HHS seeks to curb cancer with national cancer plan
The plan includes eight goals and accompanying strategies that outline what HHS said must be accomplished to further the Cancer Moonshot.
Photo: Xavierarnau/Getty Images
Positioned as a framework for society and the federal government to collaborate on ending cancer, the Department of Health and Human Services released a National Cancer Plan this week, developed by the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Cancer Institute (NCI).
The National Cancer Plan was drafted by NCI and NIH in collaboration with the Cancer Moonshot, HHS, and representatives from the cancer community. It includes eight goals and accompanying strategies that outline what HHS said must be accomplished to prevent more cancers, reduce deaths from the disease and improve people's lives after a diagnosis.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
Describing the eight goals as "ambitious" but achievable, the administration said they'll move the needle on reducing the cancer death rate by at least half within 25 years and on improving the experience for cancer patients and families.
The National Cancer Plan's eight goals are to prevent cancer, detect cancers early, develop effective treatments, eliminate inequities, deliver optimal care, engage every person, maximize data utility and optimize the workforce.
The plan calls for collaboration across all sectors of society, traditional and nontraditional, to work together to make faster progress against cancer.
NCI is the leader of the National Cancer Program, and thereby takes the lead in galvanizing its federal partners and the private sector in making progress against cancer.
The National Cancer Program, a coordinated effort that involves governmental, private sector, academic, philanthropic and patient advocacy partners, was created in 1971 by the National Cancer Act. This act established NCI as the leader of the National Cancer Program, as well as created the President's Cancer Panel to monitor the activities of the National Cancer Program and report to the president on barriers to progress.
THE LARGER TREND
In June 2022, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation designed the Enhanced Oncology Model, aimed at improving cancer care for Medicare patients through enhanced services such as patient navigation, care planning and the collection of electronic patient-reported outcomes.
The central goal of EOM is to better support patients and improve their care experience, advancing a key goal of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, according to CMS. President Biden's Cancer Moonshot has the goal of cutting the death rate from cancer by at least 50% over the next 25 years.
Then in September, the administration put $5 million toward community health centers in an effort to increase access to cancer screenings and early detection services for underserved populations.
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, with nearly 600,000 deaths annually. Significant disparities continue to exist in screening and follow-up care after an abnormal cancer screening test result, based on an individual's income, insurance status, and race or ethnicity, said HHS. These cancers can be prevented or detected early through appropriate screening and timely follow-up care.
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com
