Prevent Common CancerTreatmentSide Effects (NAPSA)—Manypeople being treated for cancer may havea better quality of life and better chances of success, now that some of the distressing side effects can be reduced or even eliminated. “The nausea and vomiting which maybe associated with cancer and its treatments can, at times, be overwhelming to patients,” explained William T. McGivney, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Sometimes, it even interferes with their getting all the medicine they need. In response, the NCCN and the American Cancer Society worked together to update Nausea and Vomiting Treatment Guidelines for Patients with Cancer. It’s part of a series, available as booklets or online, dedicated to educat- ing patients and their families about cancer. “Our goal in updating this booklet is to provide patients and their families with the most current information they need to work with their health care team to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting,” said Dr. McGivney. The guidelines, derived from the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology developed for physicians by the NCCN, provide background information on different types of cancers, their causes, various treatment options, and a glossary of termsas well as the most up-todate information about treatment options, all written in easy-tounderstand language. “Nausea and vomiting are two of the many feared side effects of cancer treatment,” said Ralph B. Vance, MD, FACP,national volun- teer president of the American Cancer Society. “Cancer patients and their families now have the By maintaining open communication, patients and physicians can adjust anti-nausea medication to control this distressing symptom of cancer treatment. reliable, specific and easy-tounderstand information they need to make timely and well-informed decisions,” he added. Other patient guidelines in- clude: breast cancer, colon and rectal cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin’s lym- phoma, bladder cancer, cancer pain management, fatigue and anemia and fever and neutropenia. Most guidelines are also available in Spanish. The NCCNis analliance of 19 of the world’s leading cancer centers and an authoritative source of information to help patients and health professionals make informed decisions about cancer care. Through the collective expertise of its memberinstitutions, the NCCNdevelops, updates, and disseminates a complete library of clinical practice guidelines. For more information or free copies of the guidelines, visit www.ncen.org, or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or call 1-888-909-NCCN or 1-800ACS-2345.
