Effective today, the site (http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov) has a number of improvements. The first-time user will find frequently asked questions to help learn the site, an expanded dictionary of cancer terms, and an NCI publications locator (http://cancer.gov/publications).

Those familiar with CancerNet will see a new graphical design and an easy-to-use layout that improves the user's navigation through the site. Other improvements include:

• prepackaged pages on specific types of cancer that contain information on prevention, detection, treatment, statistics, coping, clinical trials, and more;

• full-text search capability across PDQ® information summaries, NCI fact sheets, publications, and more;

• enhanced search capability for clinical trials (ability to search by disease stage; open or closed trials; and multiple stages, phases, and modalities in a single search);

• choice of patient and health professional versions of trial abstracts with links between the two versions;

• expanded Cancer Genetics Services Directory of professionals who provide cancer genetics risk assessment, counseling, and related services;

• PDQ® summaries enhanced with links to citations in the CANCERLIT® database of papers published about cancer;

• closer integration with cancerTrials (http://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov), NCI's online resource for clinical trials information and news; and

• an expanded list of links to other, non-NCI cancer Web sites.

The changes to the CancerNet Web site are the result of extensive testing of navigation and organization of information with current and potential Web site users, and are part of an extensive redesign of CancerNet that will continue for the next couple of years, according to Susan Hubbard, director of the International Cancer Information Center, NCI.

"These changes to CancerNet are just the first in a series of improvements that are planned based on extensive user input," said Hubbard. "The redesign of CancerNet reflects the ongoing commitment of the NCI to develop an information system that is dynamic and responsive to the needs of its many audiences."

PDQ® and CANCERLIT® are registered trademarks of the NCI.