An initial diagnosis of cancer is enough bad news for anyone, but unfortunately it often also comes along with being thrown into an oncology diagnosis and treatment environment that is a lot less patient centered than one might expect. Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) has recognized the challenges cancer patients face and is positioning itself as a destination for empowered patients.

I spoke today with Stephen B. Bonner, CEO of CTCA, about a new diagnostic and treatment planning offering called CareEdge, which is designed to address the four things CTCA has determined patients want to know after finding out they have cancer:

1. As much information as possible about their particular cancer, e.g., where it is, how far it’s progressed
2. What treatment options are available
3. How much it will cost them
4. How quickly they can get into care

The diagnostic bundle reminds me of a transparent, patient-friendly approach I saw in Singapore when I was researching medical tourism a few years ago. It’s about time we saw it in the US market.

September 21, 2011