How Community Collaboration Helps Optimize Cancer Care Outcomes
The outlook for cancer care is hopeful, with survival rates steadily increasing, new therapies emerging, and researchers finding better ways to improve patient outcomes. The power of shared knowledge and expertise will continue to advance cancer care beyond our own facilities.
As providers in our community, your partnership is crucial in the fight against cancer, particularly through collaboration with a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center like Moffitt. We extend our resources to community oncologists so you can enhance care and offer the most innovative treatment options available to your patients.
Here are four ways you can leverage Moffitt to elevate cancer care and improve outcomes.
Leveraging the Latest Cancer Knowledge & Multidisciplinary Teams
Moffit remains on the cancer frontlines, becoming aware of the latest treatment advances and knowledge as soon as they are available. Beyond staying current on innovations and breakthroughs, Moffitt leverages this knowledge with its multidisciplinary team of experts to improve treatment plans and patient outcomes.
We believe that the best cancer education never ends, and our continuing education programs ensure our physicians, nurses, staff, and referring providers are always in the know of new research or cutting-edge advancements. As a teaching affiliate of the neighboring University of South Florida, we provide continuing medical education (CME) led by top physicians in a case-based format available for members of the Tampa Bay medical community.
Additionally, we organize Grand Rounds, educational lectures focused on specific topics featuring national and international experts discussing the latest cancer research developments. These Grand Rounds are always free and open to the public.
Beyond continuing education, we strive to create ways for community oncologists to connect with Moffitt’s specialists, including provider meet and greets in which primary care providers and oncologists throughout the community can get to know those leading the care at Moffitt.
Another way we work to leverage our multidisciplinary team is through Tumor Boards, which comprise of specialists from all areas of cancer expertise for each program. These can include surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, medical oncologists, and more, all experts in that specific department. Our Tumor Boards review every patient’s case, ensuring they get combined consideration and varying perspectives on their particular type of cancer. Each patient receives a personalized treatment plan designed collaboratively by these boards, considering all advanced options as potential care components.
Access to the Latest Technology in Diagnostics & Surgery
Giving patients access to the most innovative technology in both diagnosing cancer and treating it with surgery ensures they have the best chances of beating their cancer.
Patients don’t need to have a diagnosis to come to Moffitt. They don’t need symptoms at all, as early detection is best. Primary care providers with patients they think would benefit from diagnostic services from Moffitt can refer them to us, where we can provide screenings such as imaging, genetic tests, pathology tests, blood or tissue analyses, and more. After Moffitt has the diagnostic results, we continue to work with referring community providers as we care for their patients, considering their medical history and established patient-physician relationship. We keep referring providers informed of their patient’s status and send results using an automatic fax system to keep lines of communication open. Should any questions or concerns arise, Moffitt is always available to provide answers and assistance.
If diagnostics and treatment considerations point to surgery as the best option, our leading-edge surgical facilities are the best place for cancer patients to be. We have access to minimally invasive technology that makes procedures more comfortable and recovery easier, modern equipment that simplifies surgeries, and surgeons trained in the most advanced surgical techniques. One example of cutting-edge surgery Moffitt can perform is endoprosthetic or massive reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), also known as reverse shoulder technology. This solution allows for improved shoulder function, allowing patients to resume more of their daily lives.
Access to New FDA-Approved Treatments
Moffitt’s team includes many clinical trial investigators, and we continue to participate in clinical trials to test new medications, treatments, and techniques. We are always aware of what new solutions are being developed, researched, and tested, and with previous experience providing innovative treatments on a clinical trial basis, we are ready and equipped to expand access to our patients as soon as the FDA approves new treatments.
We firmly believe that referring more patients to clinical trials increases their impact. We have more than 600 active trials, and patients are very interested and willing to participate in these opportunities. Still, it’s essential that they are aware and educated on these options. By sharing the importance of clinical trials, we hope that primary care providers will more readily discuss clinical trials at the earliest stages of care so patients understand that they can access them at any stage of their cancer journey.
We offer full patient support to those who participate in clinical trials. We partner with our social work staff and charitable groups to provide financial, transportation, and lodging support and help coordinate home care or additional care with community providers. It’s important that all of our patients know their participation is entirely optional, and we provide a wealth of resources to assist them during the process.
Examples of recent trials at Moffitt include:
- Newly FDA-approved Carvykti and ABECMA for early treatment of adults with relapsed/refractory Multiple Myeloma
- TLA therapy for melanoma treatment
- Immunotherapy for NMIBC patients
- FDA-approved Luspatercept for first-line treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes
Minimizing Disparities
Recognizing the challenges of cancer disparities and costs, Moffitt is working to close the gap in this regard through community research and outreach and by offering financial assistance when possible.
Disparities in race, gender, and geographic location persist, making it harder for certain people, such as African Americans, women, and those living in impoverished areas, to access the quality care they need. Moffitt focuses on ongoing outreach to the many communities in West Florida impacted by these disparities. Our Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equality (COEE) builds partnerships with these communities, offering screenings, education, research opportunities, and clinical trials in Tampa Bay and throughout the state. COEE places the goal of health equity at the center of its research and ensures its work is continuously informed by a two-way exchange of ideas and information between the communities and its researchers. We also work to share these findings with stakeholders outside of the institution to advance the improvement of disparities.
Moffitt also understands that cancer treatment can be costly. Novel drugs can provide the best outcomes, but they tend to have high price tags – known as financial toxicity. Many patients worry about how long they can afford treatment. Moffitt provides financial assistance to our uninsured or underinsured patients, prioritizing the most medically and financially needy patients. These patients are granted partially or completely forgiven medical bills, ensuring they are never required to pay more than 35% of their medical costs.
Leveraging Moffitt’s Differentiators to Improve Cancer Care
In combining our multispecialty knowledge, advanced diagnostic and surgical technology, access to clinical trials and newly FDA-approved treatments, and programs to minimize disparities and the burden of cost, Moffitt Cancer Center is making a positive difference in cancer care outcomes.
We’re not just an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center but also a community partner that works closely with other providers, educational institutions, and external stakeholders to ensure a future where everyone can receive quality cancer care.
If you suspect that your patient may have cancer, refer them to Moffitt Cancer Center, where our patients have survival rates up to four times higher than the national average.
If you’d like to refer a patient to Moffitt, complete our online form or contact a physician liaison for assistance. As part of our efforts to shorten referral times as much as possible, online referrals are typically responded to within 24 - 48 hours.