CANCER BUZZ

Prior to 2020, patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s Comprehensive Cancer Center experienced high variability in the number of days it took to see a breast cancer provider. Scheduling was decentralized across the departments and rarely could multiple visits be coordinated to occur on the same day, within the same location. Addressing this issue required a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach that involved engaging the cancer center leadership across 3 treatment departments—medical, radiation, and surgical oncology—administration, physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), patient navigation, genetic counseling, scheduling, imaging, lab, and pathology. The primary goals of the initiative were to transform patient experience and improve timeliness to care for every newly diagnosed patient. Guest: Hunter Hayes, MBA Associate Principal The Chartis Group “Being able to get patients seen quickly; being able to retain patients for their full cancer treatment is incredibly important…competition is growing and being able to keep those patients and keep their experience positive is critical.” Read more in “Improving the Care of Patients Newly Diagnosed With Breast Cancer” coming in your Volume 38, Number 2, Oncology Issues. Resources: Improving Cancer Care Teamwork: Five Patient-Centered Strategies to Strengthen Care Coordination Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics Solution Transforms Infusion Center Operations Location Technology Improves Efficiency, Safety & the Patient Experience Breast Care ACCESS Project Oncology IssuesVolume 39, Issue 2 Apr 2024

Improving timely identification and referral of patients who may be eligible for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is critical for improving outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancies. On February 7, 2024, ACCC hosted a virtual Working Summit: Advancing CAR T-Cell Therapy Care Continuity and Collaborative Patient Education to explore topics including patient and caregiver needs as well as care coordination between referring providers and certified CAR T-cell therapy centers. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC, director of the Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center at Ivinson Memorial Hospital and co-chair of the Summit about the event’s key findings, which can guide cancer programs in building a framework for optimized CAR T-cell therapy care coordination. “The goal really was how do we get those patients [receiving CAR T-cell therapy] back here and get them back into some kind of normalcy in their life sooner? A lot of that is building relationships and having trust with those providers in the academic centers that are performing the CAR T, so that they know that we can provide safe care at home.” –Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC “Keeping care close to home is near to my heart, living in a rural area. That was one takeaway... how do we collaborate better to make this happen for our patients and care teams? –Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC Director, Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center Ivinson Memorial Hospital Laramie, WY This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program Tips for Early Patient Identification for CAR T-Cell Therapy and Care Continuity with Community Providers and made possible with support by Kite Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, and Legend Biotech, and through partnerships with Cancer Support Community, the Association of American Cancer Institutes, and the Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology. Resources: ACCC CAR T-Cell Therapy Focus Group HighlightsTips for Early Patient Identification for CAR T-Cell Therapy and Care Continuity with Community ProvidersCommunity CAR T-Cell Patient Identification Framework – CANCER BUZZ [Mini Podcast] Ep 138If They Recur, You Should Refer—A Community Oncologist Patient ID Roundtable Summary – from Oncology Issues Vol. 38, No. 6

The 4R Oncology® Model facilitates enhanced patient engagement and timely care provision by streamlining delivery of complex interdependent care. Implementation of the 4R Oncology® model in breast and lung cancer clinics has improved patients’ involvement in organizing their care, enabled the development of high-functioning multidisciplinary care teams, and helped to optimize the timing and coordination of sequence of care. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Raymond Liu, MD, director of research of Hematology-Oncology in Kaiser Permanente Northern California, director of cancer survivorship in Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, and assistant clinical professor at UCSF, who shares how successful implementation of the 4R Oncology® model empowers patients and clinicians and coheres care teams. “When people could see that plan, and they could bring that home with them, and they saw that it was all guideline-based and mapped through in a very, very detailed way, they were empowered to answer their questions, especially for their loved ones, and to really reflect on what was said [in the doctor-patient consultation] at home.” –Raymond Liu, MD “Care is so complex now; our innovations are really, really going fast but we have not been able to deliver the care in a way that’s understandable sometimes, and so by putting it in a single care plan, the patients really engage with it, and we found that the call volumes came down.” –Raymond Liu, MD Raymond Liu, MD Director of Research of Hematology-Oncology Kaiser Permanente Northern California Oakland, CA Director of Cancer Survivorship Kaiser Permanente San Franciso San Francisco, CA Assistant Clinical Professor University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC program Care Action Plans for People with Cancer. ACCC, in partnership with the Center for Business Models in Healthcare, is making 4R Care Sequences® available at no cost to ACCC members. 4R Oncology® is the intellectual property of CBM-HC (Executive Frameworks, Ltd.), but is not a commercial product or service. 4R Care Sequence® templates were developed based on studies sponsored by Genentech, Inc. Resources: 4R Oncology® JCO Article Fostering High-Functioning Team JCO Impact of 4R Oncology® Model

While advancements in oral medicine are improving the treatment landscape for head and neck cancer, routine dental care and preventative oral cancer screenings can help identify head and neck cancers early. In this episode, Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH, chief of Oral Medicine, Oral Oncology, and Dentistry at Baptist Health South Florida’s Miami Cancer Institute, emphasizes the proactive role dentists can play in early identification of cancer—as well as the need for equitable access to dental care—and explores how a cross-disciplinary cancer care team and patient education work in tandem to better manage complications from head and neck treatment. “It is widely known that any patient with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer who is scheduled to receive treatment with chemo and radiation therapy should see a dentist prior to starting cancer therapy. We should make sure that access is available for this patient.” —Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH Chief of Oral Medicine, Oral Oncology, and Dentistry Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida Miami, FL This episode was made in connection with the ACCC education program Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head & Neck Cancer Care in partnership with Head and Neck Cancer Alliance and the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and with support provided by EMD Serono. Resources: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head & Neck Cancer Care Head and Neck Patient and Caregiver Resources Making the Case for Head & Neck Cancer Patient Care Navigators

Advancements in clinical data and research have shown the immunotherapeutic potential of bispecific antibodies as treatment for hematologic cancers and solid tumors. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Aaron Cumpston, PharmD, pharmacy clinical specialist for bone marrow transplant and Christine Barrett, PharmD, BCOP, medical oncology clinical pharmacy specialist who discuss the challenges of care coordination and therapy and share operational best practices for the delivery of bispecific antibodies in the community setting. “I think we’re finding these drugs to be highly effective and having high response rates and also very durable response rates in very refractory patients.”—Aaron Cumpston, PharmD, BCOP “I know that in community practice it can be really difficult, but there is a network of institutions out there that have taken on administering these BiTE therapies and have a lot of experience that can be very helpful for those in community practice.” —Christine Barrett, PharmD, BCOP Aaron Cumpston, PharmD, BCOP Pharmacy Clinical Specialist – Hematologic Malignancy, Transplant, and Cellular Therapy WVU Medicine WVU Cancer Institute - Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center Morgantown, WV Christine Barrett, PharmD, BCOP Medical Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist WVU Medicine WVU Cancer Institute - Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center Morgantown, WV This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program Sharing Operational Insights for the Delivery of Bispecific Antibodies in Solid Tumor and is supported by Amgen. Resources: Expanding Access to Cellular and Bispecific Therapies – Considerations and Recommendations by ACCC and SITC Sharing Operational Insights for the Delivery of Bispecific Antibodies in Solid Tumor Best Practices in Expanding Access to Bispecific Antibodies and Adverse Event Management

As the need for access to guideline-concordant biomarker testing for underserved populations continues to grow, hear what care teams need to know about coverage for Medicaid beneficiaries and the legislative outlook for 2024. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Hilary Gee Goeckner, MSW, director of State and Local Campaigns for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ASC CAN), who shares policy perspectives and the latest on state legislation to expand coverage for biomarker testing for Medicaid beneficiaries. “There are a lot of challenges around implementation—getting the legislation passed is just the first step…It is also important for providers to be aware of the new rules that affect many plans and their states so they are able to order testing that may not have been covered or rejected previously.” –Hilary Gee Goeckner, MSW Hilary Gee Goeckner, MSW Director, State and Local Campaigns, Access to Care American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Washington, D.C. This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program Improving Access to Biomarker Testing in Medicaid Populations and is made possible with support by Foundation Medicine and Exact Sciences. Resources: The Cost of Biomarker Testing: Moving from Support-Based to Sustainable Solutions Comprehensive Cancer Care: The Role of Biomarker Testing Biomarker Testing for Medicaid Beneficiaries (Podcast) Access to Biomarker Testing - American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network The Road to Comprehensive Biomarker Testing for All – ACCC Buzz Blog Improving Access to Biomarker Testing in Medicaid Populations Precision Medicine in Rural and Underserved Areas – ACCC Buzz Blog Patient Perceptions of Biomarker Testing – Oncology Issues Cancer Diagnostics - Biomarkers Eliminating Precision Medicine Disparities

The ACCC Oncology Reimbursement Meetings (ORMs) help all members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team navigate the annual changes in oncology reimbursement and regulations— while improving their knowledge on effective strategies for success in an everchanging oncology landscape. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jordan Karwedsky, financial counselor, Green Bay Oncology, about her session at the ORMs last fall, where she discussed best practices cancer care teams can adopt as they prepare for the open enrollment season. “If you have a patient who is uninsured or underinsured, make a note that is a reminder for you so come November when open enrollment begins, you can reach out to them and help them optimize their insurance. In the meantime, if they need treatment, then work with the drug companies to save them as much money on their treatment.” “Highlights from recent ORMs include how to work with your legislature, either at the state or federal level, to advocate for laws that will help patients.” Jordan Karwedsky Financial Counselor Green Bay Oncology In one of the upcoming ORMs this spring, Karwedsky will share strategies for patient navigation in the digital age. For more information, please visit the ACCC website. Resources: · Preparing for Open Enrollment · ACCC Financial Advocacy Network · ACCC Financial Advocacy Boot Camp · ACCC Patient Assistance & Reimbursement Guide · Patient Navigation: Taking Stock of the Past and Looking to the Future

While social determinants of health can impact access to care and treatment options for many patients with cancer, when combined with the complexities of acute myeloid leukemia, these factors become critical to treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Linda Hayward, patient financial advocate at the University of Maryland, Kaufman Cancer Center at Upper Chesapeake Health, about the challenges of treatment and strategies to address disparities in access and care for patients with acute myeloid leukemia. “When patients are financially underserved [this] plays a major factor in a patient getting treatment…if we [financial advocates] were not here to help our patients, many would forgo treatments.” –Linda Hayward, Patient Financial Advocate “Patient financial advocates can help patients navigate different resources……if we [financial advocates] were not here to help our patients, many would forgo treatments.” –Linda Hayward, Patient Financial Advocate Guest: Linda Hayward Patient Financial Advocate University of Maryland, Kaufman Cancer Center at Upper Chesapeake Health Bel Air, Maryland This episode was developed as a part of the ACCC education program Addressing Disparities in Access to Care for Acute Myeloid Leukemia, designed to explores the current challenges in care coordination and therapy options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia and highlights strategies and best practices to improve outcomes for these patients. This episode was made possible with support by AbbVie. Additional Reading/Sources · Strategies to Addressing Disparities in Patients with AML [Video Podcast] · Improving Care Delivery for Transplant-Ineligible Patients with AML · ACCC Financial Advocacy Service Guidelines · AML Care Coordination in the Community Setting [Video Podcast] · Critical Conversation Strategies for Patients with AML [Video Podcast] · Shared Decision-making in Acute Myeloid Leukemia · Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with AML · Talking about Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Cancer Support Community) · Shared Decision-making: Practical Implementation for the Oncology Team (ACCC)

Maintenance therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those who are ineligible for transplant, can be critical to treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Thomas LeBlanc, MD, hematologic oncologist, associate professor of Medicine, and associate professor in Population Health Sciences at Duke Cancer Institute, about the importance of keeping patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first remission as long as possible through maintenance therapy. “You have to be aware of the benefits of maintenance therapy…and for patients who are being considered for transplant but who do not end up getting a transplant, it should really be the default option that those patients receive a maintenance therapy.” –Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD Guest: Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD Hematologic Oncologist, Associate Professor of Medicine, Associate Professor in Population Health Sciences Duke Cancer Network, Duke Cancer Institute Durham, North Carolina This is the fourth and final episode of a four-part series developed in connection with the ACCC education program Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This episode was made possible with support by Bristol Myers-Squibb. Additional Reading/Sources Improving Care Delivery for Transplant-Ineligible Patients with AML AML Care Coordination in the Community Setting [Video Podcast] Critical Conversation Strategies for Patients with AML [Video Podcast] Strategies to Addressing Disparities in Patients with AML [Video Podcast] Shared Decision-making in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with AML Talking about Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Cancer Support Community) Shared Decision-making: Practical Implementation for the Oncology Team (ACCC)

On March 1, 2024, ACCC elected a new president and board of trustees for the 2024 -2025 term. CANCER BUZZ interviews outgoing President, Lekan Ajayi, and incoming President, Nadine Barrett, about their respective ACCC President’s Themes, the programs and resources ACCC developed in the past year, the state of the oncology workforce, ACCC’s role in improving health equity, the Association’s 50 Anniversary, and more. Guest: Lekan Ajayi Immediate Past President, Association of Cancer Care Centers Chief Operating Officer Highlands Oncology Group, Fayetteville, Arkansas “[Last year] ACCC set out to rebuild and upskill the workforce to deliver the next generation oncology care...it’s been enlightening, and there's been so much learning that’s been made available…I think through the power of sharing, we can all be better together.” “The oncology workforce. currently is at a point of inflection really. I think what we know now is that we need to invest to be better…what we've been able to do is create a popular awareness amongst leaders in the industry of the need to invest in the workforce and also to give them tools to be able to do exactly that.” Nadine Barrett President, Association of Cancer Care Centers Professor of Social Science and Health Policy Senior Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Equity Research Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity at Wake Forest School of Medicine “Health equity is part of the core of ACCC, to want to advance equity, to want to think about what health equity and cancer looks like…ACCC is very much committed to recognizing that it takes a national and global community to create the change.” Resources: Reimagining Community Engagement and Health Equity in Cancer Re(Building) the Oncology Workforce to Deliver Next Generation Care The Importance of Developing Health Equity Initiatives Social Drivers of Health: The Role or Representation in the Health Care Workforce A Look at the Emerging Role of Health Equity Institutes Population Health Navigators: An Innovative Approach for Supporting Underserved Patients

Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ features an update from the White House on the Biden Cancer Moonshot program. Speaker: Dr. Catharine Young Assistant Director of Cancer Moonshot Engagement Policy and International Engagement White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Resources: Cancer Moonshot ACCC Post: Moonshot Highlights from the President’s Cancer Panel: Building on a Strong Legacy

Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Dr. Sarah Hudson-DiSalle, member of the Reimbursement and Economics Subcommittee of ACCC’s Governmental Affairs Committee, about this week’s Hill Day, when members of ACCC met with Capitol Hill offices to advocate on behalf of patients. Guest: Sarah Hudson-DiSalle, RPh, PharmD Assistant Director of Infusion Reimbursement The James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, Ohio Issues Discussed on Capitol Hill this week: Oncology Patient Navigation Financial Toxicity for Patients with Cancer Oncology Drug Shortage Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Resources: ACCC Legislative Action Center ACCC Committees: Get Involved

Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Krista Nelson, ACCC past president, about the new Institute for Comprehensive Cancer Care Services and resources for cancer centers to implement these services. Guest: Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services and Compassion, Providence Health & Services Resources: Comprehensive Care Services Institute for Comprehensive Cancer Care Services Announcement

Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Dr. Mandi Pratt-Chapman about new patient navigation payments. Guest: Mandi Pratt-Chapman, MD Associate Center Director for Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity Associate Professor of Medicine Associate Professor of Prevention and Community Health George Washington Cancer Center Resources: Patient Navigation FAN Guidelines Assessment Tool (Gap Tool)

Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Wendi Waugh, ACCC financial navigation committee member, about resources for financial advocacy. Guest: Wendi Waugh, BS, RT(R)(T), CMD, CTR Administrative Director, SOMC Cancer Services & Ambulatory Infusion, Southern Ohio Medical Center Resources: ACCC Financial Advocacy Network Financial Advocacy Guidelines Financial Advocacy Toolkit

Recent advancements in treatment and a multimodal approach to care are improving outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer, however access to therapies and unique patient challenges due to disease symptoms, difficulty eating, difficulty communicating, and other psychosocial factors can reduce patient quality of life. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Angelea Bruce, RD, CSO, OPN-CG, registered dietician and head and neck program navigator at Sharp Memorial Hospital and Brittney Watts, RN, head and neck patient care coordinator at Yale New Haven Hospital, about the importance of head and neck nurse navigation and how a dedicated navigator can help address these unique patient needs and improve care for patients with head and neck cancer. “I think looking at it through the eyes of the physicians, the health insurance, the organization [cancer program], and looking at what are the patient outcomes, success rates, delays in care, survivorship...I think those are important metrics to monitor and we [as head and neck patient navigators] can let a program know whether the patient’s needs are being met.” –Angelea Bruce, RD, CSO, OPN-CG “Having a specific nurse coordinator for the head and neck community is vital to the patient’s journey within the entire process. This is the point person for the patient, for the providers, and you are the connection for the patient to the healthcare facility.” –Brittney Watts, RN Guests Angelea Bruce, RD, CSO, OPN-CG Registered Dietician, Head & Neck Program Navigator Sharp Memorial Hospital San Diego, California Brittney Watts, RN Head & Neck Cancer Patient Care Coordinator Yale New Haven Hospital New Haven, Connecticut This episode, developed in connection with the ACCC education program Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head and Neck Cancer Care, was made possible with support by EMD Serono. Additional Reading/Sources Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head & Neck Cancer Care Head and Neck Patient and Caregiver Resources

Founded in 2019, this inclusive lab is comprised of 42 members ranging from undergraduates to faculty from 12 different countries, most of whom self-identify as women and/or individuals who are under-represented in medicine. This virtual lab meets monthly to discuss projects, grants, and future collaborations. Joint research efforts focus on professional development of the health care workforce; cancer health disparities; diversity equity, and inclusion in medical education; and social justice in medicine, with a focus on cancer clinical outcomes and survivorship experiences of underserved populations. From 2020 to 2023, the Florez Lab secured nearly 1.5 million in combined research funding to support the development of translational research to mitigate and provide resources to address disparities in oncology and medical education. In this podcast, Narjust Florez, MD, teases her session at the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit and why it’s important to attend this session in person. Guest: Narjust Florez, MD Thoracic medical oncologist Associate Director, Cancer Care Equity Program Assistant Professor of Medicine Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School “[At AMCCBS] I provide realistic strategies and actions that anyone can take to diversify the workforce, not only in oncology, but in medicine as a whole…I focus on what I have done with very little staff that has remained in place and helped create a more inclusive and diverse workplace.” Hear Dr. Florez speak live at the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit. Resources: Championing an Institutional Culture of Well-being in a Post-Pandemic Oncology Workforce — [PODCAST] Workforce Diversity: African Americans in Health Care A Look at the Emerging Role of Health Equity Institutes Spotlight on the Sutter Health Institute for Advancing Health Equity A Q&A with Dr. Maria Hernandez, President and COO, Impact4Health Achieving Health Equity in Oncology with Precision Medicine Stewards Health for All: Addressing Health Equity Among American Indians + Alaska Natives Trans-Inclusive Cancer Care: Why It’s an Important Part of Health Equity

Hereditary breast cancer is a significant concern, with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations accounting for many inherited breast cancer cases. However, a 2018 survey by ACCC revealed the underutilization of BRCA testing, showcasing a significant gap in care. In this podcast, Joy Larsen Haidle, Genetic Counselor at North Memorial Health Cancer Center in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, and Lillie Shockney, University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer, Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, delve into the topic of BRCA mutation testing within breast cancer care, highlighting care gaps and opportunities for improvement that were identified in the 2023 ACCC BRCA Testing Reassessment Survey. “There are treatments that are specific for women who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene that have metastatic disease. So, by not testing them, they are not receiving the benefit of specific drugs that have been developed, that only work, for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation carriers who have advanced disease.” Lillie Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON- ONN-CG “In the past 4 years in particular, the ability for patients to reach out and see a genetic counselor via telehealth has rapidly improved access for providers across the country.” Joy Larsen Haidle, MS, LCGC Joy Larsen Haidle, MS, LCGC Genetic Counselor North Memorial Health Cancer Center Robbinsdale, MN Lillie D Shockney, RN., BS., MAS, HON- ONN-CG University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer, Professor of Surgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD Resources: 2021 ACCC Presentation on Genetic Counseling Rates at ASCO ACCC 2018 Survey Summary Report

#AdvocateHealth is leading the way in rebuilding its 150,000+ workforce post-pandemic. Recognizing wellness as an institutional imperative and creating a new C-suite role—Enterprise Vice President, Well-Being for All Teammates—underscores this commitment. In this podcast, Mila Felder, MD, FACEP, teases her keynote at the ACCC 50 Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit, why it’s important to attend this session in person, and what she’s looking forward to most at the meeting. Guest: Mila Felder, MD, FACEP Enterprise Vice President, Well-Being for All Teammates Advocate Aurora Health “…talking about burnout and stress related to working in health care is important as a preventative tool. We do a lot of work to prevent illness in our patients…clinicians and health care workers are not very good at identifying their own individual needs and serving those needs.” Hear Mila speak live at the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit. Resources: Cancer Care Team Mental Health: Normalizing Helpers Seeking Help — [PODCAST] Improving the Culture of Your Cancer Center, One Idea at a Time A Psychological First Aid Program in the COVID-19 Era Caring for the Caregiver Community-Based Psychological First Aid for Oncology Professionals

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive disease whose management is complex and requires open communication amongst a multidisciplinary care team. It has a high rate of relapse, with up to 40 percent of patients relapsing within the first two years after primary treatment. Management of a patient with DLBCL begins with prognostic evaluation of the disease and assessing the potential adverse effects of treatments. It should be followed by evaluations of physical, physiological, cognitive, and socio-economic status of the patient. When considering treatment options, the patient should be engaged to share their expectations and goals related to disease control and quality of life. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Robin Atkins, RN, OCN, symptom triage nurse, Virginia Oncology Associates in Norfolk, Virginia. Listen as we discuss effective practices to support patients with diffuse large b-cell lymphoma throughout the care continuum. “It’s important to listen for meaning when talking with patients and caregivers who are undergoing cancer treatments for diffuse large b-cell lymphoma and incorporating that into the care plan.” “Need to validate the patient perspective.” “Shared decision-making is a two-way conversation.” Robin Atkins, RN, OCN Symptom Triage Nurse Virginia Oncology Associates Norfolk, Virginia Resources: Cancer Support Community Leukemia & Lymphoma Society This project is supported by AbbVie/Genmab and Genentech.