Saving lives by working together

A new medical network focusing on cancer prevention and control in the Yangtze River Delta region was established on Saturday.

Consisting of Shanghai Cancer Center, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital and Anhui Cancer Hospital, the network will realize a unified cancer diagnosis and treatment system to improve the overall medical capability in the region.

According to Shanghai Cancer Center, leader of the network, its 82 percent of outpatient service and 79 percent of surgery patients last year were from those coming from the Yangtze River Delta region. Patients from provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui accounted for 39 percent of outpatients and 59 percent of surgeries last year.

“With the better transport, more patients from the region are coming to the Shanghai Cancer Center, which can’t meet such a huge demand,” said Dr Guo Xiaomao, president of Shanghai Cancer Center.

“Cooperation of hospitals in the region is the best solution, as the four cancer hospitals will set up an Internet-based long distance case discussion and group consultation system for complicated patients.

"All the four hospitals will also adopt a unified diagnosis and treatment guideline for regular clinical practice and data sharing. A quicker and better patient transfer system will also be built inside the network.”

In addition, the four hospitals will look at joint cancer-screening programs in the community for early detection and intervention.