The Need for Equity in Cancer Care with Dr. William Cance​

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Real World Talk podcast, Emily Di Capua talks to Dr. William Cance, the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Cance and his colleagues are focused on fighting cancer and finding solutions to provide health care, especially cancer care, to underserved populations.

The host and guest discuss the inequity in cancer care. They also talk about ways of dealing with injustice when it comes to treating various types of populations. The doctor mentions the challenges and lessons they have learned in a period of crisis.

Dr. Cance also talks about technical innovations in oncology and explains what he thinks cancer care will look like in the future.

Episode Key Points

Injustice in healthcare is the most inhumane. The inequity in cancer care in disparate populations is a big concern to the American Cancer Society, the doctor says. The most critical areas of concern include social-economic status, structural racism, and the global areas access. ''So what is ACS doing about it? So in our field or around the country, we have hope lodges where people can stay during their cancer treatment if they live far away, and we offer rides to the treatment.''

Real-world data is crucial in cancer care. Several reasons are proving the importance of real-world data in cancer care, the doctor explains. ''Screening is one area where we certainly need real-world data.'' It is also needed for establishing the best treatment regimen for every patient. A significant portion of real-world data also goes into drug development and trials. ''We want to get that in real-time, and there will need to be creative approaches to getting data and sharing data. Being able to get your electronic health record data and in a way that can be transmitted to other areas is so important.''

Cancer care will be different 50 years from now. Dr. Cance says science will understand a lot more at the molecular level. He also believes more effective treatments will be found. However, the doctor is not sure if there will be a cure for cancer. ''I believe that we can effectively cure cancers, but a global cure, the magic bullet that's going to end it, I don't believe it will be like that.'' But, he also thinks cancer will turn into more of a chronic, manageable disease like diabetes.

Episode Highlights

[00:04] Introduction — Emily Di Capua introduces Dr. William Cance, the chief medical and scientific officer of the American Cancer Society.

[01:43] Translational research — It is a direct application to the patient. As a practicing surgical oncologist, Dr. Cance deals with tumors daily. He is in operating rooms; he is close to patients, which allows him to study tumors directly. That way, he discovers what factors/proteins drive the tumors and work on ways to target; and effectively drug some of those proteins.

[02:47] The ACS's 2035 challenge goals — To reduce cancer mortality. In terms of numbers, 40% reduction in cancer mortality in the period between 2015 and 2035. Goals include policy aspects through society's advocacy network, research, and implementation in all 50 states.

[04:20] Health inequity and cancer care — The ACS fights against inequity in cancer care. The areas of concern include social-economic status, structural racism, and the global areas access.

[09:13] The role of patient navigators — A common thread between disparate populations is the need for navigation. As Dr. Cance explains, the ACS leads the navigation round table, where they bring in thought leaders of how to navigate patients from around the country, especially from underserved populations.

[11:42] Hospital systems and a patient navigator program — Before the pandemic, the ACS sponsored navigators in many health systems. Unfortunately, they had to cut back on that program because of COVID. Now, they are looking for differen