MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 16, 2012
Improving treatment plans for colorectal cancer through technology initiative
(LONDON, Ontario) – While the importance of regular screening for colorectal cancer is hailed during March, the official awareness month for the disease, what happens after cancer has been detected is also of critical importance. Increasing evidence finds the use of multidisciplinary cancer conferences (MCCs) contributes to improved patient outcomes. To better deliver and expand the practice of MCCs for colorectal cancer patients, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is undertaking a technology improvement initiative.
MCCs are regularly scheduled meetings where healthcare providers from different medical specialties discuss the diagnosis and treatment of individual cancer patients. Each area of cancer has its own MCC process. The MCC, or "tumour board" as it is commonly referred to, for colorectal cancer at LHSC's London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP) generally consists of multiple radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, surgeons, pathologists and radiologists, with occasional participation from other specialties as needed.
"There are many different medical disciplines that contribute information regarding evidence-based treatment for each type of cancer," says Dr. Barbara Fisher, radiation oncologist at LRCP. "One of the main benefits of MCC is that when you present a case, each person at the table offers a unique perspective and expert opinion on treatment options, which may or may not have been the options or approaches you would have considered on your own. It's like an automatic second, third and fourth opinion for a patient."
Participation on MCCs is voluntary and conflicting work schedules, multi-site facilities and physical distance between regional partners are often barriers to the MCC process.
With the support of grant funding from Cancer Care Ontario, the technology improvement project group from the LRCP and South West Regional Cancer Program at LHSC will source, select and implement a solution that reduces identified barriers and improves accessibility of MCCs for both care providers and patients. The project group is comprised of physicians as well as representatives from information technology services, clinical support services and leadership.
"Our technology improvement project group is working to find and implement a solution that will make it easier for MCC participation," says Jane Montgomery, program specialist, SW Regional Cancer Program and project lead. "We're starting in the area of colorectal cancer at LHSC, but our ultimate goal is to roll out the selected technology to MCCs for all cancer types, so that every cancer patient receiving care in the region will have access to this important consultative review process regardless of their surgery location."
At present, only five to 10 of the most complex cases are selected for presentation at the MCC each week. Improvements in technology that provide better access and flexibility for case reviews will help the LRCP and all cancer care providers in the South West LHIN meet Cancer Care Ontario's goal where by 2015 every cancer patient, regardless of location, will have the opportunity for their case to be reviewed by an MCC.
About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been in the forefront of medicine in Canada for 137 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, South Street Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, a joint research initiative with St. Joseph’s Health Care, London. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 50 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in Southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca
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For media inquiries contact:
Mandy Gelinas
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
(519) 685-8500 ext. 75157
mandy.gelinas@lhsc.on.ca
