A pioneering idea that worked

Five years ago, Parkway Cancer Centre forged ahead in the firm belief that a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatment would give patients better care

In 2006, Parkway Cancer Centre (PCC) was set up with a pioneering approach towards cancer treatment. In the firm belief that cancer patients would get better care if they were treated by a team of surgical, radiation and medical oncologists working together, it started clinical services based on a multi-disciplinary approach – a first of its kind in Singapore.

When patients go through PCC’s doors, they are treated by a wide range of specialists who work in a team, pooling their knowledge and skills to provide the best care. At Tumour Board meetings, for instance, as many as 20 or more specialists would meet to discuss cases and share their best practices.

“Multi-disciplinary cancer management is the cornerstone for the optimal cancer treatment and improved patient outcomes,” says Dr Ang Peng Tiam, PCC’s Medical Director. “An individual or a unimodality specialist cannot offer the same level of care as a cancer centre.”

But, he admits, getting the idea off the ground was not easy.

“When we first started, there was apprehension about our model of practice,” he recalls. “We were the first specialists to come together to establish a clinical service, through a joint venture with Parkway. We pushed ahead because our primary objective was to deliver better cancer care for our patients.”

The idea, however, has evidently worked. Since 2006, scores of patients have come through PCC’s doors, with the number of success stories continuously rising. Today, PCC has a strong reputation as a comprehensive cancer centre, in Singapore as well as in the region, while Parkway Health has been approached to set up similar models in other specialties.

Beyond medical

In line with its multi-disciplinary approach towards patient care, PCC has also set up a host of patient support services that complement medical treatment.

Among other things, it has a counselling arm, palliative care services and a wide range of programmes catering to patients’ needs.

One of the most significant services is CanHOPE, which is PCC’s non-profit cancer counselling and support service.

Acting as a resource for information about cancer, CanHOPE, with its own team of professionals, runs screening tests for patients as well as the public, counselling and other psychosocial support services. Together with the doctors and oncologists, it gives cancer patients access to treatment for the full spectrum of the disease, from diagnosis, treatment and recovery to living with cancer.

PCC was also the first private hospital in Singapore to set up a palliative care unit, which allows patients diagnosed with terminal cancer to have continuity with the cancer centre.

And there is also CanHEALth Fitness, which runs exercise programmes for cancer patients and survivors – yet another example of its patient-centric approach that lies at the heart of PCC’s multi-disciplinary philosophy.

Spreading the word

Not just content with helping its own patients, PCC also pours much of its resources into raising awareness of cancer in Singapore as well as in the region. Its extensive community outreach comes in the form of health seminars, workshops and even cooking classes to show people how to cook and eat healthily.

The educational seminars, which are open to the public, cover all aspects of cancer, such as the latest treatment methods, nutrition, cancer prevention and on-site health screenings, and also allow people to hear directly from PCC’s specialists.

The importance of such community outreach is driven home every year, when PCC celebrates its anniversary. Instead of holding its own celebrations, the cancer centre organises mass events to raise awareness of cancer, holding events such as mass brisk walks, carnivals and seminars. One year, it also launched a cookbook for Asian cancer patients.

With five successful years under its belt, PCC is now looking at establishing satellite cancer centres in the region, says Dr Ang.

“In the region, we stand out as being a comprehensive cancer centre providing multi-disciplinary care at its highest level,” he says. “We have managed to bring in top specialists in the various fields, working together to give patients the best care possible.”