Cancer Issues Among IOM's 20 Priorities for Improving Health Care
Two cancer-related issues-evidence-based cancer screening andpain control in advanced cancer-are among 20 priority areasthat an Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee has urged publicand private organizations to focus on as a way of transforming healthcare in the United States. Goals regarding screening, especially forcolorectal and cervical cancer, the report said, are "to increase thenumber of people who receive screenings and to provide timely followup."Regarding pain control in patients with advanced cancer, thecommittee urged efforts to "emphasize cooperation in protocols acrosscare settings, advance planning for changes in settings, as well asheightened pain, and public education regarding the merits of opioidmedications in this area."
Two cancer-related issues-evidence-based cancer screening and pain control in advanced cancer-are among 20 priority areas that an Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee has urged public and private organizations to focus on as a way of transforming health care in the United States. Goals regarding screening, especially for colorectal and cervical cancer, the report said, are "to increase the number of people who receive screenings and to provide timely followup." Regarding pain control in patients with advanced cancer, the committee urged efforts to "emphasize cooperation in protocols across care settings, advance planning for changes in settings, as well as heightened pain, and public education regarding the merits of opioid medications in this area."
