Blog

Support groups can be hugely helpful for those impacted by cancer. It creates a space where the good and the bad can be shared within a supportive community. No matter the circumstance, a support group ensures that no one is trying to manage tough cancer experiences alone.

Each month, the Cancer Policy Institute profiles advocates who have been engaged in cancer advocacy. Read on to learn more about Siobhan, and her path to become the Executive Director of Gilda's Club Kansas City.

If you are interested in learning more about policy, advocacy, and ways to get involved, sign up to be a part of the Grassroots Network!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (named 2019-nCoV) that was first detected in Wuhan City, China and which continues to expand, including some confirmed cases within the U.S. For many cancer patients and survivors with compromised immune systems, the reporting on this public health emergency may likely be source of anxiety. However, the CDC reports that the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time.

The Cancer Support Community opposes the new Medicaid guidance announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that allows states to convert a portion of their Medicaid program funding into a block grant program. Read on to learn more about CSC's position on this issue.

How do you begin — how does anyone begin — to communicate in the face of certain and impending death? Do we have to? Did my dad want to? At the time, we all struggled with what to say to him, and everyone else struggled with what to say to us. But now, eight years after his passing, I finally understand that those “right words” that we were all searching for — they simply don’t exist. In fact, there are exactly zero words in the English language (or any language) that cure cancer, solve complex mental health issues, or bring people back from the dead.

One of the major themes dominating health care discussions today is that health care costs in the United States are proving unsustainable. Practices known as utilization management (UM) are one of the attempts the cost of health care has been addressed. The Cancer Policy Institute (CPI) at the Cancer Support Community (CSC) is releasing a series of blogs aimed at educating patients about different UM practices and techniques, how it impacts access to care, as well as advocacy opportunities to address those barriers to care.

Read this second blog in the series to learn more about Prior Authorization. Missed the first blog? Read it now!

Place matters, especially when home must be redefined because the person with whom you made a home is no longer alive.

Each month, the Cancer Policy Institute profiles advocates who have been engaged in cancer advocacy. Read on to learn more about Ben, and how his cancer diagnosis led him to pursue a career in cancer advocacy.

If you are interested in learning more about policy, advocacy, and ways to get involved, sign up to be a part of the Grassroots Network!

CSC President Linda Bohannon sat down with actor and racecar driver Patrick Dempsey to discuss his work in cancer care, including The Dempsey Center, the importance of patient empowerment and more.

As we start a new year, the Cancer Support Community (CSC) is pleased to report on two exciting policy changes that promote the delivery of psychosocial care for cancer patients.