Elevating patient voices

On Sept. 15-16, Exact Sciences hosted its first in-person meeting of the Patient Advocacy Advisory Council (PAAC). This two-day event brought together patient advocacy leaders from across the country and Exact Sciences team members to discuss ways to ensure that the patient voice remains central to their work in precision oncology.

The meeting focused on gathering practical feedback, exploring educational opportunities, strengthening collaboration, sharing strategic insights, and highlighting innovation in advocacy.

“The PAAC really underscored that patient advocacy is not just a supplemental effort, it’s a driving force for meaningful change,” said Angelique Caba, Vice President of Programs & Health Equity at CancerCare. “By embedding patient and advocacy perspectives into decision-making and acting on what they hear, organizations can build trust, reduce barriers to care, and create innovative, equitable, and patient-centered solutions.”

Patient voices help inspire new product development, improve educational materials, and guide meaningful impact. Established in 2022, the Precision Oncology PAAC works to identify where and how these patient insights can be implemented across Exact Sciences’ business functions.

“This meeting gave us the chance to elevate the patient voice across Exact Sciences in a tangible way,” says Leah Eshraghi, Principal Advocacy and Alliances Director at Exact Sciences. “Seeing our advocates spark meaningful conversation was incredibly powerful, and their presence helped deepen understanding and inspire action.”