​Comprehensive program builds on ACS-Color program launched last summer.

On March 18, the American Cancer Society and Color Health announced an expansion of their program to form a comprehensive cancer solution for employers and labor unions to support their employee and member populations across all stages of the cancer journey. This expansion builds on the work ACS and Color launched in summer 2023 as the “Cancer Screening and Prevention program.”

ACS and Color have seen positive results from the initial launch of that program, leaders report, while at the same time have heard consistent feedback from employers and consultants there is a need for a holistic cancer care solution that provides support across the cancer care journey.

Color is expanding the program to be the primary partner for organizations seeking to take control of cancer in large populations. The expansion adds Color medical clinical teams to manage any abnormal screening through confirmed diagnosis, specialized care for high-risk individuals, holistic support for employees in cancer treatment, and integrated clinical and mental health support for survivors. ACS’ role in the program remains the same. 

The program expansion will include a first-of-its-kind virtual cancer clinic from Color Health. This portion of the program is managed by Color; ACS does not provide medical or clinical care. This virtual cancer clinic includes: 

• In-house clinical care team that will include practicing physician teams, a specialist oncologist network, high-risk clinical coordinators, and genetic counselors. Every patient has access to a comprehensive care team of cancer experts.
• Integrated diagnostics and a nationwide imaging network, which will facilitate swift, high-quality screening and follow-up diagnostic care. The imaging network provides appointment availability in less than two weeks, significantly faster than the national average, and integrated at-home screening tests that remove traditional barriers to access.
• Robust patient support that recognizes cancer is not only about clinical care. The program’s proprietary and evidence-based peer support program, Color Cancer Connect, offers mental health support services, and Color care advocates take on logistical needs such as appointment scheduling and offer support on financial considerations of cancer prevention, detection, and care. 

“For the first time ever, we are expecting to see over two million new cancer diagnoses this year. While screening guidelines exist for many of the most common cancers, the challenge is ensuring Americans have the healthcare access they need. This doesn’t stop at early detection. When a patient is faced with a cancer diagnosis, they need support at every step of the way,” Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, ACS CEO, said in a media release about the announcement. “ACS is proud to partner with Color Health to put the patient at the center, ensuring they not only have the best chance at a timely diagnosis, but that they also receive the high-quality care with a team of clinicians to advocate for them, and that they still feel this support as survivors.”

This expanded program brings with it a nomenclature change: the program will no longer be known as the Cancer Screening and Prevention program, and instead will use a more generic “comprehensive cancer solution” to give more emphasis on the broader set of services the program offers in addition to screening.

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