Patient Resources
Professional Organizations for Cancer Specialists
The following organizations provide valuable support to cancer treatment professionals. These organizations provide a variety of services to their members, including educational programs, advocacy, and research and collaboration tools.
The American Cancer SocietyThe American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide community-based health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Founded in 1913 as the American Society for the Control of Cancer by a handful of physicians and business people in New York City, the ACS has grown into one of the world's largest voluntary health organizations. The ACS has 12 chartered Divisions, more than 900 local offices nationwide, and a presence in more than 5,100 communities. The organization not only is active in funding major cancer research programs, but also is a major nonprofit sponsor of cancer control programs, advocacy efforts, and cancer information delivery systems.
|
European Cancer OrganizationIn the early 1980s, a few visionaries working in European oncology laid the foundations of the Federation of European Cancer Societies (FECS) at a time when multidisciplinarity in cancer care – the idea that tackling cancer was a team effort that required a coordinated approach – was a relatively new concept. 25 years later, multidisciplinarity is accepted everywhere as being the best way to treat cancer. Members of FECS consequently decided that it was time take a wider approach to oncology; one that would bring together major players in cancer research, treatment, and care in order to create awareness of patients’ wishes and needs, encourage progressive thinking in cancer policy, education, and training, and continue to promote European cancer research and its application through the organisation of multidisciplinary meetings and conferences. After a period of reflection, during which many players in oncology were consulted, FECS was disbanded and replaced by a dynamic new entity: ECCO – the European CanCer Organisation was officially announced at the European Cancer Conference in Barcelona in September 2007, and through its members, represents the interests of over 50.000 professionals in oncology.
|
The American Society of Clinical OncologyThe American Society of Clinical Oncology is a non-profit organization founded in 1964 with the overarching goals of improving cancer care and prevention. Nearly 30,000 oncology practitioners belong to ASCO, representing all oncology disciplines and subspecialties. Members include physicians and health-care professionals in all levels of the practice of oncology.
|
National Comprehensive Cancer NetworkThe National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), a not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the world’s leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives.
|
The National Cancer Institute The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is one of 11 agencies that compose the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The NCI, established under the National Cancer Institute Act of 1937, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research and training. The National Cancer Act of 1971 broadened the scope and responsibilities of the NCI and created the National Cancer Program. Over the years, legislative amendments have maintained the NCI authorities and responsibilities and added new information dissemination mandates as well as a requirement to assess the incorporation of state-of-the-art cancer treatments into clinical practice. |
Note: Everist Genomics has no relationship with and does not endorse any of these organizations.
