Doctors Corner

Cancer Information
 
NCI's Cancer.Gov
www.cancer.gov

From the NCI, Cancer.Gov offers information on cancer for consumers and professionals. From the main page, users can access the major topics, which include Research Programs, Research Funding, Cancer Information, Clinical Trials and Statistics. Sub-topics for Cancer Information include Types of Cancer, Treatment, Prevention and Coping. Many of these articles are further categorized for health professionals and patients according to the subtopic. Other subtopics include detection/screening, coping with cancer and support groups.
 
Guide to Internet Resources for Cancer
www.cancerindex.org/clinks1.htm

The Guide to Internet Resources for Cancer is an online gateway to more than 4,000 cancer-related Web sites and pages on the Internet. Users first choose the section of their interest, including Patients, Family and General Public; Health Professionals and Researchers. Then links under these interest areas are sorted into categories by disease type, specialty or other subtopics. From there, users can link to the Web site of interest under those subtopics. As a link-to-link site, exploring the information requires moving from Web site to Web site, which can take time. Be sure to use your browser's back button to return to this Internet ResourceDisc.  
 
Asbestos.com
www.asbestos.com

With more than 3,000 pages of content, this site features information on asbestos, mesothelioma, and other cancers that are caused by asbestos exposure (lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, etc.). Unlike other sites, Asbestos.com has achieved HON code approval (Health On the Net (HON) Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation that works to preserve the accuracy and trustworthiness of Web-based medical information). This site has employed a full staff of writers dedicated to research and writing about asbestos exposure and the diseases that result from exposure to the toxic mineral.  
 
OncoLink
www.oncolink.upenn.edu

OncoLink is a comprehensive Internet resource on oncology issues from the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center. From the main page, users can access topics from the left-hand navigation bar or scroll down the page to access information on Types of Cancer, Treatment Options, Clinical Trials and more. The site is updated daily, with the latest Cancer News found on the main page. By scrolling down the main page, users can access Featured Sections, and new items that have been added to the Web site. Because this is such a comprehensive resource, links to specific OncoLink areas are provided on this disk under the applicable topic.  
 
CancerTrack
www.cancertrack.com

CancerTrack provides a gateway to other Web sites regarding cancer information and specific types of cancer. For example, users can use the left-hand navigation bar to click on the specific type of cancer they are interested in. From there, they will be directed to a list of sites pertaining to that cancer. Users can also click on the News topic on the main page, or use the News link at the top-hand navigation bar. Other topics include Books and Feedback. As a link-to-link site, exploring the information requires moving from Web site to Web site, which can take time. Be sure to use your browser's back button to return to this Internet ResourceDisc.  
 
HemeOncLinx.com
www.hemeonclinx.com

The HemeOncLinx.com Web site is geared toward physicians and healthcare professionals and provides updated news articles regarding hematology and oncology. Most of the news is gleaned from professional journals, and when users click on the article of interest, they are directed to the Web site of that journal. From there, they can read the abstract or article, depending on what the journal's policy is. This means that if you do not have a subscription to read full articles, and it is a subscription-based Web site, you will not be granted access. The HemeOncLinx.com site also allows you to e-mail the article to colleagues, or you can save the article directly to your "filing cabinet," as specified on the Web site. The My Filing Cabinet feature requires registration and can be found under the Features section of the left-hand navigation bar. The Web site can also direct users to 40 other medical specialties the company covers.  
 
World Oncology Network
www.worldoncology.net

World Oncology Network is worldwide network of physicians and nurses practicing in Clinical Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Hematology and Related Specialties. The purpose of the Web site is to facilitate care for patients traveling abroad. WON provides a printed directory of WON members free of charge each year. The Directory application is available online and is accessible from the left-hand navigation bar. The other topics listed in the navigation bar allow users to link to other Web sites in this topic. As a link-to-link site, exploring the information requires moving from Web site to Web site, which can take time. Be sure to use your browser's back button to return to this Internet ResourceDisc. The Web site is available in the following languages: French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish.  
 
Oncology Channel
www.oncologychannel.com

From Healthcommunities.com, OncologyChannel.com provides an interactive consumer health Web site for online medical information regarding cancer. The information contained on the Web site is physician-monitored and includes descriptions of conditions, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, management and resources. Other features of the site include online chat with a physician and patient-to-patient chats. The right-hand navigation bar includes links to news, books, "find an oncologist" and more.  
 
Cancer Information Network
www.cancernetwork.com

This is a comprehensive full-text cancer information site for healthcare professionals. Users must log in to access the information, which is categorized and accessed via the left-hand navigation bar. The site is well-designed and easy to navigate. Also offers CME, conferences and symposia, and access to clinical journals.  
 
Cancer Education
www.cancereducation.com

Cancer Education.com is a for-profit entity that was formed to provide cancer information for professionals and patients on the Internet, and its Web site is divided as such. Its site features online medical conferences, grand rounds from major cancer centers, family forums, round-table discussions, live and archived events, CE credits, audio and video, and search functions. Patients access the site from the main page by clicking on the specific cancer they would like to learn more about. From there, they can read news, new directions in research, and other topics, or they can click on the topics in the right-hand navigation bar to access prevention, symptoms, treatment, support sources and more information for the indicated cancer. Professionals can also access from the main page to view MedClips in streaming audio and video, or they can use the right-hand navigation bar to access CME/CE, Dose Calculators, Treatment Summaries and more. A professional message board is accessible from the left-hand navigation bar. This comprehensive site features medical advisers from around the country.  
 
CancerSourceMD.com
www.cancersourcemd.com

CancerSource is a for-profit entity created to provide comprehensive cancer information to professionals, patients, consumers and nurses. This link goes directly to CancerSourceMD, where physicians can access News, Drug Databases, Patient Education and more. All of these sections are accessible via the left-hand navigation bar; however, some areas, including Clinical Trials and Continuing Education, were still under construction at the time of this review. An interactive tool called the Patient Education Wizard allows physicians to customize the content they offer their patients. Users must register at no cost before accessing the Patient Education section.  
 
Bloodline
www.bloodline.net

Bloodline is a well-designed and easily navigated site offering comprehensive information on hematology. From the main page, users can read the latest news, usually presented with an abstract and then a downloadable PDF for the full article. From the left-hand navigation bar, users can access a number of resources. Some areas, such as Specialties, which offers information specific hematological areas including Pediatrics, Cord Blood, etc., requires users to fill out the free registration form. Other areas of interest include the Educational Features and Resources sections. Educational Features includes an extensive online Image Atlas, downloadable PDF Conference Reviews and more. The Resources section includes additional links and information on Conferences, Meetings, and Grants and Fellowships.  
 
Cancerlinks
www.cancerlinks.org

Cancerlinks is maintained by a survivor of inflammatory breast cancer, and its mission is to make finding cancer information on the Internet easier. As such, it is a gateway to specific cancer information, and it provides links to other Web sites regarding that disease. Users click on the specific cancer of interest, and scroll down to access the Web sites listed. Sites in different languages are also included. As a link-to-link site, exploring the information requires moving from Web site to Web site, which can take time. Be sure to use your browser's back button to return to this Internet ResourceDisc.  
 
BioInfoSeek
www.bioinfoseek.com

Enter BioInfoSeek.com Web site and choose the section you want to access from the list. BioInformation features links to other biotechnology-related Web sites in the categories found on the left-hand navigation bar. From this page, users can access more than 3,000 Web sites of biotechnology companies, associations, regulations sources, research sources and a chat room. The BioCareer section of BioInfoSeek features links to career-related Web sites for biotechnology. The BioEvents section features links to an online conference calendar, news, journals and more.