New Cancer Insight Centre set to become UK’s leading online oncology resource

July 14, 2011 - PRLog -- The ‘Cancer Insight Centre’ (CIC), which Doctors.net.uk has created in support of the Government’s stated objectives around early diagnosis, aims to become the leading online resource for news, information and research on the five most common cancers in the UK.  

It will analyse the latest oncology research and provide video highlights from leading oncology conferences. The resource will also include access to advice from specialist oncology advisers, and a secure online forum where doctors can share information.

The Centre will play an important role in supporting medical professionals through the planned NHS Reforms, which would change the relationship between primary and secondary care doctors, especially in relation to early diagnosis.

It will provide a range of information, including insights into the impact on developments in global cancer research. The resources will be continually added to, with further groups of cancers being included over the coming months.

Professor Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer, said: “The Cancer Insight Centre will provide a much-needed educational resource that enables doctors to keep abreast of the latest news, views and developments in cancer diagnosis and research, and to learn and collaborate with each other in an effective way.

“The Government’s national cancer strategy puts early diagnosis at the heart of its commitment to bring England’s cancer survival rates in line with the best in Europe.
It is important that doctors continually improve their knowledge and understanding of cancer and have easy access to information and resources that are helpful to them.”

Medical oncologist Dr Adam Dangoor of the Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre, said: “There is a pressing need for the provision of up-to-date, reliable information on cancer management and this will be an important resource both for specialists and those in primary care. It can be difficult to wade through the enormous amount of information now available; the collation of these resources will highlight some of the most useful developments.”

Roche will be among the pharmaceutical companies that will sponsor independently authored educational resources within the Centre.  Darren Fergus, Oncology Portfolio Manager, Roche Products Limited, said: “Our aim is to ensure that information about the best clinical practice is in the hands of those who need to make decisions on behalf of their patients. The launch of the Cancer Insight Centre helps achieve the vision of ensuring UK patients receive world class cancer care.”

Cancer centre specialist The Royal Marsden will be the first NHS Foundation Trust to use the Centre to engage with doctors on cancer-related topics. Activities will include a round table debate on radiotherapy that can be viewed on video via the Cancer Insight Centre.

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Doctors.net.uk has a membership of 182,000 doctors, with 97 percent saying that the network is their most trusted source of information. It is the online resource most frequently used by them and provides forums for discussion, education and extensive editorial content, including conference highlights to support them in making the best decisions for the care of their patients.

The network was created for doctors, by doctors in 1998. More than 300 doctors now act as advisers and clinical information contributors. Credibility and integrity of all published materials is assured thanks to an experienced editorial team and a code of absolute transparency for all information published.

Funding has been provided by Roche for the development of the Cancer Insight Centre which is designed, maintained and developed by Doctors.net.uk