Knoxville, Tennessee, July 15, 2024 – The University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) has been named a Center of Excellence (COE) by GO2 for Lung Cancer (GO2) for its ongoing commitment to providing the East Tennessee region with patient-centered, evidence-based lung cancer care. An estimated 237,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer annually, and while it remains the leading cause of cancer deaths, lung cancer survival rates are growing at a rapid pace thanks to the availability of new, groundbreaking treatments for people diagnosed with the disease.
"We are proud to have The University Tennessee Medical Center join the community of GO2 for Lung Cancer Centers of Excellence that is national in scope and local in impact," said GO2 Chief Healthcare Delivery Officer, Joelle Fathi. "Across the U.S., the majority of people at risk for or living with lung cancer are served by a local community hospital near their home. Through the GO2 COE network of community hospitals, clinics, and academic and VA medical centers, we are fostering and supporting essential knowledge sharing and collaboration that brings national and global advancements in early detection, treatment and care close to home."
GO2 COEs designated in lung cancer care are committed to the principles of patient-centered communication and decision making across the entire of care pathway. They demonstrate access to standard cancer services within medical, radiation, and surgical oncology, and pathology; follow practice standards based on evidence, expert consensus, and clinical guidelines; and engage team-based mechanisms for multidisciplinary input to guide care and treatment recommendations and inform shared decision making.
"UT Medical Center is dedicated to providing patients with the highest quality care," said Sean Jordan, MD, Co-Director of Thoracic Oncology at UTMC. "We are thrilled to be part of this elite network, setting an example for responsible treatment and care practices across the country and helping people diagnosed with lung cancer in our community live longer higher-quality lives."
In addition to receiving this newly awarded designation as a Center of Excellence in Lung Cancer Care, UTMC is also recognized by GO2 as a Center of Excellence in Lung Cancer Screening. GO2 COEs designated in lung cancer screening are committed to the principles of patient-centered communication and decision making across the entire care pathway. They implement screening in accordance with current evidence and clinical guidelines developed by professional bodies such as the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and they coordinate patient follow-up, diagnostics, and transition to treatment through a multidisciplinary clinical process.
"Low dose CT screening is currently the only proven method to detect lung cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage," said Jordan. "We are honored to be part of this select group, leading by example in promoting responsible screening practices nationwide."
By screening individuals at high risk for lung cancer using low dose computed tomography (LDCT), this disease can now be found early, when it is most treatable and even curable.