Live and virtual event focuses on improving cancer patient navigation and access to care.

On Wednesday, May 10, from 9:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. ET, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is hosting its 12th annual National Forum on the Future of Health Care at the Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. This year’s joint in-person and livestreaming event will focus on improving patient navigation and access to care across the cancer continuum. 

Follow the conversation and view many more photos by following the hashtag #CancerNationalForum on Twitter. 

As part of ACS CAN’s ongoing commitment to improve health equity across the cancer continuum, the annual forum will focus on how patient navigation improves patient and health care outcomes. Chief Patient Officer Dr. Arif Kamal is this year’s keynote speaker. He is offering insight into the unique challenges faced by many cancer patients and survivors and the opportunities available to improve care and eliminate disparities in the system. 

Chief Executive Officer Dr. Karen Knudsen and ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse extended opening remarks, and Dr. Kamal will be followed by four panels of leading experts who will focus on various aspects of patient navigation. Click here to read biographies and learn more about each panelist.

• Panel 1: Opportunities for Advancing Health Equity through Patient Navigation – Discussion of stories and best practices that combat cancer care disparities. 
• Panel 2: Return on Investment through Patient Navigation – Dialogue on the social and economic benefits of patient navigation, emphasizing how patient navigation can break down unique barriers to cancer care specific populations.
• Luncheon Conversation Panel: Patient Navigation in Practice – An informal conversation with select ACS Navigation Capacity-Building Initiative grantees discussing their patient navigation program, who it serves, and why the grant funding is vital to support their patient navigation program.
• Panel 3: Sustainable Payment of Patient Navigation Services – Perspectives on how the returns on investment through patient navigation services are realized through long-term and sustainable payment.

For additional information, please contact Chelsea Herman at chelsea.herman@cancer.org or Kate Podlogar at kate.podlogar@cancer.org. View the forum’s full agenda and register to attend on the event’s website at https://www.fightcancer.org/nationalforum.