October 7, 1999

New President and Impetus for Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists
Oct. 7

TORONTO, Oct. 7 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists (CARO) is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Robert Pearcey, MD., MBBS., FRCR., FRCPC. of Edmonton, Alberta as CARO's new President during its annual general meeting in Montreal, September 23rd. Dr. Pearcey will take the reins of the organization during the first week of October. Dr. Robert G. Pearcey of the Cross Cancer Institute in Alberta and CARO's immediate past President, Dr. Ida Ackerman of the Toronto-Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre in Ontario, have positioned CARO to work with government, universities, and provincial cancer boards, to ensure that the current extended crises of human resource shortages of radiation oncologists, medical radiation therapists, medical radiation physicists, and the current lengthy waiting times for cancer patients to receive radiation treatment are remedied as soon as possible. ``Proper long term resource planning must be implemented to prevent future crises of this nature'', states Dr. Pearcey. ``CARO is committed to taking a leadership role in Canadian radiation oncology issues
for the public''.

Radiation treatment is routinely utilized in the potentially curative treatment of over 25,000 Canadian cancer patients annually and also provides symptom relief to many more Canadians when cure is not possible.
The Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists is a professional association of radiation treatment and research specialists who interact with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Canadian Medical
Association, and other national bodies on all issues affecting services for the control of cancer. CARO maintains the highest standards of clinical, academic, professional care, and accredited continuing education of its members. CARO is the official voice of radiation oncology in Canada in relation to the public interest in the provision of radiation consultative and treatment services.

For further information:
Dr. Robert Pearcey, MA, MBBS, FRCR, FRCPC,
President,
Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists, Cross Cancer
Institute,
11560 University Avenue,
Edmonton, Alberta,
T8G 1Z2,
tel (780) 432-8749,
fax (780) 432-8380