While ASCO supports efforts to control drug prices, we are keenly aware that optimal cancer care requires patient access to the most medically appropriate drug, at the most opportune time, based on the highest quality evidence.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An analysis of nearly 2,800 people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received the immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab (Opdivo), pembrolizumab (Keytruda), or atezolizumab (Tecentriq) found that unexpected medical problems, known as adverse events, may be more common than reported in the initial trials that led to the approval of these therapies. These findings will be presented at the upcoming 2018 Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium in San Diego, California.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Nearly four in 10 Americans believe cancer can be cured solely through alternative therapies, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)’s second annual National Cancer Opinion Survey. This is despite research showing that patients who use alternative therapies instead of standard cancer treatments have much higher mortality rates. The survey also found that amid the ongoing opioid crisis, nearly three in four Americans are opposed to limiting access to opioids for people with cancer, and many cancer patients report difficulty obtaining these medications. In addition, just as many Americans say they are worried about the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis as about dying of cancer, with caregivers and rural Americans bearing the weight of cancer’s financial and access challenges. The National Cancer Opinion Survey is a large, nationally representative survey conducted online by The Harris Poll.

ARLINGTON, Va., ALEXANDRIA, Va., CHICAGO, October 11, 2018 — Three prominent medical societies today issued a new clinical guideline for physicians treating men with early-stage prostate cancer using external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Adoption of the guideline could make treatment shorter and more convenient for many patients with prostate cancer, the most common malignancy among American men.

ASCO applauds Congress for passing a $2 billion increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which will bring NIH's budget to a total of $39.1 billion and the National Cancer Institute's to a total of $6.147 billion.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology presented Representative Kevin Yoder (KS-03) with the 2018 Congressional Leadership Award today. Each year, ASCO presents this Award to a Member of Congress who has continuously supported legislation that promotes an improved practice environment for the oncology community and improves the quality of care for cancer patients.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – In the midst of the national opioid epidemic, two new studies explore opioid use in cancer care. The studies compared opioid deaths among cancer patients to the general population and looked at an initiative to reduced opioid use after oncology surgeries. Authors will present their findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) upcoming Quality Care Symposium, taking place September 28–29, in at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge in Phoenix.