New Web Site Can Help Patients Better Understand Cancer Risks

When thinking about their chances of developing cancer, do your patients know the difference between absolute risk and relative risk? Do they understand the distinction between biological and genetic risk factors for cancer? Would they know how to evaluate the accuracy of a news story on clinical trial results?

To help patients understand these and related issues, NIH's National Cancer Institute, or NCI, earlier this month launched a Web site, "Cancer Risk: Understanding the Puzzle." Although the site's January debut highlights Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, it's a resource family physicians can use year-round to supplement their patient education efforts.

The new site is divided into three sections:

Featuring interactive exercises that encourage patients to think critically about their risks for common cancers and how they can reduce those risks, the site guides visitors through the process of assessing their risk for six types of cancer: breast, cervical, colon, lung, prostate and skin.

The section on gauging the accuracy of news reports about cancer, which examines coverage across different media vehicles (e.g., newspapers, radio, the Internet), urges patients to ask such questions as "Who is reporting the results?" "How large was the study?" "Does it include people like me?" and "Has the study been published in a peer-reviewed journal?"

In addition, the site provides links to two specific risk assessment tools -- for invasive breast cancer and melanoma -- designed by cancer researchers for clinicians to use to evaluate a patient's absolute risk for these two types of cancer.

Also available from NCI are free educational materials -- many in multiple languages -- that clinicians can distribute to patients. Copies of these resources may be ordered online or by calling (800) 4-CANCER [422-6237].