November 3, 2026
CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Webinar
College of American Pathologists Announces 2026 Board of Governors Election Results
Transcript
Nick Lanyi
One of the CAP board's new members on making pathology more visible and valued. A new study on why early onset colorectal cancer is harder to treat in younger patients. And doing good while doing your holiday shopping. These stories and more are coming up next. Welcome to CAP News. I'm Nick Lanyi with the College of American Pathologists. It's Tuesday, November 3rd. Here's what's making news in pathology and laboratory medicine. Dr. Eva Wojcik has been chair of the pathology department at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago for almost 20 years and previously served as president of the CAP Foundation Board of Directors. Last month she was elected to a six-year term on the CAP Board of Governors. She told us she has three main goals.
Dr. Eva Wojcik
For pathologists to be valued, to be visible, and united.
Nick Lanyi
She said the first two goals are related because for pathologists to be valued, including reimbursed appropriately for what they do, they need to be more visible.
Dr. Eva Wojcik
I think very important for us pathologists is to educate our community who we are. We are physicians, we are medical doctors. It's time for us to come into the community to show that we are truly part of the community. It is enough for us, it we should stop hiding in our basements. We should stop hiding behind the microscope.
Nick Lanyi
When pathologists engage, they have a strong story to tell, she said.
Dr. Eva Wojcik
I would argue that we are one of the most important parts of the healthcare team. Everything starts with us. Without our diagnosis, no management of the patient can start. All of us heard the data about 70 to 80% of all the medical decisions are based on the data generated by us, by our laboratories. We have to keep telling our leaders about this, and most importantly, educate community, educate our patients that those diagnoses were made by us, not by our clinical colleagues. They will manage them, but based on the information which came from our labs.
Nick Lanyi
To succeed, pathologists must work together, she said.
Dr. Eva Wojcik
By fostering collaboration across subspecialties, practice settings, career status, geographical regions. We have to make sure that all members feel heard, represented, and connected to the CAP mission. And overall, we have to build a strong and inclusive professional community that we can advocate with one voice for the future of our specialty.
Nick Lanyi
Speaking of the value of pathologists' work, CAP Advocacy Leaders will provide a comprehensive overview of the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Final Rule and how they'll affect pathologists at a webinar on Tuesday, November 17th at 4 p.m. Eastern. Go to the CAP website education section to register. For years, colorectal cancer rates have been rising in Americans under 50, and the cancer tends to be more aggressive and harder to treat in younger patients. A new study in Nature Medicine sheds light on why. Researchers at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute compiled a database or atlas of 189 colorectal tumors that includes 54 from younger patients. They found three differences in the early onset tumors. First, the microenvironment around the tumor contained more so-called stromal cells, which effectively shield tumors from chemotherapy. Second, they found genetic differences in the tumors that may make them more likely to spread to other organs. And third, they found that the younger patients' tumors have more cells that interact with each other in effect exchanging information. While none of these differences prove why younger patients are harder to treat, they are the first strong evidence that colorectal cancer in younger patients is biologically different. And finally, the calendar says November, and that means the holidays are around the corner. If you're looking for gift ideas that also help a good cause, check out the CAP Foundation's online store. You'll find foundation branded tees and sweats, even baby clothes and stuffed toys. My favorites are Maya the Elephant and Joanna the Monster. All purchases support the Foundation's work to expand pathology services to underserved communities at home and around the globe. Order by November 20th to ensure delivery by Christmas. That's all for today. See the show notes for more information on today's stories. And if you have a story you'd like us to cover, write to us at stories at CAP.org. We'll be back Wednesday at 5 AM Eastern with another edition of CAP News. I'm Nick Lanyi. Have a wonderful day.