In cancer care, we are no strangers to uncertainty. It lives in the “what ifs” of
a diagnosis, in the adverse effects that cannot be predicted, and in the deeply human questions our patients ask that do not have easy answers. But lately, uncertainty has also crept into our health care systems, particularly around how oncology care and innovation is funded
and supported.
As federal policies shift and critical funding streams hang in the balance, many of us find ourselves asking: What will this mean for our patients? For our communities? For the services that wrap around the science to truly make care accessible?
These are not abstract concerns. We see the real impact when a patient cannot access navigation, palliative care, or psychosocial support because the infrastructure is not there. We see it when clinics struggle to maintain the very services that ensure people do not fall through the cracks.
Despite these concerns, the oncology community shows up. Every day, oncology professionals lead from every corner of the care continuum. Social workers, nurses, financial navigators, physicians, researchers, and administrators—we push forward, innovate, and advocate not just for treatments, but for dignity and connection.
In this issue, we explore the shifting landscape of cancer care through stories that reflect both innovation and introspection. From Saddleback Medical Center’s integrated approach to skin cancer treatment to the financial strategies helping oncology programs stay afloat amid rising costs, each article underscores the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing field. We spotlight global and local efforts to close knowledge gaps— whether through breast cancer education in Nigeria or survivorship support for patients managing lymphedema.
We also examine the emotional and existential dimensions of care, such as the toll of compassion fatigue on oncology staff and the promise of psychedelic-assisted therapy for patients facing terminal illness. Finally, Part 2 of our Trending Now in Cancer Care series captures the pulse of today’s cancer care delivery, offering real-world insights from the 2025 ACCC Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit on topics ranging from mobile screening and comprehensive cancer care services to research, clinical trials, and solutions to payer-driven challenges. Together, these stories reflect a field that is not only advancing clinically, but also deepening its commitment to the human experience of cancer.
As we navigate this moment, I invite all of us to ask ourselves how we can lead in uncertainty without losing our grounding. How do we stay hopeful while pushing for what is just? Leadership right now may mean using your voice to protect access, staying steady for your team, or simply continuing to offer presence in a world that can feel uncertain.
This October, the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference offers us a chance to come together, connect across disciplines, share what’s working, name what’s hard, and remind each other that we are not in this alone. These moments of connection are not just important—they are essential. They sustain us. Let’s prioritize this time and show up for each other.
Our patients deserve a health care system that supports the full breadth of their care; not just the medicine, but the meaning. Thank you for all the ways you fight for that vision. Let us embrace solidarity and hope, especially when the path forward is unclear.
At the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, the Louisiana Oncology Society received the ASCO Jeffrey C Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award for advancing critical advocacy priorities that have translated into meaningful legislative victories. The Iowa Oncology Society and Washington State Medical Oncology Society were also recognized for their advocacy efforts in 2025 at the meeting, receiving second place awards.
