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NCCN Policy Summit: Fostering Collaboration for Enhanced Cancer Care

On May 6, 2025, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) convened an impactful Oncology Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. This gathering aimed to fortify the links between primary care and oncology specialists, ultimately enhancing the care for cancer patients. With a diverse array of stakeholders present—ranging from patients and advocates to healthcare providers and policymakers—discussions centered around crucial improvements in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Addressing the Challenges of Cancer Care Coordination

Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, CEO of NCCN, opened the summit by emphasizing the pivotal role of evidence-based strategies in cancer care. "Evidence-based prevention, screening, and treatment saves lives," she affirmed, illustrating the importance of coordinated care in improving long-term patient outcomes. With more cancer survivors today than ever before, Denlinger highlighted the urgency for primary care and oncology sectors to collaborate effectively.

A keynote address by Elizabeth Fowler, PhD, JD, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, shed light on existing opportunities and challenges surrounding value-based care. Citing her extensive experience with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Fowler underscored the need for robust care transitions that allow cancer survivors to receive the necessary follow-up treatment in primary care settings.

Importance of Primary Care in the Cancer Continuum

The summit positioned primary care providers as essential players in the cancer care continuum. Stephanie Quinn, Senior VP at the American Academy of Family Physicians, reiterated, "We're not just part of the conversation—we're essential to it." Primary care is integral in early cancer detection and management, providing a comprehensive understanding of a patient’s overall health while guiding them through the various stages of cancer treatment.

Veronika Panagiotou, PhD, from the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, presented concerning statistics: only 19% of surveyed cancer survivors received care from primary care providers post-treatment. Survivors expressed apprehensions about the capability of their primary care physicians to identify cancer recurrence and manage side effects, emphasizing the need for improved training and knowledge in oncology-related issues for PCPs.

Proposing Innovative Solutions

Panel discussions during the summit revealed several structural and systemic barriers that hinder effective care transitions between oncology and primary care. David Garcia, PhD, of the University of Arizona, highlighted how underserved communities face compounded challenges, advocating for a transformative approach using tailored care teams that address individual health needs comprehensively.

Solutions included establishing specialized fellowships in cancer survivorship, akin to those in geriatrics, and advocating for professional societies to incentivize cross-specialty education. Larissa Nekhlyudov, a primary care physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, suggested fostering direct communication through inter-professional meetings—a collaborative approach that facilitates understanding and partnership between oncology and primary care teams.

The Role of Patient Navigators

Candice Roth, Executive Director of the Academy of Oncology Nurse Navigators, articulated the critical nature of patient navigation in ensuring continuity of care. She noted that navigation acts as a vital tool to address barriers, fostering education and resources for shared decision-making across the care continuum. Roth's perspective reinforces the importance of viewer-centered care approaches that cater to individual patient journeys.

The Future of Cancer Care

The summit concluded with a call for further advocacy, emphasizing the growing need to support cancer survivors, who increasingly require ongoing care throughout their lives. The NCCN will reconvene in September for a summit addressing the evolving role of artificial intelligence in cancer care, followed by a session focused on patient advocacy for veterans and first responders in December.

As NCCN celebrates thirty years as a chief advocate for quality cancer care, its commitment to shaping innovative strategies for a more integrated healthcare delivery system remains paramount. For ongoing updates and resources, stakeholders are encouraged to visit NCCN.org/summits.

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This summit serves as a reminder that effective cancer care transcends mere treatment protocols—it necessitates an ecosystem where primary care and oncology work in unison, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for millions of cancer survivors.