The imPROVE study aims to bridge the gap in patient-reported outcomes (PRO) data for Black women with breast cancer by enhancing engagement with tailored electronic PROs (ePROs) and partnering with community leaders to address barriers and ensure accessibility and relevance in community cancer care settings. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Manraj Kaur, PhD, investigator and lead faculty for research and innovation at Patient-Reported Outcomes, Value, and Experience (PROVE) center at Mass General Brigham and Andrea Pusic, MD, chief of division of plastic and reconstructive surgery, director of PROVE center at Mass General Brigham, and professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School about the imPROVE study’s efforts to enhance Black women’s engagement in ePROs in breast cancer treatment. Dr. Kaur sheds light on strategies to improve technology accessibility for Black women in their cancer care center by providing iPads and refined usability features on the imPROVE app. Dr. Pusic highlights imPROVE implementation results at five community cancer centers, including utilizing local champions and equitable access to resources.

“When we make sure Black women are included, we gain a more accurate picture of health, we can design better care, and then we take a real step towards closing the health equity gap.” – Manraj Kaur

“The imPROVE study is all about increasing accessibility of patient-reported outcome measurements to Black breast cancer patients receiving care in community cancer centers.” – Andrea Pusic

Manraj Kaur, PhD 

Investigator, Lead Faculty for Research and Innovation Patient-Reported Outcomes Value Experience (PROVE) Center

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Boston, MA

Andrea Pusic, MD

Chief of Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Director, PROVE Center

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Professor of Surgery

Harvard Medical School

Boston, MA

Resources:

ACCC imPROVE Study Blog - https://www.accc-cancer.org/acccbuzz/blog-post-template/accc-buzz/2024/06/18/the-power-of-patient-reported-outcome-measures-to-community-cancer-centers?

Harvard/BWH PROVE Center - https://prove.bwh.harvard.edu/current_project/improve-breast-cancer-care/

ACCC’s Oncology Reimbursement Meetings (ORMs) assist members in navigating the frequent changes in oncology reimbursement and regulations through expert-led sessions in different regions across the US. In addition to bringing attendees up to speed on annual updates to the revenue cycle, a wide range of related issues that can impact oncology reimbursement are brought to the table, including navigation reimbursement, expanding existing financial programs, and providing important services for patients. The dates and locations for the Spring 2025 in-person ORMs have been announced, with more information to follow.

Guest:

John J. Montville, MBA, FACHE, FACMPE, FACCC, COA
Executive Director, Oncology Service Line
Mercy Health – Paducah Cancer Center

Quote:

“These meetings have true takeaways. It’s not just about networking [although] that is important in this industry...You walk away with pages of notes of things you want to bring back to your program to make it better.”

For more information about ACCC’s upcoming Oncology Reimbursement Meetings in 2025, visit the ACCC website.

Additional Resources:

Reimbursement Changes Seek to Reduce Disparities in Access to Cancer Care

Breaking Down Principal Illness Navigation Services: Helping Oncology Providers and Administrators Document, Code, and Bill for Patient Navigation Services

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Will Pay for Patient Navigation—Now What – Oncology Issues

Virtual Fall 2024 Oncology Reimbursement Meeting

As a medical oncologist working in a rural private practice in Australia, Dr. Christopher Steer expresses that one of the biggest challenges in cancer care is a limited workforce. Lacking personnel at every level of cancer care makes it difficult to provide high-quality, timely care, especially in a rural region. In this episode, Dr. Steer also mentions the importance of advocacy work in improving patient care. A particularly salient issue in Australia is the lack of coverage for cancer therapeutics by private insurance companies—which affects about 40% of patients with cancer in the country. Dr. Steer emphasizes the need for patients and providers alike to use their voices to make meaningful improvements in cancer care.

Guest:

Christopher Steer, MBBS, FRACP
Medical Oncologist,
Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre
Associate Professor
University of New South Wales
Adjunct Professor
John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research
La Trobe University

Quote:

“Adequate assessment yields appropriate treatment. Ask the patients. Personalize their care. That will give them the best [outcomes].”

Read more global perspectives from the international panelists who spoke at the October ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference in this ACCCBuzz blog.

Additional Resources:

NOC Preview: Financial Advocacy Guidelines to Mitigate Financial Toxicity - [MINI PODCAST]

Providing Comprehensive Financial Advocacy Services in Rural America

Improving Access to Clinical Trials for Rural Populations

#ACCCNOC: Financial Advocacy and Building Sustainable Navigation

Virtual Infusion Services: Bringing Cancer Therapies Closer to Rural Patients

The involvement of oncology fellows in state policy and advocacy efforts is essential for enhancing cancer care and advancing research. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) provides up-to-date information and opportunities for oncology advocacy, helping oncologists early in their career to be aware of how to contribute to local, state, and national initiatives. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Katherine Baker, MD, medical director of value-based care and medical oncologist at Tennessee Oncology, to discuss her experience in engaging in advocacy efforts with the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), and her current role as a board member on the Tennessee Oncology Practice Society (TOPS) advocacy committee. We also hear from Haley M Simpson, MD, PhD, physician-scientist, Division of Hematology at the University of Colorado, about the direct impact of advocacy on patient care.

“To me, forming coalitions through these [national] organizations is essential for driving meaningful, long lasting policy change, as collective voices are often much stronger and more impactful than individual efforts on your own.” -Katherine Baker, MD

“By getting involved in advocacy and policy earlier in your career, it has all the more ability to amplify the impact for patients.” -Haley Simpson, MD, PhD

Katherine Baker, MD, MMHC

Medical Director of Value-Based Care and Medical Oncologist

Tennessee Oncology

Nashville, TN

Haley M. Simpson, MD, PhD

Physician-Scientist, Division of Hematology

University of Colorado

Aurora, CO

This podcast is part of the Oncology State Societies (OSS) Policy and Advocacy program, made possible through the support of Johnson & Johnson.

Please visit your state society's website for potential fellowship opportunities, which you can find here. For any questions or to learn about upcoming events and opportunities, feel free to email Amanda Impellizzeri directly at aimpellizzeri@accc-cancer.org.

Resources

ACCC and OSS Advocacy Engagement Initiative

ACCC Legislative Action Center

NCCN Policy Fellows Program

ASCO Advocacy Resources

ASCO Fellows Resources

The delivery of cancer care in Nigeria is impeded firstly by a lack of infrastructure, with a low number of hospital beds and skilled staff across the care pathway—an issue which has been compounded by the migration of skilled staff out of sub-Saharan Africa and to more developed countries. A lack of specialized equipment, such as radiotherapy machines, and the prohibitive costs of delivering cancer care are significant challenges as well. According to Dr. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, challenges at the governmental level play a role as well, because in addition to a lack of skilled staff, there is a lack of developed cancer centers and a lack of funding, all of which prevent patients from accessing high-quality care. This great need inspired Dr. Elebute-Odunsi to establish the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, which offers all the treatments patients need across the care continuum in one place.

Guest:

Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPath
Founder/CEO
Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital
Founder/Chair Board of Trustees
Women In Healthcare Network
Lagos, Nigeria

Quote:

“We’re a one-stop comprehensive cancer center...When patients walk in the door, they can [receive] all the treatments they require [here] from beginning to end.”

Read more global perspectives from the international panelists who spoke at the October ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference in this ACCCBuzz blog.

Additional Resources:

The Study of High-Cost Oncology Patients to Improve Care & Curb Costs – Oncology Issues

Mobile App Eases Patient Cost-of-Care Conversations

[PODCAST] Ep 03: Why Comprehensive Cancer Care Services Matter

Providing Comprehensive Financial Advocacy Services in Rural America

Navigation: A Critical Component in a Comprehensive Approach to Dismantling Health Inequities – Oncology Issues

Raising awareness about sarcoma is essential to reducing treatment delays and preventing misdiagnoses of this rare cancer with over 100 subtypes. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to providing up-to-date information on sarcoma management and the unique challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment in community settings. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Richard Riedel, MD, professor of medicine at Duke Cancer Institute, to explore the critical resources needed for sarcoma care, including psychosocial support and the financial difficulties often faced by patients. Dr Riedel also discusses the future of treatment options in community-based settings and the importance of collaboration between community providers and academic/specialty centers. Additionally, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Katie Wintergerst, a sarcoma patient, who shares her personal journey and the challenges she encountered on her path to diagnosis.

“It’s critically important to partner with centers with disease-specific expertise, academic centers, for example, that are well-positioned to partner with community-based providers in providing optimal care for patients.” – Richard Riedel, MD

“What I’ve had to become comfortable with ... is that clinical trials can be tricky and they can be scary, but in the world of sarcoma, there haven’t been a lot of new products FDA-approved for treatment. Clinical trials is where the work is going on.” -Katie Wintergerst

Richard Riedel, MD

Professor of Medicine

Duke Cancer Institute

Durham, NC

Katie Wintergerst

Sarcoma Patient

Resources:

ACCC Sarcoma Resources for Providers and Patients

SFA Clinical Trials Resource Center

Sarcoma Treatment Centers