MEDIA RELEASE 22 FEBRUARY 2013 European support for International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) has announced that the European Society of Pathology (ESP), with representatives from all major European countries, is set to become part of the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR). A/Prof Ellis, spokesperson for the RCPA, and Chair of the ICCR, says that this achievement is the latest in a series of developments that will ultimately improve cancer reporting worldwide. At the end of 2010, the RCPA successfully advocated for an alliance for international reporting for cancers, which was agreed by the RCPA, The College of American Pathologists, The Royal College of Pathologists (UK) and The Canadian Association of Pathologists. The latest announcement follows a presentation by A/Prof David Ellis to the Advisory Council and chairs of the Working Groups of the European Society of Pathology in Prague in 2012, facilitated by Professor Michael Wells, Past President of the ESP and currently Vice President of the Royal College of Pathologists UK, (RCPath). “Establishing the ICCR was the first critical step in standardising cancer data sets for pathology across the world -­‐ an essential step if we are to compare clinical outcomes and interventions for Australian cancer patients with global performance standards. There are many national and local development processes around the world producing cancer datasets, all slightly different and all duplicating effort. The ICCR offers a mechanism to co-­‐
ordinate and harmonise these, reduce duplication and provide standardised evidence-­‐based cancer datasets to all countries including those not in a position to produce their own” says A/Prof David Ellis. “We are pleased that the ESP, representing 16 different European countries, has agreed with the principles of the ICCR and would like to become part of the ICCCR process. It has been agreed that there are many points of synergy. This is a very encouraging sign for the future of international reporting in cancer and is another positive step forward for research opportunities and improving quality reporting standards for patients around the globe.” Meagan Judge Project Manager for Structured Pathology Reporting of Cancer for the RCPA explains that in the recent past, histopathology reports consisted of text-­‐based narrative. Although the reports contained essential information for the management of cancer patients, they were written in a non-­‐structured format which hindered both completeness and clarity of clinically essential data. From a patient perspective, structured reporting is vital to comprehensive and accurate cancer management. “Pathologists are responsible for all cancer diagnoses, and their reports must provide oncologists and clinicians with all of the key prognostic and predictive information which drives successful personalised cancer therapy” says A/Prof Ellis. “This is a key step towards global standardization and implementation of internationally agreed, evidence-­‐based checklists for cancer reporting worldwide.” http://www.rcpa.edu.au/Publications/StructuredReporting/ICCR.htm ENDS About the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia: The RCPA is the leading organisation representing pathologists in Australasia. Its mission is to train and support pathologists and to improve the use of pathology testing to achieve better healthcare. For more information please visit: http://www.rcpa.edu.au/Publications Media enquiries: Dr Debra Graves or Linsey Brown CEO – RCPA S2i Communications 0417 218 528 0425 514 005 debrag@rcpa.edu.au Linsey@s2i.com.au