In 2016, it is estimated that there will be 1,685,210 new cases of cancer of any site and an estimated 595,690 people will die of this disease.
The Cancer Center was first established at Northwestern University in 1974. In 1991 the center was dedicated as the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University through a gift of endowment from Ann and Robert H. Lurie. The center’s title was modified in 1997, when it was awarded the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) highly competitive “comprehensive” designation — reflecting the Lurie Cancer Center’s dedication to the highest standards of cancer research, patient care, education, and community outreach.
Today, the Lurie Cancer Center is one of only 45 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation. It is affiliated with four teaching hospitals in Chicago, treating more than 10,000 new cancer cases each year.
In 2014, an estimated 1.6 million patients received services from hospice. This estimate includes patients who died while receiving hospice care, patients who received care in 2013 and who continued to receive care into 2014 (known as “carryovers”) • patients who left hospice care alive in 2014 for various reasons.
Considered the model for quality compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness, hospice provides expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. Support is provided to the patient’s loved ones as well. Hospice focuses on caring, not curing. In most cases, care is provided in the patient’s home but may also be provided in freestanding hospice centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities. Hospice services are available to patients with any terminal illness or of any age, religion, or race.