CORRECTION: Personalized cancer care the theme of ASCO '09 to open Friday

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Approximately 30,000 cancer specialists are gathering in Orlando, Florida, for the 45th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology set to open Friday. The theme of this year's meeting is "Personalizing Cancer Care."

At a pre-meeting press briefing, Dr. Richard L. Schilsky, president of ASCO and professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, said: "There are many aspects of personalizing cancer care that are reflected in the meeting abstracts -- ranging from using molecular analysis of cancer to select the most appropriate treatment for patients to developing personalized survivorship care plans for cancer survivors."

"Many of the advances being highlighted at the meeting underscore the progress we have made in customizing cancer treatment. I think it is clear to all of us who are out there treating cancer patients that oncology is no longer 'one size fits all' medicine," Dr. Schilsky said.

"We are increasingly able to tailor treatments to an individual's or a tumor's unique biology," Dr. Schilsky added, "which ultimately helps us improve outcomes for patients by matching the right treatment to the right patient at the right time and allowing patients to avoid unnecessary costs and side effects from therapies that are not likely to benefit them."

A large number of studies to be reported at this year's meeting will "change clinical practice," the outgoing ASCO president added.

ASCO's cancer policy priorities in the coming year will be outlined on opening day of the meeting, including sustaining federal support for cancer research funding and the elimination of disparities in cancer care through comprehensive health care reform.

"It is very encouraging that the country is beginning to reinvest in cancer research after years of flat funding," said Dr. Douglas W. Blayney, the president-elect of ASCO who is professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School and medical director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Michigan.

"Sustained increases in cancer research funding are critical to continued improvements in survival," he added.

"Equally important," Dr. Blayney said, "is making the fruits of cancer research available to all. Health care reform must ensure that everyone has access to life-saving cancer screening and treatment."

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