Since 1977, the McLeod Cancer Center has earned the Approval of the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons for conforming to its high standards established for cancer programs. McLeod is designated as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program, which means 650 or more cases are diagnosed annually and the Center provides a full range of diagnostic and treatment services that are available on-site or by referral. The medical staff is board certified in major medical specialties, including oncology. The facility provides an inpatient medical oncology unit or functional equivalent and participates in cancer-related clinical research.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1932, the Approvals Program sets quality of care standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards. Approval by the Commission on Cancer is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and a review of their performance. In order to maintain approval, facilities with Commission on Cancer Approved Cancer Programs must undergo an on-site review every three years.

Receiving care at a Commission on Cancer Approved Cancer Program ensures that a patient will have access to:

• Quality care close to home
• Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment
• A multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options
• A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up
• Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care