NCCS News

FDA approves new suppliers for scarce cancer drugs

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

New supplies of two currently hard-to-find cancer drugs are on the way, according to the FDA. As Dow Jones Newswires reports, the FDA said it would allow the temporary importation of Lipodox, made by Sun Pharma Global FZE and distributed by Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories.

Sebelius says leukemia-drug shortage will be resolved within two weeks

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Federal health officials said there will be enough supply of a children’s leukemia drug released in the next couple of weeks to alleviate a shortage.

Genentech statement on counterfeit drug labeled as Avastin® in U.S.

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Roche and Genentech have been informed that a counterfeit product, labeled as Avastin (bevacizumab), has been distributed in the United States. The counterfeit product is not safe or effective and should not be used. Chemical analyses of the counterfeit vials tested to date have confirmed the product does not contain the active ingredients for Avastin.

Cancer survivor made chemotherapy fun

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Dionne Warner's doctor calls her a walking miracle. Warner has battled cancer seven times since 1995. It started in her breast, developed in her brain in 1997 and liver in 2001. From 2002 to 2009 she was in remission, but that December she was diagnosed with lung cancer and Stage 4 bone cancer in her spine, ribs and pelvic area.

Supply of a cancer drug may run out within weeks

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

A crucial medicine to treat childhood leukemia is in such short supply that hospitals across the country may exhaust their stores within the next two weeks, leaving hundreds and perhaps thousands of children at risk of dying from a largely curable disease, federal officials and cancer doctors say.

Most women with cancer want a role in decisions

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

About two-thirds of women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer want to take part in making decisions about their treatment, according to a new survey of patients from five different countries.

Fifth Lilly Oncology on Canvas Art Competition invites all touched by cancer to share their cancer journeys

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Get your canvases, paintbrushes and cameras ready — the subject is cancer and you are the storyteller. Lilly Oncology and NCCS today announced the launch of the 2012 Lilly Oncology On Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey Art Competition and Exhibition.

Health reform law saves $2.1 billion for 3.6 million Americans with Medicare

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Nearly 3.6 million people with Medicare saved $2.1 billion on their prescription drugs in 2011 thanks to the Affordable Care Act according to data issued today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Savings for people with Medicare will increase over time.

Cancer Leadership Council recommendations on Essential Health Benefits Bulletin

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The Cancer Leadership Council (CLC) urges that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reconsider the approach to defining essential health benefits that is outlined in the bulletin and publish a notice of proposed rulemaking, with a 90-day comment period, that would define a national minimum uniform set of benefits, permit states some flexibility to expand the minimum benefit package, provide clarity about state benefit mandates beyond 2015, and establish a transparent process for updating the minimum benefit package.

NCCS submits comments on the Essential Health Benefits Bulletin published by the Department of Health and Human Services

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

In comments submitted on January 31, 2012, NCCS offered advice to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the definition of essential health benefits (EHB) that must be offered by most individual and small employer health plans and certain public plans.

Essential Health Benefits Bulletin, issued by Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

In our comments, we offer some overarching recommendations regarding the proposed regulatory framework for defining EHB set forth in the bulletin and some specific comments on the details included within the bulletin. NCCS also looks forward to the opportunity to help the Department further refine its regulatory approach in this area.

NCCS joins colleagues in the cancer advocacy community in recommendations on Essential Health Benefits

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

NCCS joined 18 other national cancer patient, professional, and research organizations in recommending modifications to the essential health benefits plan proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

How Obesity Complicates Cancer Treatment

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Oncology clinicians have long known that lean cancer patients outlive obese ones, but they're just starting to realize that poor outcomes might be tied to misguided treatment. Whether they're treated with drugs, radiation, or surgery, obese patients have unique risks that might warrant a different approach.

Can patients refuse medical treatment?

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

A woman named Sheryl (not her real name) contacted me recently with a question that seemed rather simple on its face, and turned out to be far more complex. She is 60 years old, and has a terminal disease, for which treatment will be debilitating and possibly painful.

NCCS joins national health and disability groups in support of Affordable Care Act

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

NCCS joined 13 other leading national health and disability organizations to submit to the Supreme Court an amicus brief supporting the minimum coverage provision of the Affordable Care Act. In the “friend of the Court” brief, NCCS and its colleagues argued that the minimum coverage provision of the law, or individual mandate, falls within the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce and is constitutional.

Medical debt puts more at risk

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Frances Giordano found out she had lung cancer in June. After that, the bad news just kept coming. Frances Giordano, 59, of Dumont is battling lung cancer, the loss of a job due to her illness and staggering medical bills. First, she discovered that even with a good job and health insurance, her medical expenses were more than she could afford on disability.

Cancer Support Community launches navigating cancer cost toolkit

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

In a recent study conducted by the Cancer Support Community (“CSC”), a majority (72.8%) of patients surveyed experienced some degree of emotional distress from managing cancer care costs. Additionally, 64.8% reported that their health care team did not discuss financial aspects of care with them.

The high risk of high-risk pools

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

When the health reform law’s high-risk insurance pools launched last summer, there was a lot worry that the new coverage option would be swamped by demand from uninsured individual. Then, there was worry about too little demand: The insurance pools saw anemic enrollment, with some states enrolling just a few dozen subscribers.

Study: Premiums could rise 25 percent without insurance mandate

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Insurance premiums would rise by as much as 25 percent if the healthcare law is implemented without an individual mandate, according to a new analysis from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Don't miss your chance to design the 2012 Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider jersey!

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

AEG, presenter of the Amgen Tour of California, is seeking original artwork submissions for the design of the 2012 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey. This jersey is awarded daily to the cyclist who best exemplifies the character of those engaged in the fight against cancer - courage, sacrifice, inspiration, determination, and perseverance.

Cancer Treatment: Are Personalized Molecular Profiles in Our Future?

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

In the 40 years since the federal government promised to find a cure for cancer, hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent and much has been learned. Still, the diseases continue to claim more lives each year. Health correspondent Betty Ann Bowser reports on the past, present and future of cancer treatment.

Kids and Cancer: Why Pediatric Cancer Cure Rates Have Improved So Much

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Four decades ago, President Nixon signed a law that would change the way cancer research was funded in an effort to develop better treatments and cure more patients. Health correspondent Betty Ann Bowser explores the positive developments pediatric cancer research has realized in the last 40 years.

NCCS applauds establishment of cancer treatment planning and care coordination reimbursement codes

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

NCCS commends the action of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in establishing two new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes for cancer treatment planning and care coordination. The codes, for treatment planning and care coordination for initial treatment and a change of treatment regimen, will go into effect on April 1, 2012.

'Seize The Days' project documents a life with cancer

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

As a Melanoma specialist at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Evan Lipson, has seen the devastating impact cancer diagnosis can have on a patient. "Your whole life is just shaken off course," he says, "and everything that you think about in your day-to-day routine, you kids, your job, spouse, career, it all has big question marks all over it."

Scholarship application deadline approaching for NBCC Annual Advocate Summit

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Join the National Breast Cancer Coalition in Washington, D.C. for their annual Advocate Summit May 5-8, 2012. This May, you will be part of the energy and excitement of the State-by-State Kick-off Rally.

ASCO calls for abstracts for 2012 annual meeting

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The American Society of Clinical Oncology 2012 Scientific Program Committee has announced that abstracts are now being accepted for the 2012 ASCO Annual Meeting, to be held June 1-5, 2012, at McCormick Place, Chicago, Ill.

Annual report finds decrease in most cancer rates

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Overall cancer incidence rates declined by 0.6% per year in men and were stable in women between 2004 and 2008, while cancer death rates decreased by 1.8% per year in men and by 1.6% per year in women, according to the American Cancer Society's annual cancer statistics report.

The Medicaid cancer gap

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Studying whether Medicaid coverage makes an individual healthier is a difficult task. Designing such an experiment would be challenging: There’s likely no ethics board in the country that would approve a study that gives health coverage to some individuals, denies it to others and sees which group does better.

ASCO announces new Cancer Survivorship Booklet - download now!

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

After cancer treatment is complete, people often face a unique set of challenges and experience mixed emotions as they return to everyday life. That is why ASCO is offering a new booklet designed to help patients prepare for this transition.

Making sense of cancer screening updates

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

It's important to discuss testing schedule with your doctor. As experts alter course on guidelines for cancer screenings such as mammograms and the prostate-specific antigen test, the general public is understandably confused.

Bill calling for written care plans for cancer patients introduced in Congress

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

A bill aimed at making the cancer patient an informed and active participant in his or her own care was introduced in Congress on December 16th by Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) and Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA).

HHS to give states more flexibility to implement health reform

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The Department of Health and Human Services today released a bulletin outlining proposed policies that will give states more flexibility and freedom to implement the Affordable Care Act.

Manufacturing problems responsible for shortages of cancer drugs, says Government Accountability Office

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released its report on the state of shortages for cancer drugs and other conditions and has highlighted manufacturing problems as a major cause.

Drug scarcity’s dire cost, and some ways to cope

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Ms. Morrill, a mother and a former arts administrator who lives near Kingston, N.Y., is one of thousands of patients with ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma or other cancer who were left in the lurch last summer when supplies of Doxil, a chemotherapy drug less toxic than many comparable agents, ran out because of production problems at the only plant that made it.

When care is worth it, even if end is death

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

I met him in the emergency room of the hospital, just a year after I finished medical school. His cardiac monitor, the first thing I noticed, showed fast and irregular beats with bursts of a messy, wavy rhythm called ventricular tachycardia. His heart was convulsing.

Massage, yoga among complementary oncology therapies

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Beverly Smith, 66, of Crystal Lake was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. “I had a lumpectomy and some chemo. I was doing pretty good until 2006. It came back,” she said. “I had a mastectomy, and about six months later it had spread to the lung."

Surviving with cancer - The Diane Rehm Show

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

With more than 11.1 million cancer survivors in the United States today, researchers and doctors are grappling with the challenge of helping patients maintain or regain a sense of well-being. But with increased survival rates another challenge has arisen -- how are we going to fund increasing expensive, personalized and long-lived treatment regimes.

Registration open for the 2012 Survivorship Research Conference and Survivor Advocate Program

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The 6th Biennial Cancer Survivorship Research Conference, entitled “Cancer Survivorship Research: Translating Science to Care,” will be held on June 14-16, 2012, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.

NCCS celebrates 25 years of advocacy at the Rays of Hope® Awards Gala [Photo Album]

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary Rays of Hope® Awards Gala on November 3rd, 2011 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in downtown DC. This event marked a special milestone for NCCS, and a meaningful occasion to recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to cancer survivorship.

NCCS Comments on Essential Health Benefits

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

NCCS has filed comments with the Secretary of Health and Human Services offering our advice on planned rules defining essential health benefits (EHB) under the Affordable Care Act. We have recommended that EHB should regard cancer as a chronic disease and that those diagnosed with cancer should receive care planning and coordination services.

Comments on Essential Health Benefits

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Scott Hamilton and Dorothy Hamill join skating champions and Grammy award-winning artists to celebrate cancer survivorship

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Olympic champions Scott Hamilton and Dorothy Hamill will co-host this year’s Kaleidoscope on Ice, a holiday spectacular and musical extravaganza conceived to represent the full spectrum of colors around cancer awareness and to empower those battling cancer to celebrate survivorship.

New article outlines framework for research on cancer survivorship and its translation into policy

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has published a new article that outlines a framework for research on cancer survivorship and its translation into policy.

Dealing with the fear of recurrence

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Dealing with the fears of recurrence is one of the most difficult challenges cancer patients face, says Dr. Richard Frank in a recent WebMD Experts Blog post. Whether a person is living with an active cancer or has been told they are “cancer- free,” the possibility of the cancer returning or reactivating is very real.

Caring for the caregivers

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has just released an informative, basic guide that addresses the challenges of informal caregiving and offers resources to help caregivers deal with the many physical, emotional and financial aspects of caring for a loved one with cancer.

Some cancers under-represented in survivorship research, study finds

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

A recent study from the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center found that certain cancer types are disproportionately under-represented when researching survivorship.

ASCO issues blueprint for transforming cancer research

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has issued a new report outlining the organization's vision to transform clinical and translational research to deliver more effective and personalized cancer therapies, faster.

Breakaway from Cancer survivor award-winner shares cancer experience at Dempsey Challenge

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Laura Davis, 22-year cancer survivor and mother of five, gave an emotional recount of her cancer journey to a crowd of more than 200 at the Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston, Maine during her acceptance of the 2011 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Survivor Award.

NCCS comments on proposed changes to the Common Rule

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

NCCS has filed comments on proposed changes to the Common Rule which governs the consent process for those participating in clinical trials.

Comments on ANPRM on Common Rule Revisions

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

NCCS has filed comments on proposed changes to the Common Rule which governs the consent process for those participating in clinical trials.