncology during the pandemic. On this mini-podcast, we look at the latest data on the effects of COVID-19 on cancer practices and explore how you can adapt to changes in oncology business. Guest: Jennifer Webster, MS, Vice President of Analytics and Data Solutions, Integra Connect

Related Content:

• ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
• Webcast: Risk Stratification for Cancer Patients During COVID-19
• Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 & Telemedicine
• Mini-Podcast: Cancer Screening During COVID-19
• The "New Normal": Seven Questions Program Leaders Are Asking About Care Amid COVID-19

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.

On this mini-podcast, learn how surgical oncology has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and how programs are adapting to fluctuations in staff availability and patient volume. Guest: Lawrence Wagman, MD, Surgical Oncologist, City of Hope Medical Center; Regional Medical Director, City of Hope, Inland Empire Program

Related Content:

• ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
• Webcast: Risk Stratification for Cancer Patients During COVID-19
• Webcast: Optimizing Staffing Strategies Amid COVID-19
• Mini-Podcast: Cancer Screening During COVID-19
• Bringing Surgical Oncology Services On Board

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.

This year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported that of the top ten discarded drugs reimbursed by Medicare Part B in 2018, six were cancer medications, totaling 330 million dollars. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn about the ways cancer programs are working to reduce drug waste and curb the rising cost of cancer care.

Guest: Anthony Boyd, PharmD, BCPS, Pharmacy Manager, Oncology, Cleveland Clinic

Related Content:

• ACCC Oncology Pharmacy Education Network
• Waste Not, Want Not
• UNC Combats Rising Drug Prices by Reducing Expensive Waste
• The Evolution of Oncology Pharmacy (podcast)
• Facilitating Access to Cancer Immunotherapies
• Part B Discarded Drug Units Report, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

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 effect of delayed cancer screenings due to COVID-19 has the potential to put tens of thousands of lives at risk. On this mini-podcast, learn how some cancer programs are finding creative ways to engage patients and adapt screening programs during these difficult times. Guest: Renea Duffin, MPA, Vice President of Cancer Support and Outreach, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

Related Content:

• ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
• Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 Testing Strategies
• Mini-Podcast: Drive-Thru COVID-19 Screening
• Genetic Cancer Screening and Testing in a Medically Underserved Community
• Crushing Cancer Through Prevention and Early Detection
• Taking Lung Cancer Screening on the Road

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.