Role of comprehensive cancer centres during economic and disease transition: National Cancer Centre, Singapore--a case study.
In 1999, Singapore created a comprehensive cancer centre because of the rising occurrence of cancer in the country. Although Singapore is different from many developing countries because of its small geographical size and its well-endowed economy, it has issues that are common to any country or community wanting to start such centres. We present our experience of developing a comprehensive cancer centre. We located the cancer centre strategically adjacent to Singapore's largest hospital. Clinics were designed to provide multidisciplinary care, and site-specific radiation, medical, and surgical oncologists could consult with patients on the same day and at the multidisciplinary outpatient clinics. We developed a large research team and ensured that tumour specimens were carefully obtained and annotated in our tissue repository. Furthermore, we are building up a robust cancer informatics system as well as a pipeline of specialists with local training and overseas stints at other top cancer centres.
Soo
Khee Chee
KC
National Cancer Centre Singapore, 169610 Singapore. admskc@nccs.com.sg
D002173:Cancer Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012846:Singapore; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis