Cancer is not a word anyone likes to hear, especially when statistics like the fact that 1.4 million new cases of it will be diagnosed this year, float around the media. A New York Times article featuring a Seattle, Wash. woman whose colon cancer puzzled her doctors. 

Karen Pasqualetto was, admittedly, frustrated over the multiple diagnoses and prognoses she received. In the article, Pasqueletto stated, "I don't feel I have a doctor who is looking out for my care. My oncologist is terrific, but he's an oncologist. The surgeon seems terrific, but I have found through my own diligence. I have no confidence in the system."

When patients don't have confidence in the medical system, there are obvious systemic problems within the medical world, especially the oncological one. Cancer is undoubtedly hard to treat, as it requires a minimum of three doctors. Treatment decisions are tough, too. Furthermore, the quality of cancer care varies among doctors and hospitals, muddling the ability to distinguish what is the best treatment.

The inability to choose a best treatment is even admitted by government and medical groups. A 1999 report by the Institute of Medicine in Washington stated that, "There is a wide gulf between what should be construed as the ideal and the reality of one's experience with cancer care."

One avenue hospitals and doctors can travel down to ensure the best practices for cancer treatment is by referring cases to independent review organizations. IROs, like AllMed, can use their clinical expertise to decide what is the best practice for the patient, every time. Moreover, referring difficult-decision cases to IROs helps hospitals establish a consistent treatment plan. 

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Cancer Patients, Lost in a Maze of Uneven Care