3 Reasons I’m Optimistic About Cancer Care and Prevention in 2023

3 Reasons I’m Optimistic About Cancer Care and Prevention in 2023

Health systems face no shortage of challenges right now, from financial to equity to labor. But as I reflect on last week’s Association of Cancer Executives 29th Annual Meeting, I think there’s a lot to be optimistic about in cancer care and prevention.?

Here are my three takeaways from #ACE2023:

1. A population health approach to cancer prevention is driving higher value care. We heard from health system leaders like Mike Koroscik, Vice President of Oncology at Allina Health Cancer Institute, who are partnering with payers to make cancer risk management part of their overall population health strategy. Health systems like Allina are working alongside payers to put quality metrics in place for cancer screening, align incentives around preventive care and invest in data analytics to better understand the risk profiles of their populations. Driven in part by the shift from volume to value, this strategy can help lower the cost of care, improve patient outcomes and lay the foundation for long-term, sustainable preventive care programs.

At CancerIQ, we work with health systems to shift comprehensive cancer risk assessment into preventive care settings for this exact reason. When cancer risk assessment is offered more broadly, high-risk patients can be identified sooner and matched to the appropriate prevention pathways. Not only is this better for patients, but it’s better for the bottom line. We’ve found as many as 2 in 5 patients who undergo comprehensive cancer risk assessment and genetic testing require changes in medical management. That’s a huge opportunity for health systems to intervene and drive higher value care, while improving cancer screening quality measures.

2. Cancer centers also recognize the urgent need for more equitable cancer treatment, prevention and early detection. This was a theme that came through loud and clear: It’s time for more equitable cancer care. City of Hope Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer Wafa Samara spoke to the disparities in access to cancer medications and the importance of connecting underserved patient populations to clinical innovation. American Cancer Society CEO Karen Knudsen also highlighted the long standing racial disparities in cancer screening. For example, ACS data shows Black people in the U.S. are most likely to be diagnosed with late stage cancers that have recommended screenings. This tells us that one-size-fits-all screening guidelines are allowing patients to fall through the cracks.

Changing these patterns starts with more comprehensive risk assessments. We need cancer risk assessments to incorporate social determinants of health, genetics, family history and other risk factors that go beyond age and sex. That will help us identify high-risk patients sooner, close gaps in screening, and ensure there are pathways for everyone to access clinical innovations. This is core to our mission at CancerIQ and why we’ve designed our platform to help providers assess patient risk across the full spectrum of factors.??

3. Lastly, health systems are turning to creative labor solutions amid the current staffing crisis. Meagan O’Neill of ECG Management Consultants highlighted the significant challenge oncology providers are facing in the wake of the Great Resignation. Many health systems are thinking outside-of-the-box to navigate patient care backlogs and ongoing labor shortages in this environment. For example, David Randall, Chief Strategy Officer of UAB Medicine, shared how the Alabama health system is doubling down on specialized cancer navigation resources and digital tools to fill in the gaps. A major focus at UAB is to engage patients between appointments whenever possible, so that providers can get the most out of patient care time.

At CancerIQ, we’ve seen this work especially well in genetic counseling, which has been in short supply since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether in-house or outsourced, virtual genetic counseling can help bring cancer risk assessment to patients more broadly. When combined with platforms like CancerIQ, genetic counselors are able to reach even more patients. Automated documentation and digital patient engagement tools allow genetic counselors to focus on what matters most — the time spent with patients.

Navigating today's healthcare environment is definitely a team effort — health systems will need to work with health insurers and digital healthcare providers to succeed. I’m excited to hear how many of these partnerships are already driving better patient care.?