Among other things, the organization, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), is a respected disseminator of research information among medical professionals. Consumers are accustomed to being brought into this process when they hear of medical breakthroughs as news stories after ASCO holds its yearly meeting and researchers present their findings to colleagues for the first time. Though historically a peer organization for medical professionals, ASCO has branched out on the web to take a more active role in consumer information, and for those seeking quality information about a range of topics relating to cancer this is an excellent place to bookmark if one is a medical consumer with an interest in cancer topics. Medical Abstracts and Clinical Studies In particular I liked the section, "Understanding Cancer" which helps to de-mystify some of the decision-making information patients and their families have to investigate. The two main areas of interest to this group are medical abstracts (is there research being done on a new treatment for my illness?) and clinical trials (how do I get access to a new medical treatment?). Because abstracts are written by and for medical professionals, the language and reference points often make it difficult for the lay person to fully conceptualize and relate in a meaningful way to a particular disease or course of treatment referred to. "How To Read A Medical Abstract" and "Phases of Clinical Trials" give an overview of the goals of each. And there is an explanation of the purpose for each section of the abstract, or the level of the clinical trial. Another excellent resource for consumers who want to know more about a particular abstract is Breastlink.com and it's worth checking out if your area of interest is breast cancer. Symptom Management Another particularly useful section is the area of symptom management. Material in this section is excerpted from material provided to physicians. This has a comforting quality to it, because there is an implicit understanding that patients are able to handle information that was once thought to be too pre-emptive, suggestive, or worrisome. Covered here are a wide range of alphabetically arranged items from anxiety, ascites (fluid build-up in the abdomen), constipation, dyspnea (breathlessness), and lymphodema (excess fluid in the lymphatic system), to sexual side-effects, and pruritis (itching). The layout gives a brief overview of a particular symptom, and a brief overview on the ways to manage it. Information in this section is provided with the understanding that patients and family members are self-selecting about the depth of information they can handle and this decision has not been made for them. Live Chats with Experts In their Community Center area, visitors have an opportunity to participate in or read transcripts of discussions with medical professionals. Currently this section has a transcript of a live chat from early in December discussing the challenges of coping with cancer during the holidays, a concern that worries many patients and their families during this time of the year. A specialist in treating the emotional needs of cancer patients, Dr. Deane Wolcott, Vice President, Clinical Systems and Knowledge Management at Salick Health Care, joined Diane Blum, Executive Director of Cancer Care to answer questions from participants ranging from video diaries of the holidays to having a home-health nurse provide care for a family member at a holiday get-together. Language and Meaning The Knowledge Center section has a medical dictionary, resources, library, and an excellent drug database accessible alphabetically or by a name search. Each drug includes a brief description, usage guide, precautions, and side effects. For the initiated, this is a quick reference guide to be accessed whenever needed. Perhaps the most cohesive section focuses on Cancer Type. Here each disease is covered by the same cross-references resources contained in the site: general information, news, symptom management, and research material including abstracts and lectures presented at ASCO's annual meeting. Overall, this is a resource patients, family members, and other interested parties can trust for accuracy and relevance. Under ASCO's respected supervision, consumers can now feel more connected to the research they often seek to utilize to maximize their outcome, whether it be to support a family member or friend with cancer, or to support a personal commitment to be an active, knowledgeable participant in the treatment process. Resources from this article: ASCO: People Living With Cancer |
