Healthcare Industry News: National Comprehensive Cancer Network
News Release - January 8, 2007
NCCN Offers HER2 Testing for Breast Cancer Patients(TM)
Summary based on NCCN HER2 Testing Task Force ReportJENKINTOWN, Pa.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and Research Advocacy Network have created an online report to educate breast cancer patients about the significance and importance of HER2 testing. Results of this test are essential in determining the correct treatment plan for breast cancer patients.
Breast cancers can be categorized as HER2 positive or HER2 negative. HER2-positive breast cancer grows more quickly and is considered more aggressive. While studies indicate that trastuzumab (Herceptin®, Genentech) is effective in the treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer and HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, the drug is not effective in the treatment of HER2-negative breast cancers. As a result, it is important to have tests that accurately determine HER2 tumor status.
The NCCN HER2 Testing Report explains the different types of tests used to determine HER2 status. Patients learn the steps involved in each test and what the results signify. The Report also includes a list of frequently asked patient questions about HER2 testing. The clinical recommendations contained in the Fact Sheet are based on the findings of an expert task force convened by NCCN comprised of more than 20 world-renowned physicians.
The NCCN HER2 Testing Report is available on www.nccn.org.
About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a not-for-profit alliance of 20 of the world's leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN member institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives.
The NCCN member institutions are: City of Hope Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA; Dana-Farber/Brigham & Women's Cancer Center | Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham, NC; Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA; Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA; Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital & Richard J. Solove Research Institute at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute at the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY; Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital/University of Tennessee Cancer Institute, Memphis, TN; Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center, Stanford, CA; University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, AL; UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA; University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI; UNMC Eppley Cancer Center at The Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
For more information, visit www.nccn.org.
Source: National Comprehensive Cancer Network
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