Rare cancer patients still have limited access to personalized care in Europe

 Findings from a recent study presented at the ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancer Congress indicate a substantial gap between precision oncology and real-world access to high-quality cancer treatments, with "only one in five patients with advanced rare cancers able to access treatment matched through individual molecular profiling."   In addition, the study found very limited patient enrollment in clinical trials for rare cancer care; out of 304 patients recommended for clinical trials, only 6 were enrolled." 

Click here to learn more. 

Program details: Morfouace M, et al.Final analysis of the pan-European Arcagen study for molecular profiling and access to treatment for rare cancers: A joint EORTC-EURACAN initiative. ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress 2026 - Abstract 81MO

European Parliament (EP) draft report on Psychosocial Risks at Work (PSR) as a critical opportunity to protect the wellbeing of the cancer workforce

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) recently unveiled a draft report on "preventing work-related psychosocial risks that can lead to burnout in oncologists."  Targeted measures mentioned in the report include adequate staffing levels, worker control over workload, flexible scheduling, limits on overtime, and enhanced job security.   

Click here to read the draft report. 

New survey highlights the role of clinical practice guidelines to improve care for patients with rare cancers

 Results from a recent ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) and EURACAN (European Reference Network to Cancers) had led to a "call for policy action to standardize care pathways for rare cancers after analysis links guidance adherence to patient survival").  According to the survey, conducted between September - October 2025, patients with rare malignancies equate to 650,000 new cases per year, representing 24% if all cancer diagnoses across Europe.  

ESMO and EURACAN thus propose the following actions: 

• Centralize rare cancer surgeries in accredited centres  
• Enforce mandatory multidisciplinary decision-making and time-critical standards throughout patient diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up
• Track adherence to established Clinical Practice Guidelines via national dashboards

Click here to learn more

ESMO urges EU policymakers to protect the wellbeing of the oncology workforce

 The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has produced a new health workforce crisis plan, stressing "the urgent need for dedicated legislation, strategies, and resources to safeguard the sustainability of the oncology workforce."  Proposed measures to alleviate burnout, a leading work-related psychosocial risk, includes adequate staffing levels, greater control over workload, flexible hours, reduced overtime, sufficient leave entitlement, enhanced career development, job security, training opportunities, and long-term workforce retention strategies. 

Click here to read the full workforce crisis plan. 

Social support linked with improved cancer screening in the U.S.; strongest for breast cancer screening

 A new study conducted by the American Cancer Society has found a direct correlation between levels of social support and adherence to cancer screening.  According to principal scientist Dr. Jordan Baeker Bispo, "social relationships can influence cancer screening in a variety of ways, like shaping access to emotional support and material resources." 

To learn more about this study, click here. 

 

Webinar: compassion in oncology: a powerful antidote to a patient’s negative emotions

 The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) has produced a new webinar discussing empathy and compassion in cancer care. In their presentation, Dr. Michael Crain and Claudio Pannunzio discuss three key aspects of compassionate care: "improving patient outcomes and satisfaction, decreasing health care costs, [and] reducing workplace burnout." 

To learn more and view the webinar, click here. 

 

Reconnecting to life after cancer: permission to heal (webinar)

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) has recently launched the webinar, "Reconnecting to Life After Cancer: Permission to Heal", presented by a holistic cancer coach and cancer survivor.  The webinar will include discussions about "the evolutionary function of both positive and negative emotions, understand that emotions offer data, and begin to practice awareness to empower you to respond-instead of react-to life."   

Click here to watch the video, or watch on YouTube.

Patient-reported symptom burden and supportive care needs of patients with stage II-III colorectal cancer during and after adjuvant systemic treatment

 A retrospective population-based cohort study conducted on newly diagnosed stage II-III colorectal cancer patients in Calgary, Alberta, Canada was recently published in JCO Oncology Practice.  The study, conducted on 303 patients over a period of 3 years (January 2016 - January 2019), indicated that while symptom severity was low and most systems either remained stable and/or or improved following adjuvant systemic treatment, "ongoing assessments and interventions to address physical and psychologic symptoms and supportive care needs in patients [with colorectal cancer] during and after treatment are needed." 

Study mentioned: Cuthbert CA, O'Sullivan DE, Boyne DJ, Brenner DR, Cheung WY. Patient-Reported Symptom Burden and Supportive Care Needs of Patients With Stage II-III Colorectal Cancer During and After Adjuvant Systemic Treatment: A Real-World Evidence Study. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 Jan 6:OP2200462. doi: 10.1200/OP.22.00462. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36608313.

Alternate approach to World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder for cancer pain management

Results of a recent randomized parallel group study conducted at the Edinburgh Cancer Research Institute in the UK unveiled a new 2-step option for cancer main management which is more cost-effective than the standard 3-step analgesic ladder approach created decades ago by the World Health Organization (WHO).  The authors of this study, led by Professor Marie T. Fallon state that study findings will be of particular interest "in low- and middle-income countries where weak opioids are expensive and switching complicated."  Further, the study, the first of its kind to access the WHO analgesic ladder from a cost-effectiveness perspective, brought forth several findings, including that the 3-step approach (direct to strong opioid) did not results in fast pain relief that the 2-step (weak opioid approach).  

To read more about this study, click here. 

Sources mentioned: 

Fallon M, Dierberger K, Leng M, et al. An international, open-label, randomised trial comparing a two-step approach versus the standard three-step approach of the WHO analgesic ladder in patients with cancer. Annals of Oncology 2022;33(12):1296-1303.

Bramati PS, Bruera E. The end of the second step of the World Health Organization analgesic ladder? Annals of Oncology 2022;33(12):1212-1213.

Webinar: survivorship needs for people living with advanced and metastatic Cancers

 A recent webinar by Dr. Michelle Mollica, Senior Advisor at the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Office of Cancer Survivorship, discusses efforts by the NCI on "understanding and addressing the survivorship needs for the growing population of survivors who are living with advanced and metastatic cancers." Dr. Mollica's presentation includes discussions on managing symptoms, psychosocial support, health care delivery and behaviours. 

Fore more information and to view the webinar, click here. 

Children of patients with cancer more likely to experience medical financial hardship and emotional and educational challenges following parental diagnosis

 A new study conducted by researchers at the American Cancer Society indicates that children "living in families with a history of parental cancer were more likely to face financial, emotional, and educational challenges."  According to Dr. Zhiyuan Zheng, lead author of the study, 3.4% of children between 5-17 are living in families with a parental history of cancer.  As a result, these children may miss school and may be less likely to receive medical care due to lack of family financial resources.  Further, the study states that these children "were particularly vulnerable and began to experience psychosocial and behavioral challenges that often went unaddressed." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: Zheng Z, Zhao J, Nogueira L, Han X, Fan Q, Yabroff KR. Associations of Parental Cancer With School Absenteeism, Medical Care Unaffordability, Health Care Use, and Mental Health Among Children. JAMA Pediatr. Published online April 11, 2022. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.0494

 

Why cancer patients and caregivers need paid leave

A recently conducted survey by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) in the United States concludes that cancer patients and caregivers should receive paid time away from work during the course of their cancer treatment or providing care to loved ones. According to survey results, 10-21% of survey respondents quit their jobs while undergoing cancer treatment, while 40% of survivors made financial sacrifices.  

To read more about this survey, click here.  

Acupuncture for cancer survivors with chronic pain

 A recently completed clinical trial purports that two types of acupuncture may help reduce chronic pain in cancer survivors.  While acupuncture has long been used to relief pain in non-cancer patients, "the trial is one of the first large randomized clinical studies designed to test whether the therapy might offer relief for cancer-related pain in survivors of a host of different cancers."  According to results from the trial, led by Dr. Jun Mao, chief of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, "participants who received electroacupuncture reported modestly better pain control than those treated with auricular acupuncture."  However, regardless of which type of acupuncture was administered, decrease in pain lasted up to 4 months.  

To read more about this trial, click here. 

Early evaluation of nutritional status needed to provide nutritional support and decrease risk of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and nosocomial infection in cancer patients

 According to criteria from the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM), malnutrition and risk of developing nosocomial infection is at high prevalence upon hospital admission for cancer patients.  A small observational study of 107 patients (average age of 66 years old) conducted at General University Hospital of Valencia Oncology Department, indicated that 70% had an advanced stage of cancer diagnosis, presenting with severe (44.9%) and moderate (17.8%) malnutrition on admission.  Study author Dr. Nunez Abad and his investigative team thus advise that "an adequate nutritional evaluation is essential for timely implementation of nutritional support, to avoid malnutrition, sarcopenia and to decrease NI." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Assessment of patients' perspectives on consequences of COVID-19 on cancer care

A team of oncologists from the Netherlands recently published what is believed to be the first study focusing on perspectives of cancer patients during COVID-19.  Developed by the Dutch Federation of Cancer Patients Organizations, together with oncologists and patient advocacy groups from the Dutch Multidisciplinary Oncology Foundation, an online survey was distributed to cancer patients across the Netherlands via direct mail, website announcements, and social media.  "The survey consisted of 20 question on four topics: patients' characteristics, contact with the hospital, consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and concerns about COVID-19". Of the 5302 completed survey responses received 30% of patents stated a number of consequences pertaining to their cancer treatments or subsequent follow-up visits, many of which were altered from in-person visits to phone or video consultations.

To read more about this study, click here.

Source mentioned: de Joode K, Dumoukin DW, Engelen V, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer treatment the patients' perspective.  European Journal of Cancer; published online 4 July 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecja.2020.06.019

Cancer care on the front lines of COVID-19

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) has dedicated the latest issue of Health Care Roundup to cancer care among frontline staff for COVID-19 patients.  Entries for Health Care Roundup include a new study published by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) on the higher risks of acquiring COVID-19 for cancer survivors, a podcast, presented in the style of a diary, on the experiences of an oncologist during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the COVID-19 Tracking Project comparing COVID-19 with other common causes of death including heart disease, cancer, flu, and car crashes.

To access the Health Care Roundup, click here.

Cancer treatment in the age of COVID-19

OncoLink, a prominent cancer blog created by the University of Pennsylvania recently posted 3 blogs entries on their forum pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The first, On the Front Lines with Cancer and COVID-19,  provides personal perspectives from a radiation therapist, while Cancer Treatment in the Age of COVID-19 contains key resources to address concerns cancer patients may have regarding coronavirus.   Finally, the OncoLink team focuses on the mental health perspective of COVID-19, providing suggestions on dealing with mandated self-isolation periods.  To read more, click here.

Jeffrey the sheep helps Alberta cancer survivors find their flock

Jeffrey the sheep visited Wellspring Edmonton recently, in the midst of an art class at the cancer support centre.  Wellspring, with locations in both Edmonton and Calgary, including a new centre, the Randy O'Dell House scheduled to open in south Calgary on September 30,  offers several non-clinical, alternative programs for cancer patients, cancer survivors, and their immediate caregivers.  According to Dr. Marilyn Hundleby, Wellspring Edmonton program director, the decision to try animal therapy and thus introduce Jeffrey to the class enforces the concept that "when we laugh and when we're distracted, when we're immersed in something, we forget about our pain."


To read more about this story, click here.  Further information regarding Wellspring is available at https://wellspringcalgary.ca and https://wellspring.ca/edmonton/.

New trial alert: Mobile app postoperative home monitoring after enganced recovery oncologis surgery

A new trial sponsored by the Alberta Cancer Foundation and Alberta Health Services is recruiting participants in a new study seeking to determine whether the combined use of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols and post-surgery following up via a mobile app improves patient satisfaction  as well as reducing the number of postoperative emergency room visits, thus decreasing healthcare costs.  Study participants requests are "women having mastectomy, breast reconstruction, and gynecological oncology procedures."


To learn more about this trial, click here.

Telephone-based rehab program helps people with advanced cancer maintain independence

An clinical trial funded by National Cancer Institute, led by Dr. Cheville, found that a 6-month physical rehabilitation program delivered by telephone helped improved function and reduced pain for people with advanced cancer. The program also reduced the time patients spent in hospitals and long-term care facilities such as nursing homes.


To read more, click here.