The inaugural Advancing Community Oncology Report from McKesson highlights key trends and opportunities in community-based cancer care. Released today, the report aligns with McKesson’s strategic goal of enhancing support for oncology care ecosystems and accelerating patient access to innovative treatments through partnerships between biopharma and community oncology practices. It emphasizes the vital role community oncology plays 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 breakthroughs and everyday oncology care. The report provides insights from community practices at the forefront of cancer treatment, as well as feedback from industry leaders on how biopharma can support these providers in accelerating the advancement of cancer care.
The report includes input from over 100 community oncologists and more than 100 practice administrators and staff, depicting the current landscape and future outlook of community oncology. Additional perspectives were gathered from physicians, clinicians, practice leaders, and experts during McKesson’s inaugural Accelerate conference held in November 2025 in Las Vegas.
Key opportunities identified in the report to shape the future of community oncology include accelerating the adoption of novel and precision therapies, expanding access to community-based clinical trials, improving care to meet evolving patient needs, preparing community practices for technology-driven care, and promoting collaboration and innovation through McKesson Accelerate.
Despite delivering high-quality, patient-centered care that enables patients to maintain daily routines, community practices face significant operational challenges. Administrative burdens such as prior authorization, coding, billing, and revenue cycle management are the greatest obstacles, cited as a top concern by 59% of physicians and 61% of administrators and staff. In adopting novel therapies, payment and reimbursement challenges were reported by 62% of administrators and staff, while 54% of physicians noted time constraints. Lack of specialized staff was the leading concern regarding clinical trial participation for 54% of physicians and 53% of administrators and staff. Other critical issues include keeping pace with clinical innovation (highlighted by 78% of community physicians), insufficient technology, limited operating budgets, and difficulties in clinical trial participation.
Ben Jones, senior vice president of marketing and government relations at McKesson Oncology and Multispecialty, emphasized that community-based providers not only deliver care but also influence its future. Their clinical expertise and commitment to patients drive advocacy for legislative and regulatory reforms aimed at expanding access to high-quality cancer care.
Precision medicine is rapidly transforming cancer treatment by enabling personalized care. The majority of survey respondents (95%) anticipate significant improvements in patient survival through personalized medicine, and over 70% believe innovative therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell and gene therapies could replace traditional methods within a decade. However, systemic barriers hamper the adoption of these advancements. The report stresses the importance of collaboration to overcome these challenges.
Expanding participation in clinical trials is critical for both advancing research and enhancing patient outcomes. While 93% of community physicians and administrators agree on the positive impact of clinical trial participation, 85% of physicians and 78% of administrators report that access is easier in academic settings. The patient population is also evolving—76% of oncologists observed younger patient diagnoses and an increase in long-term care needs, while 62% reported rising patient volumes.
In response to these changes, 64% of community physicians and 77% of administrators expressed a demand for improved patient education. There is also concern about the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare systems, including electronic medical records and prior authorizations. Only 2% of physicians and 6% of administrators feel fully prepared for these technological advancements. The report underscores that emerging technologies should augment, not replace, the human element central to community oncology.
The report concludes that oncology has never been more interconnected or complex. Continued progress requires effectively linking discovery, data, and care delivery to ensure innovations reach every patient who can benefit.
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