BENEFITS FROM SPECIALIZED CANCER CARE

The Expert Advisory Group's recommendations to establish cancer centre s, cancer units, and a network involving primary care for the treatmen t of cancer patients in the UH is based on the view that specialisatio n in cancer care will improve outcomes. Evidence to support the variou s aspects of specialisation (eg, training, caseload, and the formation of multidisciplinary teams) is strongest for breast cancer, ovarian c ancer, and some haematological malignant diseases. There is evidence t o support the view that some specialised care can be successfully deli vered by a network of district hospitals and main general or teaching hospitals and does not always require referral to cancer centres.