Florida Chapter American College of Surgeons Cancer Activities April 2008 CLP Newsletter Archive of CLP Newsletters The Commission on Cancer (CoC), of the American College of Surgeons, is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients. The CoC Approvals Program recognizes hospitals and treatment centers that have cancer programs offering high-quality care through various cancer-related programs. These programs are concerned with cancer prevention, early diagnosis, pretreatment evaluation, staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, surveillance for recurrent disease, support services, and end-or-life care. There are 70 cancer programs located throughout the State of Florida that have received Commission on Cancer Approval. To meet the standards necessary for CoC approval, each cancer program must undergo a rigorous evaluation and performance review. In order to maintain approval, facilities must undergo an on-site review every three years. More information on the Commission on Cancer can be obtained at: www.facs.org/cancer American Cancer Society, Making Treatment Decision Rescources Florida State Chairman A – Phillip Y. Roland, MD, FACS, FACOG Florida State Chairman (Jacksonville) – Jeff Edwards, MD, FACS Florida State Chairman (Miami) – Raul Rosenthal, MD, FACS Cancer Liaison Physician Program An important component of each CoC approved program is their Cancer Liaison Physician. Cancer Liaison Physicians are volunteer physicians responsible for providing the leadership and direction to establish, maintain, and support their facility's cancer program. Liaison physicians work with cancer programs to ensure implementation of Commission on Cancer programs, and establish a close working relationship with the American Cancer Society. Learn more at: www.facs.org/cancer April 2008 CLP Newsletter Archive of CLP Newsletters Commission on Cancer Approved Programs Cancer programs that have met standards of care set forth by the Commission on Cancer can be located through the American Cancer Society website. Receiving care at a CoC approved cancer program ensures that patients will receive comprehensive care, with state of the art services and equipment, via a multi-specialty team approach, all close to their home. The American Cancer Hospital Locator can be accessed at: http://www.cancer.org/asp/search/ftc/ftc_global.asp Florida Cancer Trials Matching Service The Florida Cancer Clinical Trial Matching Service offers patients, caregivers, and their health care providers up-to-date information about clinical trials available in the State of Florida. This unique patient resource was created by the Florida Dialogue on Cancer (FDOC) in 2004 to address Florida’s growing cancer burden, and the need for increased clinical trial participation. Individuals are able to access the Florida Cancer Clinical Trial Matching Service by telephone and the internet. Information is available in English and Spanish. The process begins by answering a brief series of questions about the patient’s diagnosis and treatment. The matching service will then find appropriate clinical trails in Florida, or throughout the United States. Learn more about the Florida Cancer Clinical Trial Matching Service at 1-800-584-9976, or: http://floridacancertrials.com/en/ Florida Cancer Plan The Florida Cancer Plan 2003-2006 is the ninth adaptation since its inception in 1980 and continues to build upon the strong foundation of reducing cancer mortality and morbidity in Florida through prevention, early detection and access to state-of-the-art treatment. The plan provides a blueprint for a course of action by identifying relevant cancer data, outlining the state’s goals and strategies, and linking partners to better address areas of need. More information on the Florida Cancer Plan can be obtained at the State of Florida’s Comprehensive Cancer Control website: www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/cancer/plan/default.html Florida Cancer Plan Slides for CLPs Please visit the ACS Cancer Programs page for additional information. Click on ACS Cancer Programs Information Florida Chapter, American College of Surgeons 165 Wells Road, Suite 203 • Orange Park, FL, 32073 Phone: (904) 637.0943 • Fax: (904) 637.0937 • E-Mail: fcacs@hgmnet.com