We're putting the best cancer care within reach
Annual Report 2015 : Patient care
To truly eliminate cancer, MD Anderson must expand its footprint in Houston and form relationships with hospitals and health systems around the world.
BY Courtney Kessenich
And MD Anderson Cancer Network™ is collaborating with community hospitals and health systems to provide the highest-quality and most advanced cancer care to patients in the communities in which they live.
"The National Cancer Institute estimates that only about 15% of U.S. cancer patients are diagnosed and treated at the nation's major academic-based cancer centers," says Margaret Row, M.D., vice president of operations for the Cancer Network. "Through our network, we can reach more people nationally and internationally."
With objectives to improve access to specialized care and clinical trials, disseminate knowledge, deliver high-quality, multidisciplinary care and drive new discoveries, the network has been growing quickly. More than 115 million people now have access to MD Anderson care or best practices through its network members.
In a unique partnership, MD Anderson joined forces with Memorial Hermann to create an integrated breast-screening program across the Houston area. The collaboration combines the cancer center's expert breast screening and diagnostic services with the convenience of Memorial Hermann's locations. In less than a year, the program, which began in five locations before expanding to 10, provided more than 77,000 patients with approximately 147,000 procedures. The program grew again in February, expanding to 15 sites.
MD Anderson also provides cancer care to the underserved at Harris Health's Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. In the past year, MD Anderson doctors have provided cancer care to 3,800 patients from underserved populations of Harris County.
Partnering to deliver care
MD Anderson's collaborations bring extensive expertise and resources to communities across the nation as co-branded, multispecialty cancer centers. More than 22,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients sought diagnosis or treatment at MD Anderson's network affiliates this year. Covering a population of more than 100 million people, these sites are strategically located to allow the institution to have the largest possible impact around the globe.
With partnerships at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center (Gilbert, Arizona), MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper (Camden, New Jersey), Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center (Jacksonville, Florida), an extension of the partnership of MD Anderson at Cooper with Summit Medical Group (Berkeley Heights, New Jersey), 14 current certified members across the country, as well as other national and international relationships in development, the care and knowledge that have made MD Anderson the nation's top cancer hospital continues to have expanded worldwide reach.
Increasing access to MD Anderson quality and best practices
MD Anderson Cancer Network now has 14 certified members in 12 states, all of which take part in the MD Anderson quality improvement and best practices program. Through these sites, more than 28,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients have sought diagnosis and treatment, and a population of almost 17 million people now has access to health systems and physicians certified by MD Anderson.
With a goal to more than double in size to more than 30 member health systems by 2021, the number of potential patients who can receive oncology care that's been shaped by MD Anderson will be increasing as well.
The Golden Era of Cancer Research and Care
When President Barack Obama called for a national moon shot to end cancer, the MD Anderson community and our patients cheered. For nearly 75 years, cancer has been our priority, and we are heartened to see it elevated to a true national priority.
In 2015, surgical history was made
Collaboration and a unique opportunity led to the world's first skull and scalp transplant
To be the No. 1 cancer hospital, you need the best and brightest physicians
Curing leukemia without debilitating side effects
Jamie Whittington has an aggressive form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but you'd never know it.
Sabin gift encourages research that tests the limits, delivers big impact
By Sarah Watson
An immunotherapy drug to bolster a T cell surge
MD Anderson Melanoma Moon Shot researchers are combining two immunotherapies for the first time to double-team melanoma that has spread to other organs and resisted all forms of treatment.
Bold advances require the latest technology
To meet a growing demand for clinical, diagnostic and support services, ground was broken in 2013 for The Pavilion, an eight-story, 184,800-square-foot facility connected to the Main Building.
In the face of cancer
It's a phrase that describes our patients, who, faced with a disease that is unpredictable and unforgiving, remain strong and determined. It describes our doctors, researchers, educators and staff, who are relentless in their drive to stop a plague that robs us all of friends, family and loved ones.
He took on the mystery of metastasis. Now he's taking on brain cancer.
Few scientists have devoted as much of their career to understanding how cancer spreads as Isaiah Fidler, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Graduating to big things before returning to MD Anderson
When Joya Chandra, Ph.D., joined the faculty of MD Anderson's pediatrics department in 2002, she felt an immediate kinship with the researchers, clinicians and, especially, with the students.
The man who cured childhood leukemia
A trailblazing oncologist who took on childhood leukemia by introducing combination chemotherapy — in which anticancer drugs are given simultaneously rather than singly — retired in September after 50 years at MD Anderson.
They want to fill the void left by less federal funding for research
By Allison Schaffer
Where rivers of research and clinical data converge into one pool
A simple yet unprecedented goal drives the big data efforts of MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program: to have every patient contribute to and benefit from the cancer center's research.
School of Health Professions grants first master's degrees
By Gillian Kruse
Bottom line: Converting discoveries into new treatments at a faster rate
When a clinical trial for a new breast cancer drug launched recently, researchers estimated it would take at least two years to enroll the 20 patients needed to make the trial a success. However, within four months, half the patients had already enrolled — and the drug worked for all 10.
Research silos are removed, allowing ideas to grow
Outsmarting cancer with genetic testing
Teresa Hall's visit to a gastroenterologist three years ago wasn't the first time she'd sought help for troubling symptoms.
Are you at high risk for pancreatic cancer?
A new clinic to identify and monitor those at high risk for developing pancreatic cancer continues to expand after opening last year.
We're creating partnerships to detect a deadly cancer earlier
Building on MD Anderson research, a new company named Codiak Biosciences has formed to create therapeutic and diagnostic products using exosomes — small parts of cells that break away and float around the body.
Let's protect ourselves against HPV-related cancers with the 'cancer vaccine'
Breast cancer screening guidelines aren't a one-size-fits-all solution
It's clear that breast cancer screenings save lives. But exactly when women at average risk of developing breast cancer should begin screening is much less clear.
Leaders prepare and plan today to prevent disease tomorrow
What would you say to cancer?