Champions of cancer care are transforming the patient journey through empathy, innovation and advocacy.
In its most recent estimates on the global burden of cancer, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) highlighted the growing burden of cancer, the disproportionate impact on underserved populations and the urgent need to address cancer inequities worldwide.
The 2022 data with which the IARC made this determination also demonstrates the grim reality of cancer diagnosis—it remained a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths and an estimated 20 million new cases.
While medical advancements have transformed treatments, disparities in care and the overwhelming emotional toll of a diagnosis persist. Across the healthcare spectrum, from researchers to advocates, professionals are working tirelessly to center patient needs and transform how cancer care is delivered.
Prioritizing the Patient in Cancer Care
From medical school at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine to the beginnings of her career as a community oncologist, Kira MacDougall, MD ’18, has been inspired by the human side of oncology.
“During my residency, I saw firsthand how an oncologist’s ability to listen and truly connect with patients could transform their experience. That’s when I knew I wanted to focus on making patients feel heard and empowered.”
In her practice, Dr. MacDougall emphasizes individualized care tailored to each patient’s unique needs and circumstances. She often spends extra time with patients to ensure they understand their diagnoses and treatment plans. She also emphasizes the importance of emotional support for both patients and their families.
She shares a poignant example of a patient who struggled with making treatment decisions after a terminal diagnosis. “Advocacy is about meeting patients where they are and ensuring they feel supported no matter the outcome. It was about helping him find peace and confidence in whatever path he chose.”
Commitment to Equitable Care
Kenneth Luberice, MD ’19, was raised in a low-income household. His upbringing acts as a major source of influence on the surgical oncologist that he is today advocating for equitable cancer care. Growing up, he witnessed how systemic barriers could prevent people from accessing timely and adequate healthcare.
“I know what it’s like to feel like the odds are stacked against you. Many patients come in at late stages of disease because they lack access to early screening or distrust the medical system. My mission is to connect with them, to let them know they’re not alone, and to ensure they receive the care they deserve.”
Dr. Luberice believes that advocacy starts with understanding each patient’s unique challenges. “You can’t just treat the cancer,” he says. “You have to understand the person who is living with it—their fears, their hopes and the barriers they face.” He emphasizes the need to build trust by listening without judgment.
Behind the Scenes: Innovations in Research
After graduating from Ross University School of Medicine, Dr. Luberice was selected for a fellowship at the National Cancer Institute, where he contributed to groundbreaking research aimed at improving cancer treatment outcomes. He developed a preclinical model that keeps solid tumors intact within an organ outside the body, sustained by a system replicating the human circulatory and endocrine systems.
“This allows us to test treatments in real time while maintaining the tumor’s natural environment,” he explains. “By observing therapies under conditions that closely mimic the human body, we can uncover new insights into how cancer responds to treatment.”
Dr. Luberice’s research has also delved into understanding how genetic mutations influence cancer progression.
“Our work has identified key biomarkers that can predict a tumor’s behavior and its likelihood of responding to certain therapies,” he shares. “This could lead to more personalized treatment strategies, giving patients therapies that are more likely to work for them.”
Dr. MacDougall has spent time in research too, leading a project on CAR T-cell therapy through the American Association of Cancer Research. Her work focused on patient-reported outcomes, addressing gaps in communication during transitions between academic and community care teams. “We developed a roadmap for patients to ensure they knew exactly who to turn to for support during their treatment journey,” she says.
“It’s about more than the treatment—it’s about empowering patients through clarity and compassion.”
Patients like Paula O’Neil, PhD ’10, a dedicated advocate and survivor of two cancer diagnoses.
Advocating for Cancer Patients Like Her
Dr. O’Neil thought upon her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013.
Dr. O’Neil is a Walden University alumna and has spent her career as an advocate for others. As clerk and comptroller for Pasco County, Florida, she chaired Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
After surviving breast cancer and later skin cancer, Dr. O’Neil transformed her experiences into inspiration, writing Fighting Cancer Like a Girl. “I played college softball, and I never wanted anybody to say I threw like a girl,” she says. “That stuck with me. I can fight cancer the same way: still be nice, ask a lot of questions and don’t give up.”
What stood out most during her journey was the care and compassion her medical team displayed. “When they asked how I was feeling, it wasn’t just a question on a form,” she recalls. “It was obvious that they really wanted to take action to take care of me.”
Learn more about how Adtalem is Championing Care.
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