The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) Supports Multicancer Early Detection (MCED) Consortium’s First Position Paper

Press Releases published on October 20, 2022

CRANBURY, NJ (Oct. 12, 2022) – The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) is a proud participant in the Multicancer Early Detection (MCED) Consortium, a public-private collaboration between organizations in the United States and United Kingdom whose straightforward mission is “To reduce the burden of cancer by evaluating how MCED technologies may improve cancer detection, treatment, and care to benefit all people.” Recently, the Consortium released its first position paper, Evaluating Multicancer Early Detection (MCED) Technologies for Clinical Use, which explores the landscape of emerging technologies that could allow clinicians to screen and detect multiple cancers at early stages and establishes our role in the development of guidance for the use of, and education on the use of, these tools.

Cancer death rates have fallen by almost 33% over the past 3 decades due in part to prevention, screening, and early detection efforts. Despite these reassuring statistics, cancer continues to be prevalent and fatal. Through the National Health Service’s (NHS) Long-Term Plan, the United Kingdom is committed to diagnosing 75% of cancers in stage I or II by 2028. In addition, through President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, the United States strives to diagnose cancers sooner for better health outcomes and reduce the death rate from cancer by at least 50% over the next 25 years.

“Early detection can be the difference between life and death,” says AONN+ Program Director Sharon Gentry, MSN, RN, HON-ONN-CG, AOCN, CBCN. “From the inception of oncology patient navigation, this patient-centered professional care has shown a difference in time to treatment as well as an avenue for the community to access and understand screening options. When cancer is caught early, it is often easier and less costly to treat, and patients are more likely to survive.”

“Incorporating the navigators’ insights and thoughts into the workplan for Multicancer Early Detection has allowed the voice and journey of patient care to be captured via understanding care pathways for clinical implementation (including patient and clinical navigators), proactively educating clinicians and the public, as well as supporting informed decision-making for patients,” she continues. “We are excited to be part of this project as cancer prevention is reshaped and defined via new technology.”

According to Ms Gentry, AONN+ joins other members from the field to lead the development of essential guidance for evaluating and implementing these technologies and educational materials to inform the public about what these technologies are and how they may benefit from them. The Consortium plans to launch additional work products from its Health Equity, Care Delivery, and Clinical Utility workstreams over the next year.

About MCED
MCED is a set of emerging technologies that could allow clinicians to screen and detect multiple cancers at early stages. The MCED Consortium has brought together stakeholders from across the healthcare continuum to evaluate their benefits and risks; to develop guidance for their (potential) introduction into clinical care, including equitable access and use; and to accelerate education on how they may improve patient outcomes and survival. To learn more about the Consortium, please visit our website.

About the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators, Inc. (AONN+)
The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators, Inc. (AONN+), is the largest national specialty organization dedicated to improving patient care and quality of life by defining, enhancing, and promoting the role of oncology nurse and patient navigators. The organization, which has more than 8900 members, was founded in 2009 to provide a network for all professionals involved and interested in patient navigation and survivorship care services in order to better manage the complexities of the cancer treatment process. www.aonnonline.org

For Immediate Release
Gwen Coverdale, 267-884-6328
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