Information on how to provide supportive care to ease the side effects of cancer or its treatment—such as pain, digestive problems, nausea and vomiting, fever, itching, sleep disorders and fatigue—is also provided in PDQ.
Information on the early detection of cancers of the breast, cervix , ovary, colon and rectum, stomach, mouth, prostate, skin and testes is summarized. Each summary provides information on the effectiveness of screening both in detecting early cancer in people without symptoms and in reducing mortality .
Information on promising approaches to cancer prevention and new drugs to treat cancer is included in the database.
The state-of-the-art statements, patient information summaries, supportive care statements and information on the design of clinical trials have been translated into Spanish to facilitate access to current treatment information by Hispanic health professionals and patients.
Keeping PDQ's Files Current The treatment information file is updated monthly based on the recommendations of two Editorial Boards composed of about 30 doctors and nurses with expertise in treating cancer patients. One board reviews cancers that occur in adults; the other reviews information on childhood cancers. These boards meet once a month to review and discuss new treatment information and to update treatment recommendations. A group of associate editors—over 60 specialists from across the United States and representing all aspects of cancer treatment—complements and extends the expertise of these two core Editorial Boards.
