Published on March 27, 2007

Contact: Public Affairs
E-mail: publicaffairs@cap.org

New Cancer Information Web Site Provides Answers to Patients’ Questions

College of American Pathologists unveils www.MyBiopsy.org During Cancer Control Month to help Americans better understand this deadly disease

Northfield, IL.—It could be your sister, your brother or one or your parents. But, if someone you are close to is diagnosed with cancer, you want quick access to as much credible information as possible.

That’s why the College of American Pathologists developed a new patient Web site—www.MyBiopsy.org. Unveiled during April, Cancer Control Month, the site is intended to serve as a resource to people, who have been diagnosed with cancer, or who know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, to help them better understand their illness.

Currently, the site includes information on 20 of the most common cancer diseases and cancer related conditions, including—breast, prostate, lung, colon, skin, and leukemia, among others. It addresses such questions as, “How does the pathologist diagnosis cancer?” and “What questions should I ask my doctor?”

“We designed www.MyBiospy.org with the patient in mind,” said CAP President Thomas M. Sodeman, MD, FCAP. “Being diagnosed with cancer, or having a loved one diagnosed with cancer, can be a frightening, as well as overwhelming, experience. Since we, as pathologists, are the medical doctors who actually diagnose the cancer, it made sense for the College to provide this information directly to patients. Our goal is to, hopefully, eliminate some of the angst by providing credible information that people can use.”

Each page on www.MyBiopsy.org was developed by pathologists—the physicians who examine tissues and fluids to diagnose disease in order to assist in making treatment decisions. The pages include answers to questions about a particular disease, what treatment options are available, a glossary of key terms, and pictures of normal and diseased tissues, among other features.

All of the information available on the College’s new Web site is featured in three formats: HTML, PDF, and Microsoft Word. The CAP plans to post additional topic sheets throughout the year. “As a pathologist, I know how truly important it is for you to understand the disease you’re fighting,” said Dr. Sodeman. “Because the more you know, the more empowered you become about your own health, or the health of someone you love.”

The College of American Pathologists is a medical society serving nearly 16,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world's largest association composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective medical care.

(Note: For more than 60 years, the President of the United States has proclaimed April Cancer Control Month to recognize the advancements against cancer and reaffirm the nation’s fight to reduce the risk of this life-threatening disease. However, despite advancements, it is estimated the 2.4 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2007.)