title: An oral history of MASCC, its origin and development from MASCC's beginnings to 2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper presents an oral history from the mid-1980s to 2009 of the start and evolution of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) as seen through the recollections of the founders and early leaders. The growth of the supportive cancer care movement and MASCC's contribution to oncology supportive care is described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As science was making progress towards better cancer treatment, a group of professionals began to research ways to prevent or mitigate the symptoms and side effects that accompany the disease and its treatments. Joining forces, they created an international, multidisciplinary organization to address and promulgate evidence-based practices of cancer supportive care. Through annual international scientific symposia, a peer-reviewed journal, an accessible website, and study group projects such as guidelines and tools, MASCC is accomplishing its mission.
authors.affiliation: MASCC, Metairie, LA, USA. crittenberg@mascc.org
authors.forename: Cynthia N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Rittenberg
authors.forename: Judith L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Gerald M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Kuncio
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000266:history*