September 13, 2002

In The News: 
Prostate Surgery, Breast Cancer Hormones and Tamoxifen, Fatigue and Anemia, Virus and Cervical Risk, Spanish Language Info, Treatment Decision Tool

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Early Surgery Cuts Prostate Cancer Deaths

HRT-Cancer Link Examined

Persistent HPV Infection Ups Cervical Cancer Risk

Risk/Benefit of Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer Prevention Still Unclear


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FATIGUE IS MOST COMMON SIDE-EFFECT

The Oncology Nursing Society says fatigue, which can last up to a year, is the most common side-effect of cancer treatment. The organization operates a website for patients dedicated to cancer-related fatigue covering practical tips for dealing with fatigue as well as medical issues needing treatments such as anemia. A Brief Fatigue Inventory serves as a self-evaluation tool and a record to use in discussions with health care professionals. Also, the Oncology Nursing Society says, "80 percent of all people with cancer will return to work," so the website offers tips on talking with employers about cancer fatigue. 

http://www.cancerfatigue.org/ 


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NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NOW IN SPANISH TOO

Patients and professionals can now find many of the authoritative, full-text medical reports that are available on the MEDLINEplus website en Espanol. The National Library of Medicine operates MEDLINEplus and covers 560 health topics for over 1 million visitors per month. The medical encyclopedia displays full-color illustrations and photographs in over 4,000 articles on most aspects of diseases. Non-Spanish-speaking doctors and nurses looking for patient materials in Spanish will find it useful, because they can locate an article in English, then make a single click to find the Spanish version. See www.medlineplus.gov.

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MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF BREAST CANCER

The Canadian Cancer Society and the Ontario Association of General Surgeons helped develop an online decision aid for newly diagnosed women with breast cancer. The tool compares the advantages and disadvantages of breast cancer treatments using photos and audio with concise text. This decision tool may help women make decisions related to lumpectomy and radiation OR mastectomy.

http://www.ontario.cancer.ca/breastcancersurgery/english-audio/index.html

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NEW GUIDELINES COMING FOR TREATING ANEMIA

More than half of all chemotherapy patients develop anemia with elderly patients having increased risk. Watch cancerpage for upcoming announcement about new guidelines on the proper use of the anti-anemia protein generically-known as epoetin and sold under brand names Epogen and Procrit. The American Society of Clinical Oncology will publish the new guidelines in early October.