September 20, 2002 

In This Issue: 
50,000 Needed for Lung Screening and 50,000 Sisters in Breast Cancer Study, Genes and Breast Cancer, Pain Meds and Dignity for End of Life, Speak Up To Prevent Medical Errors, Hospital Evaluations Online, and Survivors Survey Online, and Medical Marijuana

************************************************
NEWS HEADLINES
National Cancer Institute Launches Huge Lung Cancer Screening, By Rachael Myers Lowe, cancerpage

Breast Cancer Gene Linked to Other Cancers

Cancer Patients In Medical Marijuana Protest

Higher Drug Doses Seen OK for Dying Patients

************************************************
HOSPITAL EVALUATION REPORTS ONLINE
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) sets standards for most healthcare organizations and then produces a Performance Report showing each organization's ratings for nursing standards, anesthesia, medication management, nutrition, operative procedures, and other measures. While the online summary of the Performance Report is limited and should not be considered the only measure of a facility, it can give patients information and guidance on making further inquiries. Visitors to the Quality Check website can see a list of all the healthcare facilities in a city, read each group's Performance Report summary noting especially "Recommendations for Improvement," and then speak to their health team about any questions.
http://www.jcaho.org/qualitycheck/directry/directry.asp


************************************************
SPEAK UP TO PREVENT MEDICAL ERRORS
"When you have a questions, ask anyone on your health team. Speak up if you have concerns. Take a relative or friend to help remember all the questions and take notes," says the Joint Commission accrediting health care facilities. The national campaign encourages patients to "Speak up" to prevent medical errors by using the internet, brochures and other materials. The campaign materials give simple advice on how patients can and should ask questions of professionals as well as other steps they can take to prevent medical errors. Patient groups and health care professionals can order "Speak Up" brochures, buttons and posters for a modest charge by calling (630) 792-5800 or see
http://www.jcaho.org/general+public/patient+safety/5+steps.htm


************************************************
ONLINE SURVEY OF SURVIVORS
The University Of Kentucky Department Of Behavioral Science is conducting research on cancer survivors, especially the social and psychological ramifications. The study uses a simple questionnaire on a website, which can be completed anonymously. Volunteers can complete the 20-minute survey or quit at any time by closing the browser. Survivors interested in helping with the research, can go to: http://psyresearchonline.com/ttmstudy/index.html.

************************************************
ADVOCATES FOR DIGNITY AND COMFORT IN DYING
The nonprofit Partnership For Caring addresses the issue of continuing expensive treatments because of "seemingly limitless medical options." The organization indicates excessive treatments occur because many people "find it difficult to talk about death and dying." They say communication among patients, family, and professionals is crucial. "Our nation now has the knowledge and resources to ensure comfort and dignity for each and every dying person," according to the Partnership For Caring, yet "pain and physical suffering among dying people are inadequately assessed and badly controlled."
http://www.partnershipforcaring.org/Talking/index.html


************************************************
SISTERS STUDY OF BREAST CANCER
See the news from cancerpage's Rachael Myers Lowe just released by the National Institutes of Health on its search for 50,000 sisters of breast cancer patients. Sisters of women who have had breast cancer have up to twice the risk of developing the disease as other women, so NIH will follow them for ten years to evaluate their genes, environmental chemicals, or other factors affecting the risk for this cancer that affects almost 200,000 Americans every year.