Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2005 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings.
Vol 23, No 16S (June 1 Supplement), 2005: 5135
© 2005 American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Abstract

Profile of ovarian cancer patients seeking information from a proprietary web-based decision support program

Swedish Cancer Institute, Seattle, WA; M.D. Anderson Cancer Ctr, Houston, TX; Stanford Univ, Palo Alto, CA; NexCura, Seattle, WA

5135

Background: There is limited information available regarding the characteristics of patients who elect to gather, and share, information regarding their malignancy on the internet. Methods: Aggregrate data from ovarian cancer patients providing information into one of two proprietary ovarian cancer decision-support programs embedded into a number of established web-sites (NexProfiler^TMTreatment Option Tools for Cancer, NexCura^R, Inc.) were analyzed. Results: Of the > 6,500 ovarian cancer patients who had entered data into the two profilers between early 2002–8/2004, 90% considered themselves to be in "good health". 65% of "newly diagnosed" vs. 51% of "recurrent disease" patients declared their activity level to be "normal". The "recurrent disease" population appeared to represent individuals with a particularly "aggressive" management philosophy, as 34% stated they had undergone a secondary-surgical procedure, 34% had received 4 prior chemotherapy regimens, 80% were interested in clinical trials, and 98% desired additional treatment. Conclusions: Ovarian cancer patients seeking assistance from web-based information programs may represent a sub-group of individuals with unique clinical features, and aspirations, compared to the general patient population.

Author Disclosure

Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration NexCura