July 26, 2002

In This Issue: 
Nursing Shortage, Treating the Elderly and Poor, Attitudes Towards Chemo, 
Care for Dying Children, Physicians Online, Pain Conference By Phone, Pancreatic Action 

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Bill To Help Ease Nursing Shortage Hailed on Capitol Hill
Age and Poverty May Reduce Colorectal Cancer Care
Attitudes Toward Chemotherapy Have Changed

US Experts Urge Reform in Care for Dying Children

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INTERNET AFFECTS PHYSICIAN PRACTICES
Physicians report that the internet has had a major impact on the way they practice medicine, according to a study released by the American Medical Association (AMA). The influence of the internet on clinical medicine has driven more physicians to find their way in cyberspace, now 78% of docs use the 'net. Of those using the internet, almost half of physicians report that the internet has had a major impact on the way they practice medicine. In addition, 30% of physicians have their own websites. The primary reasons physicians have a site is to advertise their practice or provide patient education and information. For more information, see American Medical Association announcement: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/article/1616-6473.html


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TELECONFERENCE ON PAIN 
Next Tuesday, July 30, Cancer Care will offer a free teleconference on peripheral neuropathy from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST. Richard Payne, M.D., and Susan A. Derby, R.N., M.A., CGNP, from the Pain and Palliative Care Services at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York will host the program. From 200 to 1,000 people listen to the organization's frequent teleconferences, and over 1000 people per month listen to previously recorded teleconferences on the Cancer Care web site. To listen to the live programs on the phone, you must register in advance. Prior to each teleconference workshop date, Cancer Care will mail you a "teleconference packet" to be returned by mail prior to the online workshop. Teleconferences are free, no phone charges apply. If you have a sound card and speakers, you can listen to the live teleconferences over the Internet. It's easy to listen online to previous teleconferences on many topics --without registering-- using the free version of the RealPlayer program. http://www.cancercare.org/services/teleconferences/archive_index.asp

To order the registration materials, call Cancer Care at 1-800-813-HOPE or request the materials online at http://www.cancercare.org/forms/teleconferenceform.asp.


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PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK
The Pancreatic Action Network, PanCAN, advocates increased research funding for pancreatic cancer from the federal government and offers services to patients online, such as an extensive list of recipes specifically for pancreatic cancer patients, links to local groups in many states, and legal and insurance info services, and the latest news of treatments for pancreatic cancer. PanCAN's Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) offers information by phone Monday through Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm PST toll free at 877-2-PANCAN (877-272-6226). You can also email the PALS staff at medinfo@pancan.org. www.pancan.org.