If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer, one of your biggest considerations is deciding where you’d like to receive treatment. Do you choose a comprehensive cancer center, an academic cancer center, a community-based cancer center, or a regional hospital? Here are the differences between each of them and other factors you may want to think about before making a final decision.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers
For a facility to be recognized as an NCI-designated cancer center, it must meet specific standards for state-of-the-art research focused on developing new and better approaches to preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. Currently, 74 locations in 37 states have received that affiliation.
There are Three Types of NCI-Designated Cancer Centers
- Eight are Basic Laboratory Cancer Centers, with a primary focus on research.
- Nine are Clinical Cancer Centers, where you can be treated by a team with extensive knowledge of basic clinical research, cancer prevention, and cancer control.
- Comprehensive Cancer Centers are supersized versions of Clinical Cancer Centers. They may have more research capabilities that span specific disciplines.
Why You Should Consider One:
- They bridge the gap between new research discoveries and new cancer treatments, and they offer access to clinical trial participation.
- A 2021 article in JAMA Network reported that patients with private insurance who underwent lung cancer surgery at an NCI-designated center, rather than a community hospital, had higher 90-day post-discharge payments, even though there were no differences in the length of their stays.
- Research has shown that five-year survival rates for lung cancer patients are up to 25% higher when patients are treated at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Academic Cancer Centers
Academic Cancer Centers are also known as teaching hospitals. They are affiliated with medical schools or universities. They combine patient care, research, and training for the next generation of medical professionals. They provide opportunities to access specialists, clinical trials and newer treatments and technologies.
Why Consider One
- A teaching hospital offers access to many specialists, clinical trials and innovative technologies. They also treat a high volume of cancer patients.
- Patients with early-stage NSCLC (non-small lung cancer), treated at academic facilities had a significantly better median overall survival) compared with patients who received care at community healthcare facilities
Community Cancer Centers
Oncology teams may offer you treatment in a regional or community hospital or in a standalone facility. The primary focus on patient treatment and support with a full range of services. Some may also offer access to clinical trials.
Why Consider One:
- If you would prefer to have your lung cancer treated closer to home.
- A case study found that community cancer centers outperform hospitals in a few areas including personalized treatment plans tailored to the needs of individual patients, convenience and accessibility, cost effectiveness and employing a collaborative approach to treatment.
Other Factors to Consider
The American Cancer Society suggests taking the following things into consideration when deciding where you should be treated:
- Your specific type of cancer
- The treatments you need (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation).
- The level of support you need
- Which specialists are important for your care
Do Your Research
Ask your PCP and friends or loved ones who have had cancer for referrals. Then also research your options based on your personal diagnosis.
Some questions you may want to consider:
- Does the facility you are considering have experience treating your specific cancer?
- Is the cancer center accredited?
- Will they be able to deliver all the services you need?
- What kind of support services do they offer (Patient navigators, social workers, or dieticians)?
- Do they take your insurance? What kind of co-pays do I need to factor in?
- If the center doesn’t accept my insurance, what would the cost of treatment be?
- How far are you able to travel for treatment?
- If you travel to an out-of-town cancer treatment facility, do you need a place to stay?
Make an informed choice on where you decide to receive lung cancer treatment. You can access this American Cancer Society worksheet to help you assess your options.
Supported by an educational grant by Merck Incorporated
Resources
Medical Care Research and Review