Key Takeaways from ACS CAN’s 2025 National Forum on the Future of Healthcare

The 14th Annual National Forum on the Future of Healthcare, hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), took place on May 14, 2025, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

This year’s Forum brought together professionals to address one of the most urgent challenges in oncology today: breaking down barriers to cancer screening and early detection. The event spotlighted the need for equitable access, policy reform, and technological innovation to detect cancer earlier – when it’s most treatable and less costly.

Healthcare leaders shared reflections on the Forum, and ACS CAN President Lisa A. Lacasse thanked them for their engagement and support:

Dawn Mattoon, Chief Executive Officer of Mercy BioAnalytics:

“Thank you to American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for today’s incredible National Forum on the Future of Healthcare, exploring opportunities for public health policy to amplify the critical role of cancer screening and early detection in improving patient outcomes. ACS CAN President Lisa A. Lacasse said it best in her introductory remarks: to drive meaningful improvement, we have to change the status quo.

We were treated to a wonderful keynote address from Mercy BioAnalytics, Inc. Chairman and cancer screening legend Stan Lapidus, who placed the advent and evolution of cancer screening in the historical context, including the vital role that has been and continues to be played by the American Cancer Society.

I had the privilege of joining a terrific panel discussion on innovations and new approaches and had the opportunity to highlight the incredible work being done at companies like ours developing screening tests for new categories of cancer – including ovarian cancer – not already addressed through existing modalities.

The most meaningful moments during the Forum were the personal stories shared by some incredible cancer survivors and thrivers. One of these courageous individuals, Russell Wright, shared a quote in his remarks from Wayne Dyer that stayed with me, ‘If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.’ The science and technology of early cancer detection is advancing at an unprecedented pace. To maximize the potential for patient benefit, we need to change the way we look at regulatory and reimbursement policy so that the policy catches up with the science. Thanks to the work of ACS CAN, I’m more confident than ever that we’re moving in the right direction.”

Lisa A. Lacasse:

“Dawn Mattoon, thanks so much for being part of this critical discussion to accelerate progress for cancer early detection. The innovation and commitment to work in partnership is so appreciated – and needed as we ensure a better future for all in early cancer detection. It was so great to spend time with you! And many thanks as well to Stan Lapidus for perfectly framing the day’s discussion.”

Erin Polak, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Policy, and Alliance Development at GRAIL:

“Kudos to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for today’s fantastic National Forum on the Future of Healthcare which focused on breaking down barriers to cancer screening and early detection. I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss access barriers to multi-cancer early detection testing and to learn from patients and experts about how we can work together to bend the cancer suffering curve.

The status quo is simply unacceptable. We need to improve screening rates (a new ACS CAN survey found that 31% of adults have been more than one year behind on cancer screenings) and leverage innovation to detect more cancers earlier, when treatment is more effective and less costly.

I left the discussion energized and grateful for Lisa A. Lacasse, Pam Traxel, and the ACS CAN team for their leadership identifying and tackling the critical policy questions impacting patients across the cancer care continuum.”

Lisa A. Lacasse:

“Thanks so much, Erin Polak, for contributing your brilliant perspectives for this critical discussion. Appreciate your partnership as we work to change the future of early cancer detection. Much to do together on behalf of our collective desire to reduce the cancer burden nationwide for everyone.”

Christina Hochul, Director of Government Affairs and Policy at Astellas Pharma:

“Honored to attend recent events hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), where I had the opportunity to hear powerful stories from cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Their experiences are a reminder that behind every statistic is a person-and a family-impacted by this disease.

These stories fuel the urgency to push for bold, patient-centered policy solutions that improve access to care, promote prevention, and drive innovation. Grateful for the work that ACS CAN continues to do. Congrats to Lisa A. Lacasse Pam Traxel on such a great event!”

Lisa A. Lacasse:

“Thanks for your partnership, Christina Hochul! So much to accomplish together.”

Kristin Olson, Senior Director of Oncology Policy and Public Affairs at Pfizer:

“Honored to serve as moderator for the ‘Solutions’ panel at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) National Forum on the Future of Healthcare focusing on breaking down barriers to cancer screening and early detection. Panelists Jenn Higgins, Molly Guthrie, Erin P. and Jim Mathews made my job easy due to their expertise and passion. Pam Traxel, Lisa A. Lacasse and Matt Glanville – thanks for all you do for patients every day. We all are lucky you are out there fighting.”

Lisa A. Lacasse:

“Thanks for contributing to the success of the day Kristin Olson – for sharing your story and helping us elevate this critical part of the cancer continuum. Appreciate your partnership and all we will do in the future!”

Patti Jewell, Senior Director of Oncology Policy and Public Affairs at Pfizer:

“Loved this discussion on solutions to speed delivery of cancer prevention and early detection tools, as well as the entire ACS Forum featuring people sharing their experience with cancer that drove the urgency for change, and experts in different technologies and community approaches. Working together, we can bring about change!”

Lisa A. Lacasse:

“Thanks for being such an exceptional partner, Patti Jewell. Much to accomplish together.”

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