Cards Carry Medical Information

By Kat Bergeron, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss.

Jul. 28–Mississippi and other Gulf states are participating in a cancer pilot program initiated by one of the lessons of Hurricane Katrina: to be prepared on the personal medical front.

Many who lost everything to flood, surge or wind also lost valuable medical information, such as physician phone numbers and prescription names and numbers. In the stress of the aftermath, many could not rely on their memories, compounding the difficulties of medical professionals helping survivors and evacuees.

The program developed by the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service, or CIS, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO, targets cancer patients. Its centerpiece is a free wallet-sized information card.

One side of the card has numbers and Web sites for the national resources of both agencies and the other includes space for personalize information.

“Continuity of care is crucial to the health and well being of people with cancer,” said Dr. Nancy E. Davidson, ASCO president from Baltimore.

Organizers hope the cards will reconnect displaced patients and doctors after a disaster. The two agencies’ national services will also come into action, as they did in a temporary program after Katrina.

The card’s wording was decided by oncologists and nurses and includes a nationwide electronic and telecommunication infrastructure that allows patients and physicians to access and share information.

The card is available for the 2008 hurricane season in Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. An evaluation of the pilot will determine whether the program is expanded to cover other regions.

To obtain a disaster cancer card Who can order: Individuals with cancer or oncology doctors and medical centers can order copies of the free card through the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service. Quantities are limited to 100 or less per order.

By phone: 1-800-422-6237.

Online: cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/details. asp?pid=4154

Details: For information about the disaster wallet card, check out cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI Cancer Bulletin 012208/page7

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Copyright (c) 2008, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss.

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