Leading healthcare experts are calling for a fundamental shift in how cancer care is delivered and financed, emphasizing the critical need to balance clinical excellence with financial accessibility. The urgent appeal came during discussions at the annual Patient-Centered Oncology Care (PCOC) meeting, where stakeholders addressed growing concerns about treatment affordability and healthcare equity.
Dr. A. Mark Fendrick, co-editor in chief of The American Journal of Managed Care® and director of the Center for Value-Based Insurance Design at the University of Michigan, highlighted how prohibitive healthcare costs are creating significant barriers to essential treatments, particularly affecting underserved populations. "The current system is failing many patients who cannot access life-saving treatments due to financial constraints," noted Dr. Fendrick.
Holistic Approach to Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome
In a related development, Dr. Keith Ferdinand from Tulane University School of Medicine presented a comprehensive framework for addressing cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. His approach emphasizes the integration of social determinants of health (SDOH) into clinical practice, recognizing that factors such as healthcare access, dietary habits, and community environment significantly impact patient outcomes.
The PREVENT calculator, a novel tool incorporating zip code-based Social Deprivation Index, was highlighted as an innovative solution for enhancing risk evaluations. "We must look beyond traditional clinical metrics to truly understand and address patient risks," Dr. Ferdinand explained.
Disparities in Elderly Cancer Care
A revealing Canadian study has uncovered significant inconsistencies in supportive care practices for older adults with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). While 95% of surveyed hematologists reported using prophylactic platelet transfusions, only 57% utilized tranexamic acid, reflecting uncertainty about its risk-benefit profile.
The study exposed critical gaps in evidence-based guidelines for managing complications in elderly cancer patients, particularly concerning bleeding and infection control. These findings are especially pertinent as the aging population and disease prevalence continue to rise.
Financial Navigation Support
Healthcare systems are implementing innovative solutions to address treatment accessibility. At the University of Kansas Health System, pharmacy technician coordinator Rachael Drake works with a dedicated medication assistance team to help uninsured and underinsured patients navigate financial challenges.
"Many patients struggle not just with treatment costs, but with understanding and accessing available support systems," Drake observed. These support systems include transportation assistance, lodging support, and various survivorship programs, though awareness of these resources remains a significant challenge.
