Oncology

Doing Things Differently: Wilfong Moves to Thyme Care

October 12th 2024

Mary Caffrey

Lalan Wilfong, MD, a 20-year medical oncologist with Texas Oncology, is senior vice president, value-based care, Thyme Care.

October 11th 2024

Tangle of Tech: How Community Oncology Practices Can Successfully Navigate the Health Technology Landscape

Nini Wu, MD, MBA Anish Arora

October 11th 2024

Setting the Course for Comprehensive Care Navigation in Oncology

Vishnukamal Golla, MD, MPH Allan Zuckoff, PhD Lucy MacPhail, PhD John Tam, MD Chevon Rariy, MD

October 11th 2024

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Prior Authorizations for Patients With Cancer

Benjamin Ukert, PhD Stephanie Schauder, PhD Daniel Cullen, PhD David Debono, MD Michael Eleff, MD Michael J. Fisch, MD, MPH

The prior authorization process for patients with cancer demonstrates fewer days until submission and lower denial rates for Asian patients relative to White patients.

October 10th 2024

Defining Value in Oncology Pharmacy: Insights on Care and Costs

Maggie L. Shaw

The theme of our inaugural regional Institute for Value-Based Medicine® event in Boston was, “Elevating Value in Cancer Care,” and one of the 4 panel discussions focused on the important contributions of pharmacists and the practice of pharmacy to the oncology space.

Hands holding green lymphoma ribbon | Image credit: sulit.photos - stock.adobe.com

October 9th 2024

Childhood Lymphoma: Raising Awareness for Early Detection and Better Outcomes

It is important to educate and bring awareness to childhood lymphoma, its symptoms, treatment options, and the need for support.

Cancer screening | Image credit: kenchiro168 - stock.adobe.com

October 3rd 2024

Fear of Recurrence Is Common Among Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Adults who survived childhood cancer experience elevated fear that their primary cancer will recur or that a subsequent malignant neoplasm will develop, according to a new study.

September 29th 2024

Managing AEs of Cannabis Use in Patients With Cancer

There are some short-lived, common adverse events for patients using cannabis, but also some more dangerous, less common ones in chronic users, explained Marie Parish, PharmD, BCOP, of Mayo Clinic.

September 27th 2024

Expanding Access to Innovative Cancer Treatments

Linda Bosserman, MD, PhD, FASCO, FACP, of City of Hope, discusses the implementation of cutting-edge cancer treatments, emphasizing the need for effective information sharing and collaboration to improve cancer care access for diverse populations.

September 26th 2024

Increasing Access to Supportive Oncology Care Can Drive Health Equity

Andrew Leitner, MD, of City of Hope, discusses the challenges of integrating supportive care into cancer treatment and proposes solutions to improve access for patients from underserved communities.

September 25th 2024

Closing Gaps in Value-Based Cancer Care

Linda Bosserman, MD, PhD, FASCO, FACP, of City of Hope, emphasizes the need for a sustainable health care system that balances cost with care so patients can achieve the best survival and quality of life after a cancer diagnosis.

September 24th 2024

New FTC Lawsuit Against PBMs Has Broad Implications for Pharmaceuticals, Ted Okon Says

Julia Bonavitacola Skylar Jeremias

Ted Okon, MBA, executive director of the Community Oncology Alliance, spoke with The American Journal of Managed Care® about how the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) lawsuit against pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) could affect the future of pharmaceuticals and oncology.

September 24th 2024

Spotlighting the Critical Role of Supportive Care in Cancer Treatment

Andrew Leitner, MD, City of Hope, highlights the essential role of supportive care in improving the quality of life of patients with cancer undergoing treatment.

Chemotharapy graphic-tashatuvango-stock.adobe.com.jpeg

September 23rd 2024

Higher Risk of Heart Events in Older Cancer Survivors Linked to Chemotherapy

New research highlights increased stroke, heart attack, and heart failure risks in cancer survivors, especially those treated with chemotherapy.

September 22nd 2024

AI in Cancer Care Can Be Powerful, but There Will Be Learning Curves, Says Glenn Balasky

Alexandra Gerlach Laura Joszt, MA

Demonstration projects to show accurate use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer care are important to prevent a loss of credibility in the technology, explained Glenn Balasky, executive director, Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers.

September 22nd 2024

Precision, Personalization, and Equity: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Cancer Care

Joseph Alvarnas, MD, of City of Hope, discusses how he envisions the future of cancer care over the next decade.

September 20th 2024

IVBM Chair Summarizes Key Takeaways on Value-Based Oncology Care

Joseph Alvarnas, MD, of City of Hope, recaps yesterday's Institute for Value-Based Medicine® (IVBM) event on value-based oncology care, emphasizing patient-centered approaches and how attendees can apply these insights in their daily practice.

September 20th 2024

Systemic Treatments for Advanced Prostate Cancer: Relationship Between Health Insurance Plan and Treatment Costs

Deborah R. Kaye, MD, MS Hui-Jie Lee, PhD Alexander Gordee, MA Daniel J. George, MD Charles D. Scales Jr, MD, MSHS Peter A. Ubel, MD M. Kate Bundorf, PhD, MBA, MPH

The authors examine how insurer and patient out-of-pocket payments for advanced prostate cancer differ by drug and health plan type and describe the relationship between these payments and utilization.

September 15th 2024

Incorporating Discussions of Cannabis Use Into Oncology Care Visits

The legalization of recreational marijuana in Minnesota has created daily conversations about how to incorporate the use of cannabis into treatment plans for patients with cancer, explained Marie Parish, PharmD, BCOP, of Mayo Clinic.

Cancer health care concept-wladimir1804-stock.adobe.com

September 13th 2024

From Policy to Practice: NCCN Summit Explores Equity in the Cancer Workforce

Giuliana Grossi

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Policy Summit emphasized the importance of integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into the oncology workforce to improve cancer care outcomes and address disparities while navigating legal and societal challenges.

September 13th 2024

Addressing Disparities in Long-Term Survivorship and Quality of Life for Young Patients With Breast Cancer

Alana Hippensteele

Disparities continue in younger patients, raising the need for novel interventions to mitigate challenges associated with younger age at diagnosis.

Dax Kurbegov, MD, senior vice president, Sarah Cannon Cancer Network

September 12th 2024

Dr Dax Kurbegov on Gaps Between Payers, Health Systems, and Providers in Oncology

Rose McNulty

Dax Kurbegov, MD, senior vice president of Sarah Cannon Cancer Network, discussed divides between payers, health systems, and oncology care providers, as well as the impacts these divides can have on patients.

Brain MRI | Image credit: stockdevil - stock.adobe.com

September 11th 2024

TIM3 Targeted Immunotherapy Shows Promise in Pediatric Brain Cancer

Breakthrough research identifies TIM3 as a key target in MAPK-activated pediatric gliomas, offering new hope for more effective immunotherapy treatments.

September 6th 2024

The Feasibility and Equity of Text Messaging to Determine Patient Eligibility for Lung Cancer Screening

Ilona Fridman, PhD Lisa Carter-Bawa, PhD, MPH, APRN, ANP-C Christine M. Neslund-Dudas, PhD Jennifer Elston Lafata, PhD

Text messaging shows promise for assessing smoking status and identifying lung cancer screening eligibility, particularly among middle-aged, educated individuals with medium or high income. However, a multimodal approach is crucial for equitable implementation of such a program.

Doctor and patient with breast cancer. | Image Credit: Pixel-Shot - stock.adobe.com .jpeg

September 3rd 2024

The Connection Between Cancer Treatment Choices and Suicide Mortality

Patients with cancer who forego surgery have higher suicide incidence than those who undergo treatment, a study finds.

September 1st 2024

When to Pause Before Recommending Cannabis to Patients With Cancer

Despite lacking some data, there is some information on which patients with cancer shouldn’t be recommended cannabis or certain cannabis products, said Marie Parish, PharmD, BCOP, a gastrointestinal oncology pharmacist with Mayo Clinic.

August 31st 2024

Using Active Surveillance to Spare Men From Unneeded Prostate Cancer Treatment

Advances in technology have made active surveillance in men with prostate cancer possible and prevented treatment for men who don’t need it, said Matthew Nielsen, MD, FACS, chair, Department of Urology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

August 28th 2024

Evaluating Which Patients With Prostate Cancer Will Benefit From Triplet Therapy

Not all patients will want to take triplet therapy, but those with high-volume prostate cancer who are chemotherapy eligible are usually a good fit, explained Neal D. Shore, MD, FACS.

Value-based care concept | Image credit: momius - stock.adobe.com

August 27th 2024

Thyme Care Strengthens Value-Based Oncology Care With Dr Lalan Wilfong