Persisting Gaps in Cancer Care Negatively Impact Patient Outcomes

PHILADELPHIA, July 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Cancer Support Community (CSC), an international nonprofit organization, today released a research report that found the scarcity of communication between patients and their care team about cost-of-care resulted in financial toxicity for patients living with cancer. In addition, nearly half (47 percent) of patients are identified as at risk for clinically significant levels of depression. 

Key findings from the report:

• 93 percent of patients said quality of life is a very important factor when weighing treatment options
• 73 percent of patients reported not discussing the cost of care with their care team
• 43 percent of patients noted lack of transportation as an obstacle stopping them from participating in a clinical trial
• 30 percent of patients surveyed said they depleted their savings because of treatment costs

Insight into the Patient Experience: Cancer Experience Registry Report 2017 is the second report published by CSC's Research and Training Institute using its repository of clinical data from the Cancer Experience Registry that includes over 12,000 patients and caregivers of 45 cancer types.

"Traditional big data helps us personalize treatment, but when you do not account for the patient's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors it can derail the entire treatment plan leading to poor quality of care and patient outcomes," said Linda House, RN, BSN, MSM, President of CSC. 

"Knowing that I am not alone in my cancer experience has been one of the things that keep me encouraged and motivated," said LaKeesha Murray, a cancer survivor. "Through the Cancer Experience Registry, I can make a difference by sharing my story and helping shape new programs for those at CSC of Greater Philadelphia and worldwide, while advancing research for myself and others living with Cancer."

Along with the Insight report, CSC is releasing data from 10 Specialty Registries to identify the unique challenges of each cancer diagnosis including patients with breast cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, metastatic breast cancer, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, and stomach (gastric and gastro-esophageal) cancer, as well as caregivers.

Follow the conversation on social media with #CancerInsights.

For more information, please visit: www.cancersupportcommunity.org/RegistryIndexReport2017

Watch the release live starting at 2 p.m. ET: https://www.facebook.com/CancerSupportCommunity 

Media Contact:
Henry Duong
626-283-9563
[email protected]

SOURCE The Cancer Support Community

Related Links

http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org