News You Can Use

Interactive Toolkits

Almost anyone who has used the Internet has tapped its interactive features, ranging from Web mail to getting driving directions. Now, from some of the most authoritative sources in breast cancer research, comes a series of Internet tools that doctors and patients can use collaboratively to help with risk assessment, treatment decisions and more:

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment.

Created by the National Cancer Institute and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project.
http://www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool/

Estimates a woman's risk of developing invasive breast cancer. Should not be used to calculate breast cancer risk for women who have already had a diagnosis of breast cancer, lobular carcinoma in situ, or ductal carcinoma in situ. The tool's risk calculations assume that a woman is screened for breast cancer at the average rate of the general U.S. population. (See "
Screening Gets Personal")

Online Chemo Calculator.

Created by University of Texas Health Sciences Center
http://www.adjuvantonline.com

Allows doctors and their patients to estimate the risks and benefits of any chemotherapy combination. The estimates are personalized according to the patient's medical history and tumor information. The results can be printed out and used in consultations. Your doctor must register to access this tool.

Online Breast Self-Exam.

Created by Susan G. Komen for the Cure
http://cms.komen.org/komen

Through an online interactive video, explains the basics of breast self-exams and then walks women step-by-step through the process. The video also includes special tips for women with large breasts and women who have had breast surgery. It's a great way to see exactly what a self-exam should look like or to review what you already know.