Support Programs Enhance Cancer Patients' Treatment Attendance

Radiation therapy is a highly effective cancer treatment, but attendance at treatment sessions is crucial to its success. A significant issue arises as one in five U.S. cancer patients miss two or more of their recommended radiation appointments, which can elevate their risk of dying from cancer or facing a recurrence.

To address this, a study published on November 11, 2025, in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons revealed that support programs can reduce missed radiation therapy sessions by up to 40%. Senior researcher Dr.

Laurie Kirstein, a breast surgical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, emphasized the importance of completing treatment to reap the benefits of these advanced therapies. The study focused on the Breaking Barriers program, a two-year national quality improvement initiative aimed at helping hospitals and cancer centers tackle the reasons behind missed radiation sessions.

In total, 194 institutions participated, analyzing barriers affecting patients with seven types of cancer, including breast, prostate, and lung cancers. More than 90,000 patients were scheduled for radiation therapy during this period, and researchers documented the reasons patients missed three or more appointments.

The results identified four primary barriers: 62% of patients faced transportation issues, 37% dealt with unrelated illnesses, 17% had conflicting appointments, and 9% expressed a lack of desire to continue treatment.

In response, hospitals implemented several solutions, including enhanced electronic health records for automated appointment reminders, improved transportation assistance, and hiring patient navigators to follow up with patients.

As a result, 71% of participating hospitals reported a decrease in no-show rates, with missed appointments dropping nearly 40%, from around 8% to 5%. This translated to over 1,600 additional patients completing their cancer care.

The study found the most significant improvements in the South and Midwest regions, while the Northeast exhibited less progress. Dr. Kirstein highlighted the need for healthcare providers to recognize the distinct challenges cancer patients face and develop innovative solutions to support them.

This research underscores the critical role of patient support systems in ensuring adherence to treatment regimens, which is vital for improving outcomes in cancer care. According to the report, tackling these barriers can significantly enhance patient attendance at crucial treatment sessions.