The global results in terms of survival are disappointing. Using as the only parameter of effectiveness the correlation between cancer incidence and survival is insufficient. Competent personal care remains insufficient, even in developed countries. Such care has a considerable impact not only on cancer patients survival rates, but also on the patient s quality of life, which only a team aware of the benefits of the multiprofessional approach can effectively apply. To develop standards, reference and criteria that can be applied over and over again by insisting on teamwork which responds to precise objectives and whose quality is regularly evaluated.
Clinical research plays an important role here.
To help the cancer care team respond to the needs and expectations of cancer patients and their families, who must be included as fully committed partners within the multiprofessional cancer care team. There is now clear evidence that patient outcomes following treatment for cancer are improved if care is delivered by a multiprofessional team. In light of this strong evidence there is a need to explore the contribution of collaboration in contemporary cancer care. In addition to a collaborative approach to cancer care it is important to consider the delivery of cancer services and how these relate to the needs of patients. Such a shift in service delivery would require a concerted effort not only from those involved in direct care delivery but also from those responsible for the organisation of service delivery.