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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Is Colon Cancer Really Rising in Young People?
In recent years, there has been an apparent increase in the incidence of colon cancer among young adults. Colon cancer has traditionally been considered a disease that affects older people. This topic has sparked much debate, speculation, research, and media coverage. But the question remains: Is colon cancer really on the rise among young people? […]
The Advantages of Providing Cancer-Specific Health Plan Benefits
Cancer affects millions of people worldwide, and the physical, emotional, and financial toll it takes on patients and their families can be overwhelming. In the face of such challenges, having comprehensive health insurance coverage tailored specifically for cancer care can make a world of difference. Cancer-specific health plan benefits offer numerous advantages, not only for […]
HPV is a Risk Factor for More than Just Cervical Cancer
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that has been primarily associated with cervical cancer. However, HPV is a risk factor for a wide range of other cancers and health conditions, making it essential to raise awareness about its broader impact on health for both men and women. What is HPV? HPV is […]