Combating Cancer (NAPSA)—Themillions of wom- en with cancer—and the millions more who maybe diagnosed with it some day—have a source of solace and information. An estimated 211,300 women in the United States will receive a diagnosis of breast cancer this year. Another 23,000 will be told they have ovarian cancer. To help patients and their families make informed decisions, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)and the American Cancer Society have come up with a set of treatment guidelinesfor patients. “By providing oncologists and their patients with similar resources, each written in their own language, the guidelines enable shared decision-making. In essence, each member of the team is on the same page,” explained Rodger J. Winn, M.D., chair of the NCCN Guidelines Steering Committee. NCCNis an alliance of 19 of the world’s leading cancer centers. “The American Cancer Society joined with the NCCN to give patients the power to effectively communicate with the members of their health care team and to make the decisions that are best for them,” added Mary A. Simmonds, M.D., FACP, national volunteer president of the American Cancer Society. Also in the series are guidelines, Cancer patients and their families may get a better under- standing of their condition and treatment at a Web site set up by leading cancer experts. in both English and Spanish, to help people with lung cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, and colon and rectal cancers, as well as with the symptoms commonly experienced by people with cancer. These reliable, easy-to-understand booklets are based on the NCCN clinical practice guidelines used by doctors nationwide. Patients are even provided with the same “decision trees” used by doctors. These charts represent the appropriate course of treatment for each stage of the disease. The free guides can be found online at www.ncen.org or ordered over the phone at 1-888-909NCCN. won n ene e nee eeeeee ee ee eee eee OTa eee Note to Editors: Although May has been designated Women’s Health Month, this release can be run at any time.
