McKesson Report Details Key Trends Shaping US Community Oncology Care

Key Takeaways

• Community oncology now treats most US cancer patients, creating new opportunities and operational challenges for practices and biopharma partners.
• Survey data show strong optimism for precision medicine and clinical trials, but significant barriers remain in adoption, access, and infrastructure.
• Technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), is expected to reshape care delivery, though most practices report readiness gaps.

McKesson Corporation has released its Advancing Community Oncology Report 2025, offering a detailed snapshot of how community-based oncology practices across the US are navigating rapid clinical, operational, and technological change. The report combines findings from a national double-blind survey of community oncologists and practice staff with insights from McKesson’s inaugural Accelerate conference.

The report is based on a double-blind survey of 103 community oncologists and 102 practice administrators and staff conducted in April 2025, representing a broad range of geographies and practice sizes. More than half of US cancer patients are now treated in community settings, underscoring the central role these practices play in oncology care delivery.

Survey results show near-universal confidence in the promise of personalized medicine. Ninety-five percent of respondents expect precision medicine to significantly improve survival, and more than 70% believe innovative therapies will replace traditional treatment approaches within the next decade. Despite this optimism, 78% of community physicians report difficulty keeping pace with rapid clinical innovation.

Access to clinical trials emerged as another major challenge. While 93% of both physicians and administrators said clinical trial participation benefits patients, 85% of physicians and 78% of administrators reported that trials are harder to access in community settings than in academic centers. Respondents cited staffing, infrastructure, and workflow misalignment as key barriers.

The report also highlights changing patient demographics. Sixty-two percent of physicians reported rising patient volumes, 76% reported more chronic and long-term care needs, and 76% observed an increase in younger patients diagnosed with cancer. To address these shifts, respondents emphasized the need for tailored patient education and expanded support services.

Clinical Implications

For oncology leaders and pathway decision-makers, the findings reinforce that community oncology is no longer a peripheral care setting but the primary site of cancer treatment in the US. As more complex therapies, including cell and gene therapies, move into routine practice, pathway development must account for real-world constraints such as staffing, reimbursement, and infrastructure variability.

The strong interest in clinical trials and precision medicine suggests alignment between providers and biopharma on innovation goals, but execution gaps persist. Payers and pathway developers may need to consider how coverage policies, prior authorization requirements, and value-based models affect community practices’ ability to adopt new therapies and enroll patients in trials.

Technology readiness is another key implication. More than 80% of respondents expect AI-enabled tools to be embedded in clinical and administrative systems, yet only a small minority feel fully prepared. This gap highlights opportunities for coordinated investments in interoperable systems that support evidence-based pathways while reducing administrative burden.

“Cancer care in the United States is at a pivotal moment, with over half of cancer patients now treated in community settings,” said Jason Hammonds, president of Oncology & Multispecialty at McKesson.

Michelle Lockyer, chief strategy officer for Oncology at McKesson, added that community practices will play a critical role in translating innovation into access. She noted that the report highlights “practical, near-term opportunities for biopharma to expand its impact in these care settings.”

Conclusion

The Advancing Community Oncology Report 2025 underscores a clear message: innovation in oncology will succeed only if it is operationalized in the community setting. For clinicians, payers, and pathway leaders, aligning precision medicine, clinical trials, and technology with real-world practice needs will be central to improving patient access and outcomes nationwide.

Reference

McKesson. McKesson’s Advancing Community Oncology Report charts a new era of innovation for biopharma and community care. December 1, 2025. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.mckesson.com/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/2025/mckessons-advancing-community-oncology-report-charts-a-new-era-of-innovation/