The “Last Mile” in Cancer Care: What It Takes to Turn Innovation Into Access

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, the expectation is that care begins quickly and smoothly. In reality, many patients and caregivers find themselves navigating a complicated system, juggling access barriers, approvals, and logistics before treatment even begins.In this episode of Patient Advocacy Voices, host Eric Racine is joined by Meagan O’Neill, Executive Director of the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC), alongside co-host Rachel Solomon of Sanofi. Together, they explore how cancer care is shaped not just by scientific advances, but by the systems, operations, and local realities that determine whether patients can access timely, effective care.Drawing on her background in oncology consulting and her personal experience as a caregiver for her mother, Meagan shares why so many of the biggest challenges in cancer care are structural rather than scientific. The conversation dives into the crucial role of community oncology, the operational gaps that delay access to care, and how ACCC is working to bridge the gaps between innovation and practical, everyday solutions for both providers and patients. With most cancer care delivered in community settings, advocacy leaders will learn about ACCC’s “how to” approach that helps close the gap between breakthrough science and real patient access.In this episode, you’ll gain insights on:Why access to care is often determined by where a patient livesNon-clinical barriers to patient outcomes, including fragmented systems, administrative burden, and workforce shortagesThe critical role community care settings play in delivering the majority of care in the U.S.How collaboration across clinical centers, care teams, and advocacy organizations can reduce friction for patients and providers alikeHow data and patient stories together can drive more effective advocacy and system changeThis episode is a timely reminder that improving patient care requires more than medical innovation alone. It takes practical solutions, stronger collaboration, and systems designed to help patients move through care with fewer delays and less burden. It also reveals how patient advocacy organizations can play a critical role in making this happen.