The inaugural Advancing Community Oncology Report from McKesson highlights key trends and opportunities in community-based cancer care. Released today, the report reflects McKesson’s strategic focus on enhancing oncology care ecosystems and accelerating patient access to innovative treatments through collaborations between biopharma and community oncology practices. It emphasizes the vital role of community oncology in creating a more sustainable future for cancer care.
Jason Hammonds, president of oncology and multispecialty at McKesson, stated that the company aims to bridge the gap between scientific advances and everyday oncology care. The report provides insights from frontline community practices and industry leaders on how biopharma can support providers in advancing cancer care for patients.
Insights in the report come from over 100 community oncologists and more than 100 practice administrators and staff, alongside feedback from physicians, clinicians, practice leaders, and experts gathered during McKesson’s inaugural Accelerate conference held November 3-5, 2025, in Las Vegas.
Key opportunities identified include accelerating adoption of novel and precision therapies, expanding access to community-based clinical trials, enhancing care to meet evolving patient needs, preparing community practices for technology-driven care, and fostering collaboration and innovation through McKesson Accelerate.
Despite delivering high-quality, patient-centered care that allows patients to maintain their daily lives, community practices face significant operational challenges. Administrative burdens—such as prior authorization, coding, billing, and revenue cycle management—are the top obstacle, cited by 59% of physicians and 61% of administrators and staff. Payment and reimbursement issues are the leading concern for adopting novel therapies among 62% of administrators and staff, while 54% of physicians cite lack of time. Limited specialized staff is the biggest barrier to clinical trial participation for 54% of physicians and 53% of administrators and staff. Other challenges include keeping pace with clinical innovation (noted by 78% of physicians), inadequate technology, budget constraints, and clinical trial participation difficulties.
Community providers are not only delivering care but also shaping its future. Their clinical expertise and commitment to patients drive advocacy for legislative and regulatory reforms that improve access to high-quality cancer care, according to Ben Jones, senior vice president of marketing and government relations at McKesson’s oncology and multispecialty division.
Precision medicine is rapidly transforming cancer treatment by enabling personalized care. A vast majority of respondents (95%) expect personalized medicine to significantly boost patient survival, with over 70% anticipating that innovative therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell and gene therapies could replace traditional treatments within the next decade. Adoption of these innovations is, however, limited by systemic barriers, underscoring the need for collaboration to overcome them.
Expanding clinical trial participation remains crucial for both research advancement and improved patient outcomes. While 93% of community physicians and administrators recognize the positive impact of clinical trials on outcomes, 85% of physicians and 78% of administrators report that access is easier in academic settings. Meanwhile, the patient population is evolving; 76% of oncologists note that patients are being diagnosed at younger ages and more require long-term care, with 62% reporting rising patient volumes.
The changing patient landscape drives increased demand for better patient education, expressed by 64% of physicians and 77% of administrators and staff. There is also concern about the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into systems such as electronic medical records and prior authorization processes. Only 2% of physicians and 6% of administrators feel fully prepared for upcoming changes. The report emphasizes that emerging technologies will support—not replace—the human element central to community oncology.
The report concludes that oncology has never been more interconnected or complex. Progress depends on effectively linking research, data, and patient care to ensure innovations reach every patient who can benefit.
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