Survivor Views

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Three Cancer Survivors

Cancer Survivors’ Views Make a Difference

Survivor Views is a groundbreaking program designed to further engage cancer survivors in the important policy issues that are part of ACS CAN’s fight against cancer.  Over 3,000 cancer survivors have agreed to participate in Survivor Views by responding to regular surveys on policy issues that support the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and promote survivors’ quality of life.

Through Survivor Views, ACS CAN hears directly from cancer survivors about their experiences and their perspectives on critical cancer-related issues.  This information helps shape the development of policy positions and provides important evidence to support the enactment of these policies.

51%

of cancer patients and survivors have gone into debt to cover the cost of their cancer care.

View the survey findings

Latest Updates

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Millions of North Carolinians’ Medical Debt Erased

October 14, 2025
North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. - More than 2.5 million North Carolinians had over $6.5 billion in medical debt relieved this week, fulfilling the promise of the state’s plan to engage hospitals in a program to relieve medical debt and institute policies to prevent patients from incurring additional debt. By participating,

New Study Underscores Importance of Pharmacogenomic Testing to Patients and Finds Many Aren’t Aware of the Benefits

August 14, 2025
National

A new ACS CAN study released in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) finds many patients aren’t made aware of the importance of pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing. A form of biomarker testing, PGx testing examines how variations in a patient’s inherited genes may impact how they respond to different drugs and can improve the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the risk of adverse drug reactions.

Survey Finds Almost One-third of Adults Have Been More Than One Year Behind on Cancer Screenings

May 14, 2025
National

A new survey by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) found that 31% of adults have been more than one year behind on cancer screenings.

Congressional Budget Cuts to Medicaid would Harm Cancer Patients and Their Families

February 12, 2025
National

The Senate Budget Committee is scheduled to mark up its budget resolution this week, setting the stage for significant cuts in discretionary spending to offset the cost of the package.

Survivor Views Resources

Infographic: Costs of Cancer & Medical Debt

March 17, 2022

Cancer Debt InfographicNearly three-quarters of cancer patients and survivors are worried about their ability to pay for their care and 51% have gone into debt as a result of their costs. The debt burden extends across insurance types and income levels, with women and Black cancer patients more likely to report medical debt.

Survivor Views: Cancer & Medical Debt

March 17, 2022

The cost of cancer care is substantially impacting the lives of cancer patients and survivors. Our latest survey finds that half report incurring cancer-related medical debt and nearly three-quarters are worried about their ability to pay for needed care. The impacts of medical debt on cancer patients range from facing collections and lowered credit scores to avoiding treatment for medical issues, with unequal burden across populations.

Survivor Views: Affordability, Prescription Drugs, & Pain

December 15, 2021

A majority of cancer patients and survivors struggle to afford cancer care and over 80% have had to make financial sacrifices to cover their health care expenses. This survey also reveals ways that affordability concerns can negatively impact care and treatment, and explores issues related to prescription drug coverage and pain management options.

Survivor Views: Missed Work and Paid Leave

December 7, 2021

The latest Survivor Views survey offers insight into how a national paid family and medical leave program could benefit cancer patients and survivors who struggle with missed work and lost income due to their illness. While only about one-fifth of workers in the United States have access to employer-paid family leave, 74% of patients and survivors surveyed have had to miss work and the majority have had to miss more than a month, with often difficult financial impacts.

Survivor Views: Telehealth and Clinical Trials

October 27, 2021

With significant changes in how care has been accessed since the start of the pandemic, cancer patients and survivors report positive experiences using telehealth and are willing to use or adapt to using remote care services and technologies in the future. This survey also finds strong willingness to participate in cancer clinical trials, with interest increasing if trial sponsors offset non-medical costs such as travel and lodging.

Survivor Views: Pandemic-Related Challenges Persist for Cancer Patients and Survivors

June 15, 2021

This Survivor Views survey finds that cancer patients and survivors continue to face pandemic-related health care delays one year later, including disruptions to screenings and difficulties accessing care.