2002 Oncology Program Annual Report

I am pleased to introduce this 16th issue of the Willmar Cancer Center annual report for calendar year 2001. Our cancer program is alive and well with considerable increased activity on many fronts during the last year. The additions of Dr. William Shimp, Medical Oncology, and Dr. John Ling, Radiation Oncology, and also Teri Sigurdson, a physician's assistant, to our cancer treatment team have allowed us to provide a greater scope of services to our patients.

The American College of Surgeons surveyed our cancer program in July of 2001. We received full approval with favorable comments by the reviewer.

The Cancer Education Program experienced continued good attendance at the weekly Tumor Board meetings. A favorable observation is that almost a third of the cases presented at Tumor Board were requested by the managing physician. We have continued our monthly updates on common cancer sites with information sent to staff physicians and have added a quarterly oncology lecture series, which to date has been well accepted.

The research program has just completed a favorable audit from NCCTG. During the year, we have increased the number of patients enrolled in clinical studies and have increased participation in cancer control efforts, most notably in the area of smoking cessation.

This year, for the first time, our program did visibly participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Event. Both cancer survivors and program staff enjoyed an opportunity to greet one another at this event.

This issue of the cancer annual report features an article on colon cancer and because of recent dramatic study results on hormone replacement therapy, this topic is addressed as well.

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