The Duluth Clinic has worked for the past eighteen years to develop a multidisciplinary organization involved in the care of oncology patients and to function as a cancer research unit for the region. The Duluth Clinic was a founding member of the North Central Cancer Treatment Group in 1977 and has functioned as a COOP since 1984. During this time, the Duluth COOP has entered patients onto numerous clinical trials (2,735 to cancer treatment and 1,854 to cancer control and prevention), has assisted in the development of new programs, served as chair or co-chair on numerous protocols, and has presented at national meetings. All of the disciplines in oncology are brought together under the direction of the Duluth COOP. An excellent working relationship exists with the NCCTG, and data of unexcelled quality is generated as shown by past performance records. Geographically, the Duluth COOP is the only source providing the benefits of clinical cancer research to this large geographic area. The Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Centre component of the Duluth COOP covers a large area also. The plan is to continue to bring the advantages of clinical research to patients, to bring new programs (such as cancer prevention trials) to the area, and to continue to increase efforts in cancer prevention, cancer control, and cancer rehabilitation. The North Central Cancer Treatment Group functions as the primary research base with the secondary research bases being the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, the Children's Cancer Group, and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project. The goal of the Duluth COOP is to accrue over 180 patients per year onto cancer treatment protocols and over 250 patients to cancer control programs. By virtue of the already established programs and the commitment to quality, it is believed that a high level of productivity and quality can be maintained.
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