Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research 2006 Boston, MA Report by Ann Fonfa, President, The Annie Appleseed Project On the first morning of this conference I attended the session on the Role of Primary Care Physicians in Cancer Prevention/Practice. The goals of this session were: To apply collaborative improvement models to enhancing cancer prevention in primary care; specify evidence-based models for measuring and reorganizing primary care practices to promote high quality cancer prevention care; present decision aids to assist in cancer prevention decision-making with patients. To discuss barriers – system, multi-organizational levels (i.e. lack of insurance coverage, costs, lack of doctors, distances) Significant variables in physician screening practices Continuing medical education alone has not been successful in changing practice Dr. Bruce Landon, MD, MBA spoke about the “Collaborative Improvement Models in Primary Care”. (Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA) In terms of Quality of Care issues he stated that only 55% of recommendations are being followed and that medical errors were caused, in part by faulty systems and processes. He suggested bringing together small (3-4) people from various areas to spend 6-18 months learning about quality care improvement and ways to adopt strategies for their own locations. 650 centers have been established under this method so far and his group is evaluating their methods and successes. They have performed a medical audit on about 3000 patients so far. He believes there is a need for offsite services; that there have to be better ways to coordinate handoffs; and that multiple tracking systems are necessary – paper, computer, etc. He mentioned that when mobile vans are used for breast cancer screening, only about 80% are ever followed up and results often do not get to patients quickly enough. With colorectal screenings, the elderly are much less likely to complete all aspects, it is very difficult to obtain c-scopes for uninsured Hispanics (least likely group to come forward) and that follow-up is difficult for all. One problem is with scheduling colonoscopies – the above groups are seeking solutions. Certainly there is a need for informed and activated patients (obviously he meant advocates) as well as ‘prepared proactive Practice teams’. Follow up with Gyn issues is also difficult and the issue is worse among black women. He suggests an automated system is needed. Dr. Landon said that quality care is sub-optimal on a national level but that these collaborative models show some ability to help. Screening, in particular, is influenced by insurance or the lack of it. UNDER CONSTRUCTION Press Release, 11/06 Vitamin D and cancer mortality The Polyp Prevention Trial-Continued Follow-up Study Low-fat, High-fiber, High-fruit & -veg eating Affects Adenoma Recurrnc Fruits/Veg/Vit A/C/E/Carotenoids & Risk of Renal Cell ca Ellagic acid and Tyrosine Kinase Mechanisms Grape Seed Extract:: Aromatase Inhibitor for breast ca prvntn Food-related glycoaminoconjugates chemoprvntn Tahitian Noni® juice & MSM Protect Bone Marrow From Toxicity of Anticancer Drugs Diet quality & breast ca survival in postmenopausal women Combination Chemoprvntn w/Food Components Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, 2006 Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, 2006 Abstract #B77 Frontiers, 11/06 Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research 2006 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.