Association of Community Cancer Centers Publishes Prostate Cancer "Best Practices" Guide and Resource
Special Oncology Issues Coincides with National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
ROCKVILLE, MD, September 2, 2009— As part of its Prostate Cancer "Best Practices" Project and September's National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has published a special edition of its bimonthly journal, Oncology Issues, that is designed to serve as a resource for community cancer programs seeking to implement a model multidisciplinary prostate cancer program.
"The need for education and support for prostate cancer care is clearly unmet in many communities across the country," said ACCC Executive Director Christian Downs, JD, MHA. "ACCC's Prostate Cancer ‘Best Practices' Project is designed to help cancer centers develop successful community-based prostate-specific cancer programs."
The September/October 2009 Oncology Issues, ACCC's award-winning publication, (available online at www.accc-cancer.org) includes an in-depth look at best practices and critical success factors in a community prostate cancer program, articles from model programs, as well case studies and other tools to help cancer care providers.
ACCC selected five prostate cancer programs to serve as models for others: Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Maine Medical Center, Scarborough, Maine; Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte, N.C.; Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Palo Alto, Calif.; and Regional Cancer Center, ProHealth Care, Waukesha, Wisc.
Each of these model programs is unique. However, as ACCC’s special publication details, each owes its success to open communication among all healthcare providers, a close collaborative team, and a multidisciplinary approach to prostate cancer care.
As part of its Prostate Cancer “Best Practices” Project, ACCC also launched an online publication: “Guide to Best Practices in a Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Program.” And ACCC has archived a webinar presentation is entitled “Guide to Best Practices in a Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Program.” The webinar is designed to assist community cancer centers by outlining the process and structures that successful community-based prostate-specific cancer programs throughout the U.S. have used to initiate and grow their prostate cancer programs.
Five ACCC-member cancer programs were chosen to receive on-site education to develop their community-based prostate-specific cancer services. The five cancer programs include: Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, Orlando, Fla.; Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose, Calif.; OncoLogics, Inc., Lafayette, La.; Saint Joseph's Hospital, Atlanta, Ga.; and Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Tallahassee, Fla.
The Prostate Cancer “Best Practices” Project is sponsored by sanofi-aventis US.
Prostate cancer affects one in six men in the U.S. In 2009 approximately 200,000 men will be diagnosed with the disease.
Prostate cancer will be one of the fastest growing cancers treated in the community setting in the next ten years. This form of cancer is unique in that there are equally effective, mutually exclusive treatment options. Some men may believe that there is only one option available to them until they search the Internet or speak with their family and friends. Sadly, others continue to think that they have only one treatment option for prostate cancer throughout their continuum of care.
A new or recurrent diagnosis often results in men feeling confused. Increasingly, men diagnosed with prostate cancer are seeking out programs that provide disease-specific information regarding treatment options and focus on the unique issues surrounding the disease. They are opting for greater support as they navigate the healthcare maze. ACCC’s project will provide cancer centers across the country with a better understanding of the success factors necessary to develop a targeted prostate cancer program in their community.
Since 1974, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has served as the leading national multidisciplinary organization that sets the standard for quality care for patients with cancer. ACCC is dedicated to promoting professional learning opportunities and to providing a forum for members to network and enhance their skills in the business, clinical and management aspects of care for the cancer community. Nearly 17,000 cancer care professionals from approximately 900 hospitals and more than 1,200 private practices are affiliated with ACCC. Our unique membership includes all members of the cancer care team: medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, cancer program administrators and medical directors, pharmacists, oncology nurses, oncology social workers, and cancer program data managers. For more information, visit ACCC's website at www.accc-cancer.org. Follow us on Facebook and on ACCCBuzz, ACCC's online blog, www.acccbuzz.wordpress.com.
