DescriptionThis is a book about using the best evidence to inform treatment decisions for people with cancer. It is written by oncologists for oncologists, using examples throughout to illustrate key points. The book starts off with a “toolbox” section, written in a way which will help those relatively new to the principles of evidence-based oncology to understand the key issues, and equip them with the basics of how to tell a good study from a bad one. The majority of the book then deals with an evidence-based summary of the common and important cancers in a structured and easy to read format around common patient scenarios and frequently asked questions. Whilst most of the evidence is based on randomised controlled trials, other studies are cited where appropriate eg when discussing adverse events. The unique accompanying book website will contain updates of new chapters and studies as they become available. * Written by leading world figures in the evidence-based movement * Includes free CD-ROM with PC eBook and sample PDA chapter * Methodology of reviewing and appraising evidence discussed in the context of cancer management * Clinical sections covering prevention and screening * Chapters on treatment of the individual major cancers review the current best available evidence to most frequently asked questions * Rigorously structured explicit searches, evidence of efficacy and harms, plus comment around clinical scenarios * Free-access update website keeping the text current and live:

Evidence Based Oncology - Book Information

Tags: oncology, EBM, Oxford

Clinical Reasoning in Oncology   Searching for Evidence-Based Oncology

Introduction : Evidence-based medicine is defined in the medical subject headings (MeSH) from the US National Library of Medicine (NLM) as “the process of systematically finding, appraising, and using contemporaneous research findings as the basis for clinical decisions. Evidence-based medicine asks questions, finds and appraises the relevant data, and harnesses that information for everyday clinical practice.” [1] Finding relevant clinical articles involves the use of specific search strategies as quality filters to limit retrieval to clinically relevant studies.Finding the best evidence to answer a clinical question in the medical literature can be a daunting task, especially for a busy clinician. However, general search skills and techniques to find evidence-based literature are applicable to evidence-based oncology searching as well.To find appropriate evidencebased information, clinicians need specific skills, named SAS (searchanalyze-store) skills. [2] This paper examines these search skills by outlining basic evidence-based search strategies, citing possible databases to use for oncology information, and noting specific oncology-related subject headings to use in searching biomedical databases. Specifically, skill with MEDLINE searches using such strategic resources as MeSH terminology, exploded subject headings, and Boolean search techniques are addressed. This review does not address the analysis and storage of search results.The use of evidence-based search terms supplies an extra filter and allows the retrieval of quality information, thus producing a more focused retrieval of articles while saving time for the clinician. Combining two or more subject search terms often results in a large number of citations to review. For example, a general search on breast neoplasms and adjuvant chemotherapy retrieves almost 3,000 MEDLINE citations in PubMed. Limiting search results to those articles that not only are the most relevant for specific patients, but also document clinical outcomes is the purpose of using evidence-based search strategies.

Searching for Evidence-Based Oncology

Tags: oncology, pubmed

When I have patients that require more advanced or sophisticated treatment than I can deliver, or when they fail standard treatment, I like to refer them to the NCI-designated cancer center in town. Even though I know that many of them will not be cured by this transfer of care, I still hold out hope for a miracle.It really hurts to receive written updates from the center documenting the slow and steady decline of my former charges, now transformed from living beings to official summaries of weight loss, pain, vomiting and impending sorrow. I feel like I’m reading the same novel over and over, a story that kindles both anguish and loathing at the plight of the protagonists.I wish I could care for them again. I want be the one to have to stand before them and answer the tough questions, but I’m gone now. I’m just another “carbon copy,” a mailbox whose only purpose is to receive the latest news about death from afar.

The Cheerful Oncologist

BloodMed - General Section

Tags: hematology, Internet, Ebooks