The Carolinas HealthCare System Network Cancer Program at Carolinas Medical Center, CMC-Pineville, CMC-University and CMC-Mercy has been recognized for excellence as a 2007 Commission on Cancer (CoC) New Program Achievement Award recipient.

Only about 15 percent of all programs surveyed receive this prestigious recognition; of those, only 18 percent of the Outstanding Achievement Awards were given to programs undergoing a first-year survey as the CMC Network.

For patients and their families, this extra accreditation gives even more assurance that your care is being delivered by some of the nation's best physicians using the most advanced technology available. Further, our extensive research capabilities mean that patients will be among the first to benefit from emerging oncology therapies.

Each year, CMC network physicians treat more than 3,000 new cancer patients from all parts of the country. Services are offered in 16 specialty treatment areas including breast, melanoma, lung and prostate cancer. CMC is also a national leader in conducting clinical trials, with more than 150 trials designed to evaluate new drugs and treatments which are currently enrolling patients.

CMC's cancer network received the recognition in 2008 following an on-site evaluation by the physician-led survey team. The network demonstrated a level of compliance resulting in Commendation in all nine applicable standards representing the full scope of the cancer program including cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement and had no deficiencies noted.

More than 1,400 hospitals nationally have been approved by the CoC. CMC's Charlotte hospitals comprise one of only 26 hospital systems that have secured the level of Accredited Network by the Commission on Cancer.

Approval by the CoC is given only to those networks that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. To maintain approval, networks with CoC-approved cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years. Receiving care at a CoC-approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to:

• comprehensive care, including a range of state of the art services and equipment
• a multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
• information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options
• cancer-related information, education, and support
• a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up
• ongoing monitoring and improvement of care
• and, most importantly, quality care close to home

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality care. Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and 42 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.