Policy Education and Resources

Table of Contents

Learn about Policy & Advocacy

The cancer landscape today is a complex and changing environment. Advancements in research are helping people live longer, fuller lives with cancer, and social and emotional care has been recognized as a necessary component of complete cancer care. The 2008 Institute of Medicine Report, "Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs" has linked positive social and emotional support to better patient outcomes through the cancer experience. This landmark report has defined the gaps in social and emotional care and has identified community-based resources as a solution. The Cancer Policy Institute works through legislative and regulatory advocacy to ensure that patients have access to quality, timely, and comprehensive care that includes social and emotional care, and your voice is a vital part of our work.

Our Policy & Advocacy Resources are designed with advocates in mind and are updated regularly to reflect the most recent regulatory and policy news and priorities. We encourage you to visit this site often to learn about the Cancer Policy Institute’s initiatives, training opportunities, learning materials, events and to join us in our efforts to improve the experience of those impacted by cancer.

Duration: 53 min

Storytelling for Advocates

Join CSC's Cancer Policy Institute to learn how you can use your personal story to effectively advocate and affect change. Our featured speaker, Heather Hall, is a national cancer advocate, speaker, and writer. A three-time cancer survivor, Heather…

Resources & Tools

Check out our Education Center to learn more about the basics of Policy & Advocacy and the legislative process. Our Advocacy Tools are how-to guides for engaging in advocacy whether it is meeting with your elected official or tweeting at them. Our Webinars and Videos cover topics including patient access to care, coverage and payment, and grassroots advocacy.

Access to Care in Cancer: Barriers and Challenges

High-quality cancer care depends on the ability to secure, travel to and pay for needed diagnostics, treatments, and support services. In 2016, the Cancer Support Community gathered information on individual experiences accessing care in order to understand barriers to care and better advocate for and support patient needs. One thousand two hundred and eighteen people with cancer answered the call to share their experiences with access to insurance, services and providers, and the direct and indirect costs of care.