The Cancer Committee meets quarterly and assesses all cancer-related activities to ensure optimum care for the cancer patient at Decatur General Hospital. It is composed of medical staff members representing the specialties of radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgery, pathology, radiology, gynecology, internal medicine, family practice and dermatology. Also serving on the committee are representatives from allied health professions involved in the care of cancer patients.
The Cancer Committee sponsors tumor conference, which meets weekly. At each conference, current cases are presented with slides reviewed by the pathologist and radiographs reviewed by the attending radiologist. Prognosis and treatment are then discussed by those attending.
One focus of the committee this year, has been to provide information on the use of the Gail Model questionnaire. Presentations on indications and contraindications of prophylactic Tamoxifen in women at high risk of breast cancer were presented at the medical staff meeting in September 2000.
To summarize, the Cancer Committee has had another outstanding year and will continue to strive for excellence in the care of the cancer patient.
Patricia M. Springer-Gross, MD, FCAP
Cancer Committee Chairman
