As difficult as it may be to comprehend, quality affordable healthcare, particularly cancer care, is not accessible to every individual in every region of the United States. Without timely use of the full range of cancer care services, the best health outcomes cannot be achieved. To explore the scope of this contemporary scenario in cancer care and share ongoing efforts to improve access to cancer care for all, a distinguished panel shared their views at the NCCN 2022 Annual Conference. From the varied perspectives of patients, providers, and researchers, the panel featured a discussion of shared-care models at Massachusetts General Hospital and Penn Medicine Cancer Care to enable patients to expand their access to cancer care and receive that care closer to where they live. In addition, the panel explored initiatives to build and expand the network of clinical trials to enable patients to access such trials in their communities.
Disclosures: Ms. Hammon, Ms. Souza, Dr. Shulman, and Dr. Kubal have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. Dr. Chiang has disclosed receiving grant/research support from AbbVie, Inc., Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; and consulting fees from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Flatiron Health, Inc., Genentech, Inc., and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.