An international collaboration between the NCCN, the National Cancer Institute - National Research Institute and the Alliance for Innovation Foundation has published the first of several guidelines for cancer centres. Developed through expert collaboration, the guidelines are based on scientific evidence and expert consensus. They contain the latest recommendations for the treatment of cervical cancer. The standards developed aim to improve cancer care worldwide so that cancer patients have access to treatment at a similar level in their own countries. The Polish edition of the guidelines is one of the first to be developed by international experts and will have application outside the USA.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is an organisation of leading cancer treatment centres in the United States.
NCCN® guidelines for cervical cancer:
The Polish edition is a pilot project that operates as a collaboration organised by the Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Cancer Institute, National Research Institute (NIO-BIP), the Polish-American Foundation Alliance for Innovation (AFI) and the NCCN. The project involved a group of Polish oncologists led by Prof. Radosław Mądry (gynaecological oncologist, head of the Gynaecological Oncology Department at the Hospital of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Poznań, board member of the Polish Society of Gynaecological Oncology).
It is planned to extend the Polish edition of the NCCN guidelines; so that they cover the majority of cancer cases in Poland. Another NCCN guideline that has already been adapted is tumours of the central nervous system. The expert group was chaired by Prof. Rafał Tarnawski Head of the Department of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy at the Maria Sklodowska-Curie Oncology Institute, Gliwice Branch.
The process of adapting the NCCN guidelines was started by a 3rd group led by Prof. Andrzej Kawecki: tumours of the head and neck.
This project is being implemented within the framework of the National Cancer Strategy.
The NCCN guidelines are the recognised standard for clinical guidance and policy in cancer treatment, and are the most accurate and frequently updated clinical practice guidelines available for any field of medicine. They have wide applicability and are widely appreciated by cancer care professionals worldwide.
The NCCN is also working on regional adaptations of the guidelines, making translations and harmonising them with local healthcare providers in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the Caribbean and other countries in Asia, Europe and South America.
The NIO-PIB, as part of the National Oncology Strategy, is responsible for the development of standards and guidelines for diagnostic and treatment management and coordination of the project to adapt the NCCN guidelines.
Apart from Poland, so far only Spain has succeeded in developing such guidelines in Europe. Thus, Polish patients will be treated according to the highest global standards.
Source: pib-nio.pl