Access to quality cancer care: consensus statement. American Federation of Clinical Oncologic Societies.

In his Presidential address on May 17, 1996, Dr John Glick proposed the formation of the American Federation of Clinical Oncologic Societies (AFCOS), a coalition of all professional clinical oncology societies. AFCOS was intended to address heightened concerns about changes in the health care delivery system and the impact that they may have on quality patient care. AFCOS places primary emphasis on educating patients, their families, health care providers, payors, legislators, regulators, and the general public about what constitutes quality care, advocating access to and coverage for such care, including clinical trials, and supporting and promoting patient-oriented research. Several meetings of the coalition have resulted in the development of a consensus statement on quality cancer care, which the Journal of Clinical Oncology is pleased to publish in this edition. The consensus statement was the product of collaboration among the Federation's nine member societies as well as national patient advocacy groups represented by the Cancer Leadership Council.