A joint initiative of the Hospital and the Department of Health, make it possible to significantly reduce the time it takes to diagnose the most frequent types of cancer thanks to the creation of the Oncology CRO.
The Oncology CRO was promoting in 2009 in this health department by doctors, from the Medical Oncology Area of the Clinical University Hospital and by the management.
In addition, it had the intervention of different services of this hospital, to reduce the time of evaluation of patients with symptoms of cancer, their diagnosis and the start of treatment.
The goal was for people with suspicious symptoms of cancer who went to their family doctor to be was evaluating by a hospital specialist in less than 15 days, according to a statement from the Inclined Health Research Institute.
Cancer is one of the most serious health problems in the world and remains, to this day, a life-threatening disease and its early diagnosis considerably increases the chances of effective treatment.
Therefore, the recognition of symptoms and prompt action by doctors, nurses and other health professionals are essential for the application, from the initial stages, of the most appropriate treatment to increase the chances of cure and guarantee the highest quality. of life of patients.
From the first symptoms to diagnosis, caring for cancer patients is a dynamic process that involves multiple specialists and taking into account that the symptoms are common to other diseases, it is very important to provide the family doctor with the necessary tools to make diagnoses adequate, avoid unnecessary tests and strengthen contact with hospital specialists.
Read also : Here are 4 things you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines
The results of the Oncology CRO
The results of the Oncology CRO, which was publish, in an article entitled ‘Ten-year assessment of a cancer fast-track program to connect Primary Care with Oncology: reducing time from initial symptoms to diagnosis and treatment initiation’, highlight I demonstrate its effectiveness in the process of detecting cancer, from the same primary care consultation with the family doctor, and the beginning of its treatment, shortening intermediate steps.
This project was increase coordination between family doctors and hospital specialists, with a first visit in less than two weeks, which is key to improving cancer diagnosis and quality of care; the increase in the motivation of medical professionals; and a more efficient use of resources, avoiding overloading the health system and reducing economic costs.
Before establishing this program, patients with cancer symptoms went to their family doctor and he was referring them to the specialty center, where they were assessing by the intermediate specialist to decide whether to refer them to the hospital. With the Oncology CRO, they are no longer sent there and the evaluation time is reduce.
Tumor types
Prior to the Oncology CRO, six specialists in tumor types chosen for their high incidence or delayed diagnosis in their area (breast, gynecologic, hematologic, lung, and urological cancers), family physicians, and medical oncologists meeting regularly to discuss all cases.
The team also establish the criteria that family doctors should use to refer patients suspected of having a possible cancer.
At the same time, ‘health guides’ was publishing to educate the population about the symptoms of the most common tumors for which they must consult their family doctor, given that this is usually where they go when any symptoms are detect.
In the first 10 years of operation of this circuit, a total of 4,019 patients was referring and studding, and cancer was confirm in 1,098 (27.3% of proposals): breast cancer (33%), urological (22%), gastrointestinal (19%) and lung (15%). All cases were assesse in less than 15 days.
Since 2018, and due to the excellent results was obtaining with the Oncology CRO (Contract research organization) and the very good acceptance by patients and family doctors, it was implement in all hospitals in the Community.
