Research & Insights

Research Centered in Real Experiences

At CancerCare, research begins with listening.

Every day, people with cancer and their caregivers face challenges that go far beyond medical treatment, from financial stress and insurance red tape to difficulties navigating care, emotional strain, and uncertainty about the future. Through person-centered research, CancerCare works to strengthen support services, inform advocacy, and drive systems change.

Our research centers the voices and lived experiences of people affected by cancer. Through surveys and other initiatives, CancerCare gathers insights directly from people affected by cancer to better understand their challenges, needs, and experiences and improve support and advocacy.

Turning Research Into Action

Research matters most when it leads to action.

CancerCare conducts rigorous research that reflects the real-world needs of people affected by cancer. Our work goes beyond measuring how common a challenge may be; it explores how these challenges impact people’s access to care, finances, and daily lives. Behind every data point is a real person, family, or caregiver navigating the challenges of cancer.

CancerCare’s Policy Center and our partners use these findings to inform advocacy initiatives, coalition work, and Congressional briefings focused on improving access to affordable, equitable cancer care.

Access & Affordability

CancerCare researches the barriers that prevent people from getting the care they need, including high out-of-pocket costs, insurance denials, treatment delays, and administrative burdens that can make navigating care exhausting and confusing.

A key part of this work is CancerCare’s recent Red Tape Report, which documents the real-world impact of utilization management barriers on people with cancer. Through research and advocacy, the initiative elevates patient experiences to improve access to affordable, timely cancer care.

Research Guided by Partnership

CancerCare develops research in collaboration with patient and caregiver advisors, academic institutions, researchers, and advocacy organizations.

Together, these partnerships help shape the questions we ask and strengthen research focused on improving patients’ and caregivers’ lives.

For questions, please contact [email protected].