Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University was selected by the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) to serve as a Community Resource Center in its Improving Quality Care in Pancreatic Cancer project. Only five other U.S. cancer centers have been chosen to serve in this capacity for the project, which is focused on improving understanding of and treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer.
An estimated 45,000 Americans are diagnosed annually with pancreatic cancer. Although a less common cancer, it is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Experts recently predicted that pancreatic cancer could become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States by 2030.
“We are very excited about participating in this program and sharing our knowledge on the management of patients faced with pancreatic cancer,” says Walter J. Curran, Jr., MD, executive director of Winship. “While treating patients, community-based cancer centers around the country will have the full resources of ACCC, along with the experience of multidisciplinary teams at Winship Cancer Institute.”
Community providers who may see only a few individuals with pancreatic cancer each year face unique challenges in treating patients, including limited time and resources to incorporate emerging clinical data into practice. ACCC’s Community Resource Centers offer community providers greater access to expertise and opportunities for increased collaboration. The Centers will also be able to address supportive care and quality of life issues.
