Virtua recognized as a National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer 

Virtua Health’s Rectal Cancer Program is now recognized as a National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC). Virtua’s program is one of less than 60 in the U.S. to qualify for this prestigious accreditation; and one of two in the state of New Jersey.

To achieve NAPRC accreditation, a rectal cancer center must demonstrate compliance with the NAPRC standards addressing program management, clinical services, and quality improvement for patients. Centers are required to establish a multidisciplinary rectal cancer team that includes clinical representatives from surgery, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology.

Avi Galler, MD, director of Virtua’s Rectal Cancer Program, has built a program comprised of a talented, multidisciplinary team of professionals. “The NAPRC accreditation is confirmation of our team achieving the highest standards of rectal cancer treatments and care,” he said. “The most advanced treatment is available right here in South Jersey at Virtua—there is no need for patients to travel out of state.”

Virtua’s Rectal Cancer Program is staffed by fellowship-trained surgeons who are members of the American Society of Colorectal Surgery and who have also completed courses to meet the requirements of the NAPRC. These surgeons are also trained in robotic surgery, which is a less-invasive treatment option for rectal surgery that results in a faster recovery.

Dr. Galler is proud of the NAPRC accreditation but is even more proud of the team’s focus on always providing the best treatments and care for their patients.

“Our rectal cancer team is extremely diligent in making sure our patients receive top-notch quality care at Virtua,” he said.

Accreditation by the NAPRC is granted only to those programs that are committed to providing the best possible cancer care to patients with rectal cancer. All NAPRC-accredited programs undergo site visits every three years.

Dr. Galler advises everyone to stay up to date on their colonoscopies—a test that can identify asymptomatic cases of rectal cancer at an earlier stage. He also reminds everyone that the age to begin colonoscopy testing been changed from 50 to 45 – and even younger for people with a family history of colorectal cancer. Symptoms of rectal cancer can include rectal bleeding, weight loss, stomach distension, and changes in bowel movements. For more information on Virtua’s Rectal Cancer Program, please visit https://www.virtua.org/services/cancer-treatment/colorectal-cancer.