United by Unique: Transforming Cancer Care for Every Patient

While cancer may be one disease in name — it represents a distinct battle fought by patients around the globe every day. Each story is as unique as each patient’s own genes and personal history. That’s why I believe developing, advocating, and expanding access to personalized cancer care is critical. On World Cancer Day, I want to reflect on this shared fight to treat each patient with the personal care they deserve.

Today, cancer care advancements continually lead to more precise and effective treatments. These are tailored to each patient's genetic makeup, treating not just the ailment, but the person, too. If this groundbreaking research and specialized therapies were made more available, they could significantly improve outcomes. Yet, access to the best possible care remains uneven.

“It’s possible that one out of five patients in America is getting the wrong treatment.” - Dr. Peter WT Pisters, President, MD Anderson.

Geographic, economic, and logistical barriers often prevent many patients from receiving this elevated care. Research shows that patients in socially vulnerable regions tend to travel farther for treatment. This negatively affects their care plan adherence and further drives inequitable health outcomes. Stories like that of PJ DiPentino, a patient whose initial one-size-fits-all plan dramatically changed after consulting a specialized cancer center. Or that of Terrie Austin, who had to drive 5.5 hours to an urban center to learn that she was diagnosed with the wrong type of cancer altogether. 

These examples, and countless more, underscore the critical — and sometimes deadly — disparities between regional and urban cancer centers. Addressing these inequities requires a shift toward local, personalized care. Fortunately, innovative solutions are emerging to bridge this gap. These empower community cancer care centers to access and harness cutting-edge molecular diagnostics. On-site testing capabilities reduce costs for both patients and healthcare systems by eliminating the expenses associated with long-distance travel and outsourcing laboratory services. These advances, combined with breakthroughs in AI-driven bioinformatics, allow local laboratories to conduct genomic tests on-site, reducing turnaround time for essential insights and empowering doctors to act swiftly and decisively armed with the latest available research. Ultimately, these data-driven decisions ensure every patient receives care that is precise and personalized.

The journey toward equitable cancer care requires innovation, collaboration, and dedication. It demands that we join together in our mission to provide life-saving treatments without compromise. By placing patients and their unique experiences at the heart of the healthcare system, care becomes more compassionate, equitable, and responsive to individual needs. Ultimately, this creates a future where no one is left behind.

On this World Cancer Day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to unity. Together, we can transform cancer care and bring hope to millions of sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, friends and loved ones around the world.