Fast Facts Vol. 41, No. 3

Key Findings from Future Health Index 2025

• More than 8 in 10 health care professionals (83%) have lost clinical time due to incomplete or inaccessible patient data.
• 44% lose 45 minutes or more of clinical time per shift—more than 4 working weeks lost in a year per health care professional.
• 39% report spending less time with patients and more time on administrative tasks compared to 5 years ago.
• 23% of health care professionals would not pursue a career in health care, if they could go back in time.

Source: Future Health Index 2025. Building Trust in Healthcare AI: Perspectives From Patients and Professionals. Philips. May 23, 2025.

Insights From the American Lung Association’s “State of Lung Cancer” Report

• Close to 227,000 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2025.
• At 29.7%, the national average for the 5-year survival rate is one of the lowest of all cancer types.
• Only 28.1% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage, while 43% of cases are caught at a late stage.
• Although lung cancer screening with annual low-dose CT scans can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20%, only 18.2% of high-risk patients are screened.
• Nationally, 21% of patients received no treatment.

Source: State of Lung Cancer. American Lung Association. November 5, 2025.

How Telehealth Addresses Geographic and Resource Gaps in Cancer

• Older people with cancer who participated in a telehealth-based care program had better daily functioning, improved mood, stronger illness understanding, and a higher quality of life.
• The program’s supportive care services included personalized fitness training, nutritional support, psychiatric care, and psychosocial assistance, all delivered remotely.

Source: Bergerot CD, Bergerot PG, Razavi M, et al. Telehealth geriatric assessment and supportive care intervention (GAIN-S) program: a randomized clinical trial. JNCCN. 2025;23(6). doi:10.6004/ jnccn.2025.7020

Health Care Costs Continue to Skyrocket

• Employer health care costs in the US are projected to rise 9.5% in 2026, exceeding $17,000 per employee.
• Employers are expected to continue absorbing the largest share of health care cost increases, mitigating rising costs through strategies such as benefit design changes, employee payroll contribution increases, and targeted chronic condition management.
• The continued rise in chronic conditions—alongside an increase in high-cost conditions like cancer— remains a primary driver of escalating medical costs in the US.

Source. Aon: U.S. Employer Health Care Costs Expected to Rise 9.5 Percent in 2026. September 10, 2025.

Employee Burnout Reaches Tipping Point Among Gen Z

Burnout continues to rise among employees year over year, and fewer employees believe their employers care about them. A recent report found:

• Nearly 3 in 4 (72%) employees report at least a moderate level of stress.
• Burnout affects nearly 3 in 5 (61%) American workers.
• 74% of Gen Z workers face moderate or high burnout, compared to 66% of millennials.
• Top 3 stressors: heavy workloads (35%), long hours (28%), and insufficient pay (25%).
• More than half (52%) of all employees worry about health care costs not covered by insurance.

Source: Aflac WorkForces Report. Aflac Incorporated.

more online @ accc-cancer.org

Optimizing Patient Access to TIL Cell Therapy for Advanced Melanoma

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy may offer a one-time treatment option for patients with advanced melanoma, but timely referral and seamless coordination are critical. This practical guide addresses identifying eligible patients for TIL cell therapy, time-sensitive manufacturing and coordination steps, and navigating referral workflows.

Key Leadership Insights Shaping Cancer Care

At ACCC’s inaugural Leadership Summit, oncology executives came together for candid, action oriented conversations on AI, health policy disruption, value-based care, and the partnerships needed to keep cancer programs sustainable and patient-centered in a rapidly changing landscape. From real world AI case studies to hard truths about reimbursement and collaboration, this blog captures the insights leaders are using now to guide decisions about what comes next in cancer care.

Transforming Palliative Care in Oncology

In this episode of Oncology Unscripted, hosts Deirdre Saulet and Mark Liu sit down with Andrew Ambort, DO, to discuss his journey to palliative care, the burdens of financial toxicity, and the human impact that early, integrated palliative care has had on his program’s community.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to First-Line CLL Treatment Decisions

At The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, treatment planning for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia begins during active surveillance and evolves through multidisciplinary shared decision-making. This article explores how the team evaluates disease-and patient-related factors when selecting therapy, integrates new clinical trial data, and supports patients with tailored education.

Small Cell Lung Cancer: Quality Care Document

Developed by consensus from an expert Delphi panel, this ACCC resource outlines clear standards and best practices across the care continuum and includes a self-scoring tool to help practices identify opportunities for improvement.