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  • About
        • About Us

        • Cancer Nation is the oldest cancer survivor-led non-profit organization in America. We advocate for quality cancer care for all touched by cancer.

        • About NCCS

        • Our Mission
        • What is Advocacy?Learn about the different types of cancer advocacy, from personal advocacy to public interest advocacy.
        • Our HistoryRead how Cancer Nation’s leaders coined the term “cancer survivor,” and established the nation’s first survivor-led non-profit organization.
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        • Support Our Mission

        • Make A GiftSupport our mission of quality cancer care for all with a gift to Cancer Nation.
        • The 1986 ClubMake a monthly commitment to support Cancer Nation, empower cancer survivors, and advance public policy.
        • Ways to GiveLearn about other ways you can contribute to Cancer Nation such as planned giving, employer matches, shopping online, and more.
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    • Cancer Nation News
    • Advocate SpotlightEach month, Cancer Nation highlights a cancer survivorship advocate, sharing their story and the work they do in their communities.
    • Policy CommentsRead Cancer Nation’s comments to Congress, HHS, and other federal policymakers in Washington, DC on proposed rules and legislation.
    • Issue StatementsRead Cancer Nation statements on pressing issues and developments in Washington affecting cancer survivors and their families.
  • Policy
        • Policy

        • Public policy is government action, in the form of legislation, regulation, funding, and other actions. Public policy affects people with cancer and the cancer care system in many ways.

        • Our Policy Priorities

        • Quality Cancer CareQuality cancer care is essential for patients. Learn how Cancer Nation and others define quality.
        • Access to CareCancer Nation believes cancer care and clinical trials should be affordable and accessible to everyone.
        • Health EquityThe cancer experience is not the same for everyone. Cancer Nation works on policy efforts to reduce disparities in outcomes.
        • Current Issues

        • Protecting Access to Medicaid for Cancer Survivors
        • Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act (CCSA)The CCSA is a large comprehensive bill introduced in Congress that aims to improve quality of care in all stages of a diagnosis.
        • Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA)CCPCA is a bill that would provide a billable Medicare service code for cancer care planning.
        • DIEP Flap AccessCancer Nation advocates for protection of access to DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Surgery for all breast cancer survivors.
        • Policy CommentsRead Cancer Nation’s comments to Congress, HHS, and other federal policymakers in Washington, DC on proposed rules and legislation.
        • Issue StatementsRead Cancer Nation statements on pressing issues and developments in Washington affecting cancer survivors and their families.
        • Quality Measurement Research
  • Get Involved
        • Get Involved

        • Whether you’re new to cancer advocacy or already have experience as an advocate, there are numerous ways you can get involved with Cancer Nation.

        • Join Cancer Nation

        • Cancer Nation AdvocatesA program that brings together individuals who care about cancer care to learn how policy shapes our health care system—and how we can improve it together.
        • Cancer Nation Leadership AcademyEmerging leaders improving cancer care in their communities.
        • Cancer Nation Corporate Council
        • Advocacy OpportunitiesThis page provides a list of upcoming events, webinars, conferences, and advocacy campaigns from Cancer Nation and other leading cancer organizations.
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        • State of Survivorship Survey

        • Cancer Nation conducts an annual State of Survivorship Survey, in partnership with Edge Research, to explore the cancer patient and survivor journey. This study captures a range of perspectives to better understand how Cancer Nation can support its mission to advocate for quality cancer care for all.

        • Reports by Year

        • 2025 Survey Report
        • 2024 Survey Report
        • 2023 Survey ReportThe 2023 Survey explored the caregiver experience for the first time, and features new data on the effect of cancer treatment on employment.
        • 2022 Survey ReportThe 2022 Survey found significant disparities in cancer care that impact people of color, young adults, women, and those with metastatic cancer, at higher rates.
        • 2021 Survey ReportThe 2021 Survey demonstrated that when patients receive quality care, have excellent support, and have financial resources, they are more likely to have positive outcomes.
        • 2020 Survey ReportIn the 2020 Survey, survivors reported that their care team is not helpful at addressing some common side effects of their cancer such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
  • Survivorship Checklist
        • Cancer Survivorship Checklist

        • The Cancer Survivorship Checklist is designed to be a simple, straightforward tool patients and caregivers can use as a guide for information critical to their care wherever they are on the cancer care continuum.

        • Start Your Cancer Survivorship Checklist
        • Survivorship Checklist Guide for Clinicians
        • Resources for Cancer Survivors

        • Survivorship ResourcesA collection of resources that provide information about navigating the cancer journey.
        • Cancer RehabilitationA supportive health care service that helps improve a person’s functioning during and after cancer treatment.
        • Integrative OncologyA field that combines traditional cancer treatments with therapies that support a person’s natural healing ability.
        • Palliative CareSpecialized medical care for people living with a serious illness that provides relief from the symptoms and stress to improve their quality of life.
        • Cognitive HealingA resource to support cognitive functioning after cancer treatment. Includes cognitive training strategies and tools for both adults and children.
  • Resources
        • Resources

        • Cancer Nation provides a wide variety of resources for patients, caregivers, and health care professionals.

        • Resources for Survivors and Caregivers

        • Health Insurance & Open Enrollment
        • Cancer Survival ToolboxA free, award-winning audio program created by leading cancer organizations to help people better meet & understand the challenges of their illness.
        • Ina® The Intelligent Nutrition Assistant
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        • Taking Charge of Your Care
        • Order Our Resources
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        • Tools For Care Providers
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NCCS is now Cancer Nation. Find out more about our next chapter.    Join Us

Susie Leigh – Founding a Movement, Shaping the Future

Susie Leigh – Founding a Movement, Shaping the Future

Meet Susan (Susie) Leigh, a four-time cancer survivor and one of the original founders of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. For decades, Susie has been at the forefront of the cancer survivorship movement, advocating for better care and support for those living with and beyond cancer ...
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NCCS Founders at 1990 Assembly

The Birth of the Cancer Survivorship Movement and How It Transformed Cancer Care for Millions

Guest Post by Judith L. Pearson Best-Selling Author of From Shadows to Life: A Biography of the Cancer Survivorship Movement "Survivorship has been my passion for three decades, so I might talk your ear off!" When Susie Leigh sent those words in an email to me in the summer of ...
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breast cancer survivor

NCCS Mourns Former Board Member Kathy LaTour

Kathy LaTour, breast cancer survivor, author of The Breast Cancer Companion, and co-founder of CURE Magazine, died on June 19. Kathy served as an NCCS board member from 1992 to 1996. After her cancer diagnosis in 1986, she turned her formidable writing talents to informing and supporting cancer patients and ...
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1998 The MARCH 33 Betsy Clark LadiesUnderTent MedRes 800x510

Remembering Survivorship Leader Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark, PhD

We at NCCS are devastated to report the passing of Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark on Saturday, May 23, 2020.Betsy was a true champion for cancer survivors. Her leadership, service, and contributions to NCCS and the field of cancer survivorship were vast. She was formerly Executive Vice President of NCCS, and ...
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Remembering Fitzhugh Mullan

Remembering Fitzhugh Mullan, MD

It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Fitzhugh Mullan, MD, the co-founder and first president of the National Coalition of Cancer Survivorship, on November 30, 2019. As a young physician in 1975, Fitz was diagnosed with cancer at a time a cancer diagnosis was commonly a ...
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Defining Cancer Survivorship

Defining Cancer Survivorship

It did not occur to me while I was acutely ill or for some time afterward that the simple concepts of sickness and cure were insufficient to describe what was happening to me. As with most cancer patients, the quality of my life during this period was severely compromised, and the ...
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Latest News

Graphic with text. Cancer Nation Town Hall | The Right to Thrive: A Conversation on the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act | Bold, bipartisan legislation designed to strengthen survivorship care and improve quality of life. | Logos for Cancer Nation, Children's Cancer Cause, Lymphoma Research Foundation

The Right to Thrive: A Conversation on the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act

June 18, 2026
On June 15, Cancer Nation co-hosted a virtual town hall with the Lymphoma Research Foundation and Children's Cancer Cause to build…
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https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/LJCCSA-Town-Hall-Banner-Post-1200px.jpg 675 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/CancerNation_Logo_Stacked_TwoColor.svg NCCS Staff2026-06-18 17:49:372026-06-18 18:25:26The Right to Thrive: A Conversation on the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act
A graphic showing the Medicaid.gov website

Cancer Nation Statement: Medicaid Work Requirements Will Unfairly Burden Cancer Survivors

June 4, 2026
Cancer Nation strongly supports a health care system free of waste, fraud, and abuse. Health care resources must be directed to delivery…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/Stock-Medicaid-website-Adobe-927192378.jpg 675 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/CancerNation_Logo_Stacked_TwoColor.svg NCCS Staff2026-06-04 12:56:142026-06-05 13:42:09Cancer Nation Statement: Medicaid Work Requirements Will Unfairly Burden Cancer Survivors
Image with graphics and text that reads Cancer Nation Understanding Blood-Based Testing in Cancer Care | Watch Now | With Support From: Guardant Health Logo

Webinar – Understanding Blood-Based Testing in Cancer Care

May 29, 2026
Cancer Nation's Webinar Series presents a clear, practical conversation about advances in blood-based testing and how they're shaping…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/Blood-Based-Testing-Webinar-post.jpg 675 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/CancerNation_Logo_Stacked_TwoColor.svg NCCS Staff2026-05-29 11:28:002026-05-29 11:28:00Webinar – Understanding Blood-Based Testing in Cancer Care

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Harmar Brereton, MD

Founder
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

 

“Perhaps one of the most impactful collaborations in Dr. Brereton’s extraordinary career remains his early work and long friendship with Ellen Stovall. Through him, and in turn through the thousands of lives he has touched, Ellen’s work continues, and her mission lives on.”

—Karen M. Saunders
President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute