Chicago—David P. Winchester, MD, FACS, Medical Director, American College of Surgeons Cancer Programs, is available for press interviews with reporters developing media stories on treatment options for women who are BRCA positive, meaning they have a genetic mutation that raises their risk for developing breast and/or ovarian cancers. To speak with Dr. Winchester, contact Sally Garneski at 312-202-5409, or Daniel Hamilton at 312-202-5328, in the Office of Public Information of the American College of Surgeons. Email: [email protected].

# # # The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the quality of care of surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate to improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College has more than 79,000 members and it is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

ACS also administers the Commission on Cancer (CoC), which is a pioneer in measuring performance. All hospitals and freestanding cancer treatment facilities accredited by the CoC report clinical data to the National Cancer Data Base and receive evidence-based benchmark comparison reports based on accepted standards of care for breast and colorectal cancers. These measures are endorsed by the National Quality Forum.