Cancer Programs News: August 20

Expanded Cancer Programs Sessions Were Featured at QSCC

The inaugural ACS Quality, Safety & Cancer Conference (QSCC), July 30-August 2 in Orlando, Florida, brought together quality, safety, and cancer professionals in a unified meeting focused on advancing multidisciplinary care and improving patient outcomes. During the opening session, ACS Cancer Programs Medical Director Ronald J. Weigel, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS, joined ACS Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care Senior Vice President Clifford Ko, MD, MS, MSHS, FACS, to welcome attendees and emphasize the importance of integrating accreditation, quality improvement, and data-driven innovation across the continuum of care.

The conference featured expanded Cancer Programs sessions on accreditation, ACS National Cancer Database® (NCDB®) updates, quality improvement (QI), and emerging technologies, highlighting practical strategies that teams can apply in their own institutions. A memorable keynote from four-time Olympian and breast cancer survivor Chaunté Lowe inspired attendees with her powerful story of resilience, early detection, and the critical role of coordinated cancer care. Together, the Cancer Programs sessions reinforced the ACS commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, and delivering higher-quality cancer care through evidence-based standards and multidisciplinary teamwork.

Read more about QSCC in the ACS Bulletin article.

We hope to see you at the 2027 QSCC in Seattle, Washington, from July 29-August 1. Mark your calendars now!

Sign Up for Small Group QI Coaching Calls

Looking for fresh ideas to enhance your program’s quality improvement (QI) initiative?

Collaborate with accredited programs and QI experts in a small group setting to:

• Receive feedback on current initiatives
• Explore ideas for future projects
• Learn about available tools and common challenges

These sessions are interactive and conversational. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with a question, challenge, or project. Attendance is limited to approximately 20 participants per session.

Register today. Contact cancerqi@facs.org with any questions.

Podcast Explores Lymph Node Evaluation in Lung Cancer Surgery

A new episode of the Thinking Thoracic podcast from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) examines evolving approaches to lymph node evaluation during lung cancer surgery.

Host Jeff Yang, MD, FACS, was joined by thoracic surgeons Seth Krantz, MD, FACS, and Christopher Seder, MD, along with Harvard medical student Alexandra Potter, to discuss three landmark studies using the STS General Thoracic Surgery Database. The panel reviewed current guidelines, quality standards, and how comprehensive nodal evaluation can improve staging accuracy while maintaining patient safety.

The discussion also highlighted national trends in surgical quality, surgeon-pathologist collaboration, and emerging technologies that may support more personalized lymph node evaluation.

Updated Resources Are Available for RCRS Data Submission

To help Commission on Cancer (CoC)-accredited programs better understand the requirements of Standard 6.4, the Rapid Cancer Reporting System (RCRS) Submission Compliance Report User Guide, CoC Corrective Action Instructions, and Chapter 6 FAQ document have been updated to provide additional guidance on evaluating compliance with the annual case submission requirement and outline the steps programs can take to address a potential deficiency before their site visit.

Submission Compliance Report User Guide

The Submission Compliance Report User Guide, available in the RCRS library, has been updated to clearly state that programs that do not meet the required threshold of 90% of cases submitted to RCRS, free of ACS National Cancer Database® edits, by the December 31 Call for Data deadline may be assessed as noncompliant with Standard 6.4 for that calendar year.

This is not a change in the assessment of Standard 6.4, only a clarification that meeting the 90% threshold is a requirement to be compliant with the standard.

Review Your Submission Status Before Your Site Visit

Programs are encouraged to review their Submission Compliance Report within RCRS to verify compliance with the annual case submission requirement. If the report indicates the required submission threshold was not met, taking corrective action before the site visit can help resolve the deficiency and provide the documentation needed for consideration of a Deficiency Resolved rating in your Accreditation Report. For consideration of a Deficiency Resolved rating, the accredited program should email ncdb@facs.org with the required information after the site visit has been scheduled, and the program can address any deficiencies for all years within the accreditation cycle. For more information, see the updated CoC Chapter 6 FAQ document, available in the Standards Resource Library in QPort.

Resolving a Non-Compliant Rating After a Site Visit

The CoC Corrective Action Instructions, available on the resources page in QPort, have been updated to provide a clearer process for programs to resolve a deficiency with this component of Standard 6.4.

Contact ncdb@facs.org with any questions regarding the annual case submission requirement for Standard 6.4. For questions on the corrective action process, email CoC@facs.org

Promote Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

The CoC encourages your site to promote prostate cancer awareness and the importance of screening during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September. To help your program raise awareness about prostate cancer, the CoC offers customizable posters that can be downloaded from the Marketing Resources section in QPort. Contact coc@facs.org with any questions. 

CoC Requests CLP Feedback for Operative Standards Study

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 September 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.

Hospitals Can Close Rural Cancer Care Gaps Through New Accreditation Category

The new CoC rural accreditation category will help to expand access to high-quality cancer care in rural communities, where long travel times and specialist shortages often limit cancer care.

Developed with direct input from rural hospitals and practitioners, the new category modifies accreditation requirements, including certain staffing and patient service criteria, while maintaining a strong focus on standards shown to improve the quality of cancer care. 

Read more.

NAPBC Releases 2027 Standards

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) is pleased to announce the release of Optimal Resources for Breast Care (2027 Standards). The updated standards include refinements designed to improve clarity, reduce unnecessary burden, and streamline NAPBC requirements.

The NAPBC 2027 Overview of Changes provides full details for changes included in the 2027 Standards. Programs are encouraged to review the new standards in their entirety, as the Overview of Changes provides only a summary of revisions.

Highlights of the 2027 Standards include:

• Streamlined NAPBC standards that reduce duplication with CoC requirements
• A new Integrated Network Breast Program (INBP) option for eligible programs providing coordinated breast care across multiple facilities
• Two new standards focused on function and movement and lymphedema assessment, reinforcing the importance of rehabilitation and quality of life throughout the cancer continuum
• Simplified requirements across multiple standards through the removal of difficult-to-measure requirements.

Several new resources are available to help programs prepare for implementation, including:

• Quick Reference Guide for NAPBC programs that are not CoC accredited
• 2027 NAPBC Standards FAQ (available under Resources in QPort)
• INBP eligibility and application information (available under Resources in QPort)
• A new self-paced e-learning course that reviews compliance requirements for each standard, available soon in QPort

Register to attend the “NAPBC Webinar for New Standards” on Thursday, September 10 at 12:00 pm CT for an overview of the new standards with a focus on the most significant updates.

NAPBC Modifies Requirements for Compliance in 2026

As the NAPBC transitions to the new standards, some requirements included in the 2024 Standards have been eliminated or revised. To reduce unnecessary work for programs, these requirements are no longer expected for 2026 compliance and will not be evaluated during 2027 and 2028 site visits. For a detailed outline of the immediate impact of the new standards’ release, review 2026 Compliance: Requirements No Longer in Effect.

Site visits occurring during the remainder of 2026 will also take these changes into consideration. If your program has a current deficiency that is solely based on one of the items identified in the 2026 Compliance Change resource, contact NAPBC@facs.org for next steps. Please include your program name, company ID, and requested standard(s) for review.

NAPBC Networks Are Now Available

Beginning in 2027, programs that offer integrated and comprehensive breast care services across multiple facilities can apply for the new Integrated Network Breast Program (INBP) option. The Optimal Resources for Breast Care (2027 Standards) provide guidance on specific INBP standard requirements.

INBPs benefit from the following:

• One unified Breast Program Leadership Committee for the entire network
• Coordination of breast care services across the network
• Streamlined accreditation and site visit process

To participate in an INBP, all participating sites must:

• Be overseen by the same centralized governance structure/board and CEO
• Be wholly owned by the same single entity
• Be eligible to pursue NAPBC accreditation as an individual program
• Maintain Commission on Cancer accreditation
• Be in good standing with the NAPBC, including:
• All deficiencies from each site’s last NAPBC site visit are resolved
• Accreditation fees due to the American College of Surgeons are current
• Maintain a current Business Associate/Data Use Agreement (BA/DUA) with the American College of Surgeons (ACS)

Participation as an INBP is voluntary.

Additional information on INBP eligibility and the application process can be found in the Resources section of QPort.

Questions on eligibility may be submitted to NAPBC@facs.org. Questions on standard requirements may be submitted to the CAnswer Forum.

On-Demand Webinars Review NAPBC and NAPRC Standards

Cancer Programs on-demand webinars are designed to help healthcare professionals stay informed, improve performance, and enhance patient care. Leading experts review best practices, accreditation guidance, quality improvement strategies, and the latest developments in oncology care.

“QI for NAPBC Programs”: This webinar provides a review of National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) QI standards, with a focus on problem identification, goal setting, and reporting requirements. Continuing education credits are available for registered nurses and oncology data specialists.

“NAPRC Standards Update”: Webinar presenters provide an overview of the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) standards, new resources, and multidisciplinary team templates.

Contact CancerProgramsEvents@facs.org with any questions.

American Cancer Society Releases Patient Support 2025 Impact Report

The American Cancer Society has released the 2025 Impact Report, which highlights how the organization is expanding access to care, reducing barriers, and supporting people at every stage of the cancer journey. The report demonstrates impact, drives engagement and support, and helps current and prospective partners, funders, and the public better understand how the American Cancer Society is advancing its mission.

American Cancer Society Hosts Survey on Navigation Reimbursement

The American Cancer Society National Navigation Roundtable is seeking feedback from navigation professionals on Principal Illness Navigation and Principal Care Management codes. The findings from this survey will help inform the roundtable's ongoing efforts to support navigation sustainability, identify common challenges and successes, and better understand the evolving reimbursement environment for patient navigation services.

Webinar Will Review Results of Clinician Survey on Post-Treatment Cancer Care

Join Cancer Nation on September 10 at 12:00 pm CT for “Cancer Nation Survivorship Survey: Clinician Perspective Web Briefing.” Presenters will discuss the findings of the 2026 survey, which focused on the barriers clinicians identified to delivering coordinated, whole-person care. The results reveal a system where care coordination is fragmented, survivorship planning lags behind every other phase of the cancer care continuum, and post-treatment care still has no clear owner. Registrants who are not able to attend the live briefing will receive a link to the video recording.

Contact vpanagiotou@canceradvocacy.org with any questions.

CoC Recognizes Accredited Sites

The ACS CoC recognizes the following cancer sites for demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered cancer care to patients and the community by recently earning CoC reaccreditation:

City of Hope Phoenix - Western Regional Medical Center
Goodyear, AZ

Clara Maass Medical Center
Belleville, NJ

Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare
Utica, NY

Lancaster General Hospital
Lancaster, PA

Piedmont Augusta
Augusta, GA

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
Santa Barbara, CA

UMass Memorial Health - Harrington Hospital
Southbridge, MA

UPMC Pinnacle Hospitals
Harrisburg, PA

NAPBC Recognizes Accredited Sites

The ACS NAPBC recognizes the following breast sites for demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered cancer care to patients and the community by recently earning NAPBC reaccreditation: 

Beacon Kalamazoo Cancer Center
Kalamazoo, MI

Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital Comprehensive Breast Program
Chicago, IL

Good Samaritan Hospital Breast Care Center
Los Gatos, CA

J. Phillip Citta Regional Cancer Center
Toms River, NJ

NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
Brooklyn, NY

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
Peoria, IL

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
San Jose, CA

St. Charles Cancer Center
Bend, OR

St. Mary-Corwin Hospital Breast Center of Excellence
Pueblo, CO

NAPRC Recognizes Accredited Sites

The ACS National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) recognizes the following cancer sites for demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered cancer care to patients and the community by recently earning NAPRC accreditation:

Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT

Lehigh Valley Hospital
Allentown, PA

Mark Your Calendars

September 10: NAPBC Webinar for New Standards

September 26–29: ACS Clinical Congress 2026

July 29-August 1, 2027: ACS 2027 Quality, Safety & Cancer Conference