NCCN begins work on guidelines to improve cancer care in the Caribbean

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The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the Caribbean Association for Oncology & Hematology are collaborating to develop a library of NCCN Harmonized Guidelines for the Caribbean during the CAOH Conference—Oncology.

Robert Carlson, chief executive officer of NCCN was joined at the CAOH conference by Joan McClure, senior vice president, clinical information and publications, NCCN; Ben Anderson, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance; Al Benson, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University; Natalie Callander, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center; Wui-Jin Koh, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance; James Mohler, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Douglas Wood, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

They participated in a working session with local oncologists to adapt existing NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology and NCCN Framework for Resource Stratification of NCCN Guidelines in order to better reflect the diverse needs and resources throughout the Caribbean.

The Clinical Team was led by Kavi Capildeo, Trinidad and Tobago; Sophia Edwards-Bennett, Jamaica; Owen Gabriel, St. Lucia; Theresa Laurent, Oncology/Haematology, Barbados; Dylan Narinesingh; and Gilian Wharfe, The University of the West Indies, Jamaica.

The NCCN Harmonized Guidelines for the Caribbean will initially cover the following cancer types:

  • Breast Cancer

  • Cervical Cancer

  • Colon Cancer & Colon Cancer Screening

  • Multiple Myeloma

  • Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

  • Prostate Cancer

  • Rectal Cancer

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