The American Cancer Society’s translation of the NCCN Prostate Cancer Treatment Guidelines, originally designed for oncology professionals, was released in June 1999. The resource has provided thousands of prostate cancer patients and their families with reliable, specific, and easy-to-understand information they need to make timely and well-informed decisions about this critical health care issue.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 180,400 new cases of prostate cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year. Excluding skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in American men. The Society estimates 103 of every 100,000 Hispanic men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000 (compared with 147 per 100,000 white men) and 17 per 100,000 Hispanic men are expected to die of the disease (compared to 24 per 100,000 white men).

Among the topics covered in the NCCN Prostate Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients are explanations of the different stages of prostate cancer, various treatment paths and options available to prostate cancer patients and a "patient-friendly" glossary.

The Spanish version of this valuable resource will allow patients to have easy access to a wealth of information in their own language.

"The release of our Breast and Prostate Guidelines for Patients has met with tremendous success," said William T. McGivney, PhD, chief executive officer of the NCCN.

"Even months later, we continue to get a substantial number of requests for both of these resources. I am confident that the release of a Spanish version of the Prostate Cancer Guidelines for Patients will generate the same demand."

According to Gerald L. Woolam, MD, president of the American Cancer Society, "Communication is an essential element in cancer treatment, particularly in prostate cancer, for which treatment options are not always clear-cut. We hope these translated guidelines will help Spanish-speaking prostate cancer patients better understand the disease and the various means to treat it and help them work with their doctors to make more informed treatment decisions."

The NCCN and American Cancer Society are planning to translate other NCCN clinical guidelines into patient versions.

Founded in 1995, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network was created with one goal in mind: to more effectively fight cancer. A total of 17 prestigious institutions, representing the finest in cancer care across the United States, are members of the NCCN.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

To obtain copies of the Spanish version of the Prostate Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients, contact the National Comprehensive Cancer Network at 1-888-909-NCCN or the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. The American Cancer Society has

Spanish-speaking Cancer Information Specialists available to assist callers around the clock, and can also provide general cancer information in Spanish. The guidelines can also be accessed through the organizations’ web sites at www.nccn.org or www.cancer.org.