Reaching Across the Aisle: Cardio-Oncology Advocacy and Program Building

Abstract

Purpose of review: This study aims to assess the current state of cardio-oncology in reference to advocacy efforts, access to care, and perspective of stakeholders in their ability to provide patient care as well as development of "across the aisle" synergy among cardiologists and oncologists and academic and non-academic centers in various worldwide locations.

Recent findings: During the last decade, there has been a significant and diverse growth in cardio-oncology. We reviewed the experience from cardiologists and oncologists across different healthcare systems, the global trends, the role of collaborative networks, and the importance of advocacy efforts. Cardio-oncology will continue to grow, but there is an unmet need to increase awareness, improve education, and expand access to care to larger segments of the cancer population in order to have a more significant impact on their health. The growing collaboration through professional societies and collaborative networks provides an opportunity to advance the cardiovascular care of cancer patients to meet the projected needs in a growing and more diverse population.

Keywords: Advocacy; Cardio-oncology; Healthcare.

Fig. 1

This figure describes the collaborative partnership between cardiologists and oncologists initiated in the state of Florida and expanded to form a national and international advocacy network

Fig. 2

This figure illustrates the interaction between stakeholders in cardio-oncology and the collaborations needed to occur among physicians, professional medical associations, academic and community centers/practices, and collaborative networks to expand education, awareness, and access to care in cardio-oncology. ICOS, International Cardio-Oncology Society