The U.S. is facing a crisis in how to deliver cancer care, as the baby boomers reach their tumor-prone years and doctors have a hard time keeping up with complex new treatments, government advisers reported Tuesday.
The caution comes even as scientists are learning more than ever about better ways to battle cancer, and developing innovative therapies to target tumors.
And while doctors try to optimize treatment, the Institute of Medicine found "daunting" barriers to achieving high-quality care for all patients. Overcoming those challenges will require changes to the health care system, and savvier consumers.
"We do not want to frighten or scare people who are getting care now," said Dr. Patricia Ganz, a cancer specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who chaired the panel.
