Midwest Cancer Alliance: Partnership to Support Quality Cancer Care

Introduction Over 85% of cancer patients nationwide receive care in the community setting (NCI, 2007). In 2008, the Midwest Cancer Alliance (MCA) launched with a vision of marshaling the exceptional cancer resources of the region to support the system of care provided to patients while keeping them “close to home”. With an emphasis on education and research, the MCA was developed to connect hospitals and physician groups across Kansas and western Missouri with the purpose of: • Providing strong support to community cancer care professionals; • Enhancing cancer care for patients across the region; • Advancing access to innovative, investigator-initiated and cooperative group clinical trials; • Advancing access to newly developed therapies and prevention strategies; • Providing continuing professional and community education opportunities; • Facilitating second opinion and consultation services; and • Providing patient navigator technical assistance across the network.