Patient Quality of Life

Share

Less pain. Emotional stability. Caregiver support. Nutritional guidance.

These are what cancer patients and survivors need when coping with the side effects of cancer treatment. We can reduce health care spending and save more lives by looking beyond treating the cancer and focusing on treating the patient as well.

By supporting the courage, passion and determination of cancer patients and cancer survivors, we will help them defeat cancer and thrive once again.

Take Action

patient and doctor

Congress: Pass PCHETA And Help Improve The Quality Of Life For Cancer Patients

Ask your Members of Congress to support PCHETA to improve the quality of life for patients of all ages living with cancer, as well as their families and caregivers.

Latest Updates

June 26, 2024
Ohio

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) thanks Sen. Nickie Antonio for championing an effort to invest in the American Cancer Society’s Cleveland Hope Lodge, a nurturing home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers.

March 8, 2024
National

The Biden Cancer Moonsho t announced today the expansion of coverage for patient navigation services in plans from seven health insurance companies.

October 4, 2023
Michigan

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) was thrilled to see the Senate Health Policy Committee pass oral chemotherapy fairness legislation unanimously today.

May 31, 2023
Illinois

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is disappointed that the legislature didn’t pass legislation this general assembly that would have created paid medical and family leave, which would have helped reduce the cancer burden on Illinoisans.

Patient Quality of Life Resources

Our latest survey finds that about half of cancer patients and survivors (49%) have incurred medical debt to pay for their cancer care and another 13% expect to incur medical debt as they begin or continue their treatment. Nearly all of those (98%) had health care coverage at the time they accumulated medical debt. This survey also explores the broad health and financial implications of medical debt, how medical debt deepens inequites, and the alarming rate of cancer related medical debt among younger respondents with early diagnoses.

This table lists key studies and review articles that examine the effect that the addition of palliative care has on overall patient costs. While results vary, the addition of palliative care typically either reduces overall costs or is cost neutral.

Prescription drug costs are a significant burden on cancer patients and survivors, sometimes even leading patients to miss or delay taking prescribed medications. The latest Survivor Views survey explores the role copay assistance programs can play in reducing this burden, and also addresses patient navigation and digital therapeutics.