Featured
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News & Views |
Lemonade from lemons: exploring the results of the VOICE study
The VOICE study addressed the oncologist–patient dyad by adding a two-sided intervention. The results of this ostensibly positive study are, at best, limited and, at worst, cosmetic because clinically relevant long-term outcomes were unaffected. VOICE is the first attempt at addressing complexity in this genre of studies and, even with its shortcomings, teaches us some important lessons.
- Nathan Cherny
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Opinion |
The role of Internet resources in clinical oncology: promises and challenges
The Internet is a valuable tool that continues to revolutionize many aspects of our lives. Herein, the current trends in the use of online resources in oncology are described, using the findings from the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) as a foundation. Future opportunities and challenges relating to the use of the Internet to improve cancer prevention and care are discussed.
- Bradford W. Hesse
- , Alexandra J. Greenberg
- & Lila J. Finney Rutten
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News & Views |
Overcoming cost barriers to clinical trial participation
Escalating costs of cancer treatments are threatening access to high-quality care. This economic trend comes at a time of unprecedented opportunity for translational research, but an alarmingly low level of patient participation in clinical trials. Patients' concerns about costs are a barrier to trial enrolment, and addressing these concerns is a moral and practical imperative if we are to accelerate progress against cancer.
- Neal J. Meropol
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Opinion |
Childhood cancer survivor care: development of the Passport for Care
Numerous calls for improvement in the quality of follow-up care provided to cancer survivors, particularly survivors of childhood cancer have been issued by key health organizations in the USA; the Passport for Care (PFC) is a web-based support system for survivor care that was developed in response. In this Perspectives, key individuals involved in the development of this support tool for clinical decision making outline the programme, describe how it compares with similar guidance tools, and discuss the potential implications of the PFC for survivorship care. The challenges encountered and the lessons learned during development and deployment of the PFC are also highlighted.
- David G. Poplack
- , Michael Fordis
- & Marc E. Horowitz
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News & Views |
Tumour board—introducing real time to oncology management
The tumour board has outlived its intended function—it delays care, provides minimal patient benefit, is costly, does not account for patient psychosocial issues, is not evidence-based and has numerous potential legal issues. Instead, multidisciplinary oncology teams using real-time social media and networking that integrates patient input is a better approach.
- Timothy Craig Allen
- & Bryan A. Liang
