WASHINGTON – Today, AdvaMed, the Medtech Association, announced Suzanne Winter, President and CEO of Accuray, a leading manufacturer of life-saving radiotherapy systems, will head the organization’s radiation therapy (RT) sector. In this role, Suzanne will oversee AdvaMed’s ongoing outreach on behalf of RT members. She succeeds Chris Toth, CEO of Varian, a Siemens Healthineers Company, as chair of the sector.

“AdvaMed is proud to represent the world’s leading radiation therapy companies; this group is changing how patients receive life-saving cancer care and treatment. From improving CMS’s Physician Fee Schedule methodology to working with the Biden Administration on the Cancer Moonshot initiative, the AdvaMed radiation therapy sector is actively working to bring this essential cancer treatment to patients who need it,” said Scott Whitaker, AdvaMed President and CEO. “I am proud to welcome Suzanne Winter as our next chair of the RT sector. She has deep experience in health care and medtech, and I know she will lead this organization well as we continue to grow this important work. I also want to thank Chris Toth for his leadership of this group as he steps down from the role.”

“As a cancer treatment option, radiation therapy is saving and improving the lives of millions of Americans who have been diagnosed with this disease. We at Accuray, and all our peers in the RT sector, are committed to delivering the best care possible to the patients we serve,” said Suzanne Winter. “It is an honor to be chosen to lead this important group within AdvaMed and to lend my experience to the ongoing work to improve access to innovative, non-invasive radiotherapy technology.”

 AdvaMed’s RT Sector is a collection of all major radiation therapy manufacturers and represents the interests of the industry in Washington. The group has supported the Biden Administration’s Cancer Moonshot and works alongside industry stakeholders to stabilize Physician Fee Schedule payments and make CMS’s PFS methodology more transparent.

Earlier this year, the AdvaMed RT Sector released the findings of a national poll that revealed broad, bipartisan support for greater federal investment in radiation therapy to bring down costs and expand access for patients. The poll, conducted last month by Morning Consult, surveyed 2,200 adults with a margin of error of ±2%. Key findings include:

• Four-in-five Americans (78%) and nearly all adults who have been diagnosed with cancer (93%) say radiation therapy is safe and effective at treating cancer;
• More than half of respondents note that the distance to the nearest RT facility, coupled with family and work responsibilities, are top barriers to accessing RT treatments;
• Three-in-four (75%) Americans say it should be a priority for the government to invest in proven cancer treatments;
• More than half of adults (51%) say investment in cancer treatments should be a top priority;
• Support for greater federal investment is high across political party affiliation, with strong support coming from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike.

# # #

The post Accuray President and CEO Suzanne Winter to Head AdvaMed Radiation Therapy Sector appeared first on AdvaMed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, AdvaMed, the Medtech Association, responded to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ recently announced Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, which includes an additional two percent cut to reimbursements for radiation therapy providers in 2024. According to the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), CMS spends less on all radiation therapy services than it does on just three top cancer drugs, despite the fact that radiation is utilized by twice as many beneficiaries.

“Millions of Americans diagnosed with cancer rely on life-saving radiation therapy to treat their disease. However, under today’s proposed rule, CMS is proposing to make drastic cuts that would limit access to radiotherapy treatments for an untold number of patients, especially those in rural areas of the country,” said Scott Whitaker, AdvaMed President and CEO. “At a time when this Administration is making the fight against cancer a top health priority, these cuts simply do not make sense. We stand ready to work with CMS and President Biden to prevent these cuts and ensure patients have access to the treatments they need when they need them. We look forward to laying out our concerns and providing recommendations to CMS during the comment period on behalf of our members and the patients we serve.”

Earlier this year, AdvaMed released the findings of a national poll on radiation therapy and cancer treatment. This survey found broad support across all political parties for greater federal investment in proven cancer treatment, such as RT, to bring down costs and expand access for patients. Other findings include:

• Four-in-five Americans (78%) and nearly all adults who have been diagnosed with cancer (93%) say radiation therapy is safe and effective at treating cancer;
• More than half of respondents note that the distance to the nearest RT facility, coupled with family and work responsibilities, are top barriers to accessing RT treatments;
• Three-in-four (75%) Americans say it should be a priority for the government to invest in proven cancer treatments;
• More than half of adults (51%) say investment in cancer treatments should be a top priority;
• Support for greater federal investment is high across political party affiliation, with strong support coming from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike.

# # #

AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.

The post AdvaMed’s Whitaker: Cuts to Radiotherapy Fail to Weigh Overwhelming Lifesaving Benefits appeared first on AdvaMed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, AdvaMed, the MedTech Association, released the findings of a new national poll on radiation therapy and cancer treatment revealing broad support for greater federal investment in the proven cancer treatment of radiation therapy, to bring down costs and expand access for patients.

“The medtech industry is at the forefront of innovation in cancer treatment, developing the next generation of technology that is improving health outcomes for patients. As we look to the future, expanding access to these devices and tests is paramount,” said Scott Whitaker, AdvaMed President and CEO. “This poll makes it clear that there is broad, bipartisan support among voters for the government to make greater investments in radiation therapy that will encourage innovation, bring down costs, and ensure all patients – even in rural communities – have better access to this life-saving treatment. In addition to President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, there are opportunities for CMS to ensure radiation therapy and other essential cancer treatment options are available to patients. The medtech industry stands ready to work with the Administration and Congress to make this a reality for the patients we serve.”

“As a cancer treatment option, radiation therapy has become increasingly personalized, precise, and effective. As our industry continues to innovate and advance  radiotherapy technology , we are constantly identifying new opportunities to expand access to high-quality cancer care for patients and impact millions of lives each year,” said Chris Toth, CEO of Varian, a Siemens Healthineers Company, and Chair of AdvaMed’s Radiation Therapy Sector. “AdvaMed looks forward to continuing to work with industry peers and collaborators, care providers, and lawmakers to close the gap in cancer care and remove barriers to access for patients.”

The poll, conducted last month by Morning Consult, surveyed 2,200 adults with a margin of error of ±2%. Key findings include:

• Four-in-five Americans (78%) and nearly all adults who have been diagnosed with cancer (93%) say radiation therapy is safe and effective at treating cancer;
• More than half of respondents note that the distance to the nearest RT facility, coupled with family and work responsibilities, are top barriers to accessing RT treatments;
• Three-in-four (75%) Americans say it should be a priority for the government to invest in proven cancer treatments;
• More than half of adults (51%) say investment in cancer treatments should be a top priority;
• Support for greater federal investment is high across political party affiliation, with strong support coming from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike.

AdvaMed, the largest trade association representing medical technology companies, including all major radiation therapy manufacturers, has encouraged the Biden Administration to work with the industry as part of the Cancer Moonshot. AdvaMed also supports the efforts of stakeholders, including the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Association of Freestanding Radiation Oncology Centers (AFROC) to stabilize Physician Fee Schedule payments and make CMS’ PFS methodology more transparent. Greater stability is critical to ensure this life-saving care is available and patients can be treated near their homes, especially for RT and other high-supply specialties that require substantial investment in resource intensive equipment and highly trained non-physician personnel, such as physicists, dosimetrists, and radiation technologists.

# # #

The post New Poll Finds Strong Support for Radiation Therapy in War Against Cancer appeared first on AdvaMed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the largest trade association representing medical device manufacturers, including all major radiation therapy manufacturers in the U.S. and abroad. released the following statement from President and CEO Scott Whitaker in response to President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot commitment in the annual State of the Union Address.

“The medtech industry is at the forefront of cancer diagnosis and treatment, developing innovative technologies and diagnostic tests that are transforming health care,” said Scott Whitaker, AdvaMed President and CEO. “AdvaMed shares President Biden’s goal of ending cancer as we know it, and we can achieve that by making greater investments and research into proven cancer treatments such as radiation therapy and diagnostics that detect cancer early when treatment is most effective. We stand ready to lend our expertise and support to this endeavor in the coming years, and we thank the President for his commitment to expanding access to life-saving medical technologies for cancer patients.”

Last year, AdvaMed encouraged the Biden Administration to make use of medtech industry leaders and their deep experience in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer as part of the Cancer Moonshot. The Association also applauded the White House for progress that has been made on the Cancer Moonshot, including appointing members to the Cancer Cabinet and unveiling priority actions.

###

AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.

The post AdvaMed Statement on Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Commitment appeared first on AdvaMed.

On June 7, AdvaMed submitted comments to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on its Radiation Oncology (RO) Model proposed rule proposing to indefinitely delay the start date of the RO Model. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI, or the Innovation Center) spent several years developing the RO Model, which creates a 90-day episode-of-care for 15 disease sites with the goal of providing higher quality care to patients while reducing Medicare costs. Congress has delayed implementation of the RO Model twice due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency and other implementation concerns. In this comment letter, AdvaMed supported CMS’ proposal to delay the RO Model start date until future rulemaking while also expressing our commitment to value-based payment and its ability to provide stable, predictable payments for radiation oncology that cannot be realized under the fee-for-service systems.

For more information on AdvaMed’s efforts around radiation therapy coverage and reimbursement, please contact Kirsten Tullia.

The post AdvaMed Comments on Proposed Delay of Radiation Oncology Model appeared first on AdvaMed.

April is National Minority Cancer Awareness  Month. As I reflect on the continued need for improvements in health equity and the impact of cancer on racial and ethnic minority groups, I am acutely aware of the disparities in diagnosis and treatment that have persisted for many years. Much work remains to resolve these inequities, starting with a better understanding of the factors that lead to increased rates of and/or higher stage diagnosis of many cancers in people of color. Proactive measures are needed to ensure that non-White cancer patients have the same care experience as White patients.

AdvaMed members are committed to access for all patients to life-saving cancer diagnosis and treatment technology. Our organization has embraced Principles on Health Equity, a  good base from which to examine some of the factors that may influence cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment for patients of color. These principles focus on four core areas: eliminating bias in patient care, improving awareness regarding available treatments, improving access to care regardless of insurance status and via better deployment of technology to facilitate health access, and diversifying the patient population and investigators in clinical research.

As we consider the connection between these principles and the cancer diagnosis and treatment experience of some patients of color, several questions come to mind:

• Why do inequities in cancer outcomes exist and persist?
• Are all patients being offered the full range of treatment options? If not, why?
• Does insurance type impact the ability to receive appropriate cancer care?
• Are the causes of cancer in minority patients being adequately researched and understood?

The disparities facing patients of color are stark. These inequities require continuous focus and determination from every aspect of the health care system to resolve. Patients of color experience higher incidence and lower survival for many cancers, with African Americans having the highest cancer death rate of any other group in the United States.¹ High rates of colon cancer in African American patients led to recommendations for screening at age 45 for these patients beginning in 2005—16 years before the 2021 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announcement of a screening age of 45 for all people at average risk for colon cancer.^2,3 Also, the rates of detection of deadlier and higher stage breast cancer is higher in African American patients. ⁴ While incidence rates of breast cancer in White women are slightly higher, the survival rate for the disease is lower in women of color—particularly African American women.⁵ Rates of prostate cancer and mortality are also higher in patients of African American descent.⁶ While some of these statistics could be attributed to lower rates of screening, the differences also suggest that additional research into the causes and impact of cancer in people of color is merited. The way in which these patients seek and receive cancer care should also be evaluated.

A Role for Medical Technology

Medical device manufacturers develop tests and technologies that are instrumental in screening, diagnosing, and treating cancer. From mammography and ultrasound to colonoscopy and radiation therapy, our industry has been at the forefront of cutting-edge treatments that give patients their best chance at surviving many types of cancer. In vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests screen for cancer and identify genetic markers and mutations that help target therapies for certain cancers and impact treatment recommendations. As an industry we should continue to embrace every chance to ensure that our cancer technologies, from development to market, are touching all the patients who could benefit from them.  There is room for improvement not only in the research phase but also in the dissemination of information and increased awareness regarding available treatments

Getting Information About the Technologies We Make to Patients

As we work to address inequities in cancer care and outcomes for patients or color, the medical device industry, in conjunction with other stakeholder partners (e.g., providers, insurers, policy makers), should continue examining how best to get technologies to the patients who need them and who are disparately suffering and dying from cancer. I would offer the following suggestions:

• Make information regarding symptoms and self-screening widely available
• Increase awareness regarding screening methods, eligibility, and guidelines (including age, frequency, extenuating conditions/factors)
• Ensure that providers and patients are aware of the full range of diagnosis and treatment options (IVD and other diagnostics, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of approaches)
• Work with policymakers and insurers to ensure that cancer care is meted out in an equitable fashion and that patients can receive the care that best treats their condition
• Promote understanding, singly and/or through partnerships, about cancer risks and encourage patients to know their risks (age, symptoms, family history, race/ethnicity, and other genetic factors)
• Include more diverse subjects in research to determine genetic and other markers and to generate evidence regarding the disease process

Industry’s role as a resource is pivotal. Together we can all work to change the way cancer impacts minority communities and improve outcomes for everyone.

Learn more about AdvaMed’s Health Equity work.

DeChane Dorsey is executive director of AdvaMed Accel, the division for small and start-up medical device technology companies. She also leads health equity work organization-wide.

Citations

1. NIH National Cancer Institute,  U.S. Mortality 2015–2019, Age-Adjusted Rate per 100,000
2. Agrawal S, Bhupinderjit A, Bhutani MS et al. Colorectal cancer in African Americans. Am J Gastroenterol 2005; 100: 515–523; discussion 514.
3. Screening for Colorectal Cancer US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA 2021;325(19):1965-1977. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.6238 Corrected on August 24, 2021.
4. African American Women More Likely to Die of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. JAMA. 2021;326(7):591. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.13107.
5. Watts, Erica, Breast cancer death rate in Black women: Does DNA repair play a role?. Medical News Today February 13, 2022
6. Tsodikov A, Gulati R, de Carvalho TM, et al. Is prostate cancer different in black men? Answers from 3 natural history models. Cancer. 2017;123(12):2312-2319. doi:10.1002/cncr.30687

The post Infusing Equity Into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer appeared first on AdvaMed.

AdvaMed was heartened by the February 2, 2022, announcement by President Biden that he is relaunching Cancer Moonshot with a greater emphasis on cancer screening and advances in cancer testing. In his announcement, President Biden proposed a goal of reducing cancer death rates by 50 percent over the next 25 years.

In response to this news, AdvaMed President and CEO Scott Whitaker sent a letter to President Biden thanking him for his renewed commitment to this critical issue, writing, “On behalf of the medical technology industry, and especially the many companies that manufacture all the products essential to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, I want to thank you for your continued commitment to and the reignition of the White House Cancer Moonshot… AdvaMed’s 450 member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic tests, and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures, and more effective treatments, particularly in terms of cancer care.”

“AdvaMed’s 450 member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic tests, and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures, and more effective treatments, particularly in terms of cancer care.” 

––Scott Whitaker, President and CEO, AdvaMed

As part of the White House Cancer Moonshot, President Biden proposed a series of roundtable events and a summit that brings together agency leadership, patient organizations, and industry leaders to “highlight innovation, progress, and new commitments toward ending cancer as we know it.” Missing from the announcement, however, was mention of medical technology manufacturers who play a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

In his letter, Whitaker urged the Administration to recognize the importance of medical technology in health care and include medtech industry leaders as participants in the Summit and future roundtable conversations on the issue.

At every point along the cancer care continuum, from research and development to screening, the technologies developed my AdvaMed member companies are vital in saving and extending the lives of Americans with cancer, including:

• Research and Development/Biomarker Discovery
• Risk Assessment
• Screening and Early Detection
• Diagnosis
• Staging and Prognosis
• Therapy Selection and Treatment Monitoring
• Treatment (Radiation Therapy; Surgery and Ablation; Therapeutic Delivery)
• Symptom Relief and Mitigation
• Palliative Care
• Monitoring and Treatment Assessment

AdvaMed launched the Cancer Forum to bring together a wide range of medical technology companies whose products are the heart of precision medicine and essential components in every aspect of cancer prevention and care. The Cancer Forum advocates for effective regulation, modernized coverage and payment policies, and the investment in research that are all essential for expanding patient access to essential technologies, reducing health disparities, and supporting technology innovation and high-quality care for cancer patients.

The post Medtech Poised to Make Significant Contribution to White House Cancer Moonshot appeared first on AdvaMed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter to President Joe Biden today, AdvaMed President and CEO Scott Whitaker thanked the Administration for relaunching the Cancer Moonshot with an emphasis on cancer screening and advances in cancer testing, and he requested that the President include medtech industry leaders in an upcoming Cancer Moonshot Summit.

In the letter to President Biden, AdvaMed President and CEO Scott Whitaker wrote: “AdvaMed’s 450 member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic tests, and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures, and more effective treatments, particularly in terms of cancer care… Medical technology companies are innovators and partners with patients and clinicians, providing the screening, diagnostic tests, imaging, radiation therapy, surgical tools, and infusion pumps and medical supplies without which modern cancer care would not exist.

“Recognizing the critical role of medical technology in health care, we urge you to include medtech industry leaders as participants in a White House Cancer Moonshot Summit and future roundtable conversations on the issue.”

Read the full letter to President Biden here.

AdvaMed launched the Cancer Forum to bring together a wide range of medical technology companies whose products are the heart of precision medicine and essential components in every aspect of cancer prevention and care. The Cancer Forum advocates for effective regulation, modernized coverage and payment policies, and the investment in research that are all essential for expanding patient access to essential technologies, reducing health disparities, and supporting technology innovation and high-quality care for cancer patients.

# # #

AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and digital health technologies that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.

The post AdvaMed Commends White House on Relaunch of Cancer Moonshot appeared first on AdvaMed.

Sectors

Radiation Therapy

The radiation therapy sector promotes the value of radiation therapy to improve access to its lifesaving technologies. Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, is a cutting-edge cancer treatment that uses beams of high energy to kill, shrink, or control the growth of tumors.

Sectors

• Share this page on Twitter
• Share this page on Facebook
• Share this page on LinkedIn
• Email a link to this page

AdvaMed represents all major radiation therapy manufacturers in the U.S. and abroad. The radiation therapy sector seeks to advance policies that promote innovation and increase access to radiation therapy technologies. Radiation therapy contributes to the long-term survival of millions of cancer patients around the world.  

Radiation therapy is a safe and effective cancer treatment.  

Approximately 50%-60% of all people diagnosed with cancer receive radiation therapy at some point during their care. If every cancer patient who needs radiation therapy had access to it, estimates show that more than 1 million more lives would be saved every year.  

Radiation therapy is curative.  

Radiation therapy can help manage breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, head and neck, and cervical cancer, which account for more than 50% of cancer cases worldwide. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery.  

Radiation therapy is cost-effective. 

When stereotactic radiotherapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy are used to treat brain, spine, lung, prostate and pancreatic cancers, treatment outcomes were comparable and even superior to other treatment options while simultaneously saving the patients and providers money. In addition to curing cancer, radiation therapy is also used for palliative care.  

Radiation therapy is convenient.  

Radiation therapy is an outpatient treatment, and its side effects are usually mild and temporary. The majority of patients can continue normal activity during and immediately following treatment.  

The post Radiation Therapy appeared first on AdvaMed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) has joined with several groups representing medical professionals, advocacy groups, international societies and the health care industry to form The Global Coalition for Radiotherapy (TGCR) to ensure cancer patients have access to this vital therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

“As health care systems around the world are being strained to the breaking point due to COVID-19, and surgeries and chemotherapy sessions are being cancelled, access to radiotherapy is becoming more and more crucial to patients battling cancer,” said Shandi Barney, Vice President, Radiation Therapy, AdvaMed. “This Coalition brings together expert groups from across the health care spectrum to develop policies and best practices so that patients will continue to benefit from this life-saving treatment during and after the current crisis.”  

The Global Coalition for Radiotherapy will serve as a collective multidisciplinary voice, advocating on behalf of patients who depend on radiotherapy. The group will leverage and share the existing work of its individual members from around the world and recommend best practices and policies focused on what is needed to further promote radiotherapy now and in a post-COVID-19 world.

Joining AdvaMed in the Coalition are Action Radiotherapy, COCIR, City Cancer Challenge,and AAPM (the American Association of Physicists in Medicine), among others. For further information, visit the Coalition’s web site.   

###

AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and digital health technologies that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.  

The post AdvaMed Joins Global Coalition to Promote Patient Access to Radiotherapy appeared first on AdvaMed.