An Oncology Unscripted Episode
In this episode of Oncology Unscripted, hosts Mark Liu and Deirdre Saulet speak with Arif Kamal, MD, Chief Patient Officer at the American Cancer Society (ACS). Dr. Kamal discusses his recent appointment to this inaugural role at ACS, leading into a conversation about how he expects the cancer care field to evolve. Namely, a shift for providers toward building a skillset for compassionate patient conversations, a shift toward self-administered treatment modalities whenever possible, and new payment models for multi-cancer early detection tests. Dr. Kamal also shares how ACS’s recently launched Access to Clinical Trials and Support program is helping to reduce the challenges and barriers patients face when enrolling in clinical trials.
“When you think about...the goal of cancer care...it’s about more and better days. It is a false choice to choose between one or the other...As we’re getting people to the other side [of treatment], are we leaving them financially devastated, significantly lonely, without support around them?” – Arif Kamal, MD
Guests:
Arif Kamal, MD
Chief Patient Officer
American Cancer Society
To submit a topic of discussion to the podcast, please email mark.liu@mountsinai.org and deirdre.saulet@hellojasper.com.
Resources
The 2026 Oncology Unscripted series is exclusively sponsored by: Advarra
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Cancer Care Centers.
June 30, 2026
At the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, the Louisiana Oncology Society received the ASCO Jeffrey C Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award for advancing critical advocacy priorities that have translated into meaningful legislative victories. The Iowa Oncology Society and Washington State Medical Oncology Society were also recognized for their advocacy efforts in 2025 at the meeting, receiving second place awards.
