Eric Small, 2025-26 ASCO President, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“A new report from ASCO provides an important look at the future of cancer care, highlighting a growing gap between patient needs and the number of available oncologists.
As the U.S. population ages and new cancer diagnoses are projected to rise, the report finds the density of oncologists relative to the patient population is decreasing. This trend presents a key challenge for the future of cancer care delivery in the US. These data reveal notable geographic differences in access to care, identifying ‘cancer care deserts’ in rural communities where patients have limited or no access to a practicing oncologist. This scenario is equally dire globally: of the approximately 26 million new cancer cases per year by 2030, it is estimated that over 60% will be in LMICs. Cancer care deserts are found in underserved areas everywhere, and are a reminder of the shared challenges facing Low and Middle Income Countries (globally), and Low and Middle Income Counties (domestically).
The findings from this report are a call to action for the oncology and greater health care community to address these workforce shortages in the U.S. By collaborating on solutions—such as creating incentives for practices in underserved areas and expanding telehealth services—we can strengthen our health care infrastructure. ASCO is committed to helping build a sustainable oncology workforce that ensures that EVERY PATIENT, EVERY CANCER, EVERY WHERE, has access to high-quality cancer care.
Title: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going? The State of the Hematology and Medical Oncologist Workforce in America
Authors: M. Kelsey Kirkwood, Erin P. Balogh, Melissa K. Accordino, David D. Chism, Elizabeth Garrett-Mayer, Helen M. Parsons, Manali I. Patel, K. Robin Yabroff, Laura A. Levit
Read the Full Article on JCO Oncology Practice
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