By Karen V. Francis, Project Director, Global Academic ProgramsA total of 166 attendees participated in the two-day course, with the majority being physicians. Other attendees were residents, fellows, interns, nurses and pharmacists. Most were from the metropolitan area of Santiago, with representation from almost all of the public and private hospitals and teaching universities.
Dinney emphasized the multidisciplinary care of these cancers, which involves coordinating with urologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. He commented that "MD Anderson has a trusting and cultivated relationship with Clinica Alemana, which provides the opportunity for us to extend our expertise and discoveries in genitourinary oncology to benefit those living in Chile, and by doing so, extends our influence well beyond the boundaries of Texas and the United States."
More than 1,600 Chileans die each year from prostate cancer. Recent studies have shown that with an annual exam, that number can be reduced by 20% to 50%.
Mario Fernandez, M.D., a urologist at Clinica Alemana and director of the symposium, noted that courses like this are very helpful and practical from the clinical perspective, and that we must continue to recognize the importance of quality, evidence-based science in daily practice.
He added that it's equally relevant to coordinate a multidisciplinary team. In the end, the great benefit is realized by the patient.
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