TUCSON, Ariz. (March 1, 2021) – The colorectal oncology team at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and Banner – University Medicine has earned accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

One of only 20 accredited rectal cancer programs in the nation and the only NAPRC-accredited institution in Arizona, the UArizona Cancer Center and Banner – University Medicine team met the rigorous standards needed to gain the national rectal cancer accreditation. 

The accreditation could not be more timely as March is colorectal cancer awareness month. Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. Finding cancer early, when it's small and hasn't spread, often allows for more treatment options and better outcomes.

To gain accreditation, each rectal cancer program must meet or exceed the evaluation and review of its performance and compliance with the following NAPRC Standards: 

• Program Management: Ensures the program and multidisciplinary team is overseen by a qualified rectal cancer program director
• Clinical Services: Confirms rectal cancer patients receive appropriate care based on diagnosis and within specified time targets
• Quality Improvement: Utilizes data to improve efficiency, standardize care and improve outcomes

“The accreditation provides Arizona access to the highest standard of rectal cancer care and our team of experts are committed to providing best-in-class care, leveraging a multidisciplinary approach and exemplifying standards of care that ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients,” said Valentine Nfonsam, MD, MS, FACS, FASCRS, professor and chief, Division of Surgical Oncology, UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson Department of Surgery, colon and rectal surgeon, Banner – University Medicine.

To schedule an appointment, please call 520-694-0111.

About Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South

Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and Banner – University Medical Center South are part of Banner – University Medicine, a premier academic medical network. These institutions are academic medical centers for the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. Included on the two campuses are Diamond Children's Medical Center and many specialty clinics. The two academic medical centers are part of Arizona-based Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the country. Banner Health is in six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit www.BannerHealth.com/UniversityTucson or www.bannerhealth.com/UniversitySouth Follow us on Facebook: @BannerUniversityMedicalCenterTucson or @BannerUniversityMedicalCenterSouth;