CAP and ASCO Partner to Improve Practice; Optimize Patient Care

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) today announced a new partnership to optimize patient care and foster excellence in the practices of pathology and oncology through inter-professional education, advocacy, quality improvement, international outreach, and practice guideline development.

 As diagnosing cancer becomes more complex, communication between pathologists and clinical oncologists has become critical to accurately diagnose cancer, optimize cancer treatment, and advance cancer research. The CAP and ASCO aim to improve the development, application, interpretation, and dissemination of pathology tests—including tumor markers and molecular diagnostics—in cancer care.

 “More accurate diagnoses and precise treatments through molecular diagnostics offer new hope for the millions of patients battling cancer each year ,” said CAP President Gene N. Herbek, MD, FCAP. “A healthy flow of information between oncologists and pathologists is critical to meeting each patient’s unique goals and needs during cancer treatment.”

 The CAP and ASCO plan to collaborate on a range of projects aimed at sharing the skills and strengths of both organizations, and their respective members, to improve the integration of clinical oncology and pathology, and to optimize the use of pathology services and tests in the care of cancer patients.

“Oncology and pathology professionals and their patients will benefit from closer collaboration and mutual understanding between these two specialties,” said ASCO President Peter Paul Yu, MD, FACP, FASCO. “ASCO’s partnership with the CAP has the potential to greatly facilitate advances in cancer research that could improve the quality of patient care.” 

 Initiatives on which the CAP and ASCO will likely collaborate include:

• Continuing medical education (CME) on the use, interpretation, and application of molecular diagnostic tests
• Joint  evidence-based practice guidelines for oncologists and pathologists
• International workshops in which oncologists and pathologists from low- and middle- income countries can learn and share what is needed to advance cancer diagnosis and characterization across practice settings
• Advocacy and patient information about cancer diagnostics and other issues affecting the optimal use of pathology services in oncology practice

Launched through a jointly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the CAP and, ASCO will continue to update members and other stakeholders as the details of this first-ever formal collaboration between the two medical specialty societies unfolds. 

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 About the College of American Pathologists

As the leading organization with more than 18,000 board-certified pathologists, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. The CAP’s Laboratory Improvement Programs, initiated 65 years ago, currently has customers in more than 100 countries, accrediting 7,600 laboratories and providing proficiency testing to 20,000 laboratories worldwide. Find more information about the CAP at cap.org. Follow CAP on Twitter at @pathologists.

About ASCO

Founded in 1964, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world's leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 35,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation, which funds ground-breaking research and programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of people with cancer. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.cancer.net.

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