National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference Statement: Symptom management in cancer: pain, depression, and fatigue, July 15-17, 2002.

Background: Despite advances in early detection and effective treatment, cancer remains one of the most feared diseases. Among the most common side effects of cancer and treatments for cancer are pain, depression, and fatigue. Although research is producing increasingly hopeful insights into the causes and cures for cancer, efforts to manage the side effects of the disease and its treatments have not kept pace.

Health plan policies and programs for colorectal cancer screening: a national profile.

Background: A consensus has emerged that average-risk adults 50 years of age or older should be screened for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Objectives: To describe health plans' coverage policies, guidelines, and organized programs to promote CRC screening.

Study Design And Methods: Review of data from the National Cancer Institute Survey of Colorectal Cancer Screening Practices, administered to a national sample of health plans in 1999-2000.

Physicians' roles in preventing dental caries in preschool children: a summary of the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Context: Almost 20% of children aged 2 to 5 years have untreated dental caries. Physician interventions to prevent and manage dental caries in preschool children could help address this common problem.

Objective: To review the evidence for effectiveness of five possible physician interventions- (1) screening and risk assessment, (2) referral, (3) provision of dietary supplemental fluoride, (4) application of fluoride varnish, and (5) counseling-for the prevention of dental caries for the U.

National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference Statement: Symptom Management in Cancer: Pain, Depression, and Fatigue, July 15-17, 2002.

Background: Despite advances in early detection and effective treatment, cancer remains one of the most feared diseases. Among the most common side effects of cancer and treatments for cancer are pain, depression, and fatigue. Although research is producing increasingly hopeful insights into the causes and cures for cancer, efforts to manage the side effects of the disease and its treatments have not kept pace.

A national survey of primary care physicians' colorectal cancer screening recommendations and practices.

Background: National data on providers' colorectal cancer (CRC) screening knowledge, attitudes, and practices are sparse. This study assessed primary care physicians' (PCPs') beliefs about the effectiveness of CRC screening, their recommendations for screening, their perceptions of the influence of published guidelines on their CRC screening recommendations, and how they conduct CRC screening in their clinical practices.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to a nationally representative sample of practicing PCPs.