ACCC Makes the Case For Precision Medicine Stewardship Through Release of Successful Case Studies From Cancer Programs Nationwide

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) is announcing the release of a suite of powerful case studies from member institutions that highlight innovations to remove barriers and streamline precision medicine workflows. This robust collection of resources for multidisciplinary care professionals includes two video podcasts, an on-demand webinar, a financial advocate’s guide to biomarker testing downloadable tip sheet, as well as a series of success stories and trends from cancer programs around the country that have introduced a new role—precision medicine stewards—and are quickly reaping the benefits.

A precision medicine steward, a newer role found on a multidisciplinary cancer care team, is focused on biomarker processes, including test ordering, tissue and liquid biopsy coordination, test results tracking, reference lab communication, and comprehensive patient navigation and support. As the demand for precision medicine testing increases and more biomarker-directed therapies come to market, ACCC’s Precision Medicine Stewardship education program, in partnership with the Academy of Oncology Nurse and Patient Navigators (AONN+), the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), makes the case for precision medicine stewards by showcasing oncology practices who have successfully integrated these stewards into their respective programs and sharing expert insights on the importance of this role.

Precision medicine—using information about genetic aberrations in a patient’s tumor to customize care and treatment plans—is critically important. Luis E. Raez, MD, FACP, FCCP—chief scientific officer and medical director at Memorial Cancer Institute/Memorial Healthcare System in Pembroke Pines, Fla., and ACCC Precision Medicine Stewardship Advisory Committee member shares this: “It must be the responsibility of our politicians, ACCC, Community Oncology Alliance (COA), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and others—all of us together—we can make a difference to make precision medicine testing a right. We cannot provide good cancer care if we don’t do biomarker testing in every patient with cancer.” Based on ACCC’s newly released findings, cancer programs across the country should consider a dedicated role for precision medicine stewardship. Learn more at accc-cancer.org/precision-medicine-stewardship.

In partnership with AONN+ and ASCP.

The ACCC Precision Medicine Stewardship program is supported by AstraZeneca and Blueprint Medicines.