How to Choose a Cancer Center

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Some cancer centers are in hospitals, while others are in clinics. Finding the right cancer center is not always easy. Here's what you need to know:

Steps

1. Make sure any cancer center you choose has been accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). From the JCAHO website, you can check if a specific facility has met accreditation standards. The website also allows you to peruse performance evaluations.
2. Determine if the facility is approved by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). You can search the NCI's database on its website.
   • A facility is only approved by the NCI after an extensive review that focuses on the center's research programs. The NCI will designate an institution as a "comprehensive" facility if it conducts cancer research in a broad range of areas. The NCI labels more specialized research programs "clinical."
3. Find out if the cancer center you are considering had been approved by the American College of Surgeons. As of 2011, there are 1,400 ACS-approved facilities in the United States.
   • The Commission on Cancer (COC) of the ACS is made up of 30 medical organizations that create criteria for cancer care. Their designation is limited to those facilities that provide the best cancer treatment and diagnosis.
   • The COC's website includes a hospital locator tool that can help you find facilities near you. The tool also provides information about a center's treatment options, screenings and other programs.
4. Consult your state's medical board. The board may have statistics on a center's expertise in treating the type of cancer you have. Some states prepare surgery volume reports listed by medical procedure.
5. Assess whether the cancer center has all of the services you need for your treatment.
   • Things to look for include lab services, 24-hour physicians, a board to discuss tumor findings in patients, social services, physical therapy and rehabilitation.
   • Find out how up-to-date a center's diagnostic equipment is. Ask about opportunities to participate in experimental medicine or clinical trials if that is important to you.
   • Ask about any educational programs and resources that will be helpful to you during and after treatment.
6. Contact your doctor, oncologist, and surgeon to ask which hospitals or clinics they have privileges with.
7. Contact your health insurance company to find out which cancer treatment facilities are included in your health plan.
8. Make sure you can find parking conveniently located next to the cancer center. If you don't drive, use public transportation.
9. Tour the cancer treatment facility to see if it meets your standards of quality. Make sure it is clean and well-maintained. If possible, meet with the doctors' and nurses' assistants who will participate in your treatment.

Warnings

• Make sure whichever cancer center you choose has staff that are compassionate and easy to talk to.

Related wikiHows

• How to Pay for Cancer Treatment

Sources and Citations

• http://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/cancer/breast/choosing-a-breast-cancer-care-center.htm
• http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/doctor-facility

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