Advancing Digital Innovation to Improve Equity and Reduce Financial Toxicity in Cancer Care and Research

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S.

These deaths are inequitably distributed and those patients who do survive are 2.5 times more likely to declare bankruptcy than those without disease.

Cancer affects all population groups in the U.S. However, due to social, environmental, and economic disadvantages, certain groups bear a disproportionate burden of cancer compared with other groups. Digital innovation holds promise to minimize health access, outcome, and economic disparities associated with cancer but, right now, it is just that: a promise.

It’s time to break down the barriers to digital innovation use in oncology.

In order to deliver on the potential to improve the lives of all people with cancer, we must prioritize high-impact opportunities and insist on access, equity, and inclusion when developing and deploying digital solutions.

We’re here to do just that. The CancerX team is championing high-quality innovation in cancer, addressing methodological gaps where they exist, and defining best practices for successful and equitable implementation. By doing so, our work will provide the oncology field with a path forward for tapping into the promise of digital innovation across the full continuum of care.

Develop Your Health System’s Digital Strategy

Calling all healthcare executives and clinical decision makers! Use the new, free Health System Core Competencies Guide – along with other helpful resources — to plan and implement your digital strategy, as part of your broader strategy, to improve equity in access to cancer care and reduce out-of-pocket cost for your patients. Learn more today.

Terms to Know

Equity in Access to Cancer Care

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Equity in access to cancer care in the Core Competencies guide refers to timely patient access to all-phase cancer care (e.g. screening, active treatment, and survivorship) as well as patient access to cancer clinical trials as a part of their care. (Adapted from: 1, 2, 3)

Financial Toxicity

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Financial toxicity refers to the cumulative impact of the economic, health, and psychosocial harm caused by the direct and indirect expenses that accrue to patients and their families as a result of a cancer diagnosis.Its potential results include material hardship, psychosocial distress, and treatment non-adherence. (Adapted from: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Partners

A diverse, multi-stakeholder team of leaders in cancer care, research, digital innovation, and regulatory science – alongside patient experts – are digging into the root causes of health inequity and financial toxicity in cancer. This work will help accelerate human-centered digital innovation to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing cancer patients, providers, and researchers.

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Biofourmis Feb 2023 (2)
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CancerSupport
City of Hope
Current Health
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Folia
Genomate
Kaiser Permanente
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Lightship
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)
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Pluto Health
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Sidekick Health
Tempus
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VA

Members also include the National Cancer Institute