Shifting the Cancer Conversation: A New Online Patient Program Focuses on Individualized Cancer Treatments

PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of GE Healthcare's ongoing commitment to fight cancer, the company announced today a new online patient resource – www.IsMyCancerDifferent.com. The website, the first of its kind to focus on educating cancer patients about molecular-level testing, was launched at the Social Health Summit, a meeting that brings together patients, healthcare professionals, advocacy organizations and health bloggers.

More than 12.7 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer each year, but no two people are the same. Advances in cancer research have proven that each person may have different gene abnormalities that drive the growth of his/her cancer. Molecular-level testing can help identify the unique characteristics or biomarkers of a particular cancer and provide pathologists with crucial information to help oncologists guide diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning. In addition, molecular diagnosis can help identify what therapies are appropriate for a particular patient's cancer, allowing patients to avoid unnecessary treatments that might do little to stop their cancer.

While molecular-level testing has been around for some time, few patients are aware or have a clear understanding of the technology and how it may lead to personalized treatments.

"By asking a simple question – is my cancer different? – we can enhance a patient's understanding of this complex information," said Ron Andrews, Founder and CEO of Clarient. "As we shift towards a personalized healthcare culture, we are excited about launching IsMyCancerDifferent.com to underscore the importance that people understand molecular diagnosis and how it can benefit them or their loved ones."

The website offers informative videos that answer patients' questions about individualized treatment options, as well as insights from leading medical experts into how molecular-level testing is changing the way in which cancer is treated. In addition, patients can learn about their healthcare teams and their roles in managing cancer diagnosis and treatment.

"It is important for patients to ask their doctors about their diagnosis and what type of testing might provide more information about their cancer," said Dr. Jay K. Harness, MD, FACS, a breast cancer and health specialist. "With the complexity of information, the right tools can help facilitate a productive conversation between patients and their healthcare provider about their cancer."

For more information about personalized cancer treatment and tips for talking to your doctor, please visit www.IsMyCancerDifferent.com.  

About GE Healthcare

GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.

Our "healthymagination" vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality and efficiency around the world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a $17 billion unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employs more than 46,000 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our web site at www.gehealthcare.com.

About Clarient, Inc.

Clarient, Inc. - a GE Healthcare Company - is a leading provider of comprehensive, cancer–diagnostic laboratory services. With its advanced technologies, Clarient is able to provide pathologists and oncologists with more accurate and detailed information to better characterize and assess cancer which can lead to more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatment. In addition, Clarient's services are finding more efficient ways to reduce the cost as well as accelerating the drug development process to identify and develop treating pharmaceuticals that can result in better outcomes for patients.

From its state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory to its Internet-based PATHSiTE®, Clarient delivers advanced oncology diagnostic services to pathologists, oncologists, hospitals and biopharmaceutical companies throughout the U.S. Clarient also is developing proprietary companion diagnostic tests for therapeutics in breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers, as well as leukemia/lymphoma.

Clarient is improving the lives of those affected by cancer by bringing clarity to a complex disease.

For more information visit www.clarientinc.com.

Contact
GE Healthcare
Aleisia Gibson
609-514-6046 (office)
609-865-4004 (mobile)
[email protected]

SOURCE GE Healthcare