MayoClinic.com Provides Information for Cancer Survivors

Thursday, August 23, 2007

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The American Cancer Society's most recent estimate showed that more than 10.5 million Americans with a history of cancer are still living, and the total cancer deaths in the United States declined for the second straight year in 2004 (the most recent year for which statistics are available). Improved cancer survival rates reflect early diagnosis, improved treatments and new treatments for some kinds of cancer.

Being declared cancer-free can be both joyful and frightening. Mayo Clinic.com provides cancer survivors with tools and information to help deal with topics such as:

• Late effects of cancer treatment
• Managing emotions after cancer treatment
• Relationships with family and friends
• Caring for your body
• What to expect with follow-up care
• Managing common workplace challenges
• Coping with cancer recurrence

Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue.

About MayoClinic.com

Launched in 1995 and now visited by millions of users a month, this award-winning consumer Web site offers health information, self-improvement and disease management tools to empower people to manage their health. Produced by a team of Web professionals and medical experts working side by side, MayoClinic.com gives users access to the experience and knowledge of the more than 2,000 physicians and scientists of Mayo Clinic. MayoClinic.com offers users intuitive, easy access tools such as "Symptom Checker" and "First-Aid Guide" for fast answers about health conditions ranging from common to complex; as well as more in-depth sections on over 25 common diseases and conditions, a wealth of healthy living articles, videos, animations and features such as "Ask a Specialist" and "Drug Watch." Users can sign up for a free weekly e-newsletter, "Housecall," which provides the latest health information from Mayo Clinic. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.

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About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. Doctors from every medical specialty work together to care for patients, joined by common systems and a philosophy of "the needs of the patient come first." More than 3,700 physicians, scientists and researchers and 50,100 allied health staff work at Mayo Clinic, which has sites in Rochester, Minn; Jacksonville, Fla; and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. and community based providers in more than 70 locations in Southern Minn., Western Wis. and Northeast Iowa. These locations treat more than half a million people each year. To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. For information about research and education, visit www.mayo.edu. MayoClinic.com is available as a resource for your health stories.