University Times

UPMC Cancer Centers has launched a new web site — www.upmccancercenters.com — to provide patients with the latest and most comprehensive information about cancer as well as the treatment programs and services available across UPMC Health System.

"The UPMC Cancer Centers web site is a valuable resource for cancer patients that provides information in understandable language and in a format that makes the information easy to locate," said Michael Becich, director of the Benedum Oncology Informatics Center at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. "As more cancer patients rely on the web to understand their disease and make decisions about their treatment, it is important that web-based information is well written, organized and accessible."

The web site is organized into three main areas that include cancer information, expert treatment and clinical trials. By clicking on cancer information, site visitors can access comprehensive information about prevention, screening, diagnosis, staging and treatment for more than 70 types of cancer.

The expert treatment link provides information about the patient care programs available throughout the UPMC Cancer Centers network of more than 30 hospital- and office-based medical oncology practices.

Clicking on clinical trials allows patients to access a list of ongoing clinical research studies for specific types of cancer and to explore potential new treatment options.

The web site also provides the latest in cancer news and allows patients to find a UPMC Cancer Centers location and physicians close to home, ask questions on-line, find support services and take a virtual tour of the new Hillman Cancer Center, the main hub of the UPMC Cancer Centers, scheduled to open at UPMC Shadyside this October.

Before the launch of the web site, cancer information was available on the UPCI's web site. While that web site will still be on-line, it will focus on the research and academic cancer-related activities at UPCI and Pitt.

The UPMC Cancer Centers site was made possible through the support of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and the Emma Clyde Hodge Memorial Fund.