October 2020 – COA Patient Advocacy Network News Bulletin
Some insurers require patients and oncologists to use drugs delivered by their preferred third-party pharmacies (also referred to as specialty pharmacies) or make patients face higher out-of-pocket costs. This is called “white” or “brown” bagging, depending on how it is mandated, and these policies interfere with oncologists’ ability to treat patients safely, which may put them at greater risk of medical challenges. COA strongly opposes white and brown bagging policies. Oncologists—not insurers—should be making treatment decisions on behalf of their patients.
Recent News & Updates
A new study from researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) has suggested that diets rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains may possibly be linked to a higher risk of early‑onset lung cancer.
At the 2026 NCCN Annual Conference, Anjali Albanese, an oncology social worker at Fox Chase Cancer Center, sat down for an interview with CURE to discuss the emotional and psychosocial impact of a cancer diagnosis among younger adults.
Breast, colorectal and prostate cancers account for most screen-detectable cancers in adults aged under 50 years, with most “unfortunately diagnosed symptomatically,” a presenter at ACP’s Internal Medicine Meeting said.
Popular niacin (vitamin B3) derivatives, which are readily available in retail stores and often promoted as anti-aging supplements, may have a protective effect on cancer cells, according to a new study.
