Latest news with #cancercare
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Program that helps cancer patients stop smoking available at LHSC
From left: Jennifer Murray (Nurse Practitioner, Cancer Care), Catherine Bond-Mills (Pharmacist, Pharmacy – Oncology and Renal), and Spencer Martin (Manager, Pharmacy – Oncology and Renal) in the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients (STOP) is a program offered by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) which helps patients stop smoking. The program is now being offered in London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) to patients with head and neck cancers - although they already have a positive cancer diagnosis, it's important for those patients to quit smoking as it can improve outcomes. '[Smoking cessation] should be a high-priority intervention. We know it can take numerous attempts at quitting before patients can break the habit, and we also know that nicotine replacement therapy can double the chances of someone quitting successfully,' explained Jennifer Murray, Nurse Practitioner, Cancer Care at LHSC. 'Follow-up is critical in supporting patients in their goals given the chronic and relapsing patterns of tobacco addiction. With the STOP program, patients can now be connected to counselling surrounding their nicotine use and access nicotine replacement products.' Head and neck cancers include mouth, throat and voice box, but does not include brain, esophageal or lung cancers. Murray supports patients at LHSC's Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre, and will identify patients that are smoking and interested in quitting. The program includes the provision of nicotine replacement therapy like patches, gum or losenges, as well as counselling - providing up to 26 weeks of services free of charge. The program is more than counselling, it requires the support of several healthcare workers, 'Pharmacists play a critical role by offering personalized smoking cessation counselling, assessing patient readiness to quit and helping develop tailored plans to quit,' said Interim Pharmacy Manager Spencer Martin, who cares for patients in oncology and renal medicines at LHSC. 'The STOP program allows us to take a more proactive role in a patient's smoking cessation journey – a critical, but often under addressed aspect of patient care in cancer populations.'
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Research Presented by The US Oncology Network at ASCO 2025 Demonstrates Significant Cost Savings in Community Oncology Setting with Pharmacist-Driven Interventions
THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 1, 2025-- To address the rising costs of cancer drugs, investigators from The US Oncology Network (The Network), the largest organization of its kind dedicated to advancing local cancer care and better patient outcomes, explored the impact of engaging a remote clinical pharmacist in reducing the total cost of care (TCOC) within the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). From July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, seven ClinReview pharmacists (CRPs) within five EOM-participating practices in The Network evaluated more than 5,600 patients for medication initiatives. During the same period, The Network had 12 practices in the EOM nationwide, accounting for approximately 50% of all providers participating in the program. A total of 1,271 interventions were identified, with 1,180 accepted. The sum of TCOC reduction amounted to $8,982,235. Six medication initiatives were implemented and the breakdown of each initiative and average TCOC reduction per intervention are shown in the table below and will be presented in a rapid oral presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology ( ASCO ) Annual Meeting: In addition to the six medication initiatives outlined above, the CRPs contributed an additional $1,201,326 in medication savings associated with drug selection. 'With the national cost of cancer care estimated to exceed $245 billion by 2030, this study provides a clear roadmap for oncology practices looking to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes,' said lead author Daniel Kendzierski, PharmD, senior clinical pharmacist, The Network. 'These findings underscore the critical role of pharmacist-driven medication interventions in driving the success of value-based care models in oncology.' Study Methodology Medication initiatives were clinically evaluated and adopted at an individual practice level and included moAB dose rounding, pembrolizumab dose banding, biosimilar TIC to preferred products, use of a preferred PD-1 agent in metastatic NSCLC, decreased upfront usage of long-acting GF in metastatic cancer, and preferred use of zoledronic acid over alternatives. CRPs remotely reviewed oncology treatment orders for cost-savings opportunities, updated eligible treatments per practice protocols, or reviewed with the treating oncologist. Interventions were submitted by the CRPs into a tracking system and marked as an EOM-related intervention. TCOC reduction was calculated using the difference between the CMS allowable for the original treatment ordered and the new order. Other Research at ASCO 2025 Physicians in The Network are affiliated with dozens of studies being presented at ASCO 2025. Their research highlights clinical and operational findings covering key topics such as the impact of AI on care delivery, access to oncology resources for minority patient populations, and patient experiences with novel therapies. 'As cancer care costs continue to escalate, community oncology practices need novel therapies and innovative solutions to deliver high-quality, affordable care,' said Leslie Busby, MD, Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee chair and incoming chief medical officer, The Network. 'Research presented at this year's ASCO around digital transformation and patient care delivery in community settings highlights the direct impact practices in The Network have on the communities they serve. This research helps inform how we can continue driving value-based care forward and improving cancer care for all oncology patients.' The Network is supported by McKesson, which has an unmatched portfolio of oncology businesses and partners that provide research, insights, technologies, and services that are helping address barriers and improve cancer and specialty care. At ASCO, McKesson-supported businesses including The Network, Ontada, and Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), are part of approximately 170 accepted abstracts and presentations. These are inclusive of oral and poster presentations, educational sessions, late-breaking studies, and early-phase studies. Click here for a full list of SCRI-affiliated studies and presentations and here for Ontada-affiliated abstracts. Expert Panel on Precision Medicine in Community Oncology during ASCO 2025 Additionally, McKesson will be participating in a thought leadership panel hosted by Endpoints News on June 4, 2025, at 12:10pm ET, titled, 'The Future is Now: Digital Transformation Unleashes Precision Medicine in Community Oncology.' Click here to register and join the panelists as they share their insights and perspectives on actionable steps and solutions for community oncology practices to seamlessly integrate precision medicine into their care offerings: ### About The US Oncology Network Every day, The US Oncology Network (The Network) helps more than 2,700 independent providers deliver value-based, integrated care to patients — close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes. The Network provides practices with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure, and support of McKesson Corporation. This collaboration allows the providers in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. The Network is committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere. About McKesson Oncology and Specialty Solutions It's an unprecedented time for patients living with cancer as life sciences companies race to create new, cutting-edge therapies. With cancer care becoming more targeted, providers, life sciences companies, and payers face a multitude of challenges and complexity in the development of new treatments and making them accessible to patients in need. At McKesson, our unmatched portfolio of oncology businesses and partners provide research, insights, technologies, and services that are helping to address these hurdles and improve cancer and specialty care. View source version on CONTACT: Media Contact The US Oncology Network Claire Crye, Communications [email protected] Health on behalf of The US Oncology Network Christine Murphy, Media Relations [email protected] KEYWORD: TEXAS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH PHARMACEUTICAL PRACTICE MANAGEMENT MANAGED CARE ONCOLOGY SOURCE: The US Oncology Network Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/01/2025 08:00 AM/DISC: 06/01/2025 08:01 AM
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
BC Cancer chief medical officer and executive vice-president stepping down
Kim Nguyen Chi, who led BC Cancer through a period of tension and transition as the provincial agency sought to tackle growing wait times and adapt to the increasing demands of the future, is resigning from his leadership roles. Dr. Chi is set to step down as chief medical officer and executive vice-president of BC Cancer at the end of May, after six years at the helm. After taking personal time, he will return to his clinical practice, and to leading a prostate cancer research program in Vancouver on July 2. Penny Ballem, the interim president and chief executive officer at the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), which governs BC Cancer, is expected to name an interim leader for the agency in the coming days. In an internal memo, Dr. Chi said he was proud of how BC Cancer faced tough challenges head-on, including the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Pandemic measures forced the postponement of thousands of surgeries and exacerbated long-standing strains across health care. 'I took on this leadership role because I recognized the growing incidence, prevalence and complexity of cancer care that we were facing,' he said in the May 13 memo. 'With the launch of the 10-year cancer action plan, we have made a pivotal step forward to ensure that we have a cancer system that can deliver the care that is needed now and in the future.' PHSA did not make Dr. Chi available for an interview. BC Cancer has faced significant pressures in recent years. A 2022 Globe and Mail investigation found that shortages of medical and support staff, along with technology used to detect and treat cancer, had led to some of the longest wait times for cancer care in Canada. Staff reported surging burnout and low morale. In 2023, the province announced a 10-year cancer action plan with an additional $440-million in funding to BC Cancer over the first three years to address what Premier David Eby and then-health minister Adrian Dix referred to as 'warning signs' that the agency was not meeting key treatment benchmarks. Among progress made, Dr. Chi cited four new cancer centres – in Burnaby, Nanaimo, Kamloops and Surrey – that are expected to open by 2030, investments in the latest technologies and an unprecedented expansion of the work force. 'We added hundreds of new staff, enabling us to bring nurses back into outpatient clinics, support team-based care, increase provider capacity and improve timely access to radiation and chemotherapy,' he said in the memo. Dr. Chi, an oncologist with BC Cancer for more than 25 years, was appointed to his provincial leadership roles in July, 2019. Prior to that, he served two years as an administrative leader at the Vancouver cancer centre. In late March, the province announced that it would review its regional health authorities, beginning with PHSA. For this review of patient care and administrative spending, Health Minister Josie Osborne installed Dr. Ballem, who until then served as board chair at Vancouver Coastal Health. The province did not publicly provide terms of reference or target dates for the review. Dr. Ballem said in a statement Wednesday to The Globe that the goal of her review is to ensure that PHSA provides 'quality, culturally safe care and services in the most efficient and sustainable way possible.' She has engaged with thousands of PHSA staff through town halls and group meetings over the last six weeks, and this engagement will become 'increasingly more targeted and involve analysis of specific programs and services' moving forward, she said. Dr. Ballem added that she has provided the Ministry of Health with an update on her progress, and that it was her understanding that the government will provide a broader public update, including finer details about the PHSA review, in the near future.
Khaleej Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Nurse who fights for equal cancer care wins $250,000 Aster nursing award
Nurse Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, a mother of three and a staunch advocate for equitable cancer care, was awarded the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025 at a ceremony held in Dubai on Monday. Naomi took the global spotlight with her powerful message: "The number one priority for us right now is the standardisation of training — and it's urgent." While calling for the urgent need to standardise nursing education, the healthcare worker from Ghana also urged nurses to step into 'leadership roles'. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the award ceremony she said 'Every nurse is a leader. Whether you are administering an injection or advocating for better resources, you are taking responsibility for the patient's health. Leadership is not about position, it's about accountability, integrity, and action. It's about advocacy, for your patients, for your peers, and for the system.' Starting her career in 2001, nurse Naomi explained how she had seen disparities in cancer care and committed herself to addressing these through education, outreach, and systemic reform. The award money of $250,000, that honours the exceptional contributions of nurse Naomi will now enhance her efforts, expanding training programmes, developing faculty, and inspiring future oncology nurses across the continent. She also explained why partnerships are vital to this journey: "Many stakeholders bring rich experiences to the table, and while we have already established some collaborations, new ones are emerging, each with the potential to help us make a deeper impact. "For example, through our pilot training with the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care, one of the participants has already gone on to contribute to national policy by helping develop breast cancer awareness materials. Real change, one step at a time." Taking the journey forward Going forward she explained how she is ready to take her work forward where she can engage directly with ministers and key decision-makers. 'We must advocate for its integration into policy and national training institutions. This isn't just a vision; it's a movement. One that adapts, trains, and transform,' said the nurse who is pursuing her PhD in 'supportive care intervention for breast cancer survivors'. She also attributed her success to her husband, who has been supportive throughout her learning journey. "It was not always easy for me but my husband was hugely supportive," she added. "Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare, as Dr Azad Moopen once said. When nurses get it right, the system gets it right. When they don't, we all feel the consequences. 'One thing this journey, and even this award application has taught me is the importance of documentation and visibility. Accountability matters. Whatever you're doing, take note of it. Championing nurses' contributions Meanwhile, a special highlight of the ceremony was a message from Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, who congratulated the finalists and commended Aster DM Healthcare's commitment to championing the crucial contributions of nurses worldwide. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE's Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, said, 'The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award stands as a distinguished platform that honours one of the noblest and most impactful professions in human history — nursing. Nurses are truly the first line of defence in any healthcare system. They provide care, comfort, and hope in the most critical moments and embody the highest ideals of humanity through their compassion and selfless service. 'In the UAE, we view the nursing profession with deep pride and gratitude, recognising the tireless efforts and dedication of those who serve in this essential field. ' Alisha Moopen, managing director & Group CEO, Aster DM Healthcare said, Naomi's story is a powerful reminder of the quiet heroism that unfolds every day in hospitals, clinics, and communities across the world. These nurses were selected through a stringent review process run by Ernst & Young LLP, a panel of Screening-Jury and the Grand Jury. Moopen said, 'We are incredibly proud to shine a global spotlight on her work, and through her, honour the millions of nurses who keep healthcare systems running and humanity thriving.'
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Almost 200 Marilyn Monroe lookalikes take the plunge for charity swim
Almost 200 Marilyn Monroe lookalikes have made a splash at a Co Dublin beach for a Hollywood-themed charity swim. Sporting retro swimsuits and blonde wigs, swimmers dressed as the famous film star took the plunge at Balcarrick Beach in Donabate for Marilyn's Mater Paddle. Sunday's event, now in its second year, was organised to raised funds for women's cancer care in Dublin's Mater Hospital. The goal was to generate funds to support the hospital in speeding up cancer diagnosis, enhancing treatments and providing world-class care to women from all over Ireland who come through its doors.
