|
|
About PDQ
PDQ is a comprehensive cancer database available on Cancer.gov.
PDQ is the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) comprehensive cancer
information database. Most of the information contained in PDQ is available
online at Cancer.gov, the NCI's Web site. PDQ is provided as a service
of the NCI. The NCI is part of the National Institutes of Health, the
federal government's focal point for biomedical research.
PDQ contains cancer information summaries.
The PDQ database contains summaries of the latest published
information on cancer prevention, detection, genetics, treatment, supportive
care, and complementary and alternative medicine. Most summaries are
available in two versions. The health professional versions provide
detailed information written in technical language. The patient versions
are written in easy-to-understand, nontechnical language. Both versions
provide current and accurate cancer information.
The PDQ cancer information summaries are developed by cancer experts
and reviewed regularly.
Editorial Boards made up of experts in oncology and related
specialties are responsible for writing and maintaining the cancer information
summaries. The summaries are reviewed regularly and changes are made
as new information becomes available. The date on each summary ("Date
Last Modified") indicates the time of the most recent change.
PDQ also contains information on clinical trials.
Before starting treatment, patients may want to think about
taking part in a clinical trial. A clinical trial is a study to answer
a scientific question, such as whether one treatment is better than
another. Trials are based on past studies and what has been learned
in the laboratory. Each trial answers certain scientific questions in
order to find new and better ways to help cancer patients. During treatment
clinical trials, information is collected about new treatments, the
risks involved, and how well they do or do not work. If a clinical trial
shows that a new treatment is better than one currently being used,
the new treatment may become "standard."
Listings of clinical trials are included in PDQ and are available online at
Cancer.gov. Descriptions of the trials are available in health professional
and patient versions. Many cancer doctors who take part in clinical trials are
also listed in PDQ. For more information, call the Cancer Information Service
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237); TTY at 1-800-332-8615.
|
