COCOA BEACH, FL (May 25, 2006) - The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) has granted three-year approval with commendation to the cancer program at Cape Canaveral Hospital.

To receive this approval, the facility must demonstrate a commendation level of compliance with one or more standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program (cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement).

Cape Canaveral Hospital received commendation on the following four standards:

• Outcomes analysis for an excellent annual report (cancer data management)
• Patient guidelines for 100 percent compliance with College of American Pathologists protocols and the adoption and monitoring of several national guidelines (clinical services)
• Prevention and early detection programs for community outreach activities (community outreach)
• Cancer-related improvements for the number and quality of the goals and objectives set forth each year by the cancer committee (quality improvement)

The Commission reports that only 16.7% of the accredited programs in the state of Florida have achieved this level of commendation. "We have worked hard to give our patients the best possible care during the difficult road of battling cancer," said Roy Wright, president of Cape Canaveral Hospital. "It takes dedication and commitment to quality to achieve recognition of this level and we're proud to be rewarded for the efforts of our staff and our physicians."

Receiving care at a Commission approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to:

• Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment
• A multi-specialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options
• Access to cancer-related information, education and support
• A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up
• Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care
• Quality care close to home

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving the survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality care. Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and 40 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care. For more information about the Commission on Cancer, visit the website at www.facs.org.