Portsmouth, Va. (July 11, 2007) Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, announced today the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons granted re-certification to the Center’s cancer program.  Designated as a Community Hospital Cancer Program, Bon Secours Maryview scored a rating of full compliance for all 36 standards along with commendation in two areas.  The Maryview Cancer Center received recognition for 100% compliance in the use of the American Joint Committee on Cancer’s staging system, based upon on-site surveyor chart review and was commended for the active outreach program, resulting in full accreditation until 2009.    

  
Approval by the Commission on Cancer is given only to facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the best cancer care and who undergo rigorous on-site evaluations.   The Center’s assessment included: Maryview’s radiation therapy center; the Martha Davis Center Treatment Center; the Diagnostic Breast Center; diagnostic radiology and pathology services; surgical services, in-patient oncology unit; out-patient chemotherapy unit; the cancer registry; cancer care committee; cancer support group; community screenings and education; community services; pastoral care; hospice care; and the palliative care program.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1932, the Approvals Program sets standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to make sure they conform to those standards.  Recognizing that cancer is a complex group of diseases, the program promotes consultation among surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, and other cancer specialists.  This multidisciplinary cooperation results in improved patient care.