Abstract ADV21: Improving quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.
Authors: Schutz-Geschwender Amy 
Published: August 2014

ACS CAN combines the power of science with compelling personal stories, urging lawmakers to make cancer a national priority. We work to protect and increase public investment in medical research, inform voters, and improve nationwide access to cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and follow-up care. ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. It holds lawmakers accountable and empowers every citizen to fight back against cancer. Quality of life (QOL) is a key aspect of this work, and is approached in a variety of ways.

Access to oral chemotherapy. Oral medications are now available as alternatives to IV infusions for many different cancers, and they offer advantages to patients and caregivers. The convenience and flexibility of oral treatment are especially important for patients and caregivers in rural areas, and those who need to minimize their time away from work. However, higher out-of-pocket costs for oral prescription drugs force many patients to choose IV infusions. ACS CAN has successfully advocated for new laws in 20 states, which now require health insurers to cover oral anticancer drugs no less favorably than IV drugs. We hope to improve access to oral chemotherapy nationwide by enacting a similar requirement at the federal level.

Pain management. Cancer pain is a problem in at least 60% of patients in active treatment, and can persist for years after treatment. Although it can typically be relieved, cancer pain is often undertreated, with significant disparities in medically underserved populations. Untreated pain can be disabling and greatly diminishes QOL for survivors and their families. ACS CAN works to promote open communication between doctors and patients, including frequent and comprehensive pain assessment. Public awareness and policy initiatives are also important for preserving safe and appropriate access to pain medications.

Palliative care. This specialized care reduces suffering and distress from serious or chronic illness, at any age and any stage of disease. Pain management is only one facet of this approach. A palliative care team works together with the patient's own doctor to address the patient's and family's priorities and goals. This team treats not just the disease, but the whole person - maximizing QOL, improving quality of care, and reducing healthcare costs. But access to palliative care is limited, especially for underserved populations. ACS CAN is promoting federal legislation that would address barriers to palliative care, by increasing health professional training in this field; investing in QOL and palliative care research; and expanding delivery of palliative care in hospitals and other community settings.

Citation Format: Amy Schutz-Geschwender. Improving quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr ADV21. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-ADV21