Cancer website a valuable new resource

Georgians who are battling cancer now have a place to get up-to-date information about the disease.

Georgia CORE (Center for Oncology Research and Education) recently launched a comprehensive website on cancer treatments, doctors and resources throughout the state.

Doctors and health care professionals also can use the website   —  GeorgiaCancerInfo.org   —  to find out about clinical trials, oncologists, treatment guidelines and cancer treatment sites.

“Nothing else like this exists,” said Nancy M. Paris, president and CEO of Georgia CORE. “We receive regular data feeds from the National Institute of Cancer, which provides real-time updates on cancer information. It’s an innovative process.”

Georgia CORE spent two years developing the website with the aid of cancer care professionals, including oncologists, scientists, nurses, and educators. Besides being useful to patients and medical providers, it’s a good resource for families of those with cancer.

More than 48,000 Georgians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year.

“Cancer patients are often overwhelmed with the diagnosis of cancer and then have to sort through a lot of information about the best type of treatment,” said Paris. GeorgiaCancerInfo.org provides the latest information on cutting-edge cancer treatments, cancer diagnosis and research news, and additional resources such as support groups and financial aid.

“Patients are able to access all of this information easily on GeogiaCancerInfo.org,” said Paris. “And it can help patients realize that there are so many high quality-of-care cancer centers in the state — they don’t need to go elsewhere for the best care.”

The website, approved by the National Cancer Institute, was created through financial support by corporate partners.

Georgia CORE, founded in 2003, is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of cancer care in Georgia through research and education, particularly by strengthening clinical research.

The organization consists of a collaboration of clinicians, specialists, educators, public health practitioners, and those affected by cancer.

Georgia CORE is funded by the Georgia Cancer Coalition, the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation.

Deesha Patel is a second-year Master of Public Health student at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health. She is interested in health journalism and medical writing as well as epidemiologic research.