Reducing Avoidable Costs in Cancer Care with Proactive, Whole-Person Engagement
The rising cost of cancer care isn’t just about treatments—it’s about the consequences of fragmented, delayed, or misaligned decisions. Unplanned emergency visits, missed appointments, low-value interventions, and member disengagement all drive up costs that could be avoided with the right support, at the right time. In fact, nearly 30% of cancer-related emergency department visits are […]
Supporting Employees Through Complex Diagnoses: The Impact of Advocacy in the Workplace
When an employee receives a life-changing diagnosis—cancer, heart disease, or another serious condition—stress doesn’t pause. In fact, it often compounds. Between trying to grasp medical terms, navigate fragmented care, manage insurance, and keep up with work responsibilities, many employees feel overwhelmed and alone. In a study by the American Cancer Society (2022), nearly 60% of […]
Advancing Health Equity in Cancer Care: Why Trust and Advocacy Matter
Despite major breakthroughs in cancer treatment and early detection, stark disparities in outcomes persist—and for many communities, they’re getting worse, not better. Black Americans, for example, continue to experience the highest cancer death rates of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S. (American Cancer Society, 2024). Hispanic and Native American populations are more likely […]
When Patients Lead, Outcomes Improve
A cancer diagnosis brings more than medical decisions—it brings fear, uncertainty, and often, a feeling of lost control. But when people are invited to lead their treatment decisions, everything shifts. At Ardynn, we hear it all the time: “I didn’t know I could say no.”“I just wanted someone to explain it in a way that […]
When Treatment Reflects What Matters Most
After a cancer diagnosis, one of the first things many people hear is a list of treatment options. Surgery. Chemo. Radiation. Targeted therapy. Each comes with its own risks, benefits, and tradeoffs. But what’s often missing in these conversations is the question:What matters most to you? One of our members, a 67-year-old man living with […]
The Importance of Support for Caregivers
Caregivers play an essential role in the lives of those they support, often providing both emotional and practical care for loved ones facing illness, disability, or age-related challenges. While caregiving can be deeply rewarding, it can also be incredibly demanding and stressful. Supporting caregivers is crucial not only for their well-being but also for the […]
Confronting Racial Disparities in Cancer Care
Not everyone experiences cancer the same way. While the disease itself doesn’t discriminate, the systems surrounding diagnosis, treatment, and support too often do. Racial disparities in cancer care are a longstanding and unacceptable reality—affecting when cancer is found, what treatments are offered, and ultimately, who survives. This isn’t just a question of fairness. It’s a […]
The Benefits of Shared Decision Making in Healthcare
In the realm of healthcare, shared decision-making (SDM) has emerged as a transformative approach that empowers patients to actively participate in their care journey alongside healthcare professionals. This collaborative process involves patients, their families, and healthcare providers working together to make informed decisions that align with patients’ values, preferences, and unique circumstances. In this blog […]
Supporting Employees with Cancer: Strategies for Supporting Your Employees with Cancer
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life-altering event that can have profound implications. For employees navigating this challenging journey, the support and understanding of their workplace can make a significant difference in their overall well-being and ability to cope. In this post, we’ll explore effective strategies for employers and coworkers to best support employees facing […]
Care Coordinators vs. Advocates: Understanding the Differences
There is much confusion around the roles of care coordinators and patient advocates, and we often get asked to explain the difference. In this post, we will discuss care coordinators and advocates and their distinct but complementary roles in improving patient outcomes and experiences. Care coordinators, also known as care managers or case managers, serve […]
