Master Patient Recruitment: Grow Your Oncology Practice
Explore effective marketing and patient recruitment strategies to help your oncology practice grow. Learn how to attract and retain more patients today.
Blog posts that are not press releases.
How to Choose the Right Oncologist for You
Tips for selecting the right oncologist who is tailored to your needs. Learn about key factors to consider for informed decision-making.
What to Know About Safely Storing Cancer Medications
Here are simple steps to shield your medications from the sun and heat, ensuring they work as intended. Safeguard your health with these storage strategies.
Leadership Interview with Mark Moch
Go inside the mind of the CIO transforming oncology care with tech innovation. Get an exclusive look at how they’re using AI, data, and emerging workflows to revolutionize the delivery of precise information at the point of care.
6 Challenges Facing Community Oncology Practices
Running an oncology practice is no easy feat. Explore 6 major challenges and how AON’s solutions can help overcome them for better outcomes.
What is Community Oncology?
Learn about the advantages of selecting a community oncology practice for your cancer care and treatment.
Choosing the Right Sunscreen For You
Make an informed decision when selecting the right sunscreen to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays. Here is what you need to know.
The AON Advantage for Community Oncology Practices
A partnership for growth and independence.
Community practices, including medical oncology and hematology specialties, are healthcare’s cornerstones. Keeping care locally reduces the need to travel for care, decreases the costs of care and can improve overall patient outcomes. The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) shared that most Americans — about 32 million — receive their cancer treatments at a local independent practice instead of a hospital or other health system.
Community oncology practices treat more than 900,000 patients annually. Community-based practices are also the preferred site for cancer treatments, a valuable finding published by ASCO (“Preferred Sites of Cancer Care: Community Oncology Practices vs Hospitals and Academic Centers”) in May 2024.
The main point: Most of America’s cancer care happens not at large hospitals but in locally owned clinics in communities nationwide.
The Landscape of Independent Medical Practices
Being an independent medical practice, not owned by a hospital or health system, offers various benefits not available to its counterparts. These benefits include lower per-patient costs, decreased preventable hospital stays and fewer hospital readmissions, according to STAT News’ opinion article “Independent doctors like me are becoming an endangered species,” which was authored by Dr. Paul Berggreen, a gastroenterologist and board chair and president of the American Independent Medical Practice Association,
However, the costs of owning a practice are just as high. Private practice doctors face higher investments in infrastructure like IT and EHR systems and administrative costs like increasing labor costs, rent and premiums. Oncologists in private practice are paid significantly less than they were a decade ago, with a payment gap of at least 28%, a statistic covered by COA’s “Analysis Shows Payment for Key Community Oncology Services May Lag Inflation by at Least 28%” study.
The trend among independent medical practices is nothing short of concerning. The industry’s history is peppered with more doctors refusing to open private practices and a large segment leaving private practice (over 108,000 doctors in January 2019, according to Becker’s ASC Review). These trends are currently not showing any indication of changing direction.
Without community practices, patients no longer have access to local high-quality care and treatments, which increases their overall health costs, including travel expenses, and potentially impacts their health, especially when medical emergencies arise.
The Challenges of Independent Medical Practices
Managing relationships with insurance payers and building contract arrangements are two essential tasks. Negotiating contracts or navigating regulatory and administrative requirements can be costly ventures that steal away dedicated time with patients. Unlike hospitals and health systems, independent practices often have less bargaining power and, therefore, less leverage during these negotiations.
To thrive in the face of today’s challenges and maintain their independence, doctors can seek partners, such as physician groups or practice management companies, that offer specifically designed expertise, support and resources to help them return to providing the highest standard of patient care.
“Running a private practice requires a lot more than just seeing patients. The administrative burden and other tasks can be overwhelming to maintain at times. Partnering with AON has been a game-changer, allowing me to focus on what matters most: delivering the best possible care to my patients. It has given me back valuable time and peace of mind.”
Brian Mulherin, MD, Board-certified medical oncologist at Hematology Oncology of Indiana
What Makes AON Different
Founded in 2018 by experienced healthcare and community oncology leaders, the American Oncology Network (AON) offers robust services and support to empower independent practices to thrive while maintaining autonomy.
AON offers partner practices access to expertise in business and clinical management and centralized services and support so that physicians can return to doing what they enjoy most — focusing first and foremost on the patients and the care they provide. To date, AON has served more than 400,000 patients nationwide, and its network includes more than 240 providers in over 110 clinics across 21 states.
Five Benefits of an AON Partnership
A partnership with AON enables community oncology practices to survive and thrive. Here are five benefits of joining the network.
Benefit One: AON’s passion for patient care is unmatched and fuels its mission. Community oncology practices champion exceptional patient benefits like affordable care and reduced travel burdens. AON’s dedication to local patient care guides our every decision. We want our partner practices to succeed so that community oncology remains a core choice provider in healthcare.
“At AON, our passion for accessible patient care burns just as brightly as our dedication to the success of our partner practices, doctors and staff. We bridge the cancer care gap by offering comprehensive support services. We exist to empower them to prioritize patient care and deliver exceptional outcomes.”
Stephen “Fred” Divers, MD, AON chief medical officer
Benefit Two: AON provides services and support while doctors stay in control. A common misconception is that partnering with AON means practices lose autonomy. Doctors retain full independence. We provide behind-the-scenes support, allowing doctors to focus on what matters most — their patients.
Benefit Three: Practices can access highly specialized and centralized teams equipped to provide and further support comprehensive care. With over 40 years of management experience in key clinic and business functions, AON equips partners to deliver exceptional care. We offer a comprehensive suite of services to streamline operations and support practices, providing administrative ease and allowing physicians to focus predominantly on patient care.
Here are some of the services practices have access to in the network:
- In-house laboratory and pathology.
- Dedicated specialty pharmacy for oral oncolytic medications.
- Payer relations.
- Drug procurement.
- Care coordination.
- Revenue cycle management.
- IT support.
- Human resources guidance and physician recruitment.
- Financial management.
- Marketing assistance.
Benefit Four: Practices gain support for clinical trials. Clinical trials offer groundbreaking treatment options and hope for cancer patients. AON provides access to a wide range of local trials through its partnership with the Sarah Cannon Research Institute and other organizations. Whether a doctor is interested in starting an in-house trial or enrolling patients in existing ones, AON’s experience can assist and mentor them.
Related: The Benefits of Clinical Trials at Community Practices
Benefit Five: Practices gain support to begin or expand critical care services. Ensuring care and services are accessible locally makes all the difference for cancer patients. AON teams support practices seeking to offer new services or expand existing ones, like diagnostic imaging or radiation therapy, by providing assistance in creating new revenue streams and building a pathway for practice growth.
Community Oncologists Need to Look Ahead and Plan
Oncology is a large, fragmented market with the community oncology services market expected to grow to $81.33 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 10.9%, according to the 2023 Community Oncology Services Global Market Report.
In 2020, cancer patients in the United States spent $200 billion on oncology services. Community oncology plays a key role in the oncology market’s future as it aligns with two critical structural trends in healthcare:
- The shift from a fee-for-service model to a fee-for-value model (also known as value-based care).
- The increasing focus on social determinants of health and healthcare equity.
Additionally, the oncology market needs to continue to grow because there is an anticipated shortage of more than 2,000 oncologists by 2025. Community oncologists are important and offer compelling patient and payer advantages, including being cost-effective (approximately 40% cheaper than hospitals), more personal, accessible and cutting-edge.
Related: Embrace the AON Advantage: Your Fast Track to Practice Success in Three Stages
AON is a leading cancer care provider through its strong network of dedicated community oncology practices and physicians. Supporting the shift toward value-based care, AON and its practices are driving forces in closing the cancer care gap, ensuring equitable cancer care is a reality for all.
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Discover essential cancer prevention tips for men of all ages. Learn how to understand cancer risks and take proactive steps to protect your health.
Colorectal Cancer: Signs, Symptoms and Screenings
What to know about colorectal cancer.
The American Cancer Society reported that approximately one in 23 men will develop colorectal cancer (cancer of the large intestine) during their lifetime. Women have a slightly lower risk, with about one in 25 expected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Furthermore, experts predict that they will diagnose over 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer in 2024. This type of cancer is the third most common across the globe.
The World Health Organization said it is the second top cause of cancer deaths in the US. This means that it is a significant factor in many deaths in the country. Cancer is a serious health issue that affects many people.
Understanding Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is found in the colon or rectum. Certain types of polyps in the large intestine can develop into cancer; however, many polyps detected during screenings often are benign (non-cancerous).
Polyps grow slowly in the intestine lining, underscoring the importance of screening to remove cancerous ones. Additionally, rising rates of colorectal cancer in younger adults further emphasize the importance of routine screening.
The most common type of colorectal cancer is adenocarcinoma. Carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, lymphomas and sarcomas are other types of tumors that doctors may find in this region of the body.
Finding polyps early is crucial to preventing cancer. Identifying them in the early stages makes it easier to remove them safely and avoids more invasive surgeries.
Polyps often lack signs or symptoms, so it is more common for physicians to diagnose colorectal cancer at more advanced stages. Regular screening tests like stool tests and colonoscopies are important for finding problems early and getting treatment.
Five Facts About Colorectal Cancer
Whether you are investigating for yourself or a loved one, understanding colorectal cancer can be both confusing and overwhelming. You should keep a list of questions and concerns to discuss with your physician. However, as you look into the diagnosis, here are several details.
- The medical community has accepted colorectal cancer as an umbrella term.
Is colorectal cancer, colon cancer and rectal cancer the same or different, and why are they often grouped? Colorectal cancer starts in the large intestine. Colon cancer starts in the colon lining and rectal cancer starts in the rectum tissues. The rectum is the lowest 12 centimeters of the large intestine.
Colon and rectal cancers are grouped together as colorectal cancer because they are detected through similar tests and are treated with somewhat similar medications. - Physicians give cancer the name based on where it starts.
Cancer that spreads to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis, involves other organs throughout the body. If the cancer spreads, the cancer name does not change. For example, if cancer starts in the colon lining and spreads to other parts of the body, physicians still call it colon cancer. - Colorectal cancers begin as polyps.
As explored earlier, polyps form in the lining of the intestine, whether that is in the large intestine or rectum. Colon cancer and rectum cancers both begin as polyps. - Physicians screen for colorectal cancers using the same method.
These cancers are often screened using the same methods. One popular method is colonoscopies. This method leverages a small camera at the end of a flexible tube, allowing the physician to look inside the rectum or colon to identify cancerous polyps. Additional testing to confirm the diagnosis, such as a biopsy, may be required. - However similar, these cancers are different.
Although these tumors may undergo similar screening and exhibit similar symptoms and signs, their treatments may vary. For example, some treatments for colon cancer may not be used for rectal cancer in the treatment plan.
Causes and Risk Factors
The risk of colorectal cancer increases as you age. It has been more common in people 65 years of age and older, with an average diagnosis at age 70.
The American Cancer Society lists other risk factors as obesity, type 2 diabetes, unhealthy diets (such as those high in red and processed meats), smoking and alcohol use.
Additionally, certain unchangeable factors can increase your risk, including racial and ethnic background, personal medical history, and family history.
Signs and Symptoms
Polyps grow slowly over time before potentially becoming cancerous, often without causing immediate signs or symptoms. Colorectal cancer can appear in various ways. These include blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, stomach pain, weight loss and low iron levels.
Other medical conditions also exhibit association with these symptoms, so it is important to consult your physician if you experience any of these issues.
Early Detection
According to the American Cancer Society, polyps can take 10 to 15 years to become cancerous. This slow growth and lack of symptoms illustrate why colorectal cancer can develop silently.
Finding issues early can increase survival chances. Screenings are important for catching problems early and improving outcomes.
Tell your physician about any irregularities to catch cancer early and have access to more treatment options if needed. Preventive care is key.
Screenings
Two main cancer screening approaches detect colorectal cancer: stool-based tests and visual exams. Stool tests, which is a less invasive option, analyze stool samples for polyps that are cancerous and can be done at home instead of in the hospital or doctor’s office.
Visual exams allow physicians to directly view the colon’s interior, typically through colonoscopies. The American Cancer Society recently lowered the recommended starting age for screenings to 45 due to rising cancer rates in younger adults.
Colonoscopies use a flexible tube with a tiny camera at the tip. During the procedure, the physician inserts the tube through the rectum to examine the entire colon’s lining for polyps. The test itself takes about 15 minutes.
Sigmoidoscopies, another visual exam option, only examine a smaller portion of the colon and are not as widely used as colonoscopies. Another visual exam is a CT colonoscopy, which takes a CT scan of the colon and rectum to identify any abnormalities.
If screenings detect cancer, your physician’s next pivotal task is to identify the stage of the disease. The stage, a critical component in guiding treatment decisions, encompasses a range from stage 0 to stage IV, denoting the extent to which the cancer has spread within the body.
This identification is the foundation that allows the physician to create a targeted and personalized treatment plan that is right for you and your cancer diagnosis. While people have been diagnosed with the same cancer, each malignancy and tumor are distinct, requiring a customized treatment approach.
Related: Cancer Screenings: What You Need to Know
Therapies and Treatments
Many treatments are available for colorectal cancer patients, depending on the type of tumor and stage of the disease. Your physician may advocate for particular treatments because they are more tailored to your unique case. These treatments range from surgery to remove cancerous growths, to radiation, chemotherapy and targeted therapy drugs.
Questions to Ask Your Physician
Collecting questions regarding your diagnosis can empower you to make well-informed health decisions. Here are some questions to consider asking your physician and care team:
- What is my diagnosis?
- Where is the cancer located, and has it spread?
- What is the stage of cancer, and what does that mean?
- What are the treatment options for me?
- How quickly do I need to decide on a treatment?
- How long is the treatment, and what will it be like?
- Does this treatment affect my fertility if I plan to have children?
- Will this treatment affect my daily activities? What will I not be able to do during treatment?
- What symptoms and side effects are there?
- How often will I need to visit you during treatment?
- What do you recommend based on your expertise?
- What should I do to plan for treatment?
- If I have transportation concerns, is there help available to get me to and from my treatment?
- What are the chances that this treatment will cure the cancer?
- Will I be able to continue working during treatment?
Related: How to Make the Most Out of Your Oncology Appointment
Understanding the complexities of colorectal cancer is essential. Knowing more about the disease, its symptoms, tests and therapies can empower you to manage your health journey.
It may feel daunting initially, but gaining knowledge is key. Taking control of your health starts with educating yourself. Do not let the amount of information discourage you.
Equipping yourself with the questions you have fosters a collaborative approach to your care, empowering you to actively participate in your journey toward recovery. While the journey may present challenges, there is a wealth of support and resources available to guide you and your loved ones.
To locate an AON partner oncology practice, visit www.AONcology.com/locations
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