Weigh in on Proposed CoC Exercise Oncology Standard
Help inform a new Commission on Cancer (CoC) Exercise Oncology Services Standard. The proposed standard operationalizes evidence-based recommendations that exercise become a part of routine oncology care. The public comment period closes August 13.
Access the draft standard and public comment survey using the links below:
The proposed standard requires accredited programs to establish a protocol to assess newly diagnosed patients and offer referrals to appropriate exercise oncology services.
The standard provides flexibility by allowing referrals to oncology rehabilitation, certified exercise oncology programs, or community- and virtual-based exercise resources, depending on individual needs and service availability. The proposed standard is written so that accredited programs will not need to hire additional staff to comply.
Feedback received during the public comment period will be used to further refine the standard requirements and compliance measures. An implementation timeline will be provided once the revisions are finalized.
All questions related to the content of the standard must be submitted through the survey. Questions and feedback provided will not be answered with a direct response, but all feedback will be considered.
Supporting Evidence for Exercise Oncology Services Standard
A growing body of evidence suggests that regular physical activity can improve treatment tolerance and is associated with better long-term outcomes for some cancer populations. A large international randomized clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a structured exercise program improved disease-free survival for patients with colon cancer following chemotherapy.
Clinical studies have also demonstrated that exercise during and after cancer treatment is safe for most patients and can reduce treatment-related side effects, including fatigue, anxiety, depression, and declines in physical function, while improving quality of life.
National organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Cancer Society (ACS), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), now recommend that exercise be incorporated into routine cancer care through assessment, counseling, and referral to appropriate exercise services.
August Site Visits Feature New AESOP Survey for CLPs
The Assessing the Effectiveness and Significance of the Operative Standards Program (AESOP) study (funded by the National Cancer Institute) is evaluating the implementation and impact of the CoC Operative Standards. Cancer Liaison Physicians (CLPs) at programs with August CoC accreditation site visits will receive a 10–15-minute survey from REDCap@facs.org and are asked to complete it within 2 weeks. Participants will receive a $50 gift card upon completion.
Learn more about the AESOP study in the January issue of the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, in which authors discuss the aims and progress of the program.
Contact AESOP@facs.org with any questions.
