Press Release
2018-11-05
CancerCare® White Paper Examines the Current Role of Biomarker Testing for Advance-Stage Lung Cancer Patients
White paper suggests strategies to improve and expand patient and physician awareness of biomarker testing
NEW YORK, NY (November 5, 2018) – A new white paper released by CancerCare, the leading national nonprofit organization providing free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer, highlights the importance of biomarker testing as a standard of care in patients with advanced-stage lung cancer. The paper also presents an evaluation and audit of existing efforts in biomarker education and offers strategies for future success in biomarker testing awareness.
The white paper, titled “The Role of Lung Advocacy Organizations in Biomarker Testing,” includes two calls to action:
- Patient advocacy groups, health care providers and industry need to align on common terminology and messaging with regard to biomarkers and other patient educational materials.
- A comprehensive physician survey is necessary in order to gain a fuller understanding of physicians’ knowledge gaps and other reasons to explain why biomarker testing is not being performed more frequently.
The white paper was based on a roundtable discussion, hosted by CancerCare, that was convened in partnership with multiple lung cancer advocacy organizations. The goal of the roundtable discussion was to align on strategies to optimize patients’ and physicians’ awareness of biomarker testing in order to ensure all lung cancer patients receive the most effective treatment.
“CancerCare’s roundtable discussions continue to be an important forum that brings together the lung cancer advocacy and health care provider communities. Our collaborative efforts to educate and raise awareness about the importance of biomarker testing will improve the lives of lung cancer patients,” said CancerCare National Lung Cancer Program Coordinator, Win Boerckel, LCSW, who served as conference leader.
The complete white paper can be viewed online at www.cancercare.org.
About CancerCare®
Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Our comprehensive services include counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts.