Ascension Saint Thomas is proud to be the first hospital system in Middle Tennessee to receive a prestigious three-year national accreditation from the American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC). This recognition underscores our commitment to providing the highest level of care for patients battling rectal cancer.
What This Means for Our Patients
"Achieving NAPRC accreditation is a testament to the extraordinary dedication of our multidisciplinary oncology team and our ongoing commitment to advancing rectal cancer care,” said Dr. Patrick Wolf, Medical Director of Surgical Oncology at Ascension Saint Thomas. “Through nearly three years of work towards this achievement, our multidisciplinary team from physicians to nutritionists continues to provide the most comprehensive and innovative care for our patients.”
For patients diagnosed with rectal cancer, the treatment journey can feel overwhelming. Outcomes often depend on the expertise, training, and collaboration of the care team. The NAPRC was developed to standardize care based on best practices from around the world, leading to better patient outcomes, including reduced recurrence rates, improved quality of life, and enhanced survival. Earning NAPRC accreditation reflects our success in meeting rigorous standards, ensuring a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach to care.
Why Accreditation Matters
Accreditation from the NAPRC is a marker of the exceptional care provided to our rectal cancer patients.
To qualify, a center must demonstrate adherence to strict standards in program management, clinical services, and quality improvement. This includes establishing a collaborative team of experts in surgery, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology to ensure comprehensive care for each patient.
“Being an NAPRC-accredited center ensures that our patients have access to quality comprehensive care, which is essential for achieving the best treatment outcomes,” added Dr. Wolf. “It is an honor to work alongside such dedicated professionals, all focused on delivering the best possible care for our patients.”
Colorectal Cancer: A Growing Concern
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. Each year, approximately 145,000 people receive a colorectal cancer diagnosis, with 44,000 of those cases being rectal cancer. While age remains a risk factor, there has been a concerning rise in early-onset cases, making colorectal cancer a leading cause of cancer-related death among people under 50 in the U.S.
Symptoms of rectal cancer are often absent in the early stages, which is why regular screening is so important. Screening colonoscopies are recommended starting at age 45 for those at average risk, and earlier for individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors, including a history of inflammatory bowel disease or colon and rectal polyps.
