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Lindsay Rosenwald observes an encouraging trend in the treatment of cancer patients. Given the recent development of new technologies, Lindsay Rosenwald expects an increase in the number of Americans participating in active cancer care. Below, Lindsay Rosenwald gives his analysis of the medical community and ponders its future.
Information Nation: First of all, thank you for talking with us.
Lindsay Rosenwald: It’s my pleasure.
Information Nation: In your view, how will patient care for cancer survivors change in coming years?
Lindsay Rosenwald: The increasing population of cancer survivors means the need for better patient care will also increase.
Information Nation: What factors have increased cancer survival rates?
Lindsay Rosenwald: Medical treatments, therapies, quality caregiving and other factors have helped preserve survivors’ quality of life.
Information Nation: That’s a positive development.
Lindsay Rosenwald: Yes. These factors will increase within the number of cancer patients, as well as the number of cancer survivors placed under active care.
Information Nation: What’s the expected effect on the health-care community?
Lindsay Rosenwald: The impact on the health-care community is significant, due in large part to the increased complexity of care and prolonged life in patients being treated.
Information Nation: Will the medical community be able to meet this challenge?
Lindsay Rosenwald: Studies have predicted that the amount of oncologists in the United States will be insufficient to meet the expected needs of cancer patients and survivors.
Information Nation: How will the community adapt?
Lindsay Rosenwald: Some have suggested that cancer survivors should be more quickly transitioned to care by primary care physicians so that oncologists can focus on active patients.
Information Nation: What’s the major concern with this process?
Lindsay Rosenwald: There is concern that the amount of primary care physicians will be inadequate, even when educated on how to address the various needs of cancer survivors.
Information Nation: Is cancer more or less prevalent in the U.S. compared to previous decades?
Lindsay Rosenwald: The number of Americans living with or after cancer has increased over the last few decades.
Information Nation: How will the medical community adapt to this shift?
Lindsay Rosenwald: There is a projected shortage of health professionals necessary to take care of these patients.
Information Nation: Will there be sufficient oncologists to handle these patients?
Lindsay Rosenwald: Although the current number of oncologists is sufficient, recent research studies suggest an extreme shortage of medical oncologists within the next decade.
Information Nation: What’s caused the increase in cancer diagnoses?
Lindsay Rosenwald: A growing aging population and improved screening has resulted in a rapidly increasing number of cancer diagnoses, and more effective therapies mean more cancer survivors.
Information Nation: Will future cancer patients have a long life expectancy?
Lindsay Rosenwald: Approximately two-thirds of all newly diagnosed patients will survive their cancer for more than five years.
Information Nation: How many cancer patients are there in the U.S.?
Lindsay Rosenwald: The number of newly diagnosed cancer patients, 1.4 million, has risen steadily in the last 10 years.
Information Nation: What about the death rate?
Lindsay Rosenwald: In this same time frame, the number of patients who have died of cancer has remained stable at fewer than 600,000 each year.
Lindsay Rosenwald has been an active supporter of the biotechnology industry, creating several development-stage biotech companies throughout his career. Lindsay Rosenwald has managed companies with more than 100 licensed clinical-stage medicines to their credit.
For those dealing with cancer in their families, some valuable resources for information on cancer physicians include the American Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Clinical Oncology. They have databases with details about U.S. doctors & their specialties, location, board certification etc.
One thing that I wanted to say after reading this advice from Lindsay Rosenwald is that certain logistics MUST be worked out upon diagnosis. Don’t forget Medicaid or Medicare may dictate which physicians or healthcare facilities are available to you.
As a recovering cancer patient, I wanted to add my two cents about the days and weeks after a diagnosis. When selecting a doctor for cancer care, make sure you understand their credentials and training. Thanks Lindsay Rosenwald for laying out what many cancer patients can expect after diagnosis.