Cancer Action Now Launches Online Cancer Information Service, Offering Early and Direct Access to Top Oncology Experts

MORRISTOWN, N.J., March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- iCAN, an online service launched today by Cancer Action Now (www.canceractionnow.com), quickly and securely provides those with cancer, their caregivers, and their doctors access to many of the top cancer doctors in the world. iCAN empowers patients to more rapidly make decisions and initiate optimal treatment earlier, regardless of location.

The incidence of cancer is increasing, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). In its "State of Cancer Care in America: 2015" report, the ASCO states that an estimated 1.6 million new cancers were diagnosed in 2014, with growing numbers expected in future years.

With access to a growing group of more than hundreds of renowned oncologists, those with cancer in the US can receive personalized information on their type of cancer and gain important insight on the latest approaches and treatment options from doctors who have handled a range of difficult cases, and who are knowledgeable in clinical trials and medical advances. The iCAN service provides those with cancer and their caregivers with the knowledge to ask the right questions to their primary cancer team, and make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

At the heart of the iCAN service is a live session with a top oncologist, via a proprietary, HIPAA-compliant and secure platform. Fees for the session can vary based on the complexity of the situation, but are typically $1,500-$3,000. Rates are deeply discounted for those whose employers and/or doctors are part of the iCAN Network.  Doctor-to-Doctor Collaborations, an additional service through Cancer Action Now, offers people not only in the US but all over the world the opportunity to arrange for their local physicians to connect and collaborate with a renowned oncology expert within the iCAN network.

Cancer Action Now has also packaged the iCAN service for corporations to offer to their employees as a healthcare benefit. There are several levels of participation for corporations, from offering the iCAN service at a discounted rate to employees and their families, to monthly seminars and detailed information on prevention and screening. 

"Cancer is a life-threatening, life-altering disease and raises the most difficult questions a person and their families will ever face," said Jeff Meehan, CEO and Co-Founder of Cancer Action Now. "It's overwhelming and immensely challenging to figure out the best path to pursue, how to find the right doctor, and where to find the most reliable information and guidance ― all in a timely manner.  Our foundational belief is that those with cancer deserve the power to drive decisions, not just put their lives in the hands of their doctors to make the right decision for them." 

Meehan was inspired to found Cancer Action Now through his dad's battle with cancer, and the challenges he and his family faced at that time. As a result of his experience, he established the iCAN service to provide direct connections to leading cancer experts, eliminate geographic boundaries, and streamline layers of inaccessibility.

The experts in iCAN's network have passed a rigorous evaluation process conducted by Cancer Action Now's medical advisors. Criteria include physicians' accomplishments and leadership within their very focused field, including their involvement in the development of national and international treatment guidelines; their participation in numerous research trials; publication of numerous articles in their field; and if they've held leadership positions in major medical societies, among others.

Among the renowned experts in the iCAN network are Dr. Minesh Mehta, M.B.Ch.B, F.A.S.T.R.O, Adjunct Professor of Radiation Oncology with the University of Maryland School of Medicine; Paul A. Bunn, Jr, MD, Distinguished Professor, Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Colorado, and the James Dudley Chair in Lung Cancer Research and Past President of American Society of Clinical Oncology; and Dr. Charles Balch, president of Cancer Action Now's international division, Past President of American Society of Clinical Oncology, and a leading clinical and academic surgical oncologist for the past 39 years in both melanoma and breast cancer. He is author of more than 730 articles and has lectured in more than 35 countries and most of the major academic centers in the United States.

"I'm confident that through my participation in the iCAN service, I can provide more clarity to people and educate them on their disease so they can partner with their doctor to make more informed decisions," said Dr. Mehta, M.B.Ch.B, F.A.S.T.R.O, Adjunct Professor of Radiation Oncology with the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

"Through the iCAN service, we can collaborate directly with the patient's doctor in circumstances where additional expertise may be helpful in their treatment planning," said Dr. Bunn, Jr.

During the beta testing phase, the iCAN service was offered to several people with cancer, including the husband of Susan Youngblood, of Chicago, Ill.

"When we were told of my husband's metastatic cancer diagnosis we were totally disoriented," said Youngblood. "We were referred to Cancer Action Now and four days later (including a weekend) we were talking live to an expert online. He's a renowned leader in treatment of my husband's particular condition, and he's a genuinely concerned human being as well. It made all the difference. We now find ourselves with our feet back on the ground, but what's more, we are actively moving along a new path."

For more information about the iCAN service, please call 844-GET-iCAN, email [email protected] or visit www.canceractionnow.com. 

About Cancer Action Now
Cancer Action Now (www.canceractionnow.com) was founded in 2015, and launched its iCAN service in 2016 as a global, online solution for rapid access the world's top oncologists. As of Feb. 1, 2016, more than 50 top cancer doctors are in the iCAN network. Cancer Action Now also offers its iCAN service to corporations as a corporate benefit.

iCAN was co-founded by Jeff Meehan, who has been actively involved in cancer research, education, and healthcare IT for more than 25 years. He has started and sold numerous companies including Educational Concepts in Medicine LLC, Broadleaf Creative Group LLC, and Strategic Edge Communications, Inc.  Most recently he was Chief Commercial Officer of MDOL, Inc. and was instrumental in positioning the company for acquisition by The Ability Network in 2014.

Cancer Action Now has an advisory board that includes seasoned and leading professionals in business, cancer advocacy, and healthcare information technology. These strategic advisors include Douglas Watson, the former US CEO of Novartis and Chairman of Dendreon; Steve Simcox, former CEO of MediMedia and now Managing Partner of Healthtalker; Doug Ulman, former CEO of Livestrong and now CEO of Pelotonia; Sujay Kango, Chief Commercial Officer of Infinity Pharmaceuticals and former VP of oncology for Merck; and Tom Langan, CEO of Practice Fusion, a leading provider of electronic medical records software.

Contact:            Bob Zeitlinger / Fireworks 
                           [email protected] 
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SOURCE Cancer Action Now

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