"We recently installed the newest version of the CancerHelp software system," explains Lani Crane, Chief Radiation Therapy Technologist at Bluefield Regional Medical Center. "The new version makes it easier to find information and contains expanded content, including the full text of most National Cancer Institute publications and more than 120 NCI Fact Sheets."

Crane says that cancer patients and their loved ones need to be well-informed so they can make the right treatment decisions, and the newest version of the hospital's CancerHelp software is an important tool to support the decision-making process.

"The CancerHelp computer system is simple to use, and provides patients with a wealth of cancer-related information," states Crane. "CancerHelp's easy-to-use touch screen makes it possible for non-computer literate patients and family members to get the information they need. CancerHelp is especially helpful for people who don't have a computer and don't know how to use the Internet. Users simply touch the screen to view or print any information they want. Information is printed in a large, 20-point font, so it's also reader-friendly."

According to Crane, CancerHelp includes vital information to fight cancer, such as the treatment diagnostic statements from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Physician Data Query Database (PDQ). "PDQ was originally developed for physicians to provide them with state-of-the-art information on cancer diagnoses and treatments, and has now been expanded to include information for patients as well as medical professionals."

"New information is continually added and existing information is updated monthly on CD-ROM," says Crane. "CancerHelp also contains NCI's PDQ supportive care information, cancer drug information, medical information, cancer organizations and NCI pamphlets."

The CancerHelp computer system is located in the Radiation Therapy waiting area a Bluefield Regional Medical Center. The system is open to the public, and anyone who is looking for the latest cancer treatment information is welcome to use it, whether you're a patient, friend or family member, or just looking for cancer information. It also provides a wealth of knowledge for health care professionals.

For more information or for a demonstration of how to use the CancerHelp computer system at BRMC, call Lani Crane at (304) 327-1563.