The Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center became one of the nations first cancer centers to be established in December 1971 with the passage of the National Cancer Act. Congress authorized federal funding to build 15 cancer centers nationwide. Four cancer centers already existed, and funding was added to enhance their programs.
In 1973, the Duke Cancer Center was designated a "comprehensive" cancer center by the National Cancer Institute. Today, Duke is one of only 61 comprehensive cancer centers nationwide.
The "comprehensive" status recognizes centers for excellence in research and for other contributions in the areas of clinical trials, prevention and control efforts, information and educational offerings, and outreach and service activities. The Duke Comprehensive Cancer Centers more then 300 physicians and scientists research all aspects of cancer biology and treatment.
At Duke, patients receive outstanding multidisciplinary care for all types of cancer. Physicians, scientists, nurses, and other health care professionals work together to provide individualized treatment plans for patients. Patients and their families receive psychosocial and educational support and assistance from Duke's many support programs and from a group of dedicated volunteers.
Last year, there were more than 7,600 inpatient admissions to Duke Hospital for cancer care, with 30 percent of these patients coming from outside North Carolina. Cancer patients make more than 120,000 visits to Duke's outpatient clinics each year.
The GYN Oncology Program of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center...
is one of the most comprehensive cancer treatment, research and training programs of its kind in the country. The programs mission is to deliver outstanding clinical care to women with gynecologic cancer and to participate in basic and clinical investigations that will improve prospects for early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these cancers.
Fueling Discovery through Research
The Gynecologic Oncology Programs multidisciplinary team of physician-scientists and associated health specialists forms a network of expertise that quickly translates laboratory discoveries into more effective ways to treat, and prevent gynecologic cancers.
Duke is one of only about 35 institutions in the United States to have an approved fellowship training program in gynecologic oncology since formal programs were initiated 30 years ago.
More information regarding research and trials at Duke.
Serving Patients
Since the 1970s, the Gynecologic Oncology Program at Duke has been dedicated to delivering outstanding care to women with gynecologic cancers.
Dukes Gynecologic Oncology Program focuses on caring for the whole patient, and brings together a team of specialists to provide comprehensive care to women with cervical, uterine, ovarian, and other reproductive cancers.
The program is consistently rated as one of the top 10 in the country by U.S. News and World Report, and sees more than 350 new patients with invasive cancers each year.
Training Future Leaders
Duke is one of only 25 institutions in the United States to have an approved fellowship training program in gynecologic oncology since formal programs were initiated 20 years ago.
Fellows spend one year in gynecologic oncology research laboratories, followed by two years of clinical training.
In the past 10 years, all of the fellows trained at Duke have moved on to positions at major medical centers and are active in both research and clinical care.
Society of Gynecologic Oncologist
Spring Newsletter from the Society of Gynecologic Oncologist