Cancer Programs News: October 22

QI Initiatives Are Featured in Surgery

A new special issue of Surgery highlights local quality improvement (QI) initiatives designed to advance cancer care and improve outcomes for patients.

The special issue brings together the programs accredited by ACS Cancer Programs that have translated identified gaps in care into meaningful, actionable QI efforts. The articles showcase practical approaches to addressing challenges at the local level, implementing evidence-based interventions, engaging multidisciplinary teams, and evaluating the impact of change.

By sharing strategies and lessons learned through these initiatives, the special issue provides cancer professionals with real-world examples that can inform and inspire QI efforts within their own programs.

CoC Previews 2027 Standards

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) will release Optimal Resources for Cancer Care (2027 Standards) in December. Although some changes in the 2027 Standards will not take effect until 2028, cancer programs should be aware of several changes that will be effective starting in 2027. Major changes are highlighted below, and a preview version of these standards is available for review. For a complete preview of all changes, see the CoC Standards Preview of Changes document.

Standard 2.2 Cancer Liaison Physician

Beginning January 1, 2027, Cancer Liaison Physicians (CLPs) must complete four reports each calendar year instead of two. The two additional reports replace reporting previously required under Standard 6.4: Rapid Cancer Reporting System (RCRS) Data Submission. The revised standard also outlines which National Cancer Database and RCRS data can be used for the CLP reports.

New Standard 4.9: Exercise Oncology Services

A new standard addressing exercise oncology services will take effect January 1, 2028. The standard reflects growing evidence supporting the benefits of physical activity during cancer treatment. How this standard will be applied for pediatric programs is still being reviewed. All other categories must meet this standard as written.

Operative Standards 5.3 – 5.8

The CoC Operative Standards have been revised to reduce administrative challenges and focus more on intraoperative quality improvement. Programs are encouraged to begin updating synoptic reporting elements in their EHR systems in preparation for the January 1, 2028, effective date.

The Cancer Surgery Standards Program is working with the College of American Pathologists to require completion of pathology reports for neoadjuvant specimens without residual cancer. If the change is ultimately approved, primary resection specimens with no residual cancer (e.g., following neoadjuvant therapy) will be eligible for Standards 5.7 and 5.8 beginning in 2028.

The CoC is working with vendors to integrate the updated elements and responses in the EHR.

Standard 6.2: Rapid Cancer Reporting System: Data Submission

Formerly Standard 6.4, this revised standard outlines existing annual and monthly RCRS submission requirements and how the Submission Compliance Report is used to determine compliance. Compliance expectations have not changed, but a proactive deficiency resolution process has been incorporated into the standard so programs may resolve submission issues before the site visit.

Standard 6.3: Follow-Up of Patients

Formerly Standard 6.5, this standard has been revised to use a more current patient follow-up window. The associated follow-up calculations available in the RCRS library will be updated to align with this follow-up window. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Questions on standard requirements may be submitted to the CAnswer Forum.

2025 Analytic Case Submissions Are Due December 31

CoC-accredited programs are reminded that 2025 analytic cases must be successfully submitted and complete in RCRS by 11:59 pm CT on December 31 to meet the annual submission requirement.

Programs should review their submission status now and address outstanding cases before the deadline.

What should your program do?

Review the Submission Compliance Report in RCRS: Use the Submission Compliance Report to monitor your program’s progress toward meeting the annual submission requirement and determine your current standing. The case count in this report contains only cases without edits and refreshes on a nightly basis.

Review the Case Log Report: Use the Case Log Report to identify cases that have already been submitted to RCRS but are not yet complete due to outstanding edits or errors.

Resolve outstanding cases before December 31: Review incomplete cases, correct applicable edits or errors, and resubmit as needed to ensure required 2025 analytic cases are successfully submitted and complete by the deadline.

Don’t wait until the deadline: Reviewing these reports early provides time to identify outstanding cases, resolve data issues, and confirm that your program is on track to meet the December 31 deadline.

RCRS Alerts Report Temporarily Unavailable

The Rapid Cancer Reporting System (RCRS) Alerts Report will be temporarily unavailable beginning October 31 to allow for enhancements and the incorporation of additional alert scenarios. These improvements are intended to provide cancer programs with more comprehensive information to help identify cases requiring attention and support ongoing quality measure monitoring.

Additional information will be shared when the enhanced Alerts Report becomes available.

CoC Announces 2026 Paper Competition Winners

At the recent plenary session in Washington, DC, CoC leaders announced the recipients of the 2026 CoC Research Paper Competition Awards.

In the Basic Science category, judging was based on originality, scientific method, technical complexity, and the potential for the research to be translated into practice.

• First place: Divyansh Agarwal, MD, PhD: “An Integrin-Laminin Gradient Drives Inflammation-To-Malignancy Transition in Distal Cholangiocarcinoma”
• Second place: Suryansh, MBBS: “Myeloid TLR4 Signaling Drives Cytokine-Mediated Cd4+ T-Cell Cytotoxicity and Reduces Pancreatic Tumor Burden”

Judging in the Clinical Research category was based on originality, scientific merit, and relevance to clinical oncology and the mission of the CoC.

• First place: Zhen Ma, PhD: “Tumor Organoid-Guided Targeted Therapy for Locally Advanced Radioiodine-Refractory Thyroid Cancer: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis Of 38 Patients”
• Second place: Kainoa McCauley, MD, MS: “Preoperative Geriatric Risk Factor Screening: The Association Between Positive Screening and Postoperative Clinical and Functional Outcomes After Pancreatectomy for Cancer”
• Third place: Tara Talaie, MD, MS: “Navigating the Waters: The Use of Navigation to Overcome Barriers to Cancer Care, An American College Of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) And National Accreditation of Breast Centers (NAPBC) Quality Improvement Collaborative (QIC)”

The annual Cancer Research Paper Competition is a collaborative activity of the CoC and the American Cancer Society. The 2027 competition will open in January. More information is available on the CoC website.

Promote Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November

The CoC encourages accredited cancer programs to promote lung cancer awareness and the importance of screening during November.

To help programs promote Lung Cancer Awareness Month in their community, the CoC developed customizable posters that can be downloaded from the Marketing Resources section in QPort. The posters feature a CoC Surgical Quality Partners diamond and space for institutions to add their logo, allowing programs to highlight their CoC accreditation and commitment to educating the community on ways to reduce lung cancer risk. 

Contact coc@facs.org with any questions.

Complete the Annual CLP Survey by October 30

Cancer Liaison Physicians (CLPs) are encouraged to complete the annual CLP survey by Friday, October 30. The CoC uses the results of the survey to evaluate educational and information resources and develop materials to help CLPs fulfill their responsibilities at CoC-accredited programs. Contact mleeb@facs.org with questions about the survey.

Operative Standards Study Seeks CLP Feedback

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.

CLPs at programs with November 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 Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, which discusses the aims and progress of the program.

Contact AESOP@facs.org with any questions.

Register Today for Cancer Programs On-Demand Webinars

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. Recently added webinars include:

NAPBC: Integrative Oncology: Building, Implementing, and Leveraging Services to Improve Patient Care: Discover how leading cancer centers are improving patient care through integrative oncology, which is an evidence-based, patient-centered approach that combines conventional cancer treatment with supportive therapies such as nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, yoga, and acupuncture. Featuring experts from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, MD Anderson, and Emory University, this webinar examines strategies for improving quality of life, managing symptoms, and empowering patients throughout their cancer journey.

CoC: Standard 4.8 Survivorship Webinar: In this webinar, attendees will receive the latest updates on CoC Standard 4.8: Survivorship Program and learn practical steps to implement required changes with confidence. Presenters provide clear guidance on meeting expectations and strengthening survivorship care. Continuing education credits are offered for registered nurses (RN) and oncology data specialists (ODS).

AJCC: Protocol Webinar on Version 9 Staging System for Nasopharynx Cancer: View the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Version 9 TNM classification for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, effective January 1, 2025. Presenters provide practical insight into how the revised staging system supports more accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient care. Continuing education credits are offered for physicians, RNs, and ODS.   

Contact CancerProgramsEvents@facs.org with any questions.

American Cancer Society Hosts Lifestyle Medicine Webinar

The American Cancer Society National Breast Cancer Roundtable will host “Lifestyle Medicine and Breast Cancer: Evidence, Lived Experience, and Action” at 11:00 am CT on Wednesday, October 28. Webinar presenters will discuss ways that clinicians, care teams, advocates, and community partners can support patients with clear, actionable, and non-stigmatizing guidance.

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:

Altru Health System
Grand Forks, ND

Bozeman Deaconess Hospital
Bozeman, MT

Christiana Care Health System
Newark, DE

Greater Baltimore Medical Center
Baltimore, MD

Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States
Washington, DC

Licking Memorial Hospital
Newark, OH

Mercy Hospital South
St. Louis, MO

New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist
Brooklyn, NY

OhioHealth Berger Hospital
Circleville, OH

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Buffalo, NY

Slidell Memorial Hospital
Slidell, LA

Sumner Regional Medical Center
Gallatin, TN

UF Health Cancer Center
Gainesville, FL

University of California, Davis MC
Sacramento, CA

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: 

Mission Hospital Breast Program
Asheville, NC

Morton Plant Hospital Comprehensive Breast Center
Clearwater, FL

Northside Hospital Breast Care Program
Atlanta, GA

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
Charlottesville, VA

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:

AdventHealth Cancer Institute
Orlando, FL

Goshen Hospital
Goshen, IN

Nebraska Methodist Hospital
Omaha, NE

West Virginia University Hospital
Morgantown, WV

Mark Your Calendars

October 26: FAST-LUNG Webinar

November 9: GeneQIP Informational Webinar

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

October 16–19, 2027: ACS 2027 Clinical Congress, San Diego, CA