What You Should Know
- Patients with metastatic breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) treated in independent community oncology practices lived longer than national benchmarks.
- Median survival for metastatic breast cancer patients in community settings was eight months longer than the national SEER benchmark.
- For patients with mNSCLC, median survival in community practices was two months longer than national standards.
- The study analyzed real-world data from nearly 98,000 patients treated at Flatiron Health Research Network (FHRN) practices between 2013 and 2022.
- Survival rates remained consistently higher for community oncology patients at the one-, three-, and five-year milestones.
In the landscape of U.S. cancer care, independent community oncology practices have long served as the primary delivery site for the majority of patients. A new landmark study, commissioned by the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) and conducted by Flatiron Health, provides robust real-world evidence that these settings are not only convenient but associated with superior survival outcomes. By comparing patient data against the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database—the gold standard for U.S. cancer surveillance—researchers found that community-based care consistently outperforms national survival benchmarks for some of the most common and complex metastatic cancers.
The findings come at a pivotal time for independent practices, which face increasing regulatory and financial pressure from hospital consolidation. Dr. Debra Patt, president of COA, emphasized that these results prove “where people receive cancer treatment matters,” suggesting that the multidisciplinary and locally embedded nature of community oncology directly translates into more time for patients to spend with their families.
Metastatic Breast Cancer: An Eight-Month Survival Advantage
The most striking results were found among patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. The analysis revealed that patients treated within the FHRN community oncology network achieved a median survival that exceeded national benchmarks by eight months. This significant gap underscores the effectiveness of independent practices in managing the intensive, long-term treatment protocols required for advanced breast cancer.
Furthermore, survival rates at the one-, three-, and five-year marks were consistently higher for this cohort compared to national estimates. This longitudinal success suggests that community practices are adept at maintaining care continuity and managing the evolving needs of metastatic patients over several years.
mNSCLC: Outperforming Benchmarks in the Most Common Lung Cancer
The study also analyzed outcomes for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC), the most prevalent form of lung cancer in the U.S. Even in this high-acuity patient group, community oncology practices demonstrated superior performance, with median survival exceeding national benchmarks by two months.
While smaller than the gap seen in breast cancer, the two-month increase in median survival for mNSCLC is clinically significant, particularly given the historical challenges in treating advanced lung cancer. Dr. Stephen Divers of the COA board noted that this research provides vital reassurance to patients that they are in “good hands” when choosing an independent practice for their care.
A Data-Driven Blueprint for Future Care
This study represents the first phase of a multiyear collaboration between COA and Flatiron Health. By utilizing rigorously curated real-world data from nearly 98,000 patients, the researchers have moved beyond anecdotal evidence to create a comprehensive picture of quality in community oncology. Future phases of the research are expected to examine additional disease areas, time to diagnosis, and the specific patient-centered approaches that drive these outcomes.
Flatiron Health’s Quincy Weatherspoon stated that the partnership aims to bring “greater clarity to the realities of care” by turning research-ready data into actionable insights. As the findings are presented this week at the Community Oncology Conference in Orlando, the industry will be watching closely to see how this data influences policy and patient referral patterns in 2026 and beyond.
Why This Matters
As we move toward value-based frameworks, payers and health systems should view these results as a signal to support, rather than absorb, independent practices. Survival is the gold standard, and right now, the community model is winning.
